Topdon TC002
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/I have quite a few Android smartphones that have built-in thermal cameras (such as the Blackview BV8900 or the Ulefone Power Armor 18T ), and I find them really useful. But my daily driver is an iPhone, and while Apple is never going to add a thermal camera to its flagship smartphone, you can do the same yourself.
Also: iPhone 15 overheating? Here's what you should do
One of the best ways to do this is with the Topdon TC002 thermal imaging camera . And currently, you can get 20% off the retail price.
RECOMMENDS
Topdon TC002 thermal imaging camera
The Topdon TC002 can turn your iPhone into an infrared thermal camera, enabling accurate temperature measurements from a safe distance up to 16.4 ft/5m.
View at AmazonTopdon TC002 tech specs
- Ultra-high 256 x 192 resolution
- 25Hz refresh rate
- Enhanced testing range of -4¡ãF to 1022¡ãF (-20¡ãC to 550¡ãC) with high level of accuracy 0.1¡ãF/0.1¡ãC
- Maximum error of ¡À2¡ãC or 2%
- Measures 2.8 x 1.65 x 0.55 inches and weighs one ounce
- Comes with case, cleaning cloth, user guide, and 20-inch Lightning extension cable
In the kit, you get the thermal camera, a case, a cleaning cloth, and a 20-inch Lightning extension cable -- which means you don't have to plug the camera directly into the iPhone, giving you greater flexibility.
The Topdon TC002 kit
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/Also: This $10 gadget is my favorite repair tool of all time
That Lightning extension cable is a nice touch, and particularly useful if your iPhone is in a case that's too thick to properly accommodate the camera.
The Lightning extension cable is a nice touch
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/As for the usability of the thermal camera, the TC002 is brilliant at capturing stills and video. Accuracy is such that you can see the thermal echos of fingerprints on a surface.
Thermal echos of fingerprints on a surface
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/The software is very smooth and easy to use. What's more, it isn't laggy -- a problem I see with some of the software needed for thermal cameras.
The software required to operate the TC002 is some of the best out there.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/Video capture is also incredible: Look at the detail in this flame (which has been converted from a video file into a GIF file).
The Topdon TC002 does an excellent job of capturing thermal video.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/Why do you need a thermal imaging camera? I could rattle off dozens of good reasons, but here are a few uses I've found for mine recently:
- Find overheating electrical components. (Faulty components usually run hotter.)
- Diagnose all sorts of HVAC problems, from windows that leak heat, to radiators that aren't warming up properly, to AC units that aren't cooling.
- Uncover dangerously overheating rechargeable batteries.
- Find radiator pipes underneath floorboards.
- Spot problems with cooling systems on desktop and laptop computers.
- Spot binding brakes on cars.
Also: Are smartphone thermal cameras sensitive enough to uncover PIN codes?
The Topdon TC002 is a solid thermal imaging camera. It has a good temperature range, it's very accurate, the image is smooth thanks to the 25Hz refresh rate, and the software isn't laggy or crashy.
This is an industrial-grade thermal camera. At $240, you can pick it up for a fraction of the cost of dedicated thermal imaging cameras. This is a fantastic addition to any repair toolkit.
Featured reviews
-
I tried Meta's Quest 3 VR headset and the mixed reality experience was next level
-
I spent a week with the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and here's what stood out the most
-
ChatGPT vs. Bing Chat vs. Google Bard: Which is the best AI chatbot?
-
I demoed the $299 Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses and they're way better than I expected
-
I challenge you to find a better-looking laptop for under $1,000 than this