Compare FLIR’s mid-range professional handheld thermal imagers across both series, then request a quote from Yellotec, FLIR’s Platinum Partner for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Yellotec holds FLIR Platinum Partner status across both the handheld thermal range covered on this page and the FLIR R&D and Science range. The company was named FLIR Platinum Partner of the Year 2023 for Sub-Saharan Africa, and earned the FLIR Best Acoustic Performance in Africa award in 2024 for the acoustic imaging product line.
Buying a FLIR thermal camera through Yellotec gets you more than the unit itself. As FLIR’s Platinum Partner for Sub-Saharan Africa, Yellotec carries the full E-Series and iXX Series lineups with local stock, plus the calibration and training, alongside the support that turns a camera into a working inspection programme.
The full E-Series and iXX Series ranges held locally — no import lead times on in-stock models.
Calibration to traceable standards, with same-week turnaround on most models.
Thermography training from operator induction through to ITC Level 3 certification.
Direct access to FLIR engineering support through our Platinum Partner relationship.
Trade-in valuations on your older FLIR equipment toward a new purchase.
For a deeper look at Yellotec’s services beyond thermography, see the core competencies page covering vibration analysis and oil analysis, plus ultrasound and laser alignment.
Both ranges are designed for professional thermal inspection, but they suit different workflows. The E-Series (the Exx Series, covering E52 through E96) is FLIR’s flagship handheld pistol-grip lineup for predictive maintenance and electrical inspection, as well as building diagnostics. The iXX Series is FLIR’s newer app-enabled platform, running the ACE operating system for smartphone-style workflows with direct cloud upload to FLIR Ignite and Assetlink.
The decision between the two ranges usually comes down to three things: the resolution needed for the targets being inspected, the temperature ceiling required, and the working distance from those targets. The comparison table further down covers all three for every model.
The E-Series is the right choice for thermographers running mixed inspection routes across electrical and mechanical targets. Interchangeable AutoCal lenses across the E76, E86, and E96 mean one camera body can handle wide-angle roof surveys and long-distance high-voltage inspections without needing a second unit. The E96 is the only pistol-grip FLIR with 640 by 480 thermal resolution, making it the preferred choice for safety-critical high-voltage work where inspectors need to stand back from the target.
The iXX Series is FLIR’s app-driven, cloud-connected thermal camera platform, running the new ACE operating system that lets the camera work like a smartphone. Every iXX model captures Delta T measurements that are NFPA 70B compliant for electrical inspection reports, and every model uploads directly to the FLIR Ignite cloud and Assetlink reporting platform for enterprise-level condition monitoring programmes. The choice between the four iXX models comes down to two specifications: resolution and cellular connectivity.
The table below covers the four specifications most buyers compare across models: thermal resolution, temperature measurement range, connectivity and software compatibility. Click through to the individual product page for the full datasheet on any model.
| Model | Thermal Resolution | Temperature Range | Connectivity | Software |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLIR E52 | 240 x 180 | -20 to 550°C | Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth | Thermal Studio Suite, FLIR Ignite |
| FLIR E54 | 320 x 240 | -20 to 650°C | Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, METERLiNK | Thermal Studio Suite, FLIR Ignite, Route Creator |
| FLIR E76 | 320 x 240 | -20 to 650°C; 300 to 1000°C optional | Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, METERLiNK | Thermal Studio Suite, FLIR Ignite, Route Creator |
| FLIR E86 | 464 x 348 | -20 to 1500°C | Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, METERLiNK | Thermal Studio Suite, FLIR Ignite, Route Creator |
| FLIR E96 | 640 x 480 | -20 to 1500°C | Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth, METERLiNK | Thermal Studio Suite, FLIR Ignite, Route Creator |
| FLIR i34 | 240 x 320 | -20 to 450°C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | ACE OS, FLIR Ignite, Assetlink |
| FLIR i35 | 240 x 320 | -20 to 450°C | Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth, USB-C | ACE OS, FLIR Ignite, Assetlink |
| FLIR i64 | 480 x 640 | -20 to 550°C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | ACE OS, FLIR Ignite, Assetlink |
| FLIR i65 | 480 x 640 | -20 to 550°C | Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth, USB-C | ACE OS, FLIR Ignite, Assetlink |
Resolution is the single biggest driver of model choice across both ranges, followed by working distance and the temperature ceiling needed for the target. The guide below maps each model to the inspection workflows it suits best.
The E54 or E76 handles switchgear, distribution boards and predictive maintenance. Step up to the E96’s 640×480 detector for high-voltage substations and safe standoff work.
Bearing wear and coupling misalignment sit within the E54’s sensitivity. The E76’s AutoCal lenses cover nearby pumps and overhead drive shafts from one body.
The E54 or E76’s 320×240 detail suits envelope inspections, insulation gaps and moisture detection, with Inspection Route for large commercial surveys.
Targets above 650°C need the E76’s optional high-temp range, or the E86 and E96 which ship with broader measurement ranges as standard for heavy industry.
The iXX Series suits enterprise programmes built on cloud reporting — i34/i35 at entry resolution, i64/i65 matching flagship 640×480.
The E-Series (the Exx Series, covering E52 through E96) is FLIR’s pistol-grip handheld range with interchangeable AutoCal lenses on the E76 and above. The iXX Series is FLIR’s newer app-enabled platform, running the ACE operating system for smartphone-style workflows with direct cloud upload to FLIR Ignite or Assetlink. The choice between them usually comes down to whether the inspection team needs lens flexibility (Exx) or app-driven team workflows with cloud reporting (iXX).
The standard temperature measurement range on the E-Series is -20°C to 650°C. The E76 offers an optional high-temperature configuration extending to 1000°C, and the E86 and E96 ship with broader standard ranges suited to heavy industry. Confirm the exact configuration needed for your inspection workflow when requesting a quote, since high-temperature options carry a different price point.
Yes. FLIR has discontinued the FLIR Tools desktop application. Current FLIR thermal cameras pair with FLIR Thermal Studio Suite for image management and reporting, plus FLIR Route Creator for designing inspection routes that sync to the camera. New Exx Series purchases through Yellotec include a 3-month subscription to Thermal Studio Pro and Route Creator. The iXX Series uses a different software path through the on-camera ACE operating system plus FLIR Ignite cloud and Assetlink, which removes the desktop-import step entirely.
FLIR thermal cameras carry a premium over consumer-grade thermal imagers because the detector quality and temperature accuracy, as well as the software ecosystem, are designed for professional inspection and compliance reporting. A FLIR E54 or E76 delivers measurement accuracy traceable to calibration standards, which is what auditors and insurers require for thermographic inspection reports. Lower-cost thermal imagers are often suitable for hobbyist use but do not carry the measurement accuracy or the reporting workflow needed for professional inspection.
For most electrical contractors and maintenance teams, the FLIR E54 or E76 is the right starting point. The E54 covers routine electrical inspection on switchgear and distribution boards, and the E76 adds interchangeable AutoCal lenses for standoff inspection on larger installations. For high-voltage substations and safety-critical work where the inspector needs to maintain working distance, the E96 is the preferred camera because the 640 by 480 detector preserves resolution at longer working distances.
Yes. The E54, and above, all handle mixed inspection workflows across electrical and mechanical targets, plus building work. The Inspection Route feature on every current Exx Series camera makes mixed-target workflows easier to manage by letting the thermographer pre-plan the survey path with named targets and capture imagery against each one in sequence.
Yes. Yellotec runs in-house calibration to traceable standards for FLIR thermal cameras and other test and measurement equipment. Calibration is typically required annually for inspection reports that need to stand up to audit, and Yellotec can run the calibration as part of an annual service contract.
Yes. Yellotec runs accredited thermography training through its training programmes, covering operator-level induction through to ITC Level 3 certification. Training is available in person and online.
Yellotec’s thermography specialists will help you choose the right E-Series or iXX Series model for your inspection workflow, then quote the full configuration including lens options and software, plus training.
