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I need to buy or lease a thermal imaging camera.

That is my next purchase.

I like the Fluke line but the features in the B-Cam size seem to work well for what I am doing. One of the larger hand-held ones has appeal but are out of my price range. Resolution is excellent but you do get what you pay for.

I deal with Bill Tatam at The Energy Conservatory in Minneapolis. (612) 827-1117

Comments

  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,289
    Tired of talking about it.

    The time has come to buy or lease a TIC.

    Any suggestions, as to which one, are greatly appreciated.

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  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,289
    Thanks, Brad.

    I appreciate the help.
    Let me know if you and the missus plan to visit the Big Apple. I figure I owe you a nice lunch, at least.

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  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    FLIR leases...

    and rents, and sells used units.

    ME

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Tom_80
    Tom_80 Member Posts: 22
    TIC

    check out the Testo 880 thermal imager when you start looking
  • Timco
    Timco Member Posts: 3,040


    What price range / use? I bought a low end camera for about $3K and it does just what I need it for...

    Tim
    Just a guy running some pipes.
  • Bob Harper
    Bob Harper Member Posts: 1,087
    training first

    Everyone I know who owns a thermal IR camera has said to get trained before you buy so you'll know what to buy.

    Fluke's Fusion technology is awesome! You are basically taking a std. digital photo that also has full IR capability. For instance, instead of recording an IR image then picking up a digital camera to reference the shot in true light, you only need the one Fusion image. Once recorded, you can show it as a std. photo or slide a scale gradually revealing it as IR. It's almost like having one eye optical and one IR. You can change the scale for your color pallet either on the camera on the nicer units or on your laptop once downloaded with the lowest camera.

    Just do your homework before you buy. I am hearing of a lot of people buying these cheaper cameras that while they are ok, they don't have the capability they really wanted but now are stuck with an expensive camera.

    Make sure it is the right camera for you before you buy.
    HTH,
  • tim smith
    tim smith Member Posts: 2,807
    Tim, I was looking at the trap pics and they are pretty cool

    just wondering about the settings you have there, are both those pics on the same system under full steam pressure. Both temp ranges on pics seem to vary widely on the readout it shows. Also have you found the IR camera to be very accurate in the trap evaluation scenario. Thanks for response in advance. Tim
  • Timco
    Timco Member Posts: 3,040


    Those pics were from all over the building, and because I use it for goov vs. bad, I have not checked the temp readings against measured temps. You can change the immisitivity(?) levels to tell it is the subject is a dull or reflective surface. The traps have always shown full color when bad, and the heat stops after repair. I decided color only was fine, as I did not need the "digital pic". (saved $5K+) It finds the condensate path in a pipe and steam in a pipe.

    Tim
    Just a guy running some pipes.
  • Ken Field
    Ken Field Member Posts: 123


    The fusion feature is very nice. One thing not to take lightly is the resolution. Just like with a video monitor or digital camera, if the resolution is poor, you will not like the finished product. The camera I use has a 640 X 480 display and is the best feature. It is only black and white but was over $9000 a few years ago. Prices have dropped but so has resolution. Color is overrated. I can download the pictures to my computer and the camera software will add the colors. Just my 2 cents.

    Ken F

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