Tool Review: Oasis Scientific Vividia TC-256T10 Thermal Imaging Camera
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Q: How did the tool function as far as saving you time?
It helps most with parasitic draw testing, allowing us to see current draw in the form of heat.
Q: How has using this tool impacted your shop’s profitability?
By saving us time, we can be more efficient, which results in higher profitability.
Q: What kind of setup was involved before using the product?
There's not much setup, I just had to charge the tablet, connect it, and I was done.
Q: How easy was it to use?
Very easy. The software was already installed, so it was grab-and-go.
Q: How was its packaging? Did it come with any accessories?
It came in a hardshell case with a charger and cleaning cloths. A short manual was included, and it was easy to read and understand.
Q: What features did you like?
A: I like the gooseneck attachment. It allows me to insert the thermal imager at angles that would be impossible with any other configuration.
Q: Is there any way you could think to improve or add to this tool?
A: I would like higher resolution and the ability to rotate the image, as I could not find a way to do that. The software allows for mirroring the image or flipping it, but not rotating it.
Q: What types of jobs/repairs did you use this tool for?
I used it to find a current draw on a BMW. I found a parasitic draw with it coming from a babbling cluster.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool overall? Why?
For not being able to easily rotate the image and its slightly lower than I'd like resolution, I'd give it an eight.
The Vividia TC-256T10 Thermal Imaging Camera from Oasis Scientific is attached to a 14" semi-rigid gooseneck rod that allows the camera access to awkward or difficult-to-reach areas. The camera has a thermal resolution of 256 x 192 and a temperature range of -15 degrees C to 600 degrees C with an accuracy of +/- 2 degrees C. It outputs to Android phones or tablets through a USB-C connection, and a free app allows for easy and direct control.
About the Author
Mario Rojas
Mario Rojas is an L1 ASE Master certified Diagnostic Technician from Miami, Florida. He first began working on cars as a way to supplement his income until finally stepping into the industry full-time in 2013. He's now working at Autobahn Performance, a shop that specializes in European vehicles. Rojas also shares some of his work on his YouTube channel, Super Mario Diagnostics, in the hopes that his audience will appreciate what it takes to troubleshoot and repair the modern automobile, and to steer everyone into continued training.