[leadin]Handheld infrared cameras used to be products existing only in the realm of the scientist or the contractor, esoteric pistol-grip sensors that scanned for heat and cost thousands of dollars.[/leadin]
This year, at least two companies unveiled cameras smaller than a pack of gum. They cost about $250 each and connect to a smartphone and use an app to assess heat across the infrared spectrum, presenting it on an iPhone or Android screen in a rainbow vision of the world.
I tested a unit from Seek Thermal earlier this year (read the review, “‘See In The Dark’ With XR Camera”). This month, FLIR sent its just-released FLIR ONE Thermal Imaging Camera.
Next-Generation Infrared Camera
FLIR Systems Inc. built this second-generation camera with higher resolution and other upgrades. It can sense temperature variations smaller than a tenth of a degree, the company touts.
Identifying energy inefficiencies and water leaks in a home are common uses. There may be applications for hunting or animal tracking and photographing, or for product development and testing.
We brought the unit on a recent camping trip. For the outdoors, the camera is more a toy than a tool. But if sticks are cracking in the woods at night, you can pull out the camera and aim it at the dark to “see” what’s coming.
It’s also easy to see where heat is being lost through a jacket or on skin. This could help cold-weather athletes optimize their kits.
![flir-infrared-iphone](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2015/10/flir-infrared-iphone.jpg)
Infrared Resolution
![infrared-pano](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2015/10/infrared-pano.jpg)