Bosch Professional 12V System Thermal Camera GTC 400 C (12V Battery + Charger, W/App function, Temperature Range: -10 degree C to +400 degree C, Resolution: 160 x 120px, in L-Boxx)

Product Information

The thermal camera GTC 400 C Professional measures and visualises temperature differences in seconds and easily records the results. The Bosch Thermal App documents and forwards measured values fast. Intelligent picture-in-picture technology overlays detailed real and heat-sensing images (19,200 px), resulting in a high-quality image and clear localisation of temperature differences. With its dual power system, a 12 V LI-ION battery or standard alkaline batteries are suitable power supplies. Equipment & Application Thermal imaging works in the dark, or through smoke, but can be fooled by the reflectiveness (emissivity) of a surface. Because IR is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, like visible light, it also has similar properties when it encounters lenses or rain. For professional use, it pays to read up a bit on understanding thermograms, but you’ll understand the basics the moment you power on your thermal camera. Depending on the software, you can also take retrospective measurements from the thermal JPEGs. How we test thermal cameras As an experienced vehicle mechanic, you'll no doubt be able to recognise a number of problems at first glance. For all other cases, our thermal measuring tools can help you find the answer. Regardless of whether it concerns electronics, heating functions, cooling systems or exhaust systems, most workshop tasks either involve verifying that things work as intended or establishing if and where faults are present.

With adjustable focus, the lens can be set on subjects as far as 550m (1,800ft). That’s not only handy for outdoor pursuits but allows you to take full advantage of the relatively high resolution to get sharp thermal images at any distance. Use the thermocouple in heating or air conditioning systems for easy measurement and precise results. For the most part, the best thermal-imaging cameras work like regular ones, except that the image sensor detects invisible IR light and it is translated to a visual “thermogram”. This is what you see through the creature’s perspective views in The Predator and Prey. Renovation and maintenance (e.g. pointing out energy losses and identification of where there is a need for insulation)It is nevertheless a noticeably higher resolution than the device’s immediate predecessor, the IR0102, which had a 32 x 32-pixel resolution. As a low-priced device, adding this to your toolkit is a lot less painful than some of the devices on this list, and with fuel prices on the rise, locating leaks (an ideal task for this adapter) could cover the cost surprisingly soon. How thermal imaging cameras work While the FLIR C-Series produces useful images in good light via MSX, this camera can do so at any time, since it doesn’t rely on visual light to boost its resolution. For our money, that makes it the best thermal-imaging camera for night use today.

The GIS 1000 C Professional infrared thermometer measures selected areas precisely and provides you with additional information on aspects such as relative humidity and ambient temperature. But now anyone can access thermal imaging, whether you want to spot heat sources in dark places – ideal for wildlife spotting – or identify where heat is being lost from your property. If you simply want to measure temperatures, you may prefer our guide to the best infrared thermometers, but for HVAC, electronics, and plumbing these are now essential. Although there are several of us on the team, including me (Adam Juniper), we generally test thermal cameras by using them in day-to-day tasks like inspecting ventilation/insulation, heating equipment (radiators, boilers) and plumbing (hot water pipes and taps). We also test any special claims made by the manufacturer about individual products, as well as the overall experience.Wherever possible, you should measure objects only when they are dry, since rain and other forms of precipitation can influence the surface temperature. Similarly, measurement of objects that have been significantly exposed to sunlight should also be avoided, since the surface can be considerably warmed as a result of this. If you plan to take thermal images outside, we also recommend that you do this in the early hours of the morning. High humidity and wind can also have a negative impact on the accuracy of the measured values and should therefore be avoided. Note: the older CAT S61, still available in places, had a lower resolution IR camera, but offered laser measuring, offering an alternative with even more flexibility. This tool is ideal for detecting insulation problems and unwanted hot or cold spots. Additional Information On the downside, while the FLIR One includes a visible light camera, the Seek CompactPro uses your phone’s camera to provide a split-screen picture-by-picture function, which is subject to some parallax issues. Both versions have a 3-inch touchscreen and can store around 500 images onboard to transfer via Micro USB. The ability to type notes via a touch keyboard can be handy, too. If you can stretch to it, the FLIR C5 model adds more analysis features and Wi-Fi so you can get images to your phone and to your software.