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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Topdon TC992C Duo Thermal Camera is available now for $269 on Amazon.
- It’s an accurate and reliable thermal camera for iPhone, Android, and Windows.
- It’s a bit more expensive than some of the other thermal imaging cameras.
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I’m a big fan of having a thermal camera (or two) as part of my repair kit. I use them for all sorts of applications, from detecting faulty components on circuit boards to figuring out where that pesky draught is coming from in winter. While they might seem like a gimmick, they’re an invaluable tool to help the DIYer, mechanic, or engineer get stuff done.
So sensitive it can see my breath!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Thermal cameras come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from standalone units to ones built into smartphones. But my favorite are the kind you can attach to a smartphone and control via an app. This means I have the convenience of having any photos I take with the thermal camera on my phone already (and not having to mess about with cables or microSD cards to transfer them), and I can still use my iPhone.
But the problem so far has been that there isn’t a thermal camera that will work on both iPhone and Android. Since both now use USB-C, this has been a point of annoyance since it forces the consumer to stick with one platform or another.
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But not anymore! Now Topdon has come out with a thermal imager that works with both iPhone and Android: the TC002C Duo<!–>.
Is that CCTV camera powered? You bet it is!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
If that name feels familiar, it’s because Topdon already had a TC002C, which came in three flavors: one for iOS Lightning, one iOS and iPadOS USB-C, and one for Android USB-C. I’ve always liked Topdon hardware in general, and I find its thermal imagers to be particularly good. They’re stable, accurate, update fast, and have a decent set of features without cluttering up the interface or making it difficult to use.
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The TC002C Duo is essentially these three devices combined into one. The TC002C Duo features a USB-C port that’s compatible with the newer iPhones (15 and above) or Android, and there’s a cable to offer iOS Lightning compatibility. And there’s a carry case to keep everything safe.
The TC002C Duo comes with call the cables you need and a carry case.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The TC002C Duo also supports Windows, so you can hook it up to your laptop or tablet to do measurements.
The updated imager has the same 256 x 192 resolution and 25Hz refresh rate, and supports Thermal Image Super Resolution (TISR) that boosts this resolution to 512 x 384 pixels, the same accuracy at -4°F to 1,022°F (-20°C to 550°C), and the same size and weight (2.8 x 1.7 x 0.55-inch and 1.1 oz).
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Essentially, it’s the same great camera, only with greater hardware compatibility.
The TC002C Duo can detect the slight temperature elevation that happens when bending a power cable.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Another feature I love is that in order to download the app for the thermal imager, Topdon have embedded an NFC tag into the packaging, which is a lot more convenient than QR codes or having to type in long links (or, the thing I really hate, a message telling you to search the relevant app store!).
A nice touch!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
ZDNET’s buying advice
The Topdon TC002C Duo<!–> is a great update to Topdon’s thermal imager lineup, making it simpler for consumers to choose what they need, and taking away the need to choose between iPhone or Android. It’s not cheap at $269, but it’s a high-grade tool that’s perfect for domestic and commercial use. This way, your thermal camera can move on even if you upgrade your phone.
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