When it comes to diagnosing the litany of problems that can plague a vehicle, an infrared camera can be a major boon. It can help to illuminate underlying issues as well as solutions for a more expedient fix.
Tool reviewer Matt Fanslow, diagnostic technician at Riverside Automotive in Red Wing, Minnesota, came away with an abundance of appreciation for the FLIR TG275 Thermal Camera's time-saving and diagnostic capabilities, versatility, and crisp screen.
"I've owned and have used many different thermal imagers and usually the display is fuzzy," Fanslow says. "It’s not that you really need sharpness and detail, but it sure is nice to have."
The FLIR TG275 comes with a built-in laser pointer and flashlight that Fanslow used when investigating problems under the dash or in a dark compartment. He found a variety of diagnostic uses for the camera, up to and including testing engine performance, brakes, HVAC, ADAS, wheel bearing noises, and even parasitic drains.
“No, I didn’t and won’t use it to try to evaluate catalytic converter efficiency,” Fanslow jokes. “That’s a myth that needs to die.”
Fanslow found the tool easy to set up, though there was very little actual setup required aside from charging up the battery before use. The tool included a manual to make the process even easier, though. It wasn't something Fanslow felt he needed to use, "save for maybe on a couple features." He adds, once learned, [the product] becomes very simple to use.
The Minnesota-based technician believes thermal imagers like the FLIR TG275 are woefully under-utilized in repair shops. As such, he will continue to rely on these types of tools in his line of work as they offer a wide variety of options in terms of diagnostic analysis.
“You’re only limited by your imagination, and of course the actual ability of the tool itself to display what you are looking for or that heat differential is an appropriate means to evaluate the system/component,” Fanslow says.
Still, there are a few improvements Fanslow believes could make the FLIR TG275 an even more attractive tool.
“Maybe a slightly larger screen and then, of course, higher sensitivity and the ability to set minimum/maximum ranges,” Fanslow suggested for potential augments.
In terms of easy-to-use, crisp, and reliable thermal imaging that can be used for multiple diagnostic applications, the FLIR TG275 Thermal Camera wowed this diagnostic technician.
