After participating in yesterday's fusion IR camera demo... I'm not too impressed.

[Nick Gromicko]

FLIR did a little fusion infrared demonstration for us yesterday when I was in Edmonton, AB. I don't much see any purpose in going with the fusion camera. I like the standard IR cameras much better.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by gromicko

FLIR did a little fusion infrared demonstration for us yesterday when I was in Edmonton, AB. I don't much see any purpose in going with the fusion camera. I like the standard IR cameras much better.

Same here. I don't see a major difference from what I can with my B-2.

[William J. Decker]

There are some advantages. It is easier and quicker (don't have to take a picture with the IR and a second picture with the regular digital camera).

It also serves to show the client two identical pictures, in in IR and one in visual.

But, I have to agree that the increased price is not worth it.

I would LOVE to see this as a feature in a lower priced camera, like the B2.

Just my opinion.

[Lawrence Olsen]

There is 4 functions on the T360 that was demonstrated.

1. Regular IR camera
2. IR Video
3. Image Fusion
4. Taking IR image and Regular Image at the same time

I agree with Nick that in the HI field the Fusion is not that good. Having the camera take both pictures for you is great. There is a difference. Fusion on the Camera you cannot unfuse the pictures once it is created. When the camera takes both IR and Regular images you then put them side by side in your report just like you would with the IR you have now and your Digital Camera.

We have to remember that the primary use of these cameras are still in the electrical field and not all the features are useful to every industry.

One other thing is that if you want Image Fusion you can buy the Reporter 8 software and do the Fusion with any IR image from any camera (FLIR). This also comes at a small cost of $4,000 Canadian.

Lawrence Olsen
Universal Inspections

[David A. Andersen]

For those that take a lot of IR scans, you can make a bar to clamp a small digital camera to the IR camera at the tripod mounts.

This doesnt deal with the fusion issue but makes "camera swapping" easier on a big job.

[Chuck Lambert]

Originally Posted by Lawrence Olsen

One other thing is that if you want Image Fusion you can buy the Reporter 8 software and do the Fusion with any IR image from any camera (FLIR). This also comes at a small cost of $4,000 Canadian.

Lawrence Olsen
Universal Inspections

Heck I just infuse my IR and Regular photos with my photo software. It is actually quite quick and easy.

Chuck

[jhugenroth]

Originally Posted by wdecker

There are some advantages. It is easier and quicker (don't have to take a picture with the IR and a second picture with the regular digital camera).

It also serves to show the client two identical pictures, in in IR and one in visual.

But, I have to agree that the increased price is not worth it.

I would LOVE to see this as a feature in a lower priced camera, like the B2.

Just my opinion.

Ask and you shall receive, Will
This is from an e-mail I received a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.inspectortools.com/flukerseries1.html

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by dandersen

For those that take a lot of IR scans, you can make a bar to clamp a small digital camera to the IR camera at the tripod mounts.

This doesnt deal with the fusion issue but makes "camera swapping" easier on a big job.

Dave, I am in the habit of taking a digital photo first and the IR right after just something that's part of my routine now.

Thanks for the tips you posted on the other threads, I will use them, one thing I have found on focusing is mini blinds work great for focusing!!!!

[David A. Andersen]

Peter, when doing a home inspection there are a lot of processes that require different equipment simultaneously. I wear a safari vest to hold as much as I can. My digital camera is on a lanyard around my neck as is my digital voice recorder. I have a holster for my digital camera and a tool bag on wheels!(I get a lot of comments as to how I am dressed when I showup on site!)

Initially I had problems with the IR/digital sequence and thought about putting the two cameras together, but it makes the camera too big for home inspection purposes. I don't like to leave anything laying around (especially at the price of replacement). It may end up in a paint can or something!

If I were doing nothing but a thermal survey, I would use the bar more as it would keep everything together, focused in on the same focal plane.

Thanks for the thanks on the tips!
I was sitting around the office during a freezing, blowing snow fall and going over some infrared scans and testing different computer program capabilities and thought I would pass on some of my observations. Using miniblinds and metallic objects that really reflect your body heat are great to focus on, however I often find it difficult to get a good focus when these objects are not available. It takes a few more button pushes (which I don't have time for) but when the subject matter is important, the process is available.

[Peter W. Bennett]

which photo software do you have and can you post an example?
Peter

[David A. Andersen]

Who are you asking Peter?