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Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025
I'm thrilled to finally have an IR camera at my disposal. I've been a big fan of using thermal imaging to find problems, and developed a (crude) method for troubleshooting PC boards using simple thermal sheets (much like you see on the flat strip thermometers) in the early '80's. If I would have had one of these cameras at my disposal, I would have been in heaven!There are so many ways you can use a device like this - if you look at the first couple thermal images, you can see the difference between one of the "old windows" (circa 1982) in our house, and then a new "thermally efficient" window in the next image (note the hot teapot in the image). It's just that quick to see how much heat an old window "leaks" compared to a new double-pane, insulated window.The other images are of a burning candle (love the bar graphs showing the full image temperature range), and of my dog (apparently, fur really is a pretty good insulator).There are so many ways I'll be able to use this that it boggles the mind. I do a lot of wrench-twisting on cars, and should be able to find bad bearings before they get really bad, simply because of the additional heat they generate. If I have a dragging brake caliper, I can spot which wheel it's on by simply pointing the camera at the car. Electronic troubleshooting can be much simplified in many instances, since commonly a bad component will generate additional heat, which I can now spot in seconds.The app is simple and intuitive, and was a breeze to download using the info in the instruction brochure. I had to take photos of the images on my iPad because I couldn't find my adapter to directly download the images.It might be a little off-putting to some that the image on the app may be a little small, but that's a result of the relatively low resolution of the IR camera, compared to "real photography". This really doesn't matter, since you're not really going to benefit by capturing a much higher-resolution image in 99% of the cases. The resolution on the camera should be adequate for anything you have in mind.The camera includes a small but sturdy zipper case that should protect the camera from foreseeable issues, as well as a Lightning cable extension to make it easier to manipulate the camera without holding the iPad / iPhone.
Shawn dufault
Reviewed in Canada on February 28, 2025
have used a lots and it's an excellent little unit for my Android
Nuurs
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2025
The ANCEL IR101 Thermal Camera has proven to be a solid tool for various tasks, including detecting air conditioner air leaks. With a 256x192 resolution and 50mK thermal sensitivity, the camera provides clear thermal imaging, making it easy to spot hidden issues in my home and electrical systems. The smooth 25Hz refresh rate makes the experience even better, ensuring the images are stable and easy to interpret.One of the standout features is the easy-to-use design, especially with its iOS compatibility via Lightning Port. It’s extremely convenient and requires no additional complex setup, just plug it into the phone, and you’re good to go. The 10-12 hours of continuous use is fantastic for long inspection sessions, and the battery-free design powered directly from the smartphone is a great feature that eliminates the need for extra batteries.Another benefit is the customizable settings, such as temperature calibration and multiple color palettes, which allow for a tailored experience to suit various inspection needs. Whether I’m doing DIY projects or checking for energy inefficiencies, it works great. The app, ANCEL IR, is intuitive, and features like real-time monitoring and temperature alarms help quickly identify issues.That said, there’s a minor issue with the connection to my phone, the camera attachment seems a bit crooked. While this doesn't affect the functionality, it is noticeable and requires me to adjust the connection slightly. Thankfully, it’s not a major problem, and the connection is still solid.For the price, this thermal camera offers comparable performance to more expensive models and is definitely worth the investment for anyone needing thermal inspection on a budget. It’s compact, easy to use, and reliable for both personal and professional applications. Highly recommend!
Opie
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2025
This thermo camera works great. Its very small and easy to use. you do not have to charge it. It uses your phone for power.Everthing i have used it for it has been dead on.
Kevin9989
Reviewed in Canada on September 22, 2024
I ordered the IR101 USB C camera by Ancel.The device feels like a block of metal with an opaque blue circle for an infrared sensor. Because the camera is pocket size, you can carry it around (a hard case is included) and attach it to a smartphone whenever needed. Since the symmetrical connector is USB C, the camera can be attached with the sensor facing you, or more practically, away from you. I had no problems downloading and running the Ancel IR app from the Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can run the included cable to a PC and download the IR app for Windows from the Ancel web site.The camera shows live heat maps as you move a phone around. The video is augmented in real-time with crosshairs pinpointing the hottest and coolest spots in the video frame. Sometimes the live view is all you need. However, if you are dealing with searing temperatures up close, snapping an image is much quicker and safer. As a case in point, the app does not offer zoom so I was holding my phone just outside my oven (over the hot door) to capture the view inside. Recording a heat map allowed me to carefully analyze thermal patterns away from the oven. Studying the live view at length in the hot zone when the oven is ready for pizza at +700F would not be an attractive proposition.The strength of this Ancel IR101 camera is in its thermal image recordings. When the device saves an image, the app can still perform all the same color alterations, and apply the same thermal range analyses that are possible in live view. This allows me to optimize the image for certain temperature ranges or to make it look more intelligible than the default red-blue-yellow flourish.In one of my attached images, I wanted to see heat distribution shortly after my oven temperature sensor beeped at the set oven target (350 F). The image clearly shows the oven is hottest on its floor while the walls are much cooler, and the recently loaded pan of food is not hot (black). Strangely, the glass light bulb cover in the oven is as hot as the floor, probably because it sticks out and absorbs radiant heat.Another of my images shows my oven 15 minutes after the oven beeped for 425F. This time the IR101 confirmed the oven was 425F virtually everywhere inside, including the pizza tiles on a rack and the two pans of lava rocks (for steaming bread).This IR camera is capable of many diagnostics or analytics, for technical work and education. I have only scratched the surface and expect to find more uses as time goes on.
Saint Bob
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2024
Wanted the unit from the main player in this space, but wasn't happy with the reviews of that product, so I started exploring other options. People said this one was both more affordable and had better resolution. So I took the leap. And I don't regret it. Takes a little bit longer than I'd expect to start up, and you have to hold the phone in a weird way to avoid blocking the sensor, but overall it works very well.
kentgu
Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2024
It ask my credit card information for the registration, I don't understand why I have give them this information?after I have time to study it, and download the app, everything is good!
Jerry
Reviewed in Canada on November 12, 2024
Impressive and easy to use, it just clicks into your phone and launches the app. I like how it gives you live temperature readings from several points on the screen. There was no lag when walking around and it was able to confirm which one on of my air exchange vents was blocked. While taking a picture of my dog in her bed, I had a bit of a scare as she walked into frame and I realized it had actually been her residual heat showing in her bed and not actually her.Pros:- Easy to use and intuitive, anyone can install the app and start using this right away- Pocket sized and comes with carrying case for all it's accessories- The heat map with displayed temperatures is very helpfulCons (Not really deal breakers, just small annoyances)- Once app is configured to launch when device is connected, the app launches when any USB device is connected on Pixel devices, such as headphones USB dongles- The USB C male connection could be a bit longer for devices with cases on. I use an USB extension tip to work around this.Over all I recommend as works great.
BOR
Reviewed in Canada on October 5, 2024
The ANCEL thermal camera is a practical tool for capturing clear and precise thermal images with low power usage. The camera is handy for home inspections, especially for winter-proofing doors and windows as well as for all other applications that require thermal imaging. The camera has an ergonomic design and durable build quality making it a practical tool for field use. Its compact size and lightweight construction ensure that it can be easily carried and used in various environments. The camera with its ultra-low power consumption of 0.24W, this thermal camera provides an efficient and portable solution for detecting temperature variations in a variety of scenarios. Whether inspecting electrical systems, HVAC components, or conducting building diagnostics, the high resolution of this thermal camera ensures that you can identify potential issues with precision. The camera works more or less like a plug-and-play device once the smartphone has installed the necessary app. As mentioned in the product listing the camera is not compatible with iOS devices and works only with Android OS. The 256x192 IR resolution of the thermal images provides clear and detailed thermal images. The thermal gradients are sufficiently clear as well as customizable based on the application. The temperatures are fairly accurate as I compared the thermal images against the temperature measurements using an IR temperature monitor. Overall, the ANCEL thermal camera is a perfect combination of high resolution, temperature accuracy, and smartphone compatibility making it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications.
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