FLIR BCAM SD vs. Fluke TiR

[Michael J. Ashburn]

I ordered a Tir From Hi-Essentials which gives NACHI memebers a discount. Over 4 weeks have gone by when they keep telling me an arrival date and it never happened. I had to cancel my order, Nick at Hi Ess. was no help. I never got an apology from him for the major inconvenience. He was very unprofessional, unconcerned about expediency (I have someone waiting to buy my current camera, if I lose that sale I am screwed). Another NACHI member ordered their camera 8 days I ordered mine and they got their camera already. Another NACI member mentioned the lack of customer service in regards to Infrared cameras. I do not understand, we are their target market and they are treating us poorly. I am am very disappointed with HI Essentials.

Sorry just complaining.

[Mathew Hawley]

Michael,

Thanks for the info.

Sorry you have had sucha bad expirence. I have dealt with Profesional Equipment and they have been great.

[Linas I. Dapkus]

I got mine from Professional Equipment and it was at my doorstep in 3 days. I ordered a Delmhorst BD2100 moisture meter w/EIFS package from Prof.Equip. not long ago and again only 3 days. Great service.

[David A. Delaney]

Wow!! That's some good information. I was just getting ready to order from HI Essentials. Michael, you should let Nick G know about this. He will likely make a phone call to figure out the deal.

Thanks for the insight!!!

[Michael J. Ashburn]

I have used Pro-Eqpt. before, their prices are too high check out
http://www.tequipment.net/
They have alot of things we use at really good prices.

Check out this link as well. http://www.moisturemeterstore.com/

I will let Nick G. know of difficulty with Hi-Ess.

[David A. Andersen]

I got my cam from PE, also in three days.
As for support, they personally called me to check up on things.
As for price, they backed up some discounts and I got my CAM last summer for a price lower than today's deals!

Sometimes you have just got to ask.
I was told of some real deals at Level I last week that people got, just for the asking.

Some times price is not the bottom line! Where have we heard that before?

[John McKenna]

I always had excellent service with Professional Equipement.
They provide a 30 day guarantee on their IR cameras. You
can send it back if you don't like it. Good service.

[Linas I. Dapkus]

http://www.emlab.com/m/media/Feb08_Products.html

[Aram (Autm) Sargisian]

Professional Equipment has the FLIR B-CAM SD on sale for a short time
$4995.00 you save $1755.00 Reg price $6,750.00
www.professionalequipment.com it's right on there front page

[John Snell]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

I am currently updating my camera.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Take...igital-Camera/

Dan,

I trust you are clear you will see NOTHING about building energy use with this sort of modification to a visible light camera. I still hear of folks also trying to use "infrared film." Both the modification you reference and IR film are sensitive to near-IR light. Mostly you will see reflected near-IR light from the sun or, if looking at something above 450F, you will see some emitted near-IR light. Not very useful for home inspection but fun none-the-less.

Infrared cameras detect longer wavelengths, thermal infrared light. Most of the cameras in the market today detect energy with wavelengths of 8-14 microns and are sensitive to differences of less than 0.1F! The attached B&W thermal image of a handprint gives you an idea of what I'm talking about; it would be visible for 1-3 minutes after contact depending on the circumstances.

If you or any other readers have questions about IR and buildings, I'd be happy to try to answer them. I do NOT sell IR cameras. My company does provide training but I'm not a hard sell. My interest is in people getting the right information to make decisions that solve problems.

Thermally yours,

John Snell
Snell Infrared
www.thesnellgroup.com
800-636-9820

[John Snell]

Originally Posted by ddelaney

What do the current owners think about these two cams. PRO's & CON's? I have read alot about both, and would just like to have some final input before I spend the $$$.

Keep in mind, PRO-LAB has the BCAM SD for $4699, and inspector essentials has the TiR for $4495, so price isn't the issue.

Thanks for everyones input, thoughts, 2 cents, and votes, in advance. I feel like I get my iNachi's moneys worth just having access to the members on this board!!!

I just posted some images on our website <http://www.irtalk.com/forums/thread/1341.aspx> that, while not a perfect 1:1 comparison (due to there having been taken on different days), show both these cameras (FLIR InfraCAM-SD/BCAM-SD and the Fluke TiR1) can get the job done quite nicely. I've re-posted the images here as well but refer you to the original post for more details.

Clearly there are differences in the specifications that will probably allow you to push the envelope harder with one, the Fluke, due to it's better thermal sensitivity and slightly larger array. As others have shown, the IR-Fusion is also a great feature. BUT, please note that my extensive experience using them clearly satisfies me that both cameras, when used properly, can work well for buildings work.

And the good news is the prices of both are pretty darned attractive. My analysis shows that the added cost for having a camera on the job (not including the extra time) over a reasonable life for the tool, is about what you'd spend for lunch at a fast food restaurant. Clearly it has a great deal more value that that to the homeowner!

Thermally yours,

John Snell
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
Snell Infrared
800-636-9820
802-229-9820
http://www.thesnellgroup.com
http://www.IRTalk.com
http://www.thermalsolutions.org

[William R. DeVries, CMHI]

ordered bcam tonight, will have it tommorrow, not to bad.
looking forward to joining the IR club

[John McKenna]

Congrats William... Way to go.!!!

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by John Snell

Thermally yours,

John Snell

Cool signature.... "Thermally yours".

[William R. DeVries, CMHI]

Got the Bcam, scanned the house and just found some moisture in the ceiling, most likley from the ice damming that occurred this winter.
What an awsome tool, a weapon that will put me leagues ahead of a basic inspection. I had no idea the moisture made it that far into the soffits, just awsome.