Q1 Plus or E4 ?

[Micz]

Hi,
I am going to buy my next thermal camera after seek thermal pro and I am wondering about Q1 plus with 1.0 lens or E4 and upgrade it to E8. Price is the same for both and I will be using it mostly for home inspections. I dont know what software is E4, the seller say "the newest" and I dont know is it hackable. What are pros and cons of both and what you suggest ?

[Spirit532]

Both should work well.
The E4 is a good all-around camera with a plethora of (hackable)features, but it has a few flaws - namely the fixed focus(unless you get creative), softness at closer ranges(macro), and a relatively small lens for the sensor size.
However, it's still quite sensitive and produces a clean image. Not as clean as the Exx or Txxx series, but better than most dongles.

The Q1 Plus is practically the best lower cost phone dongle, especially with the Plus lens, which is a crisp 10mm f/1.0. For their sensor's size it's perfect, but in terms of noise it's basically the same.

I would say that if you don't mind using a clunky and rather fragile setup(hanging off the USB port) with a power bank(you will need one), and would rather have more extensibility(free PC app and SDK), go for the Q1 Plus. The lens has manual focus from infinity to macro, which is a plus.

If you want something extra rugged and more difficult to destroy(I doubt the Q1 would survive a drop), as well as a more comfortable package from a reputable manufacturer, get the E4-8.

However, if you have time and don't mind buying used, look around eBay for an Exx series camera. I've seen them pop up for around $900-1200 here and there, and an E30-60/bx beats both devices by a mile because of the larger lens. The raw thermal image from my T440bx(same-ish optical block as the E60) looks as good, if not better, than the MSX image from a hacked E4-8.

[Micz]

Thanks for your opinion, that`s good point of view. You are right that smartphone addons are not long life products.  I d rather will take Flir EX or look for used EXX series because Flir is also well know brand and there are many used cameras on the market so there would be no problem to sell it in future. But what about hacking ? Is it safe ? It needs some extra skills ? And what about warranty ? Can I restore original software ? All software versions are hackable ?

[Spirit532]

Most versions are hackable, as far as I know.
Hacking is definitely not safe - if you do something wrong, it has to go back to FLIR with a bundle of embarrassment, and they might not take it.
Restoring is possible, shouldn't be very noticeable, but it does officially void your warranty.

[fabrizio77]

E4+ have MSX that give more detail in daylight.

Can anyone share two picture of the same object take with Flir E4+ and Q1 Plus in daylight ?

[Micz]

Got E4 because:
- rugged cover
- Flir is brand well known on whole world, many accesories avalible
- would be easier to sell in future than Q1 which is unknown in my country
- can get E4+

The only thing that I didn`t realize is that E4 cant record movies...  It is also unavalible to send files via wifi to PC, you can use wifi to share files to the smartphone via flir app. Ok I can understand that Flir allows recording movies only for high level products... but I cant believe that in 2018 people who spend 3000 $ for E8 cant share files to PC via wifi . I am looking now for some tablet with windows - it should work with Joe-c soft.

Q1 plus has better image quality, changeable lenses, can record videos and is easier to use than E4 because of sharing files. But i3 cameras are quite fresh on the market, not popular brand and we dont know about long live of the product and Flir Ex are very common and popular

Although I am satisfied with the product