Thermal imaging

[ppppenguin]

A while ago we discussed low cost infrared thermometers. Such at the one for £15 from Aldi which I bought. It would be nice if thermal imaging was affordable and here is one approach at a more affordable price.

http://isswww.co.uk/flir-one-thermal-ima...martphones

I suspect it's no more than an IR pass filter. The sensors in smartphones can detect IR so if you filter the visible light you'll get an IR image. No idea if it's any good.

[Mark Hennessy]

Very interesting. Flir are certainly the big name in thermal imaging at the moment - they have a fair lead over Fluke. I'd love one, but can't really justify it in all honesty. Not yet...

Shame it's iPhone only. I presume there are just too many Android phones out there to support. And I presume the price cut is because the iPhone 5 is now so last-year

[ppppenguin]

For more money you can have one that's Android and Ios compatible:
http://isswww.co.uk/flir-one-2nd-generat...ndroid-ios

Looks very different, possibly having its own sensor and optics.

[Mark Hennessy]

Actually, the Flir unit in the original post does have its own sensor. In fact, there are 2 - one for IR and one for regular images (that's what their MSX technology relies on). Take another look at the picture - the Flir device is essentially a case for the iPhone - their sensors are in the centre, and the original Apple camera and flash LED is peeking through an aperture at the top-left.

Looking at the second one that you've found, this is a similar deal in a different case. I can't immediately see how this is connecting to the camera - my Android phone lacks any sort of connector on the bottom. I have the USB port on the side - perhaps that would do? But looking at the spec, it says this:

Device compatibility: Apple products containing a lightning connector, including iPhone 6 and 6 plus, among others.

If correct, that wouldn't work with my phone. I'm not across the lightning connector - no idea how ubiquitous it is...

I've mixed feelings. I can appreciate the convenience and cost-saving, but knowing how fickle the phone market is, I somehow prefer the dedicated instrument. But they are very expensive if you don't have a specific and mission-critical need for them.

It would be interesting to experiment with removing the IR sensor from an old digital camera - that apparently gives good results, though calibration is naturally tricky

[ppppenguin]

Much more simply put an IR pass/visible reject filter in front of any digital camera or smartphone. you'll get a quailitative idea of what's happening even if there's no calibration. Can get some spot calibration points using an IR thermometer.

[pwdrive]

Stock test for checking TV IR emitters in remotes in the workshop was to point it at a consumer type video camera connected to a TV/monitor, that was back in the '80's.

Lawrence.

[ppppenguin]

Looks like there are different versions for apple and android. Ordering page requires you to select correct version.

Data sheet says micro USB for android.
http://isswww.co.uk/media/mconnect_uploa...asheet.pdf