Which thermal camera to buy. FLIR bad practices & their ridiculous non standard RCA cable

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[@mikeselectricstuff]

The biggest ripoff is that all FLIR cameras in each range, with different resolutions, have identical hardware, just crippled in software. Fortunately the more common ranges (Ex and Exx have been hacked to upgrade the lowest end ones to the highest model spec, with extra features)

[@djordjeblaga7815]

Insane! Reminds me of what the EEVblog forum did to the Rigol MSO5000 series oscilloscopes, they use the same tricks to turn a 1000$ scope into a 5000$ one ;)

[@slip0n0fall]

In some cases crippling of resolution and fps is required for civilian (vs military) use of the cameras as well, at least here in the states.

[@mrsaizo0000]

Most of the accessories for the Flir series of cameras are expensive, looking at Conrad, found a charger (don't know for what model). The listed price converted to US$ is around $200.. ..but you get the wall adapter with it. Strangest part is that it is made here in Sweden, the camera, still they are expensive. They were once a branch of the Bofors concern, later to be Celcius concern (even been there once!). Ended up as BAE Systems. I think they once made the cameras for missile guidance systems..

[@SirUncleDolan]

@@slip0n0fall that's the sort of "requirement" that genuinely does nothing to help anyone. Yaaaay military industrial complex

[@glasshalfempty1984]

I require additional information please

[@alupci]

It has always been like that. Companies would do anything to raise their profit, even by playing dirty. The laws enables them to do so. We should be thankful to internet where we can learn from people like Alex and others who disclose the truth and show us the alternative ways.

[@davestevenson7773]

There are a number of wirings for those 4 pole 3.5mm jacks. Tip/ring/ring/sleeve can be either left/right/ground/video, left/video/ground/right, or left/right/video/ground. They aren't fully standardised.

[@cccccc5317]

I use the Cat s60 for my home electronics repairs. It doesn't have a great camera, but it helps me a lot and hey, I paid about $70 (used) for it in my country.

[@alexluz7023]

me too bought used in bootloop firmware restore and voila first thermal camera and android apps for cars obd lol

[@bar10005]

4:44 Dunno if 60 fps was a repeated console gamer joke or serious, but FYI human eye can definitely perceive more than 60 Hz, exact number is hard to determine as we don't see in frames, but in continuous stream, and it may vary from person to person, alertness level or even specific parts of vision field. Also TVs typically have 60 Hz panels, though TV signal typically is interlaced (refreshed 60 times a second, but only half of the pixels), it's cinemas that are typically 24 fps.

[@westhouse4641]

We see light reflected off surfaces into our retinas processed by your brain. As for the frequency of visible light that falls into the 4 - 7.5*1014 (Hz) range However i think you didnt mean hertz but mean fps in which case the number is no more then 60vfps. However technology can record at a mich higher rate and allow us to play it back so that we can percieve 1000fps but in reality what we watch is at least 1000 seconds long but was only 1 second of recording.

[@jBurn_]

@@westhouse4641 Hertz is more than the frequency of light. It's simply defined as cycles per second. You can flash a LED with 5Hz (every 200ms) , but the emitted light has a frequency of 565·10^12 Hz.. (Green ~530nm)

[@maskettaman1488]

the world is only 24 fps so even 30fps is too much

[@jBurn_]

@@hrgwea Take this 25Hz blinking LED and move it fast. Turn the LED completely on and move it fast. you'll see the difference. Or: Use this 25Hz lightsource and use it as the only illumination of the (otherwise) dark room. Move your arm fast. you won't see a fluid motion. The explanation of bar10005 is correct. The human eye (+brain) sees a continous stream. Our brain reacts better to moving things (the change of stuff inside your field of view)

[@bar10005]

@@westhouse4641 Hz isn't only used to describe frequency of light, anything with periodicity may be described by frequency (Hz) and/or period (1/Hz=s). In electronic world Hz is typically used to describe frequency of change of physical media (i.e. display), while fps is used to describe change of software media, and they don't need to be the same.

[@VenkatesanS]

One of the best KZbin channel where both content and comments give lot of information/Knowledge.

[@MBrulla]

I've used the cheap USB ones (in a pinch - not by choice) and yes, they're lower res...so you move them closer to the heat spot. The closer you get, the more clear the location becomes.

[@kdilac8879]

What the name of the product please?

[@tarupam1paru586]

It works sometimes, but when a tight space where you cannot go closer to the board thats one con, but hey thermal camera is very expensive as hell🥺

[@liucyrus22]

Minimum focal distance of the lens? Do they make macro lenses for thermal cameras?

[@MBrulla]

@@kdilac8879 FLIR one.

[@andrewfreeman88]

@@MBrulla Is that the one for Smartphones?

[@stefanlechner]

Hi alex, very good explainings about the thermal cam. Its always good to get some tips and let us be a part of your experience, from a pro like you are. Well with your flir-experience and the spareparts, there are a lot of companies out there who cheat on their spareparts to let customers buy the expensive ones instead of the third-party parts. They all use tricks, change the position of plus and minus-pole, build up another connector, and so on. we are exposed to the industry and in times like these they try everything to get you to buy the expensive parts. So you have to be interested in technology, have a watchful eye and also think a little logically. Do a lot of research on the internet and then you usually realize that you just have to swap the plugs. there is often a lot of trickery. My question for your low-battery problem, why dont you buy just new batteries in the same size with the same volt and mAH, wouldn't that much cheaper for you? Or is there maybe a "counter" or something you had to reset on the board from the original battery?

[@powerchisper]

once I had to order a special "protocol converter" to deal with AXA power devices´ parameters via PC. It was 350 euros, so we thought it should be like the siemens MPI or something. We received a small box with male and female DB9´s . We opened the box and it was normal rs232 with no circuitry inside. Just moved pins 2 and 3 to 4 and 5. Same happens with lots of brands like Leica.

[@paying-for-freedom]

I bought a Ulefone Armor 9 just for the thermal camera abilities. Have been using it for over a year now. Works good for finding shorted components. Especially like the edge overlay that places lines around everything the thermal cam can see. Makes it easy to spot the exact component. Only thing I don't like about it is that it can't do direct video out. But I have a Miracast device hooked up to the same monitor my microscope is connected to. I just hit the HDMI input switch and now I am seeing what the Ulefone sees. Unfortunately it won't fill the whole screen. Just in the middle and about a third of the screens width. Probably going to have to get a monitor that comes with electronic screen rotation and zoom. Other than that. It does what I need it to. I don't use the phone for anything else.

[@Warekiwi]

I needed a thermal camera but couldn't justify the Flir prices. After some searching I found some reviews of the Topdon Tc001 which rated it highly for the price ( resolution 256x192 and frame rate 25hz) Here in the UK it cost about £250 but probably cheaper over there? It works with any Android phone or tablet with usbc connection. but can also work with any Windows PC. I've been amazed by the sensitivity and ease of use of this great little device.

[@ricklambert8115]

We are using a (relatively) cheap thermal camera now and have had great success. It has an ok resolution but only does 9fps which makes it feel very laggy. It has helped tremendously with those situations where the cap, chip, etc stays hot. I think our next investment might be a better camera to catch even more repairs in the future.

[@iTCXtreme]

I use the Flir One Pro to find shorts which works well and cost under £450. However Flir One Pro does have a battery discharge issues, hence keep it charged regularly.

[@nilamelody]

The company is deploying the same tactic as Printer & Ink Catridge industry. Serialize everything that their user will replace at some point and jack up the price. Except this time the main product is not being sold as cheap as Printer, yet both battery and any other utility are sold at higher price tag.

[@picturetech]

YOU SIR are AWESOME! I subscribed noting your concise evaluation for us to see and understand and most notably not bash an entire product just because of some of its shortcomings. You experienced, evaluated, defined, and even offered solutions to those shortcomings and shared it all with us in order for us to learn. . People like YOU, Mr Rossman, Project Farm, Torque Test Channel and soooo many others make youtube what it should be, a qualitative informational guide that can be applied to most products if we are to use what we learn from channels like these. It IS why we all need to vote for Right to Repair legislations as well. I thank you for making this video. Now to binge watch your channel.

[@monsieurduchemin2693]

Im using the UNI-T Uti260B thermal camera. It is really affordable (around 200 to 300$) and delivers good performance. I really like it

[@monsieurduchemin2693]

@dahlia dexter yes works very well for me. Resolution is good and you can pinpoint shorts on pcb.

[@charlycharlson4125]

I use the same plus a laser focus lens for more details.

[@monsieurduchemin2693]

@@charlycharlson4125 tell me more about that lense please.

[@pablonunez194]

I could buy thanks to my wife's gift a flir one pro... It is like you say. Frame per second are too slow. But I can still see I not tried yet in a circuit but I hope works. Thank you for your advice. Hi from Uruguay. All the public here Is asking about Big Boss dance. We need to see those moves in action.

[@lesliepieterse1072]

That just sucks that FLIR rips us off. Thanks for this very useful information.

[@ctecrwp]

Few yrs back I got inquiry for a Flir camera. At first I thought it some normal camera but I checked prices it was about $65k.....wow ..… and I became aware of this brand and it's speciality. The customer was electric company and they used it to check wiring temperatures on high tension lines....

[@nixxonnor]

A 160x120 pixel thermal resolution (19200 pixels) is perfectly good for troubleshooting (if the camera has manual focus and focuses down to 6 inches / 15 cm away from the DUT). And usually 9 Hz frame rate is perfectly OK to spot a stationary, failing component getting too warm. This is due to the slow and gradual heating/cooling nature of regular components (thermal mass).

[@kdilac8879]

120x90 is good too?

[@paulstir]

18650 cells aren’t that expensive for the top brands , I would replace them myself, great content

[@saeedsobhani1981]

Someone has to take time and energy and sue such companies for such misleading marketing practices 😮

[@Vindix007]

My conclusion: FLIR is the Apple of the thermal imaging....lol.

[@wthornton7346]

This point is lost on your first responder. Some folk just love a brand.

[@nilomyki]

It's sad that the only company you can think to compare with is Apple.....and the comparison that you're going after is not the same.

[@randallbro6749]

Fluke is the Apple of multimeters

[@user-cw6gy3hj1t]

Flir is definitely a military contractor before anything lol

[@user-cw6gy3hj1t]

@@randallbro6749 fluke also manufactures thermal imagers.

[@Jonathan_abLSAH]

I just bought the same camera e60bx thanks for the information

[@arasus6107]

Awesome explanations bro 👍👍👍

[@cimogt7857]

Thanks for the review Alex

[@nyzywok5439]

Thanks for all the advices.

[@macrodriguez5697]

Thank you for your advice. I was about to buy one of those mini cheap 8 x 8 resolution thermal camera from Aliexpress. I can't buy a professional one right now and i thought this migh work.

[@n3kro838]

Awesome review! Thank you!

[@lucymc0191]

great video alex ......its typical of a company that supplies quality cameras.. car companies are the same extortionate prices for accessories ..

[@rfr653]

very good explanation. thanks mate.

[@mistsemy1522]

Great infomational videos, thank you.

[@GregM]

Flir also crippled some of their lower cost cameras to limit their features. Those features though as people discovered could be unlocked with a script. That caused a spike in their lower cost cameras a while back.

[@alanuiliam4954]

I m using the quanli thermal camera where have dual camera where shows you the exact location due the overlapping of 2 pictures

[@domtechelectronicsrepair6360]

Good job Mr am one of your big follower here in Kenya

[@michaelgachigo6911]

Good explanation sir Alex.

[@FrederickDunn]

I have a Flir C2 Pocket Camera and am trying to find a replacement battery for it. I'm hoping one of your viewers may be able to direct me to that source? Thanks for an excellent presentation. I need the resolution in order to isolate specific insects among thousands of other insects. :)

[@eliax600]

Thank you Alex 😊

[@mrsaizo0000]

I would like to know what soldering stations you use (hot air & electric). I'm not trained in electronics etc. by school, but learned by the years. Do some work myself, "private", for users who lack knowledge/tools to repair electronics. But I somehow need to get better gear. My current soldering station is a low-end, but still does the job. Which brand is better, ERSA or Weller? Have you ever used a soldering bath, if yes - for what?

[@mulatiechekol4513]

Even though am late but I get valuable information! thanks Alex!

[@jessegreer9]

I have an ex-tech borescope (flir owned company). The battery is not serviceable. Had to send it to flir. 400$ usd and 2 weeks later for a new battery

[@techroom6830]

that's what always turned me off from flir, they make decent cameras but they overcharge for everything since you're paying for the "flir" name for anyone looking for a "cheaper" alternatives the seek compact pro with a macro lens is great for this type of work, there are also bench top cameras designed like microscopes such as the qian li supercam and dytspectrum owl made specifically for board repair

[@EricK-vz5ww]

Yeah that's the thermal cam that I use too. it was pretty inexpensive considering what you get compared to Flir. The resolution is 206 x 156, and the manual focus is great to get close and see the exact component that's heating up. It's also a lot of fun to take camping to see wildlife at night. :-)

[@BOBcustom]

why not use an old battery shell as a battery adapter? I mean, you can power the camera through the battery connector with a voltage between 7,2v-8,2v using the battery shell as a secure connector. You won't need a battery during a normal operation in your bench and use de battery only for portable operations... reducing the battery cycles at day

[@B9NE]

The camera won't work without the battery

[@michaelboyce3227]

@@B9NE did you even read what he wrote? I've built similar 'adapters' for devices that 'require' a battery and it works perfectly fine. It basically just tricks the device into thinking there is a battery by removing the cells from a dead battery and connecting the leads from a power supply (bench or wall) to the (now empty) battery's terminals. So when you plug in the adapter it has leads running out the back of it, but most importantly the device receives the correct voltage to power it and thinks a battery is in place.

[@B9NE]

@@michaelboyce3227 I was responding when he clearly said in the video that it won't work without battery, that's it. As far as bypassing the battery cells that's easy enough. Correct volts and amps will usually work. If there is a serialized board connected then probably same deal. The switch won't work in the dock without 15v 2.6a so I'm well aware

[@josed1773]

I have the same Camra too the charger in the camra wont charge at all. So imma have to do the same method you did to yours

[@Kiran-Rai]

Excellent Explained.

[@charlycharlson4125]

I use the UNI-T UTi260B with 256x192 / 25Hz and a laser focus lens.

[@singsing-bibi2582]

does it works with circuit board?

[@charlycharlson4125]

@@singsing-bibi2582 Yes.

[@singsing-bibi2582]

@@charlycharlson4125 Thanks you.

[@CrazyBiscuit]

I do not know, but i can be able to see the a big diff, when I switched back from 165fps to 60fps on my pc.

[@jackcheefer]

Sure, you can find cells on the market and replace them by your own. The circuit should be just a BSM 2S sold a couple of dollars each

[@jontait1095]

That's a shocking price for a battery. SHAME ON YOU FLIR I'm very happy Alex has exposed your company to the masses

[@igortonu]

Thanks for info

[@Mr.Nabil.Belhaj]

Sadly we are creators of habit, but I bet you that there's a better and cheaper alternative than Flir sold elsewhere. So the proper thing to do is to stop supporting this company by buying into their monopoly.

[@aceace5457]

i bought a flir that works off my phone without any charging or cables it works fine but i still have to try it on the mobiles that i repair . do you have any suggestions.

[@jemsonp0790]

Can you make a review about Seek Compact Pro Thermal Camera? Planning to buy one..

[@ItalianRetroGuy]

I have to disagree on the human eye seeing only 60fps, but obviously I agree that a high refresh rate is important. Another case I imagine is worth having a 60fps camera is for figuring out what component heats up first, on a low refresh rate you may not be able to see the order

[@sparkoceanic]

It's unclear if he says the eye can, or can't see more than 60 fps. He says "the eye can see 60fps", then "it cannot see more than 60 fps" straight after makes it seem like he is referring to the camera @60fps 4:38 is the timestamp to listen again. I agree though, the human eye can see more than 60 frames per second. 120fps, 240fps footage would all look the same otherwise, and it clearly looks smoother to the eye the faster the refresh.

[@klavsvasilis]

10 years ago scientists said its 30- you can see 30fps and no more... Now with 60, 120, and 240fps monitors we see thats not the case.. Also before rransportation, when people biult first train, scientists said and proved theory that driving faster than 20kmph would squish and kill everyone inside... Luckly not always it is what scientists say it is... :)

[@rifatahmed4659]

Alex how long a weller micro pencil iron tip lasts for you? Is the weller tip durable ? Unlike jbc, people complains about shorter tip life. Please make a video on that

[@jontait1095]

Contact flir and ask for a replacement camera they might send you one after watching this video

[@hamedmansoory553]

please make and upload more video very usefull thanks alot❤️

[@emmanuelnwanze5448]

Sir can you write a book on repairs(especially on mother boards) or recommend one

[@bitsnbobs1969]

its very good topic this all manufacturer doing same with battery packs i found this out few year ago messing about with drills and cordless hoovers you can replace just batterys plenty savings there

[@audioman2011]

Just bought a CAT S62 pro for this use. Really good

[@rickjames8943]

The cat s62 uses the flir 3.5 lens that is only 160x120 it resolution

[@audioman2011]

@@rickjames8943 from up close, it works

[@petenikolic5244]

Seems FLIR have taken a page out of the Apple book of cons .

[@MatejS3]

I use Seek Thermal PRO with macro lens. It cost about 400-500 euro in EU. And it have 320x240 resolution. I used Flir E6 too but this Seek model that i have is better for electronic.

[@RafalBielawski]

when i start doing my own job i bought best thermal camera as i could and now five year later i can still use it and this camera doing awesome job! never search cheap, always search best as you could

[@ahmedtwahir]

which is?

[@amielem]

6:06 you can use that circuit controler to your next batery...

[@DonJuanMessi]

Love your content, and you are freaking smart, keep it up !

[@appleunlocks1]

You’re right, Good product but bad company strategy

[@subliminalbooster408]

what about a fluke Ti480 , does it good for electronic repairing ???

[@KorAllRBare]

Wouldn't it be great if a website had a list of Manufacturers who rely on standard Accessories and Components that are on purpose reconfigured just in order to corner the consumer into being fleeced a little more by their over priced reconfigured standard components.. I am glad I now know FLIR is a company I simply cant trust..

[@rickjames8943]

I have been using the e60 at work for the pass 7 year but work just got the new T series and I used the t1020 and wow the details that come up on it are way better than anything I have ever used and not saying that everyone needs a 40,000 thermal camera but with the 1024x768 ir resolution I can almost see every component inside my phone with out even opening it up but yes flir makes some of the best thermal images camera’s on the market

[@AquaTech225]

Man I had one I sold a couple years back that was able to do facial recognition. That thermal was day an night different than the standard one. It’s worlds different on how amazing a really clear thermal really is. Regret selling it to this day

[@larseriksson42]

Shady practices revealed by investigating tools used to investigate shady things :D That sure came back to bite their tail.

[@HighPoweExpress]

For those the like do repairs as hobby, Amazon have some budget thermal cameras around $600 that have that resolution for that kind of work.

[@stefanobettinsoli1394]

I work on industrial automation field. Every time I have to buy a genuine replacement part I cry like a baby... Few weeks ago I had to replace a little 3V lithium battery inside an Allen Bradley PLC CPU. On line I found a compatible (the same) battery for five dollars. But I bought the genuine battery 1747-BA for 244 dollars, plus tax. Crazy

[@thankyou7741]

I use seek thermal camera which was simple and easy to use with smartphone.. small and compact.. easy to carry. Small in size

[@freeentertainment_yt]

What micro scope camera are you using?

[@kingofdeath2085]

@NorthridgeFix am really interested into learning how to repair stuff like you do but i really don't know where to start from am not sure if you are going to see this comment but if you saw please tell where should i start from what should i learn to start doing this

[@WogChilli]

Nothing more satisfying than outsmarting companies that try to fleece you for $$$

[@chasefournier]

Reminds me of apple. We call that "the apple tax." We just got a seek pro shot, and it works very well for a quarter of the price of the e60 flir.

[@czerus2233]

One thing about quality I learned ison automotive, if you cheap out on parts and tools you'll regret it and that if you save up a little more quality parts/tools it will last you until it pays for it self not breaking and last longer. Of course there are some people who will think they will only use the thing often but that's the difference when you are a repair shop as you use the tool almost every time. People nowadays are bombarded will a lot of low quality cheap items that will need to be replaced again and again because they want cheap and fast fix. Nothing will replace quality tools and parts period, you maybe lucky on some cheap items but really you're playing with luck and remember how harsh it can be with luck.

[@mohamedhussein120]

You are right 👍🏾

[@MNadeem-qo1rl]

i have nitendo switch but back light not working,when i turn on flash light you can see the screen please help me with these issue.

[@2005saadcomputer]

ربي يسهل امرك 👍🤗

[@asam982]

شو نوع الثيرمال كام يلي بتستعملها انت ❤️

[@christiankulmann3325]

I use CAT S61. Used 150 Dollars.

[@xx_ars_enic_xx2831]

Ok now the big question is the one you selling on your website verses the Flir that you use is the one in your website gonna get the job done?

[@Vo0d0o2009]

yeah for sure the flit battery is made of 2X 18650 cells , you can use EFFEST cells for vaping , they are absolute beasts , your flir would run 1 week insead of 1 day on one charge with them

[@x8jason8x]

Nice analogy on fps. FLIR are definitely price gougers, those 18650 cells in bulk probably only about 5$ each, and that's probably on the incredibly high side.

[@liucyrus22]

Heck, top tier Panasonic cells retail for around $5 here new. I bet they get them much cheaper.

[@masteryoda394]

They bulk at about 3$ each, the price has gone down a bit.

[@jackwan358]

i have an uti 260b, its not prefect but it can get the job done.

[@coondogtheman]

I have the FLIR TG165-x and it's my first thermal camera and it does lave a lag every now an then with the thermal refresh rate and then it catches up. Not sure what's causing that. Did it the day I first turned it on.

[@GoldSrc_]

All thermal cameras will have a consistent lag for a moment, that's the calibration shutter closing and opening, it's normal.

[@coondogtheman]

@@GoldSrc_ Its my first FLIR camera ever so I thought it was just a glitch in the software.

[@wolfbrave4866]

Look for 3rd party dummy battery or use the circuit board that you took open from the official battery solider a USB cable and your have a external power for the camera without using the charger

[@Steve1979a]

are most board faults a short?

[@clivewright7778]

A lot of manufacturers doing the same thing to consumers. Hantek 2d40 to 2d82 same hardware different software. Cheap oscilloscope but works great for the price

[@iggy151]

I just use my Blackview bv9800 which has built in thermal camera. 🤘

[@powerfist_wang]

how about QianLi SuperCam X 3D, designed for electronic repair，very efficient thermal camera

[@savinolasorsa9092]

Hi Alex, I’m trying to build up my electronics repairs lab. I choose FLIR C5 camera for several reasons: it’s a FLIR, it’s relatively cheap (750€), it’s a stand alone instrument and no need to rely on your phone , has a good enough resolution 160x120. Said that, your camera is good enough for your requirements and usage. Just need a good camera holder…. Can’t keep going this way 😀😀😀!!! Hi from Italy!!!!

[@alialshams1043]

nice Vedio ☮️👍

[@SunShine24024]

I request ABF-RX500 thermal camera...I am waiting to got it ...

[@Darren777Au]

Is the battery sealed or can you put tape around it to hold the casing together and change the AA batteries inside? Your explanation of f/s was perfect and resolution also great. Nicely done.

[@zoolf2001]

not AA but 18650 batteries

[@Darren777Au]

@@zoolf2001 understand, however, I've replaced batteries in different devices, those I can't, a friend does for me. So any battery can really be changed.

[@Darren777Au]

@Shanae as long as the amp and volt is the same, and they fit, should be fine.

[@suryavanshib]

Awesome ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

[@achimugusolomon8563]

U can try seek compact pro,with macro lens.

[@FixTronics]

I got a UNI-T UTI260B thermal camera and it just perfect