Catch More Than Ghosts with a Thermal Imager for Your Phone?

Did you know FLIR sells a device that turns your phone into a thermal imager?

If you belong to a ghost hunting team, you likely did. I know I’m slow to this party because I don’t “hunt” ghosts that way.

However, I’ve always thought the FLIR cameras were neat.

Way back when I used to watch Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, I always thought the FLIR cameras were an interesting piece of equipment for trying to detect possible paranormal activity.

I briefly toyed with the idea of getting such a gadget for shits and giggles (pardon the French). But here’s why I didn’t:

• FLIR E4 COMPACT Thermal Imaging Camera with 80 x 60 IR Resolution & MSX – $949

• FLIR E5 Compact Thermal Imaging Camera with 120 x 90 IR Resolution and MSX- $1,199
  

• FLIR E6 Compact Thermal Imaging Camera with 160 x 120 IR Resolution and MSX – $1,999

• FLIR E8 Compact Thermal Imaging Camera with 320 x 240 IR Resolution and MSX – $2,999

• FLIR E95-KIT-24-14-42 Advanced Thermal Imaging Camera with 464 x 348 IR Resolution, 24, 14 and 42 Degree Lenses – $12,799
  

Youch! Too rich for my blood.

But the other day a friend posted some photos he took of himself using his new “toy.” The unmistakable reds, oranges and blues immediately caught my eye.

Mike had a FLIR camera? He’s not even a paranormal person! (Halloween big time, but ghosts? Not so much.)

He also posted a photo of  his toy and that’s how I learned about the FLIR ONE.

FLIR ONE for Android and iOS

They make a FLIR ONE Thermal Imager for Android ($246) and a FLIR ONE Thermal Imager for iOS ($336).

I have an iPhone so this is still a little cost prohibitive for me, but they’re very cool.

Here’s a few things from their product description page that caught my eye that I think are pretty cool about these little gizmos:

1. Capture and share thermal images and videos. Exclusive MSX Technology blends thermal and visible spectrum for more detail and enhanced resolution
2. …no additional cords, cases, devices, screens, or superpowers necessary.
3. It has its own battery so it never drains your device, and a thin, lightweight design for easy carrying and connecting.

Seek for Android and iOS

During my research to get up to speed on the FLIR, I came across the Seek Thermal Compact Imager for Android  and Seek Thermal Compact Imager for iOS-Apple. Both are priced at $249. (As of this post, both were selling for $200, though.)

Here’s what caught my eye on their product page:

1. Wide 36-degree field of view is great for indoor applications & outdoor use to pinpoint energy loss/leaks, clogs in pipes, and people/animals at night
2. The Customer Q&A. Omg. SUPER entertaining reading! Lots of tongue-in-cheek talk about ghosts, aliens, Bigfoot, vampires, the Loch Ness Monster, and zombies. Hilarious!

This seems to be an even more cost-effective option for anyone wanting/needing a thermal imaging camera.

It doesn’t come with it’s own battery, though, so not sure how much of a drain it is on your phone.

But if you’re wanting to add a thermal imager to your ghost hunting equipment, both of these are viable options.

Do you use a thermal imager on your jaunts? Do you have either of these? Or something else? Tell us about it! We’d love to know your thoughts.