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Review on πŸ“· Hikmicro B20 256 x 192 IR Resolution Thermal Camera with 2MP Visual Camera and WiFi, 25 Hz Refresh Rate, 3.2" LCD, Full Screen Measurement Thermal Imaging Camera, IP54, -4~1022Β°F Range by Duane Ramos

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Finally an affordable and worthy competitor to this other IR brand!

The HIKMICRO B20 256x192 IR Thermal Imager is a welcome addition to my toolbox! For years, thermal imaging cameras and modules were prohibitively expensive. A few years ago I gave up and bought an infrared thermal imaging camera module that connects to my iPhone via the Lightning connector and it worked great for its purpose, but it was very low resolution and didn't do photo overlays (side by side only) . ). I've been content with that for a long time, but now that the iPhone is saying goodbye to physical ports, I know it's time to revisit this technology for something original. Regular brands continue to offer various options for quality thermal imaging cameras, but they're still designed as a store purchase and not something that some consumers find affordable. Realizing that HIKMICRO had a slightly more affordable line of handheld IR thermal imaging cameras with better resolution imagers, I dug in, did my homework, and finally settled on the B20. It's at the higher end of its price range, but I found a number of features valuable enough to justify the price difference, especially given that I'll be using this device for a variety of professional purposes. I was blown away by the size of the IR thermal sensor for the price, and being able to turn on the photo overlay feature really helped close the deal. With this B20, I no longer have to do fancy photo editing and layering afterwards. Images are complete straight from the device. The Wi-Fi and USB connectivity is great, as is the ability to display screen output on my phone or laptop. The ability to set alarms and set multiple fixed measurement points means that when I'm trying to diagnose devices that are having problems, I can mount the device on a tripod or shelf and get real-time temperature readings in multiple areas within the viewing area. rather than pointing and clicking on individual dots one at a time. Automatic high/low temperature selection, parallax and emissivity adjustment, high temperature range (up to 1000+ degrees) and even a built-in LED work light are welcome. HIKMICRO combines MANY features in one portable package. The retail packaging doubles as a storage case, although I will eventually purchase a waterproof hard case with foam for better protection. In terms of features and capabilities, the B20 is miles ahead of its competitors. If it weren't for a few features I might have gone for one of several cheaper similar devices from HIKMICRO as there are a number of basic features that are common to the entire range. Based on my experience with this device, I highly recommend it for both personal and professional use. Last month I used it to make sure junction boxes didn't have hotspots at connection points in high voltage environments, and I've used it at home to track down some areas in my walls where weatherproofing wouldn't help. are needed. Thanks to its sensitivity, I've even used it to see where there were wall studs behind an old wall with thick plaster (differences in thermal conductivity meant the studs held heat but empty cavities in the walls didn't, and connecting to a Plaster wall meant I could see those warmer lines with the B20. (An unexpected bonus that comes in handy!) HIKMICRO has raised the bar in terms of higher resolution thermal imaging cameras at more affordable prices. They're making this technology available to consumers and small businesses in ways their competitors aren't ready for. Whether you use thermal imaging at home or on a construction site (or both), you'll wonder what you ever did without a tool like this!

Pros
  • Check, measure and inspect
Cons
  • Protection