The FLIR TG165 is not an infrared (IR) camera as some might assume. Instead, it’s an IR spot thermometer with a screen display that helps you pinpoint what you’re measuring. A typical IR thermometer’s red dot does not indicate the exact spot where the temperature is being recorded. Instead, it’s an average of the temperatures that surround the dot. That is a problem because the size of the measured area increases as you move farther from the target. The TG165’s LCD monitor provides a detailed infrared display showing the area within the range of the camera’s lens. Once you see the area to be measured on the screen and pull the trigger, a pair of red laser dots show up on the target, indicating both edges of the area under measurement. Pull the trigger again, and the device records the measurement. Using the tool is simple and intuitive, but I think it would be better if there were many dots outlining the area being evaluated instead of just two.

The TG165 has a removable micro SD memory card, so you can save snapshots of your measurements for reports and sharing. Infrared equipment used to cost thousands of dollars, so I find it remarkable that now for less than $500 you can get a rugged and powerful diagnostic tool for tracking down air leaks, measuring air coming from HVAC registers, and identifying faulty electrical components. The TG165 won’t replace a professional infrared camera, but it handily beats any infrared thermometer I’ve used. The TG165 would be a useful addition to the toolbox of any homebuilder, plumber, electrician, or HVAC contractor.