🔍 See the unseen with HIKMICRO's B10 Thermal Camera!
The HIKMICRO B10 Thermal Camera features a 256 x 192 IR resolution, enhanced by a 2MP visual camera, providing superior thermal imaging capabilities. With a refresh rate of 25 Hz, it ensures smooth visuals, while its IP54 rating guarantees durability in various environments. The camera supports multiple imaging modes and offers a wide temperature range of -4°F to 1022°F, making it ideal for home inspections and troubleshooting.
J**N
Small defect in mine - UPDATED - New unit works well
Update Oct 2023:I received the replacement unit and put it to the test. Quite an improvement! Customer service at HIK Micro wanted me to try a replacement, and while it wasn't initially high on my priority list, I'm glad they persevered.Settings are somewhat important, so I compared the replacement B10 to the Flir C5 at 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 meters, in both well lit and darkly lit rooms, looking mostly at walls and windows, but also at some nearby networking electronics. Here's where the surprise was. While the Flir C5 had an edge in the thermal map and image quality for well lit areas (which is visible + IR light mixed together), the HIK Micro actually beat the C5 significantly in moderate and dark light conditions. The true capabilities of an IR camera, which in theory should work in a completely dark room to your eyes, became apparent as the extra IR pixel count of the B10 started to matter with less full-spectrum visual light. Both models blend a standard 2MP camera image with the IR image, providing the sharpness of a regular picture overlaid with a (somewhat fuzzier) IR image. Software is then used to sharpen the composite image. But as standard visual light fades, all you have left is the IR image. The B10's higher IR pixel count clearly wins here.There are also a few extra luminance settings on the B10, with around 10 categories like cement, electronics, walls, etc. The C5 doesn't have quite so many. Frankly, you are not going to want to dive into menus to make changes for various subjects, but it's nice the extra flexibility is there. I should add, even imperfect settings still will give you a good idea of any thermal imager's capabilities, but tweaking is recommended if you are really trying to get that ideal image.One other minor point, the Flir C5 takes perhaps a minute to boot, while the HIKMicro B10 takes perhaps 15 seconds. It doesn't sound like much of a difference, but it's noticeable when you just want to get a quick picture.I still like the point-and-shoot camera style of the C5, its build quality, and the quality of daylight/well-lit images. Its image blending software is very high quality. On the other hand, after using the B10 in several modes, and particularly in darker areas, I honestly stopped wanting to use the C5 and kept finding things to explore with the HIKMicro B10. If each cost the same, it would be a difficult choice, dependent more upon how you will use one of these. At the current lower price for the B10, however, the HIKMicro is a compelling overall choice.Update Sept 2023:HIKMicro has since reached out to me to learn more about the issues I reported, and offer a replacement unit, even though I have since returned the original item. I will further update my review upon testing another item. I am certainly impressed that the company has made more than one attempt to contact me, and resolve any faults in my unit.Original Review:My B10 had a minor but noticeable defect in the screen, where the left-side of the screen was always brighter (a lighter shade of purple) than the right-side. From the moment I turned the unit on, and tried pointing it at water, pointing at vents, and to a flat wall, etc. all I could notice was this warmer left-side of the screen. Actually, when turning it on, at first nothing happened. I then saw a flash screen in Mandarin, then it seemed to turn itself off. I turned it on again, and then all wording was in English. A little strange.HIKMicro has made a name for itself in IR imagers, and not all users may share my experience. However, even ignoring the discoloration in the screen, the overlaid 2Mpix camera image with the 256x192 IR image just wasn't as clear as I'd think it should be. I've used a Fluke Ti20 (128x96, 15 years old) and a Flir C5 (160x120) that are at least equal to the better-spec'd B10, and in many use cases, I think these other units were quite a bit better.I think that's because it's not just about the IR resolution. Though important, I'd argue that thermal depth is amongst the most important of specs (i.e. 30mK vs 70mK vs 150mK, etc.), or the lens quality, or the image blending software, and probably other design factors that can be harder to qualify. The image size on the B10 is a little smaller than I thought it would be too. It has a lot of robust features, but they are a little buried in the menus. Still, the B10 does offer those many features including multiple screen formats and colors, which are welcome. The build quality seemed good, certainly high enough for a home or home office environment. I'm not sure these would stand-up to industry knocks and bangs, though, but of course, these are much less expensive than other brands that offer the extra shock resistance, like the above noted Ti20.I realize that lower-ranking reviews disappoint some, but in the greater scheme of the thousands of units sold, this is my experience with the B10, and so this will count only in its small way to the grand total. However, I think I was hoping that technology had caught-up a little further than it really had. I since went with that more expensive, traditional brand as we need a little better shock resistance, and in my opinion, I think the lower IR res of the other brand is offset by the higher mK and imaging software features. Still, the B10 is magnificently affordable for the masses, and if the choice is a B10 or no IR camera at all, then pick the B10.
D**D
Hasn't failed me in 3 years
I've owned mine for 3 years and have used it practically every day. I have no complaints
S**N
Fixed: Battery Does Not Charge
New: The seller was responsive to my original 1-star review.Today I found a mention on the website that says:"To make sure your camera charges correctly, we recommend using the original USB-A to USB-C cable that's included or a similar style cable from a third-party supplier and a stable 5V2A adapter. USBC/USBC is not supported by our cameras temporarily."Since USB-C has been around for nearly 13 years I had already ditched all of my USB-A charging AC/DC converters and cables. I found a friend who still carried USB-A cables, specifically with USB-C on one end and USB-A on the other..........and that worked! So even though this device has a USB-C input, it requires the other end to be USB-A. Never knew that could be possible. So now after several years of not having any USB-A devices or cables in my house, I have a single USB-A to USB-C cable in my house just for this device. I'll never get rid of USB-A 🤣😭Original: Used it for several months and very good overall, but all this week I have attempted to charge it for the first time while it has ~30% battery. It refuses to charge while on or off, with multiple cords, charging bricks, and sources
C**Y
Professional energy auditor and BPI Proctor - LOVE IT.
I knew this was going to be a great product because when the military bought Fluke, their lead scientist left to join HIMIKRO. Was at a professional conference this weekend, the entire room of over 50 tradesmen agreed, this is a great product. In the future, I'll get the wireless model to save download time.
E**R
Great thermal imaging gun
First item received was working okayIt did have black spot on the screenI returned due to itThe seller did reach out and sent me another unitOnce I received the new unit I compared it to the topdon and also the kwitThis one was by far the quickest and smoothestIt also caught the studs behind the wall much cleared than the other 2Battery life is greatI’ve had to charge it once after about 5 hours of heavy usePicture are quick to take and you can use the app to record videosYou can even save them on your phone in case you need to send it to a clientOverall this will help me with my HVAC tradeI’m able to find hot spots in roomsAnd also air leaksGreat product
S**Y
Battery life is really bad
Please do not purchase this item. I had purchased this in Late 2022. Used it only 2 times and tried to use today... after 10 hrs in charging. It will not turn on because battery life is horrible and i am guessing battery is just dead.Overall build quality is not good because it just doesn't last. How they can design 400$ product with low quality battery life is just beyond me.