FLIR One Gen 3 Thermal Imaging Camera Review

The FLIR One Gen 3 thermal imaging camera is an amazing addition to the toolbox. Good for finding drafts, areas needing more insulation, water leaks, etc. The applications are endless for this camera!

[DoresoomReviews]

So far so good, and the Hikmicro has better resolution too!

[SF-fblv]

I want to buy this specifically to see where my cat was sleeping 5 minutes ago. She's not supposed to be on my bed...I've told her this several times now.

[kele]

Hi. You know, the firs time I heard of FLIR was when a woman at (I think) an amusement attraction had her pic taken by a thermal imaging camera. Like on some rides they sell you your picture at the end. Well, her image showed a hot spot on one side of her chest. It piqued her curiosity, and, long story short, she decided to have an imaging study done by docs. She had breast cancer. She went through treatment, survived. She credited that thermal imaging photo for leading to saving her life.

[Joel_E]

Another handy thing to do is to check out a breaker panel, to see if any of them are overloaded, or if loose connections are creating hot spots.

[nelsoncarpentry]

I bought one to check for potential problems at a client's house and it's since been a valuable tool to have. I don't use it often, and need to charge the battery beforehand most times. But it's worth every penny. 👍🏻

[RedVRCC]

I like mine tbh. I didn't buy it specifically for home work or inspection but rather just because thermal imaging interests me, but I did ultimately end up locating a few drafty areas in my house while playing with it and was able to get it sealed up. Also great for spotting wildlife in the woods both for hunting and just for nighttime wildlife watching. It was on sale for only like $150 or something when I bought it on amazon too, exceptionally cheap for any kind of thermal camera.

[duanedorow]

Thanks for the quick review, I only learned today this type of thing existed at a price within reach for DIY folks. Quick search pointed me toward your succinct review.

[FernbarkFrist]

I had the Gen 1, which was awesome till it stopped working. Hope they improved the battery on the item.

[iamthebatsy]

This is a great review, covers all my questions.

[wim]

I think this would also be useful to find bad electrical connections. I use the Ulefone 11T, it's a powerful Android phone with a built-in FLIR/IR/thermal camera, and borescope support.

[spiritburners]

you should also be aware that this model will focus down to 12 inches which makes it very useful for electronics applications and checking, most of the other TI imagers only go to a metre.

[Ludecan]

Such a useful review! Thanks for sharing!

[dustisamust]

Is it accurate when pointed at highly reflective surfaces such as a stainless steel frying pan heating on the stove? Hand-held IF thermometers are useless in such situations.

[nateb]

Not sure if i have a gen 1 or 2. But i loved it!..for about 2 years of pretty limited use. Here are some of the issues in my experience: power source- dumb design to not draw power from phone. The battery thats in there lost its ability to hold a charge very fast. Mine is micro-usb, which i assume theres billions of those cords in landfills and the ocean bc it sucks. Super fragile. My biggest hang up is flir's lack of customer support. Ive read many other issues from people like me who have a $400 paperweight and tkld to kick rocks by them. Fortunately some have modified theirs to adress the power and convert to type c, so theres hope. Even though i got mine for $80, and it hasnt been used in 4 years, im not giving up!

[brianbarcus]

it shows the shorted component in a computer motherboard - saves lots of time testing and guessing.

[slackerdug]

I have a problem with moles in the yard. I wonder if I point this at a tunnel in the grass, it will show me if the mole is in the tunnel.

[wanderer]

@Doresoom Tool Reviews
We are thinking about buying one for School (Physics Teacher). Does it detect reflected thermal rays in a window?

[donnadenning]

I fear in time, maybe a year or two, you will find the battery to have issues. Hope not for you. There are tons of issues with battery life and just dead, nonfunctional FLIR One's gen 1, 2, 3 that are now bricks. I have a Gen3 brick now after not using it for about a year. I probably got 20 uses out of it total and now it's garbage basically. I'll try and replace the battery.

[evilcaddy]

What kind of distance or range does it have? Like can it see out in a pasture up 200 yards or so to hunt for coyotes?

[JoeR]

They need to add a zoom function for outdoor use.