ZDNET's key takeaways HSFTools' HF96V thermal camera is available now for $180.
It has a broad temperature range and a high level of accuracy with an eight-hour battery life.
It has an IP54 rating for dust and water-resistance, but it's not waterproof. $189.99 at Amazon
For a limited time, the HSFTools HF96V thermal camera is $40 off on Amazon, bringing it down to $180.
Regular readers will know that I am a little obsessed with thermal imaging cameras. I regularly use them built into smartphones, those that can be attached to smartphones, and standalone cameras. I use them for everything from spotting failing components on circuit boards, finding leaking pipes, finding spots in houses where heat is leaking, and problems with car brakes or cooling systems.
I'm always finding new uses for my thermal cameras. Personally, I prefer standalone ones because they are perfect for throwing into a toolbag and are always there when you need them.
Also: The best electric screwdrivers
The problem is, a lot of the standalone cameras are expensive, especially if you want one with decent accuracy and thermal range. But sometimes you come across one with said accuracy but without the hefty price tag -- one such example is the HF96V from HSFTools.
The HF96V features a 96 x 96 IR camera along with a 640 x 480 visible camera to offer three imaging modes: thermal only, visual only, and fusion. If that 96 x 96 thermal camera sounds rather meager, don't worry, because the image is upscaled to 240 x 240 in real-time, and it updates at a speed of 25Hz (that's 25 times a second).
Also: 5 gadgets I can't go off-grid without (and why they make such a big difference)
... continue reading