TESTO 880-3 V4 Thermal Camera

[Darren]

The TESTO 880-3 V4 thermal camera (Expert Kit) is the top level package of the 880 range. We recently put it through its paces and highlight here its pro's and cons.

What's in the package?
The Testo 880-3 Expert Kit combines all the features of the other 880 models and adds a few, so you end up with:

• Testo 880 Thermal Camera with manual & dynamic motor focus.
  
• IR Software with integrated report creation
  
• USB Cable
  
• 2 Li-Ion Batteries with fast charger
  
• High quality rugged case
  
• Power LEDs for the integrated digital camera
  
• Protective Lens
  
• Standard wide angle lens (32° x24°) F1 optics minimum focus 4" (0.1m)
  
• Telephoto Lens (12° x 9°), minimum focus 24" (0.6m)
  
• Adapter plate for tripod mounting
  
• Sunshield

The Thermal Camera
The imager has an integrated digital camera with a field of view of 33.2° x 25.2°, minimum focus 0.4m (16"), image size of 640x480 pixels and a refresh rate of 8 to 15 Hz.

The thermal detector has a resolution of 160 x 120 pixels and a refresh rate 33Hz. The spectral range is 8 to 14 μm and thermal sensitivity (NETD) is <0.1°C at 30°C (76°F).
The geometric resolution varies depending on which interchangeable lens is used: 3.5 mrad (standard lens), 1.3 mrad (telephoto lens).

The display is a 3.5" LCD displaying 320x240 pixel images (via interpolation) which can display IR image only, real image only, or IR and real image (picture in picture).

Measured temperature range is switchable between -20 to 100°C (-4 to 212°F) and 0 to 350°C (32 to 662°F) and the accuracy is within ±2 °C. The recommended operating environment is within -15 to +40°C (5 to 104°F) and between 20-80% humidity (non condensing).

A laser pointer and power LED illumination for the digital camera are built into the unit and easily activated.

Images are stored via an SD slot allowing 800-1000 images on a 1GB card. The camera simultaneously takes a thermal image and digital photo. The standard file format is ".bmt" which can contain both the digital photograph and thermal image in one file. Once transferred to the computer the images can be individually exported as .bmp, .jpg or .csv files.

Video output is via a USB 2.0 slot which streams at 25Hz and can use any of 8 available palettes. Temperature data (pointer or scale) are not transferred. The camera can then be used in much the same fashion as any webcam would.

Batteries are fast charging Li-Ion (5V/4A) which are field replaceable and power the unit for about 5 hours at 24°C (68°F). The unit can be operated from mains power whilst charging the battery "in camera".

Eight pallets are selectable for on screen display or saving images (below).

Digital Image from the Testo 880

Left: Blue & Red Palette Right: Grayscale Palette

Left: Inverse Grayscale Palette Right: Hot/Cold Palette

Left: Iron Palette Right: Rainbow Palette

Left: Sepia Palette Right: Testo Palette

The supplied software is quite user friendly and easy to navigate. It requires Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or greater) or Windows Vista and can quickly generate various type of reports.

Still images saved from the internal digital camera are 640x480 pixels, 96dpi with a bit depth of 32. Thermal images are 1633x1000 pixels (includes scale), 24dpi with a bit depth of 24. The resulting JPG files do not contain EXIF data.

Various measurements can be made and marked while reviewing images on the PC using the supplied program. The palette can also be changed as displayed above and fine tuned to give the desired range.

Above: Digital image and Thermal image with measurement areas marked.

Above Left: Histogram of readings from fuselage and tail.
Above Right: Sample taken in a line from engine to engine.

This brief run through conveys only the basic features of the unit but it is capable of various additional adjustments in order to obtain the precise data desired.

What we liked

• The 5 way joystick and 2 user defined function keys allow for quick access to most functions and the weight of 900 g (2lbs) coupled with the motorised focus enables one hand operation.
  
• The user interface makes operation fairly straightforward and automatic level adjustment highlighted variations quickly.
  
• Built in laser pointer.
  
• Built in digital camera and the ability to display both a natural and thermal image "picture in picture".
  
• Built in power LED providing some illumination for the camera. Although relatively low brightness, this could also come in handy as a torch.
  
• The unit can be powered by the mains adapter provided allowing it to be used in a stationary position indefinitely. If there is a battery inserted it will be charged simultaneously.
  
• Battery life was quite good and two batteries could see through a night of use without recharge if used sparingly. Alternatively, the separate fast charger could also be charging a second battery whilst the first battery is in use.
  
• Other devices can interface with the imager so it also displays data such as humidity and ambient temperature.

What we didn't like

• The absence of an RCA or BNC jack makes it difficult to record video as a recording device with USB input is required. You could also try a SD to video adapter (such as www.spectec.com.tw/sdv841.htm).
  
• The video stream does not contain scale or temperature readouts.
  
• The screen pauses every so often to self adjust, although this is quite common on most thermal imagers.
  
• Start up time was around 40 seconds (also quite common with many thermal imagers).
  
• The motorised focus although handy, could be easily damaged if one inadvertently tries to manually focus during use.
  
• Use in bright daylight can be difficult, even with the sunshield in place.
  

Overall the unit is a sturdy, high quality instrument providing high quality images and has features not seen on many thermal imagers. The 880-3 V4 is a recent addition to the thermal market and price at the time of writing is approximately £5,695.00 (US $7,851.40, AUD $12,424.10).

More information:
www.testosites.de/testo-880/en_INT/

Information in this review is provided for research purposes and is a guide only, readers should consult
product brochures and user manuals to confirm the information before reliance on any data contained.

Reproduction of any information or pictures must quote Ghost Research International as the source
and provide a link to the website (ghostresearchinternational.com) or this article.


This review has been made possible with the assistance of

www.techrentals.com.au/
suppliers of state-of-the-art scientific monitoring equipment.