Author: Kaitlyn Short
FLIR has been revolutionizing the field of thermal imaging cameras and sensors since 1978. Their line of security cameras is very competitive in business and commercial fields, especially when it comes to image quality and versatility. One of their most popular items is their solitary home security camera, the "FLIR FX." This consumer-level camera is comparative to many other home security cameras on the market with a collection of unique pros and cons.
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The Good
- Versatile
- Battery System
- Storage
Versatile
The FLIR FX is an extremely versatile little camera. Its small size makes it easy to mount when paired with FLIR's line of camera stands. It's designed for use outdoors, indoors, and even in your car as a dash cam. Many users suggest the FLIR FX's usability as a "Go-Pro" style camera to be just as attractive, but it is mainly marketed as a static security camera.
Battery System
The FX's battery system is unique and makes it one of the most mobile security cameras on the market. There are two different internal batteries - one in the camera and the other in the indoor stand- each of which soaks up to two hours' worth of juice and enables enough power to stay mobile for up to four hours total. This makes it an ideal wireless security camera - as long as you're willing to use it within four hours, that is.
Storage
FLIR also makes it easy to store recorded video in the company's cloud. They offer up to 30 full days of cloud storage to paying customers. You can decide whether you'd like to pay yearly or monthly, and beyond that the process is cake. They also offer a free 30-day trial if you'd like to experience their storage interface before you commit.
The Bad
- Durability
- Capabilities
Durability
The camera itself tends to be flimsy and fragile, making it more difficult to use in a mobile capacity (especially in the rough outdoors). The surrounding plastic cover and its plastic lens keep it from being durable and from capturing a clean image. FLIR's camera mounts can also be unreliable- this deters from ever feeling secure when mounting the camera to vehicles, sports helmets, etc.
Capabilities
The extras sold through FLIR tend to be expensive, even though they too can be flimsy. Their mounts, stands, and cases are necessary for full functionality but range between $50-$100 in price. When purchasing extras seems this unattractive, it limits the usefulness of the camera itself as a mobile, stable security device. The FX has no pan, tilt, or zoom capabilities. It does have a wide-angle lens broad enough to cover a whole room if positioned right (preferably in a far corner). However, this severely limits its usefulness as an outdoor security camera. You can only expect to cover a limited range of a given space - this is fine for indoor use, but your whole front yard is a different story.
The Bottom Line
FLIR is one of the smaller cameras available for consumer use, and its features aiding in security measures help to set it aside from its mobile "sports cam" competitors. The add-ons available for purchase are mostly overpriced, but its cloud storage options are pretty decent. Overall, this is a good deal for anyone looking for easy indoor security, but anything beyond that may disappoint with the FLIR FX.
