Published July 9, 2026 at 18:20
If you’re standing in front of an electrical cabinet trying to find an overheating cable — what do you choose? A 900 kr IR thermometer isn’t enough: you get ONE temperature reading, but not where on the surface the heat is coming from. A 45,000 kr FLIR E5 is overkill for such a quick job. Sitting right in the middle is the FLIR TG167, a so-called spot thermal camera: it gives you a real thermal image with 80×60 pixels for 5,800 kr. Here is how it works and when it is the right choice.
What is a spot thermal camera, really?
A spot thermal camera is a hybrid between a traditional IR thermometer and a full thermal imaging camera. The key difference lies in the sensor:
- A standard IR thermometer has ONE infrared sensor that measures the average temperature across the entire measurement spot diameter (determined by the D:S ratio, e.g., 24:1).
- A true thermal camera has an array with thousands of sensors (e.g., 320×240 = 76,800 pixels) that provides a detailed thermal image.
- A spot thermal camera has a SMALL array — the TG167 has 80×60 = 4,800 pixels via FLIR’s Lepton sensor. Enough to SEE where the heat is, but not enough to perform high-fidelity thermographic analysis.
Is 4,800 pixels a lot? Not compared to a full-fledged thermal camera. Is it better than 1 pixel (an IR thermometer)? Yes, 4,800 times better. It is precisely this order of magnitude that makes the TG167 so useful.
The FLIR Lepton sensor — technical background
Lepton is FLIR’s micro-thermal sensor series, originally developed for smartphone integration. The TG167 utilizes a Lepton sensor featuring:
- 80×60 pixel microbolometer array (14 μm pixel pitch).
- Spectral band 7.5–14 μm (long-wave infrared).
- 9 Hz refresh rate — meaning 9 new thermal frames per second.
- Field of view (FOV): 25° horizontal angle.
- Thermal sensitivity (NETD): ~150 mK — meaning you can detect 0.15°C differences.
The 9 Hz frame rate is worth noting. Standard thermal cameras typically operate at 30–60 Hz. A 9 Hz rate means that if you pan the camera quickly across a surface, the image will lag — making it unsuitable for high-speed scanning of passing objects. For stationary inspections (cables, motors, pipes), 9 Hz is more than sufficient.
Measurement range and accuracy
The TG167 measures from -25 to +380 °C with ±1.5 °C or ±1.5% accuracy (whichever is greater). This covers:
- Electrical inspection: cable connections, fuses, transformers (typically 20–150 °C during faults).
- HVAC/plumbing: pipes, valves, radiators, heat exchangers (typically 40–90 °C).
- Motor and mechanical inspection: bearings, couplings, belts (typically 40–120 °C).
- Building thermography: thermal bridges, insulation defects (typically a 0–30 °C difference from the surface).
The 380 °C upper limit is restrictive for certain use cases — smelters, kiln measurements, and commercial cooking equipment often reach 400–800 °C and require higher-range models like the TG267 (still up to 380 °C) or a full-scale camera such as the FLIR E5 (up to 550 °C).
Image storage and reporting workflow
Part of the difference between a simple IR thermometer and a spot thermal camera lies in the documentation workflow. The TG167 allows you to:
- Save thermal images in JPEG format.
- Transfer data via micro-USB or a removable micro-SD card.
- Auto-name files with timestamps for full traceability.
- View images directly on its built-in 320×240 color LCD display for quick review.
For a technician conducting 20 electrical cabinet inspections a day, documentation often represents half the job. An IR thermometer requires you to write down the values manually — a spot camera allows you to capture a timestamped image ready to be included directly in the report.
NIST calibration certificate — what it means
The TG167-NIST version includes a traceable calibration certificate according to NIST standards (the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the USA). Practical implications:
- The instrument has been calibrated against a known standard, and the certificate documents the deviation.
- For ISO 9001 workshops, such certificates are often mandatory for tools used in product QC.
- The NIST version has a 5-week lead time (calibration is performed upon order).
- Annual recalibration is recommended — typically costing 800–1,500 kr per instrument.
For non-QC applications (field service, routine maintenance), the non-NIST version is fully adequate and costs 500–800 kr less.
Durability — 2-meter drop tested
The TG167 is drop-tested from a height of 2 meters — not just theoretical ”IP ratings”, but physically dropped without ceasing to function. For a field service technician holding the instrument with one hand while leaning into a cramped electrical cabinet, this is essential: an accidental drop onto a concrete workshop floor is practically inevitable at some point during the tool’s lifespan.
IP rating: IP54 (dust-protected, splash-proof) — meaning it is well suited for standard workshop environments, though not for direct water spray or submersion.
When the TG167 is the right choice
The right choice: Electricians, HVAC technicians, field service, and maintenance technicians who perform NUMEROUS inspections per day where an image is sufficient to pinpoint the problem area. Requires documentation for reports.
Overqualified: A homeowner checking an occasional radiator or inspecting their freezer. A 900 kr IR thermometer is plenty here.
Underqualified: A building thermographer conducting full winter diagnostics on building envelopes. This requires a full thermal camera with at least 160×120 pixels (e.g., FLIR E5 or TG297) and a 30 Hz refresh rate.
The wrong choice: Applications with target surfaces exceeding 380 °C — foundries, industrial ovens, heavily loaded motors. These require high-temperature models or thermocouple measurements.
Competitor comparison
The 5,800 kr price tag gives the TG167 a distinct competitive standing:
- Below (900–3,000 kr): Traditional IR thermometers (Extech 42500, 42510A, FLIR TG54). No thermal image.
- Around it (5,000–8,000 kr): The TG167 and competitors like Testo 810, Bosch GIS 1000C. Hybrid instruments with an image, but low resolution.
- Above (10,000–20,000 kr): Full cameras with 160×120+ resolution, MSX technology, 30 Hz. FLIR E5-XT, TG297, Testo 872.
- Far above (30,000–100,000 kr): Professional thermal cameras with 320×240+ resolution and radiometric storage. FLIR E75, E85.
The TG167 is therefore the sweet spot: richer visual information than an IR thermometer, but NOT a direct substitute for a full thermal camera intended for complex thermal analysis.
Summary: what you get for your money
The FLIR TG167-NIST spot thermal camera comes equipped with an 80×60 Lepton sensor, 25° FOV, 9 Hz refresh rate, -25 to +380 °C measurement range, ±1.5 °C accuracy, 320×240 color LCD display, USB and micro-SD for image export, IP54 protection rating, 2 m drop-tested housing, dual lasers for precise targeting, and a traceable NIST calibration certificate. 5,844 kr.
It bridges the gap between a basic IR thermometer (no image) and a full thermal camera (more expensive, bulkier, more complex). For 80% of workshop and field service inspections, it delivers the ultimate balance of price, performance, and portability.
Learn more: FLIR TG167-NIST Spot Thermal Camera in our store →
