Thermal-imaging cameras are usually very expensive, technical pieces of equipment that can cost thousands of dollars. Flir, a company that makes said expensive, technical pieces of equipment, now has an alternative. The Flir One is a case that turns your iPhone 5 or 5s into a portable thermal camera. It might seem pricey at $349, but it's easily the most affordable thermal camera you can find, even when you factor in the additional cost of an Apple iPhone 5s, if you don't already have one.

What is Thermal Imaging?

Thermal cameras measure objects' relative heat, showing hot spots and cold spots even in complete darkness. This is incredibly helpful for mechanics, plumbers, electricians, and other technically inclined professionals. A thermal view of a pipe with hot water running through it can show exactly where there's a clog by displaying where the heat stops flowing. A thermal view of drywall can show exactly where there are studs, because the wood used absorbs heat differently from the drywall or plaster. A thermal view of an appliance can show if the power cable is overheating, pinpointing potential problems.

It can even be an asset in a place like the PC Labs, where thermal views can reveal issues with overheating computers, show how effective a cooling system is, or find where certain electronic elements are inside notebook and monitor cases.