Flir is soon coming out their new Flir ONE, a thermal imaging camera that attaches to the Apple iPhone 5 and 5S. The Flir ONE is built around the new ultra-compact and inexpensive Lepton core, which was designed for consumer applications, and makes use of the iPhone’s screen and Flir ONE iOS app for image display and processing.
The price will be “less than $350,” which is marketing speak for $349 (or $349.99).
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Flir has released several fact sheets and press releases about the Flir ONE, but none of them disclose the new thermal imaging camera’s resolution. As we have seen with our new Flir E4 thermal imaging camera, Flir’s MSX image enhancement feature works quite well in combining visual and low-resolution thermal images to create better quality thermal images.
So even if the thermal resolution is somewhat on the low side, the ONE should still produce reasonably clear images.
The Flir ONE will have its own battery power source and a VGA visual camera that is used for MSX blending and thermal image enhancement. Users will be able to capture both still and video images on their iPhones.
Models that will work with “select Android smartphones” are currently in the works.
The Flir ONE will be available in three colors – “space grey,” white, and gold, so that users can match their Flir ONEs to the colors of their iPhones. (No, this is not a joke.)
Sensitivity is said to be 0.18°F (0.1°C), and scene temperature range is 32 – 212°F (0 – 100°C). The ONE charges through USB and has a large enough battery to allow for up to 2 hours of continuous use.
More Info(via Flir)
Thank you to Michael for the heads-up!
First Impression
This seems like a great idea, by why is Flir being so cryptic about the thermal image resolution of the Lepton core?
Speaking as an Android smartphone user, it’s disappointing that the Flir ONE is only compatible with the latest iPhone models. I hope that Flir plans to release an iPod Touch model, as well as maybe a universal module that works with a wider selection of Android phones that satisfy minimum technical specification requirements.
The potential for something like this seem endless, especially at a ~$350 price point.
I would also like to see a USB-friendly module that works with Windows and maybe even Mac OSX.
Flir seems to have designed the ONE for social media sharing and general personal use applications, but it should be capable enough to be handy for tradesmen, contractors, and other professional tool users as well, at least as an entry-level product.
Pete says
This is the way of the future, why pay for a secondary screen on devices when your smartphone can do it all. From Thermo’s to Laser measuring its all coming from our company also. Some real shifts in technology coming. And hey we have our brushless out in 12 weeks…………………… Great stuff Flir more more more.
Javier says
Thats awesome and a great price. I have an android so they would have to make a universal fit for android as theres a bazillion different android models out there.
jet_tech says
I would bet money they won’t. It’s not economically feasible, and I don’t even think it’s possible for them to make one that fits every android device. Androids vary in size from devices that fit in your palm, all the way up to phablets (phone/tablet).
Hang Fire says
No feasible way? Because spring tension clips are so hard and expensive? Do you know how many universal car docks and phone holders are out there?
With bluetooth or WiFi is a phone holder even necessary at all? Why does it even need to clip on?
No resolution listed to me means, product not ready for production, just testing the market with some prototypes.
Stuart says
How do you configure Bluetooth or WiFi settings on a device with no screen and minimal hardware?
Sean says
Bluetooth earpieces/speakers have no screen…
Stuart says
Good point.
jet_tech says
Spring tension clips on a $350 thermal imager…are you serious? If I was going to buy a thermal imager for my phone, for that money it better snap on the back.
Hang Fire says
It really doesn’t HAVE to attach at all.
Javier says
@ jet_tech that’s why I said a universal fit, and yes it’s possible
Jeff says
I fear that they’re not stating the resolution because it’s TERRIBLE. I hope I’m wrong, but it looks to me like this is “visual thermometer”-level resolution, on the order of 16×16 or 32×32, heavily post-processed (with visual fusion) to look better. $350 is still a good price point for even that kind of resolution, but I don’t have high hopes.
Javier says
Maybe this one could be hacked/modded for better resolution… Just kidding but what if it’s possible
rob says
This seems like a great idea, I am guessing this is the price point that more homeowners/DIY people would start looking at thermal imaging cameras. I would think HVAC and restoration type contractors would still be using the high end Flir cameras but for someone who doesn’t need the higher end models and is looking more for towards energy consumption or possible leaks in their homes this is a great idea.
mnoswad1 says
When they redesign the iphone, and then what?
I like the idea of not paying for a screen when we are all already carrying around a 4 inch screen in our pockets, but I also like the idea of stand alone tools, this tool can only be used by the owner of the phone, so for an energy auditor or insulation guy, it might be okay, But cool idea though.
RX9 says
I hate this iPhone first mentality coming from so many manufacturers, but this case is just silly. Every mechanic and contractor I know is rocking an Android or Windows phone device. None of them have Apple stuff. If FLIR were marketing a product to latte-sipping trust fund hipsters, the decision would make perfect sense.
Instead of making a custom-molded attachment, why not just a screenless standalone camera (maybe with a nice tripod or magnet mount) that connects to the phone/device via bluetooth or usb(OTG)?
Then the thing would be compatible with nearly every smartphone, phablet, tablet, and laptop in existence.
RX9 says
All that said, its nice to see thermal imaging coming down in price. Did a patent expire or something?
Stuart says
No. My understanding is that Flir designed the core thermal sensor for this device to be extremely inexpensive.
It also seems that the thermal resolution is so low that Flir has not yet provided any details whatsoever.
Flir’s MSX image blending algorithm is extremely adept at making a low resolution thermal image much clearer, which makes the Lepton core good enough for consumer applications.
Steven B says
Definitely needs Bluetooth!
This is a horrible, short-sighted design. If you want to reuse the screen + CPU from a mobile device, use a wireless/nfc protocol, like bluetooth.
Think of it this way. The iPhone 5 was released in 2012. Imagine they had come out with this 2 years ago and you bought one. Well now, your battery can’t hold a charge on your iPhone 4s because it’s a disposable toy designed not to be serviced. You can spend about $100 to have it replaced (I paid $20 for a new battery on my Samsung Galaxy by comparison) or find some crazy external power source to continue using your thermal camera. Are you going to buy a new iPhone 4s when the 5s is out…or buy a new Flir camera for your new phone every 2 years when you upgrade? Apple will probably change the size of their phone later this year.
Some thoughts…as an engineer…the screen + CPU are CHEAP these days. You’re not saving much money there, especially if the imager has a low resolution. How much money do you save by tying this to a phone at all?
Secondly, had they done a better job and linked via bluetooth, it could be used by laptops, android devices, and older and newer iPhones.
I applaud them for coming out with something at such a low price. I just wish it was a $400 standalone device instead of this craziness. I want a thermal camera. I don’t need one, but I think they’d be a fun toy and learning tool. Get me a $400 camera w/o this weirdness and I and other geeks will happily plunk down the cash for one. Sure, we’ll play with it for a few weeks and send it to the drawer containing our old geek toys, like my Raspberry Pi, Kill-A-Watt, etc. However, we are a new market that Flir can make a splash in.
Stefan says
You are wrong in almost all of your assumptions.
1. An iPhone has at least 80% capacity left in 2 years.
2. If you are on websites like this you should be able to use a screwdriver to remove the 4 screws needed to replace the old with a new 10$ battery.
3. Actually there IS a “crazy” external battery power source IN the Flir one which charges the iPhone while connected.
And in fact you can STILL use a iPhone 5/5S even if you buy a new Phone.
Maybe just as IR-Camera.
Jotham M says
As an iPhone-owning latte-sipping hipster, I could definitely see some general purpose uses for this. The gallery sample shots are great and I could certainly use help around the house dealing with various homeowner issues that this would let me home in on.
As a software developer, I can safely say that Flir made a conscious decision to develop it for the iPhone first for a whole bunch of valid reasons including developing for one version of software (iOS 7), one uniform platform with known specs and a user community that will pay for the new shiny. I’m sure they will release wonderful upgraded versions for the flavors of Android but in terms of getting it to market quickly (CES), their approach made sense.
Based on another source, it looks like an 80×60 sensor. I’ll be interested to know if it’s the same underlying sensory as the E4 or truly different. It would be cool if it could also be “unlocked” to greater resolution. Their approach to camera shake for improved resolution is pretty cool too.
IvyTools Article about the ONE
Stuart says
Thanks for the added info!
I have heard of in-camera stitching being used to create thermal images of greater resolution, but wouldn’t have guessed Flir would come out with something similar.
Going by the article you linked to, The Lepton core seems to be based around an 80×60 sensor, and so there won’t be any “unlocking” as with the E4.
Separately, links added to comments via html need to have closing tags, e.g. < /a>. Generally, it’s okay to just copy and paste the link, as ToolGuyd’s software makes them clickable. I edited your link to make it displayable.
Dreamcatcher says
As a rule of thumb, if you look at a new tool/device and think “…this [thing] is just silly…” maybe you should also consider that you may not be the target market.
I happen to work with a company involved in high temperature air pollution control where finding leaks in the ductwork or hotspots in control panels is a critical task. We currently use high end thermal imaging systems but at the high price point it’s not possible to hand them out to every employee. However, every employee does have a company provided iPhone; It makes sense for a company with many employees to have iPhones since they are all the same, therefore interchangeable and familiar to everyone. At only $350, we could provide all salesmen, engineers, and field managers with one of these and have the ability to more constantly monitor temps in the systems and communicate the image data between the field and the office.
That said, if you are handy man house insulator or shade tree car mechanic and you are sour that there isn’t a thermal imaging device that fits your android phone or if you look at this ‘gadget’ and feel $350 is too much to spend on a toy then you probably are not the target audience. But if you are in charge of a $20m temperature critical project then you may think differently.
DC
Erik Thorup says
Just wondering
When SONY put a Video Camera on the market which could detect a little bit into the IR – and see through clothes – they had to pull it from the market VERY FAST. This is true IR which will “see ” through some types of garment – Who will sue the crap out of FLIR as the first “victim”?
Stuart says
The Sony product you’re talking about had a night vision mode. This is not a night vision camera. It also doesn’t have an IR light source.
Even when using gray color pallets, thermal imaging cameras can’t really see through clothes.
I think there’s little chance for a lawsuit.
Cash says
Yes they will be lawsuits I will sue anyone that looks at me.
Just because I am hot !!!
mnoswad1 says
Found a different audiences perspective on the usefulness of portable phone based IR that may have not considered initially.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/01/13/flir-one-thermal-imager-iphone/
Paul says
This looks like a kneejerk reaction to a Kickstarter project, which was massively supported. It was a 64*64 imager which could be attached to iphone or android. Ir-blue