In this review we will be focusing on the Seek Thermal SW-AAA Shot Handheld Thermal Camera. Which is a very successful thermal imaging camera in the under $500 category, making this thermal camera one of the best values for this style of photography.
Thermal Imaging Camera Uses
The thermal imaging camera is a type of thermographic camera that is used during incidences of firefighting or for detecting fire related anomalies in buildings and building furnishings. Other thermal imaging camera uses are in the plumbing trade.
These cameras are constructed to allow users to see areas of heat even through smoke, darkness, or heat-permeable barriers, like plumbing pipes. For example, if you suspect a pipe blockage, then run the hot water until the pipe becomes more visible on the screen. If there’s a blockage, it will appear in a different, cooler color, and thus revealing itself.
Thermal Imaging Camera Working Principle
They can be hand held, head mounted or fixed on tripod stands. The thermal imaging camera consists of five components: the optic system, the detector, the amplifier, the signal processing, and the display system.
The camera display system presents images in infrared output differentials. This is done in such a way that two objects that are within the same temperature range will appear to be the same color while other objects of dangerously higher temperature readings will take on other color representations.
Thermal imaging is a method that helps improve visibility of objects in a dark environment by detecting the objects’ infrared radiation and creating an image based on that information.
Seek Thermal SW-AAA Shot Handheld Thermal Camera Features
The Seek Thermal SW-AAA Shot Handheld thermal camera is a Seekfusion thermal image overlay technology device.
It’s WiFi streaming, the rugged rubberized ergonomic design and it’s large touch screen display are some of the amazing features that has created a niche for it among other thermal Camera options. It has a 6x/16x higher resolution when compared to those of its other competitors. Considering its high-performance thermal imaging, it is quite affordable. The camera is one of the most advanced thermal imaging cameras that is available at a price below $500.
NOTE: If you found this page because you were searching for this camera, but you already know that you want to buy it, and don’t really want to read a full review, we understand….Just click here, and buy the darn thing at Amazon.com…no hard feelings! 🙂
The camera has an effective range of about 100 meters. But some factors may necessitate it’s ineffectiveness at such range. These factors include wind, air pollution and other factors external to it, in the case of disruption from these factors, the accuracy of thermal details might be affected. So in such cases, a 5 meter distance will afford users with very good and detailed thermal image.
The Seek shot camera is full-featured. It has a full-featured thermal kit to ensure it’s extensive control over image and video production and the quality of productions. It is manufactured by Seek Shot Thermal Imaging Camera and is designed in Santa Barbara, California. It potentiality is from the best of materials gathered from all around the world.
This thermal camera is a great value for it’s price. The camera is designed for the purposes of discovering, diagnosing, and sharing thermal images of structural anomalies in building facilities. It shows images of plumbing leaks, electrical shorts, and of other inefficiencies in homes and buildings, generally.
It’s new on-device analytics feature assists users in creating quick and relevant report of the condition of the building as it analyzes photos and videos on the spot. The SeekFusion feature goes beyond just capturing, it provides platforms for adjusting blends of visible and thermal images to reveal some hidden problems. It has 8 color palettes, 4 Emissivity presets and about a 9 Hz frame rate.
What Is SeekFusion™
SeekFusion™ is Seek Thermal’s own technology. It takes a regular and visible picture, and blends it with a thermal picture. This way one can see easier where a problem exists, by allowing you to control the blend of visible and thermal image. The ending result is an image that gives you the complete picture….a SeekFusion™ image. The ability to see a problem much quicker and easier.
Seek Thermal SW-AAA Shot Handheld Thermal Camera – Customer Opinion
The overall consensus is that this thermal imager fits a need within the market, and users are really enjoying this guy. There’s always the naysayers, but in this case there’s very few of them.
The picture quality is something that users are enjoying. “The detail of the pictures makes the end result easy to relay and explain to a customer.”
- The camera is easy to handle and operate. It was designed with enough simplicity to ensure the ease of its use.
- It has high-resolution thermal sensors and SeekFusion. It combines the features of both thermal and visible imaging. This is to ensure that precise and accurate imaging details are presented.
- It is ruggedly designed in such a way that enables it to cope with the stress of field work and can help it withstand the wear and tear associated with the risks in the field.
- The camera has a IP54 rating and an extended battery life. As the temperature decreases, the thermal energy of a substance decreases.
- The Seek shot has 206 x 156 Thermal Sensor and a 36˚ field of view. It measures from -40° to 626°F Temperature reading and has a SeekFusion thermal with additional visible Image overlay.
- The device has a wide colored touch Screen, and it works round the clock. It has an app; the seek vision app which aids viewing, editing and sharing. The app is used for image streaming from the SHOT to iOS and android devices.
- The imaging is presented with high-performance thermal imaging, using Seek Fusion image blending technology for the best quality presentation there is.
- It has an on-device analysis tool-kit for spot, multiple points, and average (selectable box) temperature measurements.
- Seek shot creates its own wifi network for transfer of images to other devices using the Seek Vision app. The live streaming which is done with its WiFi allows users the opportunity to tackle tougher jobs and problems in more challenging environments.
Other Feature Details Include:
- POST CAPTURE, ON-DEVICE ANALYSIS
The post capture, on-device analysis feature of the Seek Shot Camera is used to edit the images or videos that have been taken of a building. It auto-edits images. Its focus is on adding multiple spot measurements, marking out the areas of interest using temperature boxes, and it also effects overall changes in the color palettes of a picture, so as to aid the identification of the problems more accurately and faster.
- THERMAL IMAGE OVERLAY
This feature explains how the camera, through SeekFusion, combines the effect of thermal imaging with the context and detail of a visible image. And how it adjusts the blend to quickly expose hidden problems.
- WIFI STREAMING
The WiFi Streaming is another rare feature among camera option. But it is available in the Seek Shot. It aids the connectivity of the camera device to other iOS and Android devices. With the WiFi streaming feature, users can live stream their images or videos to their smartphones or tablet so as to store, transfer and analyze photos, and easily create reports. With a built-in tripod mount, Seek Shot is great for fixed monitoring and hard-to-reach areas.
- RUGGED RUBBERIZED ERGONOMIC DESIGN
The design of the camera is quite ergonomical. It has a physical construct that eases handling and the use of the camera. It is a slim, pocket-sized thermal camera that easy to maneuver while on the field. It has a total weight of 14.7 ounces and its size dimension is 4.8 x 1.8 x 7 inches. It is built to cope with the modalities and risks of the field. The battery the camera uses is lithium ion, and its durability is assured. The battery has a lifespan of about 4 hours on a one-time charge.
- LARGE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY
The camera has a very bright 3.5” colour touch screen that has a 640 x 480 screen resolution while the thermal resolution is 206 x 156 pixels, which is 32.1 Mega-pixels. The large touch screen display feature of the camera, makes images or videos clear enough and therefore makes inspection and detection of leaks and other deficiencies in the building easy. With this feature, the camera allows users to operate with a wide visual workspace, one that will make adjustment easy with the use of thermal analysis tools.
- WEIGHT & DIMENSIONS
The Seek Shot is often referred to as Seek thermal’s “latest and greatest”. It has very favorable reviews on the amazon marketplace, and when a new pack is bought, it comes with a year Manufacturer Warranty. The battery cell type is Lithium Ion and the camera needs a unit of the battery to function, but it already comes with one. It has an item weight of 14.7 ounces and its size dimension is 4.8 x 1.8 x 7 inches.
The camera pack when bought newly, always has the following components included in it:
- Shot Thermal Imager
- Welcome Guide
- USB Charging Cable
The device is made from polymer materials. And its first arrival to the market was on the 1st of November, 2018. It has a part number- SW-AAA and an item model number of SW-AAA.
The device simplifies the process of obtaining data, analyzing it, and it simplifies the reporting stage. It provides professionals with easy-to-understand photos for their clients. Pictures that clearly display faults, energy loss, and mechanical issues.
The inbuilt tripod stand feature makes it easy to capture the images of things that are in place that are hard to manually reach. So, Seek Shot, with its inbuilt stand, is great for fixed monitoring.
Also, it is safe to use the Seek thermal shot while charging it with power bank or any external source, but it shouldn’t be something you do all the time.
Verdict
This camera is a hit! The majority of users enjoy it, and are impressed with it’s features and quality.
Two Thumbs-Up from plumbersplanet.com
The Seek shot SW-AAA is one of the more relevant thermal cameras of today’s industrial photography landscape. It has all of the necessary features that a modern thermal camera should have. It is well ahead in innovations compared to some other camera options.
The camera is easy to handle and engage. It’s size and design gives room for it’s optimum safety on the field. As for mobility, it’s size makes it easy to be carried around. It detects quickly, the temperatures of everything around.
Click here to check out the Seek Thermal SW-AAA Shot Handheld Thermal Camera, over at Amazon.com.