The FLIR TG130 is all about saving you money when inspecting HVAC systems. It is a comfortable device which makes it a good model for a homeowner. If you are looking to detect heat loss around floors, doors, pipes, windows, and locate spots where insulation is poor, all you need is find your target, aim the thermal camera and press the shutter button to capture a thermal image for inspection.
Thermal Imaging Features:
With the help of an FPA (Focal Plane Array), uncooled microbolometer, the spot thermal camera will deliver reasonably bright images that will help you identify a problem fast and easy. The infrared resolution is at par with more advanced thermal cameras that offer extra features. At 80x 60 pixels, images will have a thermal contrast in them and be fairly detailed. It is complemented by a 1.8-inch TFT LCD to provide a good view of the thermal image.
The thermal camera is useful in a wide range detecting temperatures from 140-3010F. It will serve you well when you want to inspect some equipment including car engines. Its usefulness spans across many different applications including inspecting your refrigerator to ensure your food is stored at the appropriate temperature.
This thermal imager does not have an option of saving the images unfortunately. It will just identify the hot and cold spots for you, and then you can act on the information you get. It is a good time saver as you will not need to visually inspect pipes and insulation systems while trying to identify the problem.
Being without an option for saving images is limiting because you cannot perform any analysis on a PC. This means you can only look at one image at a time and try to diagnose your problem. However as this is very reasonably priced thermal camera there are going to be some features not present.
Design Features:
This camera uses a fixed lens. It does not need focusing to get a clear view. It has a 55 by 45 degree field of view. This feature allows you to see more of the image from a safe distance. With a 9Hz refresh rate, it is not a good idea to keep moving the camera as images will be blurry and hard to interpret.
The simplicity of this thermal camera is what makes it tick. Its main function is to identify temperature differences in a given image area. It has one trigger button and no touchscreen to complicate the process. It also has one iron color palette. The images are contrasted to help figure out what you are seeing and identify the source of the problem.
You will appreciate that this thermal camera is lightweight. Weighing in at only 7.4 ounces, it is the perfect tool for using for extended periods without suffering hand fatigue.
Battery Life:
FLIR TG130 uses 3x AAA batteries. They will give fours of use. AAA batteries are readily available and easy to replace.
However, if you will be using this thermal camera occasionally, you can get a few months of use from one set of batteries. It even has an auto-shutoff feature after five minutes of inactivity to preserve the battery life.
Warranty Information:
The FLIR TG130 has a 10-year warranty on the thermal detector and a two year warranty on the entire thermal camera.
Verdict:
The FLIR TG130 is an entry-level spot thermal camera. It is perhaps the easiest thermal imager to use. It has only one purpose which is to identify heat changes in a single image.
Its features add up to a simple tool that any homeowner will want to have for general maintenance and inspections around their home.
