FLIRONE Gen 3 - Thermal Imaging Camera for iOS Smartphones (iPhone 14 and Older w/Lightning Port): Use for Home Inspection, HVAC, Automotive, Machine Industries and More

I recently purchased the FLIR ONE Gen 3 - iOS - Thermal Camera for Smart Phones, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer! This little gadget has transformed my world into a colorful, thermal wonderland.At first, I was skeptical about the capabilities of a thermal camera for my phone, but this little gem has exceeded all of my expectations. The MSX Image Enhancement Technology is a game-changer, allowing me to see things in thermal imaging that I never thought possible. It's like my own personal superpower!One of the first things I did with my FLIR ONE was to take it on a ghost hunt with some friends. We were exploring an old abandoned building, and the FLIR ONE picked up all sorts of strange heat signatures. We found out that the ghost we were looking for was actually just a raccoon living in the attic, but it was still a fun experience nonetheless.I've also used the FLIR ONE to investigate some strange noises coming from my attic. I was convinced that there was some sort of monster living up there, but it turns out it was just a pesky squirrel. Thanks to the FLIR ONE, I was able to see exactly where it was hiding and evict it from my home.But the real fun with the FLIR ONE is just exploring the world around me. I've used it to see where my cat likes to sleep during the day (turns out it's on top of the fridge), to see which of my houseplants are getting the most sunlight, and to check the temperature of my coffee (because who doesn't want to know that?).Overall, I give the FLIR ONE Gen 3 - iOS - Thermal Camera for Smart Phones five out of five stars. It's a little pricey, but it's worth every penny for the endless entertainment and utility it provides. Plus, it makes me feel like a superhero, and who doesn't want that?Here's a comparison between the FLIR ONE Gen 3 for iOS and the SEEK Compact Pro Thermal Imaging Camera:FLIR ONE Gen 3 - iOS - Thermal Camera for Smart Phones:* Thermal sensor resolution: 80x60* Temperature range: -4°F to 248°F (-20°C to 120°C)* Field of view: 55° x 43°* Minimum focus distance: 0.5 meters* App compatible with iOS devices* Battery life: up to 1 hourSEEK Compact Pro Thermal Imaging Camera:* Thermal sensor resolution: 320x240* Temperature range: -40°F to 626°F (-40°C to 330°C)* Field of view: 32°* Minimum focus distance: 15 cm* App compatible with iOS and Android devices* Battery life: up to 4 hoursAs you can see, the SEEK Compact Pro has a much higher thermal sensor resolution than the FLIR ONE Gen 3, which means it can provide more detailed thermal images. It also has a wider temperature range and longer battery life. However, the FLIR ONE Gen 3 has a slightly larger field of view and a shorter minimum focus distance, which may be useful in certain applications.In terms of compatibility, both cameras have apps that are compatible with iOS devices, but the SEEK Compact Pro also has an app that is compatible with Android devices.Overall, the SEEK Compact Pro is a more advanced thermal imaging camera with higher resolution and better features, but it is also more expensive than the FLIR ONE Gen The choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and budget.

OK, this thing is cool! I can't speak to the accuracy but the color gradients themselves were true to the hot spots I was already aware of in my home. I go this so I can have an accurate comparison of before/after I add heat film and seal my windows to try to battle the heat. I did a good bit of price comparison and wanted to try to get something dependable that wouldn't break the bank, and I'm glad I went with the FLIR.I was a little surprised it has a separate battery and needs charged (via USB-C), but that wasn't an issue: more something to be aware of lest you think like me you can take it out of the box and instantly use it.Aside from downloading the app, there is ZERO set-up. No complicated wifi/bluetooth connections, you open the app and literally plug and play. **My home weight scale isn't even this easy to use!!!** Between that and a consistent visual temp display (the quality on my iPhone 14 pro was actually very good IMO) as I walked around my home, this definitely earned 5 stars.I'm keeping my fingers crossed that if I upgrade my phone that I'll be able to use an Apple Certified Lightning->USB-C dongle so this doesn't end up obsolete fast. That might be the only drawback when we're in a world where everyone is slowly transitioning away from Lightning ports.

First off, the device works perfectly and does everything it promises. They were thoughtful and made the USB-C connector adjustable so it can fit even with a hard phone case, very smart. The resolution is good and it does show temperature differences, so it'll be great to use for identifying problematic circuits, air leaks or other issues as it's designed for.The reason I deducted half a star is that I kind of wish I had bought a standalone unit instead. This thing is well built so when it's hanging off the end of my Galaxy S23 I am worried the weight is straining my phone's USB C port. You have to be a little careful not to whip it around too much or inadvertently put any pressure on it. I'm thinking having a dedicated unit while more expensive would just be a little better than using your phone for yet another feat of magic, especially if you're in an attic or outdoors where the environment isn't the best for a phone. I can't really ding the product too much for this as it's clearly sold as a phone add on and it does do what it promises, but for me I wish I had bought the dedicated unit.One other minor issue is that in my hot climate, I am not sure this will really tell me if my outlets and fixtures are leaking hot air unless I have a significant vacuum in the house (either with a blower or because of a leaking duct pushing air into the attic which creates a draw inside. This isn't so much a shortcoming of the product, but it is how science works so it means this won't automatically tell you everything without some additional tools or work. My power company did an energy audit and hooked a blower up to the front door to pressurize the house and then used an incense stick to see if the smoke rushed into wall outlets, plumbing fixtures, etc. (it did!). For this to work the best, I think you'd need to run the blower backwards to create suction so this will see hot air rushing into the house. I need to figure that one out. Perhaps a portable AC unit with a single exhaust hose will fit the bill as those actually suck air out of the house which then causes hot outside air to be sucked into the house, which is one reason they are less efficient than window units. The dryer may help with that as well, although I don't know if either of these will move enough air to draw in from the whole house. Looks like an interesting project to try!If you can swing getting a standalone FLIR then go for it. If you need something portable and less expensive for occasional use, this one absolutely works if you use it correctly, just be careful not to break your phone connector. It's not that likely, but it is a risk.