Topdon TC004 Thermal Imaging Camera Review

A look at the Topdon TC004 thermal imaging camera. Image resolution is 256x192 pixels, measurement range is -20°C to 350°C and there's a built-in 5000 mAh lithium battery.
Here is the link on Ebay: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2660769708...

[@andymouse]

One of the more capable ones I've seen and a very nice review...cheers.

[@mjweber0313]

Just bought, great reviews. Thanks 👍

[@cattflap1447]

Bought this after watching your review and sold my Flir E6. Very impressed with it, and got £650 for my Flir too ... result!

[@subhobroto]

Great walkthough Julian! I do miss your DC-DC converter videos though. The HVDC series had great potential :)

[@yanbaihuzxzxzx]

I just had to subscribe, you did a awesome job of explaining everything. Looked at the sites in the states i can pick one up for 280.00 usd. You single handed sold me on this piece of tech. Many thanks

[@jetjazz05]

Have always wanted a handheld thermal camera, but unfortunately for my uses the cost is prohibitive. Looking forward to future generations where perhaps I'll be in a circumstance to afford! Great products, this one performs admirably.

[@cheeseschrist2303]

Can now get mobile phones with FLIR built-in, at reasonable prices. Two for half the price of of the overpriced major brands.

[@SimonCoates]

Looks very good and the software seems decent enough. I've got a FLIR i7 and they originally sold for over two grand about 8 years ago. I'm tempted to upgrade with the higher resolution and frame rate 🤔

[@jamhough22]

Looks like a decent thermal imager, Ive been wanting to get one for years.

[@dav1dsm1th]

Interesting video, as always. Stay safe out there.

[@paulshinn5394]

Thank You vary much your video was vary helpful just got my Topdon TC 004 didn't get it in English in setup your are a ( Lifesaver ) much thanks your videos are going in my favorites Thank You

[@vickio1697]

Good review! What sort of distance could this be used at? Would it be suitable for location animals in the garden?

[@video99couk]

I'm quite tempted. It seems to provide a lot more than a similarly priced FLIR.

[@McTroyd]

As an aside, in all the time I've followed this channel, I'm fairly certain that's the first time I've ever actually seen your flashlight turned on. 🔦

[@GadgetAddict]

The resolution and frame rate looks awesome. What's the second lens for though? On ebay they only explain the IR sensor and LEDs. Is the other sensor a regular camera which is being used to make the image look better? I think I read before that the combination of a regular camera and far infrared camera is a patent held by Flir. Maybe maybe it's possible to get around that, depending on exactly how they're combined. I know you mentioned it later in the video and said this new one doesn't need to combine an optical camera. But if that's the case, what's the second lens for? Thanks!

[@JulianIlett]

I think the case was designed to have an optical camera fitted, but with this sensor it's not needed.

[@GadgetAddict]

​@@JulianIlett ah okay. So it's just an empty hole? Thanks 👍

[@Palmit_]

@@GadgetAddict like a blanking plate i suppose. just re-using moulds instead of 2 identical moulds, but one without a hole.. them injection moulding 'tools' (moulds) are mega expensive to produce. also, looks way cooler witht he ex5tra littlwe hole. the device looks 'busier' and more technically advanced.. cost free eye-candy from a business point of view

[@tinkerbot4148]

This is the slightly lower-priced version of their TC005, which DOES have a camera behind that second hole.

[@fredflintstone1]

nice tool, topdon seem to be out putting some useful items 🙂

[@ZaiFuchigami]

Great video! I just picked up a TC004 and started using it, but whenever I use the SD card it automatically takes a photo every 30 seconds. Without me pulling the photo trigger. Any clue why? Any setting I missed?

[@boydlittou9446]

I own this model. It's nice , wish it had a charge light so I knew it was charging or charged up. Other than that it's great. Point it at the ceiling and you can see we're the 2x4 boards are just from the temp change. Amazing.

[@SemeshkoV]

As a reference point, the ZX Spectrum had a screen resolution of 256×192 pixels.

[@JulianIlett]

That's funny 😁

[@jasejj]

And you would have had a similar pattern on an older CRT telly if you turned it on its side to match the orientation 😁

[@followthetrawler]

nice looking device - certainly not cheap but I guess that reflects its capabilities

[@Eratas1]

Some times ago these were 20x more expensive.

[@BaylinerCapri2050]

Hi, what's the focus like for looking at SMD's on circuit boards?

[@AUTOLABYEMEN]

Does this camera work on photographing the car and detecting accidents, modifications, and tints on the exterior of the car? He presented a report explaining the colors in the dyeing areas, accidents, etc.

[@pyromen321]

You can get the Uni-T UTi260A for less than $200. This seems to be essentially a reskin of that camera

[@subhobroto]

Would you be interested in making a video of it - that shows hot air leaks around windows and doors?

[@eliotmansfield]

And the uni-t uti260b is £282 which goes up to 550c and has camera augmentation too

[@pyromen321]

@@eliotmansfield yep, I own the 260b. I got it on sale for around $220

[@SimonCoates]

@pyromen321 - thanks for heads up on Uni-T👍

[@user-tj5nk7lb8l]

beware fake ads, Topdon TC004 Lite (ca£200) is only 160x120 pix IR sensor way too fuzzy for use on cct boards etc just a toy to look for heat loss around the house. The true gear is 256x192 as per Julian model - different ball game at £300 YGWYPF

[@Electester]

Wouldn't it be better to buy the same device, albeit already branded - Uni-T UT-i260B ?!

[@faithful451]

I wonder if the battery is replaceable? Does it use a standard model that can be found commonly? What happens after 5 years if the battery fails and the company is no longer around?

[@adamreed2734]

Would love to see this compared to the Hikmicro B01

[@qviewq2071]

I think I would still like the real image overlay for it to really rock.

[@deathshaker0026]

I was looking at How to build a tCam thermal imaging camera

[@omstygomsty]

How do you change the language if you choose the incorrect one to begin with?

[@flagpoleeip]

Is there an option to fix the scale? I didn't notice but that would be useful for showing temo v time.

[@JulianIlett]

I think it would be useful sometimes to fix the scale, but no you can't do that.

[@jlucasound]

Hi, Julian!! 🤩🤗

[@IanScottJohnston]

Thats a pretty good camera.....and a good price also - £289. I might push the button.

[@Palmit_]

go careful! ensure the resolution for £289 is 256 * 192 it's easy to select a lower resolution accidently. Elsewhere on the 'net, the price for this camera at the 256 * 192 resolution is nearer £400.00. please double check what you get. the price you mention seems unreal for this specification. best wishes. rob

[@IanScottJohnston]

@@Palmit_ Arrived today and it's spot on perfect. Nice camera, build quality is really nice and even the paper manual is a quality print. Looking forward to putting the camera to good use.

[@Palmit_]

@@IanScottJohnston awesome.. i'm getting tempted already... and price was £289? with delivery and taxes etc?

[@IanScottJohnston]

@@Palmit_ I see the cheapest on eBay now is £265.99 all in.....

[@tinkerbot4148]

This is an overpriced item. Last year I bought a UNI-T device with the same resolution and included a visible light camera for less than £230. Today, UNI-T sell one identical to this Topdon model (without the second, visible light, camera) for £202. Tread carefully if you don't want to be ripped off.

[@roidroid]

pretty expensive. $500-$600 AUD. Note: You should take note & mention the price IN the video, because it's quite common for prices to IMMEDIATELY jump up once you've published.

[@cattflap1447]

Hi, Just installed TC View and everything is in Chinese, do you have a link for where you got your version from ?

[@JulianIlett]

I got Chinese too. Didn't take long to find the language selector.

[@cattflap1447]

Found it ! thanks for the tip 😁

[@a14266]

why they copy FLIR E4 or E8 function exactly .....

[@jlucasound]

What's with the pink fan? I know a guy on KZbin that would LOVE to have one of those! 😂😉

[@wthornton7346]

Ah, so that's what happened to Big Clives fan!

[@vk3hau]

Dam it! Thats a shame. Postage: Doesn't post to Australia | See detailsfor postage Located in: Dunstable, United Kingdom

[@paranoiia8]

Kelvin is for people that are really bored its called: "Kelvin home alone" mode :D

[@retireeelectronics2649]

Time to buy a thermal imaging camera. Justification. The plan to significant other. I like it for my hobbies. Ok lets try, it will save money finding heat leaks. Humm, I can make the house warmer for you, win win. Ok just joking going with plan A until she notices it on the bench if ever (-:

[@mc_cpu]

It's currently £310

[@tinkerbot4148]

Far too expensive. Other brands have similar products for much less than this one.

[@andycristea]

@@tinkerbot4148 any examples, please?

[@tinkerbot4148]

@@andycristeauni-t do the same resolution cheaper.

[@Okurka.]

Topdon is the ultimate mafia boss.

[@IanScottJohnston]

Yes, you'll be swimming with the fishies if you make any complaints about your purchase......

[@michaelkaliski7651]

That USB power supply doesn’t look like it conforms to UK standards but at least it comes with a power supply of sorts.

[@nutsnproud6932]

£265 beyond my budget.