undefined | Better HN

0 pointslunixbochs11y ago0 comments

I haven't tested that exactly yet, but here's a support response I got from FLIR on temperature accuracy:

> At about 100m, you can see the heat signature of a person. However, atmospheric conditions can influence the visible range. Dry, clear weather will provide a greater range than rainy, foggy or humid conditions as water in the atmosphere can absorb infrared radiation before reaching the sensor.

> The spot temperature is a close representation reading for conditions testing and monitoring. It may vary 2 degrees from actual temperature.

0 comments

readerrrr11y ago

That seems like a lot of variance. I would like my thermometer to be accurate to at least 1°.

CamperBob211y ago

IR imaging isn't the best technique when you need extremely high accuracy. The reason is that you usually don't know the emissivity of the surface that precisely, or for that matter its reflectivity.

The sensor is capable of good resolution, accuracy, and repeatability, but it doesn't always tell you what you assume it's telling you. People who use these things professionally usually need to take courses on how to interpret the results.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse