The FLIR Ex-Series thermal cameras are extremely powerful thermal inspection tools for building, mechanical, and electrical applications.
Boasting up to 320x240 infrared pixel thermal resolution and temperature ranges from -4oF to 1022oF (-20oC to 550oC), the Ex Series offers a model for almost every target size, budget, working distance, and visual detail requirements.
These innovative troubleshooting tools deliver visible, MSX, and thermal imaging at an incredibly low price.
Boasting an interface that’s easier to use than a smartphone, FLIR’s E4 through E8-XT line offers an affordable, effective thermal imaging solution ideal for both seasoned and new thermographers.
Whether you choose the entry-level FLIR E4 for its intuitive interface or the high-end FLIR E8-XT for its professional-level resolution, all Ex-Series cameras provide excellent results.
All units also come with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, so you can easily bring a compact battery charger or extra batteries with you if you think they’re going to run out of juice.
The FLIR E5-XT builds on the E4’s specifications, while the FLIR E6-XT and E8-XT provide industry-leading levels of temperature measurement accuracy and thermal sensitivity.
All FLIR thermal cameras feature MSX technology for image enhancements, a 10-year thermal detector warranty, and a built-in visual camera for unparalleled detail and above-average image quality.
From the beginner-friendly FLIR E4 and E5-XT to the more powerful FLIR E6-XT and E8-XT, the FLIR Ex series of thermal cameras is ideal for several different industries and applications.
FLIR E4 Infrared Camera
The FLIR E4 is an excellent inspection tool for beginners. With its detailed MSX thermal and infrared images, you can clearly identify problems, ranging from overheating mechanical and electrical equipment to energy losses, structural issues, and moisture intrusion.
The E4 boasts a quality 80x60 pixel thermal detector, a fixed focus 45-degree lens, and a bright 3-inch LCD screen, making it perfect for on-the-spot thermal inspections.
It also features an easy-to-use interface with push buttons that allow you to change parameter settings, like ambient temperature and emissivity.
All in all, the FLIR E4 is an excellent option for those who need a handy tool for quick scans and safety checks.
But if you want something with a higher thermal resolution, enhanced on-screen temperature measurement tools, and other additional features, then the other models might be a better pick.
FLIR E5-XT Infrared Camera
The FLIR E5-XT infrared camera provides the temperature measurement accuracy and thermal image enhancement displays you need to correctly identify problems.
Boasting a 120x90 pixel thermal resolution, this model offers more than twice the image clarity in pixels on target than the E4.
It also features a more sensitive thermal detector for clearer and more detailed thermal patterns.
The unit gives you the option to choose from thermal-only mode, built-in visible camera, or MSX to further enhance the thermal image with clear, recognizable details.
Like all other models in the Ex-series, the FLIR E5 comes with a 3-inch LCD screen and an easy on-screen interface.
Although this unit offers more vivid image clarity, it still remains extremely affordable, making it ideal for those who want to jump into the thermal inspection world.
FLIR E6-XT Infrared Camera
The FLIR E6-XT Infrared Camera meets RESNET thermal imaging standards, making it perfect for professional electrical and mechanical applications.
Boasting a 160x120 pixel thermal resolution, the E6 provides almost double the resolution of the E5, giving you greater image detail and more accurate measurement of thermal temperatures.
It also features a more sensitive detector to help show you subtler thermal patterns and a bright 3-inch LCD for the easy detection of temperature gradients.
Its simple interface further allows you to thumb through settings and parameters, choose the best color palette, add temperature measurement tools, and review stored images with just the press of a few buttons.
The FLIR E6 also offers an isotherm mode that automatically alerts you of temperatures below or above a certain threshold.
Like all other cameras in the FLIR Ex series, the E6 comes with the FLIR tools reporting software that’s compatible with both PC and Mac.
Lastly, it comes with FLIR’s exclusive 2-5-10 warranty, so you don’t have to worry about getting an inferior product!
FLIR E8-XT Infrared Camera
The FLIR E8-XT offers the highest thermal resolution in this excellent line of simple point-and-shoot cameras.
Its fixed focus lens gives you a wide 45-degree field of view and a clear, bright 3-inch LCD screen that makes thermal images pop.
Like all other models, the E8 also boasts a simple and intuitive interface that allows you to change settings with the simple push of a button.
It also features different viewing or picture image modes, such as thermal-only, visible-only, picture-in-picture, and MSX.
At 320x240 resolution, the FLIR E8 offers 76,000,800 pixels of thermal imaging power to help you measure temperatures more accurately.
It also comes with several handy diagnostic tools, including an area box with an auto cold or hot box and an isothermal option.
You can store numerous images in the FLIR E8 and download them later to your PC or Mac with the included FLIR tool software.
Lastly, you can use the FLIR tool to analyze images further and write easy-to-understand reports for your clients or customers.
Applications
The FLIR Ex Series is widely used in numerous industries, especially by electrical contractors, leak detection specialists, energy assessors, plumbers, and pest and building inspectors.
Common applications of the series include:
Electrical
The Ex-Series offers an excellent thermal imaging solution for professionals who want to troubleshoot abnormally high temperatures on breakers, connections, and fuses.
Building
The extra resolution, sensitivity, and functionality of the Ex-Series enable you to identify problems in a matter of minutes. With these cameras, you can easily locate structural issues, moisture intrusion, energy waste, and even nesting pests.
HVAC
With a camera from the FLIR Ex-Series, you’ll be able to spot mechanical wear, refrigerant issues, and cooling and heating system duct disconnects quickly.
Noteworthy Features
The Ex Series models aren’t very flashy, but what they do, they do well.
It’s worth noting that these are shared features of the Ex Series, and any model that has different features will be noted.
The main differences with the Ex Series is that the resolution and screen options increase with each model.
Light Weight
Each Ex Series thermal imager is the same size, and all of them weigh 1.27 lbs, making them comfortable to use and carry for long periods of time.
These are built for extended usage, so the light amount of weight can save you a great deal of discomfort if you are in a situation where you will be using them for hours.
Large Screen
Each Ex Series thermal imager includes a 3.0 inch, 320 x 240 LCD screen, with a frame rate of 9 Hz.
They are all offer IR imaging, along with a regular visual image, a browsable thumbnail gallery, and MSX visual image detailing. The E8 offers picture-in-picture viewing options, which can come in very handy.
Large Field of View, Easy File Access
The Ex Series imagers all possess a 45° x 34° field of view, and are capable of showing the image in iron, grey, and rainbow color palettes.
Up to 500 images are stored as JPEGS that are easily transferred to a computer via USB where they can be further enhances and analyzed with FLIR Tools software.
Extra Durable
Like most FLIR handheld thermal imagers, the Ex series imagers can all survive drops from up to 6.6 feet. You aren’t likely to drop one from that height but if so, you’re fine.
Ease of Use
FLIR gives a nod to Apple with the Ex Series interface. Most of the controls can settings can be operated by a single button located in the middle under the screen. The button is big enough to use even if you are wearing gloves.
Limitations
FLIR Ex thermal cameras are great tool for mechanical, HVAC and electrical inspections, but they aren't the most feature-rich.
No Lasers
FLIR has no qualms with putting laser pointers on some of their more inexpensive models, so it seems strange that they left them off to the Ex Series.
Temperature Range
The Ex Series temperature range of -4°F to 482°F is not adequate for higher-end industrial applications. If you need to take images of high heat environments, then you need to look elsewhere.
- Resolution: 80 x 60 to 320 x 240
- Temperature Range: -4°F to 482°F
- Weight: 1.27 lbs.
- Sensitivity: <0.15°C - 0.06°C
Summary
All in all, the Ex-Series provides you with numerous options when it comes to image sharing and thermal resolution options.
If you’re a beginner looking to set foot in the thermal camera world, be sure to check our FLIR E4 review before making your purchase.
Similarly, it’s better to go through the aforementioned FLIR E6 and E8 reviews to ensure they meet all the standards needed for professional work.
No matter which model you choose, all of them are rock solid, extremely easy to use, and ideal for a wide range of settings, whether it’s your house or your job site!
Buy an Ex Series thermal imager if you need a mix of value and above-average image quality.
