We have a hand held thermal camera. It really is simple. If you can’t see something, you won’t see it with thermal. If it is possible to see something, if the temperature difference is big enough, thermal will help it stand out.
Buying a drone that can legally be flown, since it will be grandfathered, isn't the same thing as truly being able to enjoy the hobby and flying for fun, since the public perception of visible drones is now somewhere between paranoia and open...