Spent $400 on a thermal camera for my home shop, and I'm still not sure if it was worth it.

I bought it to spot overheating components on boards faster than with my finger, thinking it would save me tons of diagnostic time. It did help me find a bad voltage regulator on a laptop motherboard last week that was just warm to the touch. But honestly, for most everyday repairs, my $20 infrared thermometer does almost the same job. Has anyone else bought a tool that felt more like a cool toy than a real time-saver?

2 comments

2 Comments

park.iris17d ago

That thermal camera sounds like a game changer for tricky faults. Spotting something just warm to the touch is exactly where it beats a basic thermometer. The right tool for the right job can totally be worth it.

skyler_white9517d ago

Ever tried a cheap laser temp gun first, @park.iris, before dropping cash on a camera?