FLIR says its thermal imaging attachment for iPhone 5 and 5s has camping, remodeling, and security applications.

At CES 2014 on Tuesday, industrial sensor maker FLIR Systems introduced a thermal-imaging attachment for the iPhone 5 and 5s.

Thermal imaging may be faked fairly easily with Adobe Photoshop or another image manipulation app. But when you desire a true thermal imaging device — one with an exact infrared sensor — the associated fee may be substantial. FLIR’s professional thermal cameras cost thousands of bucks, some up to small cars.

The FLIR One is anticipated to be available for under $350 when it ships inside the spring. It snaps onto an iPhone 5 or 5s like other protective cases and give the user with extra battery capacity — 50% extension of battery life — in addition to the facility to capture real thermal images. Its sensor, developed for military applications, is set for civilian use, whatever that use might be.

Andy Teich, president and CEO of FLIR, suggests thermal imaging may well be helpful for remodeling, wildlife observation, and security.

[For more CES gadget news, see CES 2014: 8 Technologies To look at.]

The company anticipates that homeowners and contractors will use its thermal imaging system to spot energy efficiency problems, like poorly insulated doors or windows, and find wall studs or ceiling joists.

It also foresees its technology utilized by hunters, bird watchers, and campers to watch wildlife, to navigate in darkness, to evaluate whether campfires have really been extinguished, and to come to a decision whether food was adequately cooked.

And the corporate claims FLIR You possibly can “detect intruders in total darkness.”

It perhaps goes without saying that any intruder braving total darkness probably wouldn’t be wearing night-vision goggles and thus will be using a highly visible flashlight to bypass colliding with walls and so on. Given the sort of situation, it would be advisable not to give away your position by firing up your glowing iPhone and attached FLIR One to peer what you will have already seen. But you will need to make that decision yourself, in the event you should ever end up during this unfortunate scenario with no Rottweiler.

FLIR You will also help users see through smoke; breathing smoke is probably going to stay problematic. While some undoubtedly will use their thermal-enabled smartphone to scan their neighborhoods for inexplicably hot houses — an indication perhaps of a marijuana growing operation — the foremost compelling use of the technology for the typical person can be simply taking non-average pictures.

FLIR Systems seems to be acquainted with the privacy issues which have dogged other imaging systems just like the TSA’s Advanced Imaging Technology. The corporate notes that while its device opens up new opportunities for consumers, FLIR One cannot see through walls, doors, glass, or clothing. Expect that claim to be thoroughly tested.

Thomas Claburn is editor-at-large for InformationWeek. He was writing about business and technology since 1996 for publications akin to New Architect, PC Computing, InformationWeek, Salon, Wired, and Ziff Davis Smart Business. Before that, he worked in film and tv. He’s the writer of a science fiction novel, Reflecting Fires, and his mobile game Blocfall Free is obtainable for iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire.

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