FLIR unveils $350 iPhone case containing a thermal imager

Jan. 8, 2014

Image of a water heater by FLIR's iPhone-based device reveals thermal leaks.

Wilsonville, OR--At the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES; Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 7-10), FLIR today unveiled a case for the iPhone 5 and 5s that contains a thermal imager; once mounted, the device displays a live scene with a color-coded temperature range of 0 °C to 100 °C with a resolution of 0.1 °C. An app called FLIR ONE MX is included. The imager's case (139.7 x 60.96 x 21.59 mm in size) has its own 1400 mA/h battery that, without drawing on the iPhone's battery, provides about two hours of continuous use. The $350 system is designed for use with iOS 7 (as well as future iOS versions). The app allows images to be loaded directly to the iPhone's camera roll.

FLIR's new iPhone-based thermal imager (left) reveals an otherwise hidden creature (right).

In addition to geeky fun, the imager is useful for finding thermal leaks around windows, insulation around water heaters, and other home-construction thermal problems. One may also locate one's pets or varmints in the dark.

Previously, FLIR has been selling an iPhone app that pairs with its range of IR cameras.

The imager will be rolled out in spring 2014.

For more info, see http://www.flir.com/flirone/explore/

About the Author

John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)

John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.