Melexis MLX90640 Thermal Camera // budget thermal infrared

[@XXhite]

Thanks for doing this video. For some reason, NONE of the other tech channels have done a review on these. And I've been wanting to know if they really work.

[@NEWTechCreative]

No problems! They work great, just not great resolution 🤩 bang for buck

[@user-dx9ei9wt4d]

Thanks for the review! Everything is clear, without unnecessary chatter!

[@andreablack3192]

Hello. May i ask how to turn it on? Do i have to pull out that green film strip or why it doesn't work? Thanks

[@NEWTechCreative]

There is a switch at top to turn on. If that doesn’t work, it needs to be charged or might even have a battery fault - also check that everything looks plugged in!

[@jorix7]

Thanks! Also got one. Biggest disadvantage is that you cannot set min max for a colors gradations. Does anyone know where we can get source for a firmware? It uses ARM so there should be a way to put alternative firmwares. otherwise, its not the highest resolution, but ... it gives information where are those areas of heat/cold. As stated and displayed in video.

[@NEWTechCreative]

Yes I agree with you! That would be a nice feature. I’m sure you could update the firmware if you were coding savvy!

[@NathanCroucher]

Ive found 2 versions of this cam, theirs the MLX90640-BAA and BAB, only difference i saw was field of view, BAA 110°x75° and BAB 55°x35°, not sure if that makes a difference in image output. Could this be used to pick up shorts of small smd components on a PCB?

[@NEWTechCreative]

Great find! I hadn’t noticed the different types, however I doubt there would be much change in clarity - probably more cropped than anything. I have the BAB version…. You can get a DCI module, so i wonder how hard it would be to swap out the lenses… maybe I should experiment!

[@user-dx9ei9wt4d]

Спасибо за обзор! Все четко, без лишней болтовни!👍

[@bora_136]

how much distance can that camera scan ? There are 110 horizontal and 75 vertical degree scanning in data sheet but I couldn't notice any length that identified

[@NEWTechCreative]

I’ve texted outside and seemed to be effective within a 10meter distance!

[@FearTurtles]

There should be a button on the top that also moves sideways. When pressed it allow you to view the images

[@ilkaykaankaracan4351]

I'll need additional Details for my project. As i will need to use this camera for active robot deployment on Crisis zones after an earthquake i'll ask some questions here. The MLX90640 as a base component always comes in 2 Versions. One is the D100 and the other being D55 (respectively they stand for wide angle and narrow angle versions) i found out you hace the D55 base component, for Melexis it should be the BAB Model. 10 meters range is pretty good, even if the image you get will be not as detailed on that range. In Earthquake zones everything will be completely dead-cold after some minutes. so even low resolution pictures will be more than enough to determine survivors. My question is if you already tested the BAA version with wide angle and if you also tested the range it can detect heat? Also would you have additional recommendations for thermal cameras for a smaller field robot.

[@NEWTechCreative]

Wow! Your project sounds fascinating. I believe that I was using the BAB version for this video. I can try some tests for you over the next week if you want? I’ll post as a short on my Chanel to assist with your question!

[@netphemera]

Very with mine. No name. No brand. It will be perfect for checking for insulation gaps in my home. This is something I've wanted for a long time and I'm sure I'll be much warmer this winter, knowing I can pull this out. I think the build quality is fine and the accuracy is reasonable. It has the larger sensor and larger screen. It's finally time for all of us to be able to own a thermal camera.

[@bennguyen1313]

Any thoughts how this compares to the equally priced ($70) M5stick T-Lite Thermal Camera Dev Kit (MLX90640)? Or even the slightly more expensive IR solutions : Walabot, AMG8832/AMG8833?

[@NEWTechCreative]

Great question! I have had a brief look and the M5stick ends up being the same price with shipping delivered to Australia. M5stick pros: - ESP32 w/wifi - slim compact design - microphone - I assume you can record video? - open source Cons: - small screen - less flash memory - minimal screen data - unsure on refresh rate/hrz - more functionality = more battery usage M5stick seems to be a comparable device, however more for a recording/PC controlled device rather than a live inspection device. As for the Walabot, I’m not too sure on this one, however probably not comparable due to cost. There are many IR cameras out there and it seems the more you pay, the better they are! Without seeing these devices, these are my thoughts from what I can see online. 👍👍

[@freeranger1677]

The AMG8832/AMG8833 is a 8x8 pixel sensor so not good resolution.

[@fantasticdigitalprint3075]

what do you think for house inspection, how those it react from 2or 3 m distance

[@NEWTechCreative]

Yes works pretty well from a 3m range, however more accurate up close 👍👍

[@shodanxx]

That looks usable. What would you say is the next step up in image quality for the next sensor ? I see some sensors that are 120x160 You really should have filmed more things and checked the temperature with a thermometers I would like to see the minimum and maximum temperature this thing can read and what the accuracy becomes. For instance a block of ice from the fridge or a piece of metal heated by a flame

[@shaunwhiteley3544]

Thanks, any good for longer distance? E.g. Looking at your house outside for poor insulation, gaps around Windows and doors etc? Cheers

[@NEWTechCreative]

Thanks for your comment Shaun! The camera tends to struggle with long distances… I wouldn’t use over 6-8meters distance, however will still work. If you can inspect within closer proximity, yes this is certainly possible.

[@bernardbourqui]

Hello, Just get the camera but not working, how do you change the battery? Thanks for your feedback

[@NEWTechCreative]

Thanks for your comment. Make sure you turn the camera off and plug into a usb c cable to a 5v changer or computer and will charge!

[@bernardbourqui]

Looks to work, many tanks! there is a manual for this device?

[@NEWTechCreative]

Hmmm not that I’m aware of! I suppose this is one of the reasons why I made this video as there wasn’t a great deal of information.

[@chuckypilotaus3962]

Do you think it would be any good for detecting the extent of bee hives inside wall cavities (say from inside through plaster sheets) and within brickwork from outside?

[@NEWTechCreative]

Great question! It would mainly pick up variants in temp coming from the outside of wall… not inside. so if the bee hive transfers heat to the plaster board/bricks, this is possible, however if the wall is normal, I will not show. The sensor will pickup the closest reading!

[@RufleificatiON96]

Do anyone knows if the exported files are matrices or photo extentions (ex. jpeg or png)? I would like to work with them in Python, does exist an easy way to do that?

[@NEWTechCreative]

They are stored with photo extensions. I believe they are .bmp but can check later if needed!

[@flyingmonkey3822]

Can add alcohol to surface and watch for boil off then hit with temp gun for absolute value

[@NEWTechCreative]

I will have to try! 👍

[@sanjayp2683]

Can I use this to review thermal heat loss of my house?

[@NEWTechCreative]

Somewhat yes…. Just remember it’s low resolution and might not show sufficient information for what you are after.

[@ruiamaral1974]

You may not believe but I have the 8 pixel by 8 pixel Panasonic AMG8833 thermal sensor with a 35mm OLED display and a micro USB socket which serves only as a power supply and I use it with a powerbank, and believe me, it has better refresh rate. Its the cheapiest therma camera but I love it and I use it to find hot and cold spots around the house.

[@NEWTechCreative]

Awesome! They are super helpful 🤩

[@truongvan9259]

How far is the detection distance?

[@NEWTechCreative]

It’s not too bad… I have used outdoors and 10meters seems to still work ok!

[@wernervanschie]

NO!!! Not for me. That resolution is WAY too low to identify hot electronic components on a circuit board.

[@NEWTechCreative]

This is true! Definitely not detailed enough for small components!

[@irishguy200007]

Can a macro lens be attached to magnify smaller components?

[@whoCares-lf8ob]

Hi Do you think this will be of any use to detect hot blooded animals or humans in total darkness ? What do you think the max range will be if I only need presence, not identification? Thank you

[@NEWTechCreative]

Greta question! Yes absolutely. I wouldn’t go beyond 12meters range!!

[@whoCares-lf8ob]

Tons of Thank yous. Do you have any idea or information on how I could reduce the FOV even below 55 degree ? I'm thinking some lense assembly. But not glass. Where do I get such a lense ?

[@NEWTechCreative]

I am is aware of any such lens for these types of thermal cameras. Any glass lens will cause the camera to pick up temp of glass in lens and not beyond. You could try the following: 1. Pull apart a MLX90640 lens and increase distance between sensor and lens. 2. A pin hole type of camera might work, however I could be way off here! Good luck 🤩🤩

[@ConfusedBirchForest-lo7jo]

How far can you use it

[@NEWTechCreative]

I wouldn’t go any farther than 10m!

[@andrikurniawan531]

Nice share dude

[@NEWTechCreative]

Thanks Andri 👍

[@lukagacnik3093]

Great video! Not sure if it was mentioned but have you tried the maximum range of detection? The MLX90640 should be able to detect anything within 7 meter range. Can you confirm this? Or, if lower, how much lower? Otherwise looks like a solid product 🙂

[@NEWTechCreative]

Thanks for your comment! Great question. I just checked out and it picks up vision much further than 7meters, however not highly accurate. I just tested and easily reached 10meters. It’s not a high detail camera, however good for a rough idea 👍

[@Sama_09]

Link is broken fyi !

[@NEWTechCreative]

Thanks dude! Aliexpress tend to change links often…. Very frustrating! Hopefully viewers can search for this!

[@jaym5938]

Erm. No. Good review, but the device is a disappointment.

[@irishguy200007]

Why?

[@tunkunrunk]

thanks to China , I'll buy able to buy a thermal camera to check PCB

[@zhenniqi136]

中国产品lol，made in china huaqiangbei，i just saw one in xianyu我刚在闲鱼看到，it costs about 400 yuan，about less than 60doller😂

[@zhenniqi136]

i am sorry ，i mean dollar

[@NEWTechCreative]

Great 👍

[@bparker86]

Looks like it would be great for diagnosing electronics faults

[@NEWTechCreative]

Absolutely! This is my main use 🤩🤩

[@irishguy200007]

Can you do a video of that?