At work, I am provided with a nice name brand unit -- 384 x 288, 3.5" display, 50hz, 35mK spectral resolution, -40 to 1,000°C measurement, intrinsically safe, NFPA 1801 certification, 2 hours looping video recording, etc. etc. etc. At darn near $20k, I can't afford that level of performance at home.
My home budget is more in the $500 buck range for occasional use -- automotive diagnosis, heat loss investigation, and, gee, maybe even circuit boards. I'm not interested in a smart phone dongle -- for one thing, I'm a dinosaur with a flip phone. So: a standalone unit. Stunned by the plethora of Chinese options and the untrustworthiness of their reviews, I attacked the problem on the basis of whether or not they were discussed favourably in this forum.
Actually, I rather hoped to find a chart similar to the ones on meters and scopes..
After a lot of reading, I think I've narrowed it down to 3 very similar units:
1. Hikmicro B20
Pros: Largest display at 3.2"
Longest focal length/narrowest FOV (disadvantage in certain applications)
WiFi
Cons: Memory is built in, not replaceable card
Wifi appears to only work with their smartphone app
Shortest battery life
No video recording
Most expensive -- about $250 more before taxes.
2. Guide PC210
Pros: Cheapest even after adding case and macro lens and shipping (but only by $1)
Lowest operating temperature, -15°C.
Only one with reflection adjustment
Longest battery life
Lightest (but only 5 grams lighter than the B20)
Cons: Smallest display screen, at 2.4"
Worst spectral resolution (but only slightly, 45mK vs 40mK of the other two)
Widest field of view (56° x 48°) (benefit in some instances)
Video recording possible, but only when tethered to a PC.
Topdon TC005.
Pros: Amazon can get one here in 2 days, free returns if it's defective.
Can record video internally
Cons: Lowest frequency (20Hz)
Narrowest spectral range (slightly: 8 - 14 um fs 7.5 - 14 um)
Only 2 span ranges available.
No adjustments for emissivity, reflection or distance
Heaviest (520g)
Unknown: IP spec, minimum focal distance, "fusion" or PIP modes?
Have I missed anything, or gotten anything wrong? Any other contenders I should be looking at?