For people that work in the home inspection or the home repair industry, in the automotive industry, with electrical systems and/or household appliances, or even for people who work in the farming industry, having a thermal imaging camera can be an incredibly helpful tool, as these devices allow people to see what their eyes can’t; which is invisible heat radiation that’s either emitted or reflected by objects, regardless of the lighting conditions. By having a thermal imaging camera in any of those scenarios, people can speed up diagnosis, reduce (and maybe even avoid) unscheduled downtime, and most importantly, minimize or ultimately prevent damage to structures and assets, and also, specifically for the case of farmers, to check the body temperature of animals and see whether or not they have a uniform surface temperature. So, if you’re looking for a thermal imaging camera that’s capable, reliable, and versatile, then check out the TOPDON TC002.
The TOPDON TC002 is a thermal imaging infrared camera for iPhone and iPad which provides top-notch accuracy for temperature detection, insulation inspection, and circuit board inspection, boasting an ultra-high 256p x 192p resolution that delivers detailed and clear thermal images and videos, a 25Hz Refresh Rate for smooth thermal readings, a wide temperature detection range of -4°F to 1022°F (-20°C to 550°C) with a measurement accuracy of ±3.6°F (2°C) or 2% of the maximum temperature, a temperature measurement resolution of 0.1°F (0.1°C), and high heat sensitivity of 40mk that allows for precise temperature changes to be sensed, plus 3 different Temperature-Reading Dimensions including Point, Line, and Surface, 11 unique color palettes for customizing the gradient colors of the displayed temperature measurements, adjustable sharpness and contrast, an adjustable DIY temperature range function for adjusting min/max temperature reading limits, and the ability to store data from its recorded temperature readings in a waveform graph via the TC002 App, while also featuring a built-in Apple Lightning connector, and a low power consumption of 0.35W, for which you can expect to get around 4 to 7 hours of battery life on devices with a 3000mAh – 5000mAh battery.
Thanks to its precise temperature measurement capabilities, this thermal imaging camera makes for an ideal tool for performing accurate temperature readings from a safe distance in a variety of industries and applications.
Now, let’s have a more detailed look at the TOPDON TC002 and check out everything that this thermal imaging infrared camera has to offer you.
DESIGN & SPECS
Starting with its size, this thermal imaging camera has a very compact size, measuring just 2.8 inches long by 1.65 inches wide by 0.55 inches thick, and the device is also quite lightweight, weighing just 30 grams.
It’s small size and ultra lightweight makes the TOPDON TC002 ultra-portable and easy to store it inside your pocket, allowing you to carry it with you whenever you need it for performing temperatures readings, whether that’s at home, in a self-owned property, at work, or even at a job site in a remote location.
Furthermore, this thermal imaging infrared camera also sports a super-sleek and very discreet design that gives it a professional look.
On top of that, it also packs a very sturdy and durable construction, for which its outer shell consists of a rugged aluminum case that provides protection against any potential drops, ensuring that you can perform temperature readings anywhere and at anytime. On a side note, we’d still like to mention that the TOPDON TC002 is not rated to have a Waterproof Rating, so keep that in mind when using it outside.
Moving on to the TC002’s main components. For performing its temperature readings, the TOPDON TC002 comes equipped with a high-end thermal infrared image sensor, which allows you to perform accurate temperature readings from a safe distance with an effective distance of 16.4 ft. (5 m) from your target.
Its high-end thermal IR image sensor makes this thermal imaging camera capable of shooting detailed and clear thermal images and videos with an ultra-high resolution of 256 pixels by 192 pixels, while also boasting a 25Hz Refresh Rate that makes it capable of detecting temperatures smoothly while simultaneously producing less flickering in comparison to other lower-end models, which consequently also helps to reduce eye strain.
When it comes to its temperature detection capabilities, note that the TOPDON TC002 boasts a wide temperature detection range that varies between -4°F to 1022°F (-20°C to 550°C), making it suitable for performing temperature readings on several different scenarios, including a wide variety of industries and applications (discussed in detail on the next section of the article).
The TC002 also boasts a high measurement accuracy of ±3.6°F (2°C) or 2% of the maximum temperature for its temperature detection capabilities, a temperature measurement resolution of 0.1°F (0.1°C), and also a high heat sensitivity of 40mk that allows for precise temperature changes to be sensed with an extreme accuracy.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
The TC002’s precise temperature measurement capabilities make it an ideal tool for performing accurate temperature readings from a safe distance in a variety of industries and applications, including jobs such as home inspectors, HVAC technicians, electricians, automotive technicians, and also farmers looking to monitor the temperature levels of their crops and livestock in order to better protect them and ultimately ensure their health and safety.
CONNECTIVITY & COMPATIBILITY
In terms of its connectivity, this thermal imaging camera is specifically designed to work with iOS devices, as it comes equipped with a built-in 8.6 mm Apple Lightning connector that allows it to be connected to an iPhone or an iPad, enabling you to turn one of those devices into an infrared thermal camera.
Regarding its compatibility, know that the TOPDON TC002 is compatible with most current iPhone models (supporting the iPhone 6 and above) as well as with most iPad models.
It’s also worth noting that this thermal imaging camera also comes together with a 19.7-inches (50 cm) extension cable which you can use to have more flexibility, more stability, and more comfort when looking to perform accurate temperatures readings around specific objects that aren’t that easy to aim the camera at due to a weird positioning.
BATTERY & BATTERY LIFE
The TOPDON TC002 is directly powered by your iPhone / iPad, thus eliminating the need for a separate power source, featuring a low power consumption of 0.35W, for which you can expect to get a minimum of 4 to 7 hours of battery life on devices with a 3000mAh to 5000mAh battery.
Thanks to its lower power consumption, the TC002 can continuously work for up to 6 to 8 hours with a fully charged iPhone, and work for up to 8 to 10 hours with a fully charged iPad.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The TC002 App
For performing accurate temperature readings with the TOPDON TC002, users are required to download the TC002 App, which is available solely for iOS via the Apple Store. The App features support for 13 different languages.
Via the TC002 App, users can choose between three (x3) different Temperature-Reading Dimensions, which include Point, Line (with highest and lowest readings), and Surface (with highest and lowest readings).
The App also provides users with 11 unique color palettes to choose from, allowing each user to customize the TC002’s temperature display to their preferred gradient colors.
Not only that, but users can also adjust the sharpness and contrast levels for the camera’s temperature readings in order to make its field of view view clearer and also more detailed.
The TC002 App also integrates an adjustable DIY temperature range function that allows users to set maximum and minimum temperature limits. If the object temperature exceeds these limits, the camera will display corresponding color images, making it easier for users to understand and visualize the temperature of the target area.
Lastly, the App also lets users store in their smartphone all data from the temperature readings performed with the TOPDON TC002 in the form of a waveform graph. The data present in these waveform graphs can then be visualized at any time and used to calculate the high, low, and average temperature of objects within the camera’s field of view over a certain period of time.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The TOPDON TC002 is a thermal imaging infrared camera for iPhone and iPad which provides top-notch accuracy for temperature detection, insulation inspection, and circuit board inspection, boasting an ultra-high 256p x 192p resolution that delivers detailed and clear thermal images and videos, a 25Hz Refresh Rate for smooth thermal readings, a wide temperature detection range of -4°F to 1022°F (-20°C to 550°C) with a measurement accuracy of ±3.6°F (2°C) or 2% of the maximum temperature, a temperature measurement resolution of 0.1°F (0.1°C), and high heat sensitivity of 40mk that allows for precise temperature changes to be sensed, plus 3 different Temperature-Reading Dimensions including Point, Line, and Surface, 11 unique color palettes for customizing the gradient colors of the displayed temperature measurements, adjustable sharpness and contrast, an adjustable DIY temperature range function for adjusting min/max temperature reading limits, and the ability to store data from its recorded temperature readings in a waveform graph via the TC002 App, while also featuring a built-in Apple Lightning connector, and a low power consumption of 0.35W, for which you can expect to get around 4 to 7 hours of battery life on devices with a 3000mAh – 5000mAh battery.
Designed specifically for iOS devices, this thermal imaging camera allows you to turn your iPhone or iPad into an infrared thermal camera, boasting high-resolution thermal imaging and an enhanced testing range, which makes it a perfect tool for home inspectors, electricians, mechanics, and even farmers.
The TOPDON TC002 is currently available in two (x2) different color models: Space Gray and Golden Rose.
If you’re interested in purchasing it, know that each unit is priced at $240.00. You can order yours online right now, either directly from TOPDON’s official shopping page, or alternatively, you can instead get it from Amazon if you’d prefer.
OTHER AVAILABLE MODELS
As an alternative for people with Android and/or Windows devices, there’s the company’s TOPDON TC001, which features support to both of those Operating Systems via a USB-C connector, and with the main difference of it featuring 9 unique color palettes instead of the 11 different palettes offered by the TC002.
The TC001 is currently discounted from its standard price of $299, and is now priced at just $230 (saves you $69). You can order yours online right now, either directly from TOPDON’s official shopping page, or alternatively, you can get it from Amazon.