Advice on what to buy

[Anthonydb]

Hi I'm after a thermal camera mainly for diy use, but mainly to help my dad who's having trouble with a radiator not coming on when there's a frost.

I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the stuff I've looked at flirs but then people say get a tooltop T7? then there's the uti stuff and just when I think I've found something I've noticed posts which mention the true pixel resolution might not be what there saying .....

Could somebody recommend a good diy camera hopefully under £200

[DaneLaw]

What formfactor do you prefer.?
A stand alone gunstyle-model with its own screen that often is rubberized and can handle a somewhat rough environment, or a small fragile dongle that you connect to a mobile.

IN regards to the gunstyle-variant, I would still here in late 2024 choose Guide PC210 (256x192),  they can be had around the 250$ mark (200£) when these platforms have sales.. Price are incl 25% EU/DK VAT, so it would likely be cheaper from other regions, as we sadly tend to top the continent on taxes, VATs, consumer-prices with a +150% above EU average..
I don't know what VATs you pay in England,  but it could very likely be cheaper... Guide IR do have a good image algorithm, that is far superior on fx their PC210 then what I see from a Unit260B with the same resolution & price bracket.
But I haven't been ajour with the gunstyle thermal camera-market the last few years, so maybe there are other better-performing gunstyle units.. Been wondering for some years about getting the Guide PC210 and exchange our old crude single point IR thermometer in the kitchen with one of those, as an IR thermometer, is a handy tool in the kitchen.

For the mobile dongle variant, I would pursue a model with a minimum 256x192 and also manual focus.
I don't know what the prices are here in late 2024, but I reckon they are lower then what we saw a few years back.. I purchased an Infiray T2L  (manual focus) 2½ years back from Banggood, it was 250$ incl. danish VAT (200£) it performs well, better than what its low resolution would indicate..
Model T2L is likely discontinued, but there are various new T2-series revisions.
The aspect of having manual focus, makes the thermal-camera way more useful in numerous situations as you can dial it in to your hearts desire, and having a good focus. goes a long way in the world of thermal camera footage.

Examples below are with an ASM264PD (20Gbps X2) controller-chip on a thunderbolt 40Gbps M.2 enclosure with an InfiRay T2L thermal dongle' to give an idea of what macro focus-level even the native manual adj. lens can deliver without any secondary IR lenses.

Macro and general use on a Rigol DG821PRO signal gen

[Anthonydb]

Thank you ill take a look at what you suggested  and try and stick to (256x192)

I was leaning towards a mobile camera but I think the handheld one might suit my dad better and be abit more sturdy.

I

[ajolly]

I'm looking for a mobile one, mostly been looking at tc001 plus, seek thermal nano 300, or infiray p2pro.  Mostly mobile but connected to a PC would be nice.  Unsure which has the best images / doesnt lock you fully to their app.

[Anthonydb]

Atm I'm torn between just getting a mobile one tooltop T7 or the UTi260B which seems popular there's also the Mileseey TR256B

[DaneLaw]

Atm I'm torn between just getting a mobile one tooltop T7 or the UTi260B which seems popular there's also the Mileseey TR256B

what exactly is it you want?
when your saying I'm torn.. what are you torn about and what is it with those models that you prefer?.
just throwing names or models out, without any info for why, ain't gonna do a lot.
Explain your reasons..!

[Anthonydb]

Torn between a mobile camera or a handheld one,like I said it's only for diy use.

Tbh the price is why I'm leaning towards them models but as usual I'm overloaded with info and I procrastinate alot so buying new things is something I struggle with....

[Fraser]

I use all manner and formats of thermal imaging camera and I still go back to handheld “pistol grip” format cameras as the most comfortable to use. I find holding a mobile phone for taking pictures very uncomfortable and fiddly. That said, there are some excellent pistol grip mounts for mobile phones to make them easier to hold. I am fortunate to own both pistol grip and mobile phone dongles so I can choose the format most suited to a specific situation.

[Anthonydb]

The only thing which stopped me from buying a mobile one was a few reviews online mentioned they fell out, and with me buying it to help my dad, I'm leaning towards a hand(pistol) grip thinking my dad would also prefer that.