Thermal Imager Comparison Guide

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Comparison Summary

     FLIR E4

• Standalone IR Camera
• Thermal Resolution: 80x60
• Thermal Sensitivity: 150mK
• Max Temperature: 482 F
• Thermal Accuracy: ±2°C or 2%
• Field of View: 45° x 34°
• Frame Rate: 9Hz
• Battery Life: 4 hours
• Screen Size: 3-inch
• Drop Test: 2m
• Ingress Protection: IP54

     FLIR ONE Pro

• Smartphone IR Camera Attachment
• Thermal Resolution: 160x120
• Thermal Sensitivity: 70mK
• Max Temperature: 752 F
• Thermal Accuracy: ±3°C or 5%
• Field of View: 55° x 43°
• Frame Rate: 8.7Hz
• Battery Life: 1 hour
• Screen Size: Depends on phone
• Drop Test: 1.8m
• Ingress Protection: N/A

Overview

 

The FLIR E4 and FLIR ONE Pro each give you the power of a fully-featured IR camera at a fraction of the cost. These cameras share some impressive specifications, but there are some differences too. The main difference lies in the form factor – the FLIR E4 is a standalone “gun style” IR camera with a built-in screen, handle, and trigger to release the shutter. The FLIR ONE Pro on the other hand is small attachment for your smartphone which easily connects directly to your device without any adapters. The ONE Pro is not a standalone unit and requires either an Android or Apple smartphone to function. Depending on your application, one of these might be more suited for what you need.

For the purpose of this comparison we are discussing the Gen 3 FLIR ONE Pro. We have linked to the FLIR ONE Pro iOS version, as the specs for the Android versions are exactly the same. You can view Android versions from that page under “Compare Products in this Series” or follow these links for your specific version: Android USB-C /// Android Micro-USB

Comparison

 

The FLIR E4 is a fully-featured thermal camera designed for professional troubleshooting of building, electrical, and mechanical applications. This camera is at home in demanding industrial applications thanks to its 2-meter drop test and IP54 ratings. The E4 also has Wi-Fi connectivity so you can easily transfer images to the FLIR Tools App. In the App, you can analyze and edit images before sending out professional reports directly from the App.

Sample Images from the E4 w/ MSX:

The E4 features 80x60 infrared resolution, 150mK thermal sensitivity, 9Hz frame rate, adjustable emissivity, and FLIR’s powerful MSX technology built-in. This technology embosses visible light details onto thermal images, so you can see exactly what you’re looking at – reference images are no longer needed. Temperature measurement range for the E4 covers -4°F to 482°F. The camera has an accuracy rating of ±2% or ±2°C. The E4 also features a large 3-inch screen as well as FLIR’s leading 10-5-2 warranty, providing 10-year coverage on the IR detector, 5-years on the battery, and 2-years on the product.

The FLIR ONE Pro is a totally different type of IR camera from the E4 – because it needs a smartphone to function, it’s dependent on your phone’s capabilities including screen size, battery life, and processing power. That said, this has some clear advantages – FLIR ONE Pro is extremely portable since it can be detached from your phone when not in use. Even when attached, ONE Pro adds less than 1.5 inches to the length of your phone! The entire device measures only 2.7in x 1.3in x .6in.

Sample Images from the FLIR ONE Pro w/ MSX:

Phone connectivity also means you have instant access to FLIR’s powerful mobile apps including the FLIR ONE and FLIR Tools Apps. Use the FLIR ONE App to access real-time thermal tips and tricks, share images with other users, and get help from professionals around the world. You can also use the FLIR Tools App to analyze and edit images before using it to send out professional reports.

The ONE Pro can also hold its own against the E4 in terms of thermal specifications. The camera has 160x120 thermal resolution and 70mK thermal sensitivity, so it will give you higher resolution IR images with greater detail. A temperature range of -4 °F to 752 °F is on par with the E4, and the ONE Pro’s 8.7 Hz frame rate is only slightly lower than the E4. However, one drawback is that the FLIR ONE Pro has its own battery with a 1-hour life – while this saves your phone’s battery, it will not last a full work day without charging.

Conclusion

These cameras are both powerful enough for most professional applications. That said, the E4 is more suited to demanding industrial applications, rigorous inspections, and daily use thanks to its form factor, durability, higher accuracy and battery life. Now with Wi-Fi, image transfer from the camera to the FLIR Tools App is seamless and fast so you can make reports quickly.

The FLIR ONE Pro is more suited to occasional use in professional or consumer applications due to its form factor and battery life. Thanks to its high resolution and built-in MSX technology, the ONE Pro will provide quality images suitable for professional reports, however its 1-hour battery life will get in the way if all-day use is required.

Want to know more? Check out the tables below or give us a call at 877-571-7901. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.