Once upon a time, only science fiction writers could imagine and describe this world as it is today. It is quite possible that they were the ones who started to pitch ideas to inventors and stimulated them to create new technologies. Whatever the case, the progress we have made today is simply outstanding. Moreover, this process is continuous, and who knows what discoveries await in this world shortly?
For example, less than a hundred years ago, no one could have imagined the ability to see in total darkness. Moreover, to scan the environment and see the heat surrounding objects emit. And today, this opportunity is provided by a device such as a thermal imager, invented in the 40s of the last century for military purposes.
A thermal imager is an optical device that operates in the infrared spectrum, allowing the user to see thermal radiation from objects invisible to the human eye. The matrix's high sensitivity can detect even a temperature difference of 0.1 degrees Celsius. All this is displayed on the corresponding heat map, which can be selected depending on the situation. Heat maps, often called thermograms, color the hottest points in white, red, or orange and the coldest points in black or dark blue. Modern thermal imagers can detect temperatures from 50 to 2000 °C.
However, there will always be a competition where there is progress and development. These two phenomena always complement each other. There is a race of achievements and results between them. The eternal question, "Who is the best in the market?" concerns large enterprises and customers. Mainly new customers visit the websites of thermal imaging camera stores and don't know which brand and manufacturer to look for.
Thermal imaging cameras have successfully won the favor of civilians and have a wide range of uses. And suppose you decide to buy such a device. In that case, it is possible that after the first inspection of the products of official distributors, you will be puzzled by the number of manufacturers who have been earning the trust of their users for more than a year. So today, we will talk about the most popular brands that develop and supply thermal imaging cameras.
FLIR Systems
The world's largest American company specializing in designing and manufacturing thermal imaging cameras, components, and image sensors. FLIR has been creating infrared cameras for commercial use for over 50 years. Camera design, software development, and production, in general, are carried out at factories in China, Sweden, and the United States.
Their product range includes thermal imagers, moisture meters, pyrometers, thermal imaging pyrometers, thermal imagers for smartphones, multimeters, thermal imaging moisture meters, etc. The powerful thermal matrix installed in the devices lets you detect and track the slightest temperature changes and see the target in the rain, fog, foliage, and other obstacles.
The company takes great care in manufacturing the device. Among their advantages are the following.
Their devices have durable waterproof cases. Rubberized inserts and high-quality materials make Flir thermal imagers immune to high humidity and mechanical damage. Monoculars and binoculars can withstand temperatures ranging from -20 to +50°C.
Color LCD display. With a matrix developed based on vanadium oxide. Thermal imagers display a clear and contrasty image even when observing a fast-moving object.
Ease of operation. The thermal imagers have rather large rubberized buttons on the body. The devices can make individual settings, for example, to increase/decrease the display's brightness.
Some models of American brand thermal imaging devices have a built-in Freeze Frame function. This option allows you to freeze the image to examine it in detail. The devices have a video output that will enable you to connect additional devices to them.
Over the years, the company has earned the respect of representatives of various fields of activity. Their devices are used by commercial and industrial markets, military personnel, public security officers, sailors, etc.
FLUKE
John Fluke founded this company back in 1948. The production of this company is not limited to thermal imagers. They specialize in designing, manufacturing, and selling electronic control and measuring instruments and equipment.
Fluke equipment can also be used to measure electrical parameters and temperature in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems maintenance in residential, industrial, and commercial building design. For example, electrical testers, digital multimeters, clamp meters, power quality meters for single-phase and three-phase networks, thermal imagers, digital thermometers, and accessories for digital multimeters are designed for daily troubleshooting and maintenance of electrical systems, power electrical systems, HVAC systems, and refrigeration systems.
This ambitious company strives to develop and improve the market for innovative technologies constantly. They have been successfully doing this for the past 70 years. After all, they provide users with high-precision equipment depending on its functionality and purpose and guarantee excellent product quality. Their devices are portable, durable, strong, safe, and easy to use.
Their regular customers are representatives of meteorological stations, medical equipment manufacturers, utility companies, etc.
SEEK THERMAL
Seek Thermal manufactures unique miniaturized infrared sensors and compact thermal imagers for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The company was founded in 2012 by a team with over 40 years of industry experience. The headquarters and development center is located in Santa Barbara, USA. Seek Thermal is represented on five continents and continues to expand its sales network worldwide.
Their thermal imaging equipment is well known to hunters, naturalists, law enforcement, and security personnel, as it simplifies observation and makes it easy to detect thermal signatures even in the lowest light.
The American brand's specialists use high-strength materials in production. Thanks to this, it is resistant to mechanical damage. Their products come with a waterproof case and are compact and lightweight. Therefore, they can be used for hunting or hiking in the forest in different weather conditions.
The brand has a loyal pricing policy while creating convenient mobile equipment for daily use.
Their products have been appreciated by employees of the automotive industry and utilities, firefighters, law enforcement agencies, hunters, and representatives of industrial construction.
TRIJICON
Trijicon was founded in 1981 and, since its inception, has gained a reputation as a leading manufacturer of conventional sighting systems, night vision optics, and thermal imagers. The innovative use of tritium and fiber optic systems has become the company's hallmark.
The company's MIL-SPEC-certified products have proven reliable in many military conflicts over the past decades. These products have earned the trust of many military units and are now in service: US Marine Corps, US Army, US Special Forces, and law enforcement agencies in many states. In addition to the US military, Trijicon products are popular among hunters and sportsmen worldwide.
Therefore, it is unsurprising that their products are so popular among representatives of various military and civilian professions. After all, the company does not rest on its laurels and constantly improves the production system and the materials used to develop its equipment.
Among their devices, you can find everything to your taste; it will depend primarily on specific models and your needs. If, at first glance, you are impressed by the price the manufacturer asks, then frankly speaking, you don't have to worry about the money spent. After all, the company's experience and popularity have proven more than once that their thermal imagers are worth the money.
BULLARD
Probably the oldest company among these, which has been a leader in selling personal protective equipment and systems for over a century. After all, it was founded in 1898.
Their activities mainly focus on producing high-quality thermal imagers and protective equipment for firefighters (helmets, air-supplied respirators, air quality control equipment). This means that their devices must display accurate ambient temperature readings, resist adverse conditions, and function well in high temperatures, smoke, fog, etc.
Bullard fully justifies its goal of being a leader in fire safety products.
Given these characteristics, it is unsurprising that this brand's devices are respected and in demand among firefighters, law enforcement agencies, mine workers, and the automotive industry.
PERFECT PRIME
A relatively new company founded in 2013. A highly skilled team of international experts develops thermal imaging cameras that will be affordable and useful for most domestic applications, including construction.
With their cameras, potential problems can be detected on a color screen, helping users to identify problems, take readings, and resolve the issue quickly and efficiently. Thermal and full-color images and videos can be stored on the internal memory card or an optional removable SD card. Images or videos can be saved to a PC for report generation and printing.
This brand's devices are convenient and easy to use. All you need to do is press the power button and point the camera at the object of study.
By the way, the pandemic period could have hurt production. However, the company's mobile devices were among those that promptly helped doctors analyze patients' conditions.
Of course, a lot depends on the model. However, it is better to use something other than the company's thermal imagers in extreme conditions because of the materials they are made of. This does not make them a low-quality product. It's just that this particular company has succeeded in a different niche.
ATN Corporation
ATN was founded in 1995 and has become a leading company in technical optics.
The brand develops 4K digital intelligent optics for day and night use and thermal imaging optics for night operations. The equipment suits hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, military and law enforcement agencies.
Their production materials range from titanium, aircraft-quality aluminum alloys to impact-resistant plastic composites. In 2018, ATN introduced a 4th generation product line for digital day/night systems and a new product line for thermal systems.
The Obsidian 4 dual processor core powers their new product lines with significantly improved image processing capabilities and lightning-fast performance. The devices are reliable, efficient, mobile, and easy to use.
AGM Global Vision
For 20 years, this company has been taking place in the market for producing the best military equipment and optical devices. And their competitiveness is not surprising, given the quality of materials and approaches used in production.
AGM Global Vision thermal imaging equipment stands out from other models due to its reasonably affordable price, especially considering all the technological capabilities of the devices. The technology is based on innovative algorithms that detect even minor temperature fluctuations at a great distance. Notably, the equipment is used with both artificial and living objects. Reviews of AGM Global Vision devices note that they are convenient to use even in pitch-black conditions.
In addition, their equipment has several other privileges. Firstly, there are several additional functions: even if you use monoculars or binoculars of this brand, you can take photos or video recordings in digital mode to later review the process of your hunting, for example. Devices can be connected to your phone, making the instrument more comfortable and understandable. The materials used to manufacture the devices guarantee a comfortable weight; they are protected from weather conditions and the environment.
AGM Global Vision is constantly improving its technology to maximize the performance of its optical devices on the market and receive high marks from users. Thermal imagers from this brand can detect objects and their distance even under challenging conditions with minimal visibility and low contrast.
Suppose you are still looking for a thermal imager guaranteed to meet all your requirements. In that case, you should pay attention to this manufacturer's products because the optics stand out for their reasonable price. The functionality meets the needs of even the most demanding customers.