Thermal Imaging Camera

GeoffCapes

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14,000
As the title says, I'm after one of these for for work, but they could also be useful for home mechanics.

Has anyone bought one or has any recommendations?

Don't really want to pay too much for one as it won't be used all of the time.
 

D Walker

Member
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9,827
I used to repair them "in a previous" life,
Remember they are opaque to glass so wont show heat loss etc at windows, (unless they have moved on)
Haven' ever looked at the commercial / civvy type aspect but my concern would be your cooling element, it may well have moved on and be totally electronic now but we used to use compressed air (very high pressure)
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
I used to repair them "in a previous" life,
Remember they are opaque to glass so wont show heat loss etc at windows, (unless they have moved on)
Haven' ever looked at the commercial / civvy type aspect but my concern would be your cooling element, it may well have moved on and be totally electronic now but we used to use compressed air (very high pressure)

I'm after one to show heat loss.
 

D Walker

Member
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9,827
Will definetly work for that, I used to set contrast and aspect ratio settings using surrounding buildings, was very easy to see who had the most affective insulation. I "borrowed" one from work once to survey my own!!!
 

D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
Sorry, no, not sure if there are that many civilian uses, fire department, police and some specialist engineering, you may be better off looking at a hire agreement. With thermal imagers, as they need cooling you generally need a cooling source, bottle or direct compressor and battery or direct power. You need a good refresh rate as that is what it does all the time.
They were getting smaller as I left so may be something in the civvy market, our man portable system used to take about 4 men if deployed off a vehicle for a period of time. One for the imager and tripod, one for the bottles, one for the batteries and an extra for security and share carrying duties. Wasn't really that man portable as once on the ground only needed one man to put it together and use it. Mira and Spyglass were the names of you so wish
 

D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
Quick look about and you're looking at 2k upwards, no idea on the quality, we have one here which is supposed to show fluid flow in pipelines, used it once - ****.
 

GeoffCapes

Member
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14,000

Jeezzz that's huge! I was thinking more pocket sized.

Quick look about and you're looking at 2k upwards, no idea on the quality, we have one here which is supposed to show fluid flow in pipelines, used it once - ****.

I like the one I've seen for about £140. Don't want anything fancy. Just something to point out to clients that they're losing a fortune in lost heat!
 

dgmx5

Member
Messages
1,142
I have looked at the Flir range from time to time to check out where the draughts are in our house