Thermal cameras can spot problems you can't see - what I've learned after years of testing

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ZDNET's key takeaways

  • Thermal cameras don't have to cost thousands (but they can).
  • Thermal cameras come in standalone versions, built into smartphones, and dongles.
  • They literally give you a money-saving superpower.

I like tools. One of my earliest memories is using plastic tools with my grandpa, and I've had a toolbox filled with tools since my early teens. Over time, many of the hand tools have given way to power tools; in recent years, I've added a few more exotic tools to the kit -- things like a laser rangefinder and laser levels (yes, I like lasers, too).

But one of the most useful "modern" tools in my toolkit these days is a thermal camera. This tool has, without doubt, saved me thousands of dollars over the years.

When most people think of thermal cameras, two things typically come to...

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