Fluke Ti32 Review

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The Fluke Ti32 is our best selling Fluke thermal imager in the sub $9,000 range. It features impressive specifications like its 320×240 IR resolution, -20°C to +600°C (-4°F to 1112°F) temperature range and 2% accuracy.

But behind the Ti32’s features and specifications, are details you’ll only learn about if you dig into Fluke’s thermal imaging technology and things you’ll only learn about unless its from someone who’s used and tested it first hand – here’s my Fluke Ti32 review.

Fluke Ti32 First Impressions

The first thing I noticed about the Fluke Ti32 was its weight and how solid it is – definitely feels like a heavy-duty or “rugged” product Fluke says it is. When I flipped open the lens cover, I saw a clean germanium lens and visual image camera lens right above it – both lenses give the Ti32 ability to produce picture-in-picture images using Fluke’s IR Fusion technology. When it comes to the accessories, I found the battery to be pretty cool – it features 5 small spots on one side which is designed to indicate how much battery is left by the number of spots lit up, hence given the name, “Smart IR Battery” (BTW, it comes with 2 batteries). The manual focus is smooth – it has generous shovel-shaped grooves along the focus ring that makes it easy to rotate around to give the sharpest image even if you’ve got thick gloves on – I tried it with gloves on. Apart from all those things, inside the dual-style carrying case, nothing was missing and that’s always a good thing!

Fluke Ti32 Features

Beyond the Ti32’s 320×240 resolution, temperature range, battery life and other specifications you’ll read in its datasheet, is the attention to detail Fluke manufactured into this thermal imager to make it undeniably one of the top thermal imagers for industrial/mechanical and building inspection cameras in the market:

Ruggedness

In my hands the Fluke Ti32 is a heavy duty camera… and it is literally heavy – this bad boy isn’t a toy; I think anyone can tell you that Fluke doesn’t compromise on quality, especially after picking up a Ti32. If you’ve ever used a Fluke multimeter and compared it with other less expensive brands, you’ll know what I’m talking about – they’re built tough. The Fluke Ti32 is IP54 rated; meaning its protected against dust and moisture and can operate in temperatures from -20°C to +50°C or 14°F to 122°F. But, besides all that, one of its most impressive features is that it’s designed to handle a 2 meter (6.6 ft) drop test. Watch this video:

Amazing Image Quality

What impressed me the most about the Fluke Ti32 is its amazing image quality – when I opened the images with Fluke’s free SmartView software, I was amazed at the clarity and sharpness the Ti32 produced (sharper than other 320×240 cameras I’ve tested). What makes this possible is Fluke’s industry-leading spatial resolution (IFOV) for the Ti32 that delivers up to 43% more than competing cameras – this means 2 competing cameras may have the same 320 x 240 resolution, but the one with greater spatial resolution will have a sharper image. The Fluke Ti32 features a 1.25 mRad spatial resolution. Here’s a couple of images I put together in Photoshop to illustrate what I mean:

The image on the right is an original photo downloaded from a Ti32. The image on the left is the original photo and I applied a blur filter on it.

It has a Fast “shutter speed”

Probably the best thing I enjoyed the most when using the Fluke Ti32 is how fast it can capture a photo after your press the trigger; the process is practically instantaneous; something you’ll only really appreciate until you get one in your hands. This is great because you’re less likely to take a photo that is blurry because you moved the camera slightly – a clear photo the first time means you don’t have to take another one. This is something I’ve found to be a unique feature of Fluke Thermal Imagers.

Its Easy to Use the Wide-angle or Telephoto Lens

With other manufacturers, to use an optional wide-angle or telephoto lens with your camera, each lens and camera must be calibrated together by the manufacturer. With Fluke, its easy to add a wide-angle or telephoto lens to your arsenal – Included with the purchase of an individual Fluke lens is a unique SD memory card so you can calibrate it yourself! With your Ti32 turned off, attach the lens and insert the SD memory card. This memory card comes with calibration information such as the lens’ serial number. Turn the camera back on, and the screen will prompt you to add the new lens you just attached – thats it.

IR Fusion® Technology

By default, the Ti32 takes the thermal and visual image simultaneously – all this information is stored in each .is2 file created every time image is captured so you can choose to add picture-in-picture images in your report. Creating a picture-in-picture image is very easy to do in Fluke’s SmartView software. Here’s some screenshots I’ve taken to show you just how easy it is:

You can control and re-position the thermal image around one pixel at a time over the visual image and blending mode (%). Fluke’s IR Fusion® technology automatically adjusts the position the thermal image over the visual light image based on the angle you’re taking your shot, so it retains the full sizes of both the thermal and the visual light images without stretching or distortion.

Fluke SmartView Software is Free!

Fluke’s SmartView software is really easy to use and has many options to edit your photos like changing the color spectrum to greyscale (black and white) for example. Bottom line, I really liked the way the photos were exported from the software, they weren’t cluttered with a big logo or other things. Having free software has many advantages; the most important one being that anyone with a Windows PC involved in your project can download the software and view/edit the images. Watch this video to see it in action:

Fluke Ti32 Unboxing Photos

I took some photos opening our Fluke Ti32 demo. It comes in a 2 case system; 1) an outer plastic shell case painted Fluke yellow and 2) an inner soft case any thermal infrared camera would appreciate. Have a look at the photos below and see what’s inside!

(Box Includes: Thermal imager with standard infrared lens, AC power supply and battery pack charger (including mains adapters), Two rugged lithium ion smart battery packs, SD memory card, Multi-format USB memory card reader for downloading images into your computer, SmartView® & software with free software upgrades for life, Hard carrying case, Soft transport bag, Adjustable hand strap, Printed users manual, Warranty registration card, Interactive training DVD)

Fluke Ti32 Sample Images

I took some thermal images with a demo Fluke Ti32 we had and they are sharp! Fluke’s Infrared technology that combines the 320×240 IR sensor and high-quality Germanium lens is outstanding. The objects in the image are very sharp and almost every detail can be seen as if it was taken with a high-end digital camera or basic DSLR.

Object	Visual Light Image	Fluke Ti32
Electrical Panel (5 ft away)
Electrical Socket / Plug (5 ft away)
Exit Sign (5 ft away)
Warehouse Ceiling Corner (NW) (19 ft away)
Warehouse Exit Door Base (6 ft away)

Fluke Ti32: Final Thoughts

Even with all the promotions and drop in prices in thermal imaging cameras today, after my first hand experience with the Fluke Ti32, if its within your budget, its easy to see spending just under US$9,000 for it is justified. The Ti32 is Fluke’s most popular infrared camera and the most we sell out of.

From its amazing image quality, ruggedness that can withstand a 2 meter drop test, fast “shutter” speed, ability to use different lenses with ease, the free SmartView software for reporting and analysis, my Fluke Ti32 test has left me with an amazing appreciation for all the technology and hard work Fluke’s invested into this camera. The Fluke Ti32 is an excellent camera with outstanding thermal imaging performance that I recommend if you’re in the market for a professional grade thermal imaging camera for your business and application – wait until you see what it can do!

Fluke is more than just multimeters. I believe many of our Fluke Ti32 customers are confident buying it because its a Fluke product – they’ve either used Fluke meters like the Fluke 87V or Fluke 179 digital multimeters in the past, know that Fluke products are rugged & built for tough industrial use, used on in the past or have been recommended Fluke products.

Have Questions?

Call us toll free in US & Canada to speak to one of our trained level 1 thermographers 1.877.766.5412. Or leave a comment in the comment section below and I’ll reply to it.

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One Comment »

22 July 2011 at 8:05 am
Fluke P3 Series – New Ti27, Ti29 & Ti32 said:

[...] really excited about these new cameras. As I’ve mentioned in my Fluke Ti32 review in the past, what I really appreciate about the model is the amazing clarity in every thermal image [...]

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