Which thermal camera should i buy? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: form
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2018, 12:06:02 pm
content: Hello,i want to buy a thermal imaging camera to search for faults like short circuits or bad chips on PCBs.Can somebody recommend a camera model to me? I listed the for me (un)important features below.Importantshort focus, adjustablestandalone devicebudget: $300 - $1kFPS >= 15?single pins/traces from SO-/TQFP-packages should be visibleUnimportantaccuracy of temp readingoptical camera / overlayrecording / memoryIf i forgot some important feature which is helpful for PCB inspection, please let me know.Thank you very much.

author: Spirit532
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2018, 02:53:14 pm
content: Short answer - no. You can't. Compromise.Long answer - the closest you're going to get to your specified requirements is finding a used Therm-App Hz and unscrewing the lens beyond the recommended limit, but it's a phone attachment. You're not going to find a standalone, high frame rate device capable of extreme macro for under $2500-3500. They're it's extremely niche.Compromising on other things, you could get a 9Hz FLIR E4(hackable to 320x240) for ~$1k and stick a ~$25 ZnSe lens to do macro with it, but the focus is not adjustable. That's standalone. If you want high frame rate with that, get a used FLIR Exx-series camera - they pop up for around $1200-1900 once in a while. Those are 30/60Hz, also hackable to 320x240, have adjustable focus and can still work with a macro lens.On the low budget side of things, anon-export(X on the end of the model number) Seek Compact Pro($500) does 320x240 @ ~15-40fps(heavily depends on the device), and is also a phone attachment, but can be connected to a PC. Stock focus adjustment is short enough to see the packages and traces you want.

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2018, 03:03:00 pm
content: The Seek Pro is available as a standalone, as a Seek Reveal Pro.

author: Spirit532
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2018, 03:06:18 pm
content: Quote from: Vipitis on May 30, 2018, 03:03:00 pmNot focusable, not connectable to the PC, and not worth the money.

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2018, 04:36:40 pm
content: Not off the shelf, but you could try a secondhand firefighters camera as a donor vehicle / teardown and rebuild ?I have documented doing this for a Raytheon ASi, and the Raytheon BST is not much more difficult to deal with depending on camera source.Bill

author: carpin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2018, 03:06:43 am
content: Wait until we know more about the newhttp://www.xinfrared.com/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=show&catid=50&id=7

author: SmartInfrared
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2018, 03:55:22 am
content: You may check Fotric 225 with 320x240 IR resolution. it's on sale right now. The standard 24° lens supplied offers a minimum detection distance of 0.15m (5.91inch), and Spatial Resolution (IFOV) 1.27mradFEATURES• -Wide temperature range -4°F~1,202°F• -Adjustable focus lens• -High accuracy ±2°C or ±2%• -5.5-inch full touchscreen HD display, 1280x720 pixel, 13-megapixel visible light camera.• -15 color pallets with instant preview• -Easy to use smartphone full touch screen operation• -8 spots, 8 boxes, 1 line temperature measurement• -Emissivity set for each ROI (Region of Interest)• -Free reporting software (report with up to 200 images at one time)• -10+ hours battery time• -Instantly share thermal images through Messenger, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email, etc.• -Up to 1,000 frames of fully-radiometric thermal video recording on the phone• -Voice and text image annotation• -Highly cost-effective optional lens from telephoto lens to super wide angle lens• -Handheld or fix mounted to tripod or test bench• -Free Android APP and Windows software AnalyzIR• -Free smartphone (Samsung Galaxy J7 Unlocked or equal)

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2018, 05:04:13 am
content: Would likely be a big helping hand if you stated what price you have seen it too, after you stated on sale atm.as OP budget is pretty wide 300USD to 1000USD.Viewers could likely find it online at some vendor or third party site, but then again would not take much time to just state it in details, after you put focus on the saleprice atm and already seem to be on call with the product...and It also help other viewers in the future, who perhaps come by this thread ½ to 2 year from now' to have some benchmarks of where and what the price was at this moment to perhaps sense an evolvement on the matter.// found the site, but another tumbler who go full fledge consumer price-incognito with there prices and ask for personal price-inquiries to give any price-info.http://www.fotric.com/FOTRIC_225.htmlsSo yeah' would be a helping hand if you stated the price amongst all your details.// Found some of Fotrics items listed on amazon from Fotric themself as the seller, where it seems to start off 2k USD + another 330USD for the stand but none of that seems to be so-called sale prices..https://www.amazon.com/FOTRIC-Resolution-Fully-Radiometric-Electronics-Professionals/dp/B07BGT5D7J

author: tonykids
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2018, 09:03:33 am
content: Quote from: SmartInfrared on June 03, 2018, 03:55:22 amwhere can I get this device within $1K?and the FPS?

author: Spirit532
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2018, 11:35:14 am
content: Quote from: tonykids on June 03, 2018, 09:03:33 amSmartInfrared is a spammy advertiser that just wants to sell their inferior cameras for extreme prices. Ignore it.

author: SmartInfrared
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 03:58:48 am
content: Quote from: DaneLaw on June 03, 2018, 05:04:13 amGood suggestionThe normal price is $2,999, now the sale price is $1,999. For a new pro. IR camera, this is over 30% off. Still over the OP budgetFor your reference, a few places have them on sale. Limited time offer.http://www.transcat.com/fotric-225-fotric-thermal-camera-320x240-24x18-deghttp://www.saelig.com/category/fotric-promo.htmhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B079THQDW7/ref=twister_B07BRCT5L1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

author: SmartInfrared
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 04:12:36 am
content: Quote from: tonykids on June 03, 2018, 09:03:33 amFPS 30Hz. Wait for a demo unit?

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 05:37:04 pm
content: great that you list all those specs, but there is no note to resolution...

author: SmartInfrared
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2018, 09:13:20 pm
content: Quote from: Vipitis on June 05, 2018, 05:37:04 pmCannot believe the "resolution" is missed in the list- 320x240 IR resolution.- 1280x720 display screen resolution.- 13-megapixel visible light camera resolution.

author: mdkcst
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 09, 2021, 10:12:13 pm
content: The best option for PCB boards would be the Hti HT-301, it has high resolution, great refresh rate (Although for inspecting PCB boards I'm not sure you need such a high framerate). Review here:https://industrial-reviews.com/hti-ht-301/What you described could also be a Seek Thermal Reveal Pro (it has the 15hz refresh rate, high resolution, but no visual camera)I would personally go for the HT-301 anytime.

author: brcondor
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 11, 2021, 03:43:07 pm
content: Would also suggest considering potential future uses. Our company went through a number of IR cameras as services expanded. Looking back we would not have bought the first ones that were not suitable to take into the field on a routine basis (a use we did not anticipate at that time). We use the Flir Ex/Exx series for general uses.