Key Differences

Overview

The FLIR TG165 and Seek RevealPRO are two compact, handheld thermal imaging cameras, perfect for professionals working in electrical, HVAC, industrial, and automotive applications as well as DIY homeowners and hobbyists. These small, lightweight cameras are compact enough to carry in a pocket comfortably throughout your work day and are simple enough to use out of the box with no training. Each camera packs powerful functionality into a small form factor.

The TG165 is a spot thermal camera (also called a visual IR thermometer) which takes a temperature reading using Dual Diverging Lasers while showing a thermal heat map of the scene. This thermal heat map is not radiometric, meaning you cannot see temperature data for the entire scene – only the center spot measurement shows accurate temperature data. This is more suited to electrical troubleshooting, home inspection, and DIY repairs than demanding industrial inspections.

Sample Images from the TG165:

That said, the TG165 has some powerful capabilities. It features 80x60 pixel IR resolution, -13 to 716°F temperature measurement range, and ±1.5% or 1.5°C accuracy. Thermal sensitivity for the TG165 is 150mK. The camera also features emissivity adjustment, 8-hour life from a Li-ion rechargeable battery, and a 2-meter drop test rating. Frame rate for the TG165 is 9Hz.

The RevealPRO is Seek Thermal’s most advanced handheld thermal imaging camera to date. Highly durable and easy to use, RevealPRO combines a high-performance 320x240 thermal sensor with intuitive software to help you work smarter. Plus, a powerful 300-lumen LED light is available when you need it at just the touch of a button. The RevealPRO also offers adjustable thermal span, level, and emissivity settings.

Sample Images from the RevealPRO:

The RevealPRO covers temperatures from -40°F to 626°F and features 4x digital zoom as well as a 15Hz frame rate when using FastFrame in Normal Mode. It also includes a 2.4-inch Corning Gorilla Glass screen and 70mK thermal sensitivity, both of which are an advantage over the TG165. That said, the RevealPRO has only 4-hour battery life.

Conclusion

Each of these infrared cameras is perfect for budget thermal imaging. The RevealPRO has higher resolution and thermal sensitivity, so it will provide sharper, clearer images with more detail. This makes it better suited to any application where detailed images are crucial, as well as demanding professional applications where regular inspections and reporting are required.

The TG165 is better for lower budget applications where you want to “see the heat” but don’t need exceptional detail in your images. This makes it perfect for DIY home and auto repair as well as light professional duty in electrical and HVAC applications – it will still help you locate hidden problems before they spiral into bigger issues.

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.