Flir i7 is this enough resolution?

[RAY THOROMAN]

Thinking of doing Johns class and w/ it getting the Flir i7.

It has 120 x 120 IR Resolution, is this enough? Or should I get a camera w/ 160 x 120?


I want to offer Thermal scans for energy audits and use it for my mold inspections.

Also to scan the building for leaks or to reassure what my findings are.


Thx,
Ray



And w/ Johns class, will the be sufficient training to do what I mentioned above?


Johns training + i7 = $2245, not too shabby

[William Warner]

You'll get exactly what you paid for with both.

Do some searching in this forum... this very subject has been discussed numerous times.

Then get one from a rep to try out... compare it with others... take a level one course to truly understand what you are investing your hard earned money in.... then make a purchase decision. Base it on price alone and you will be disappointed.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by wwarner

You'll get exactly what you paid for with both.

Do some searching in this forum... this very subject has been discussed numerous times.

Then get one from a rep to try out... compare it with others... take a level one course to truly understand what you are investing your hard earned money in.... then make a purchase decision. Base it on price alone and you will be disappointed.

Good advice...

[David A. Andersen]

I could not have said it so nicely... :-0

Thank you Mr. Bill...

Ray, "if you own one, they will come" does not apply to this industry.

I got three jobs this week (while on vacation) where the client went through the laundry list of camera owners and came to the realization that there "IS" a difference in Thermographers & Equipment.

They are starting to ask questions now. It's getting to be less of a "Wow Factor" to the clients. Those calling, know more about TI than many of the Camera Owners out there.

[John McKenna]

FLIR got so many complaints from the emerging building industry, they
created building courses to take the place of Level I classes. (Level I was
created back in a time when IR cameras were not being used in building
diagnosis). Take the class that is geared for your needs.

I use a 120x120 BCAM at every inspection and so do thousands of others.
More is always better, but more sometimes is outside of some peoples
budget. Even RESNET recognizes 120x120 resolution as a minimum standard
that can still get the job done.

[RAY THOROMAN]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've read lots of threads and again appreciate the help. As you may or not may know, I'm definitely not new to the home and commercial inspection industry. With that said, I've been watching the Thermal Imaging industry for a few years now and am real close to jumping in. I've seen mixed opinions, which is par for any course about what works and what doesn't. There is no licensing and really minimal standards from what I can tell. Still a little wild west in the Thermal Imaging industry. So for me, this is what I'm wanting to do.


- Offer professional energy audits. What's the standard here? Forms, Report software, Credentials? Certifications? I heard the i7 from Jason Taylor that it's not RESNET compliant?


- Offer Thermal Imaging for Contractors or Customers who may have an issue with energy loss, electrical, leaks.


- Use Thermal Imaging as a tool, like my moisture meter, noise, eyes to reassure there's an issue causing the mold.


Do I use the software that comes with the camera for reports? Is there any other software I need to create my reports for Thermal Imaging?


Thx,
Ray T.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by rthoroman

Thanks for the advice guys. I've read lots of threads and again appreciate the help. As you may or not may know, I'm definitely not new to the home and commercial inspection industry. With that said, I've been watching the Thermal Imaging industry for a few years now and am real close to jumping in. I've seen mixed opinions, which is par for any course about what works and what doesn't. There is no licensing and really minimal standards from what I can tell. Still a little wild west in the Thermal Imaging industry. So for me, this is what I'm wanting to do.


- Offer professional energy audits. What's the standard here? Forms, Report software, Credentials? Certifications? I heard the i7 from Jason Taylor that it's not RESNET compliant?


- Offer Thermal Imaging for Contractors or Customers who may have an issue with energy loss, electrical, leaks.


- Use Thermal Imaging as a tool, like my moisture meter, noise, eyes to reassure there's an issue causing the mold.


Do I use the software that comes with the camera for reports? Is there any other software I need to create my reports for Thermal Imaging?


Thx,
Ray T.

FLIR i7 conforms to the proposed new RESNET standards.

The free software that comes with all IR cameras is not very good for much. What do you expect, it is free.

[David A. Andersen]

they created building courses to take the place of Level I classes.

I don't think so my friend...

[Jason Kaylor]

Ray,

Just to claify, Resnet does not have an IR standard.....yet. It is only composed. From what I know it is weeks to a month or two away.

The i7 meets the resolution and MK part of the standard. However it does not meet the proposed MRrad specification, which is 3.0 or lower. Don't take this as me beating up on FLIR, it is what it is.

JJ

[Jason Kaylor]

Originally Posted by dandersen

I don't think so my friend...

David,

Actually they did, but it isn't meant to replace level I. It is still level I, but uses more building type applications as references instead of industrial and mechanical. Snell offers this as well, not sure about Infraspection.

JJ

[Bob Elliott]

If you are mostly using it for water intrusion issues my impression is 120 "by' is enough.
Correct?

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by jkaylor

Ray,

Just to claify, Resnet does not have an IR standard.....yet. It is only composed. From what I know it is weeks to a month or two away.

The i7 meets the resolution and MK part of the standard. However it does not meet the proposed MRrad specification, which is 3.0 or lower. Don't take this as me beating up on FLIR, it is what it is.

JJ

FLIR says the i7 does meet the proposed RESNET standard.
I am sure they would not exposed themselves to such an error
if it was not true.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by dandersen

I don't think so my friend...

FLIR and ITC told me they created their building courses because there was such a gap in Level I content regarding it's teachings about the emerging building industry uses for IR.

Level I is still a good course, but it was created in 1988.

[Jason Kaylor]

John,

I invite you to get a hold of John Snell which wrote the proposed standard and ask him the drafted MRad specifications.

Here is a data sheet on the i7 and i5:

http://www.google.com/m/url?ei=R--ET...hYqMUkHZuZAW-Q

I am not sure why the age of the course would matter. Most of the theories they teach in physics have been around for 100's of years and are still being taught ot this day.

JJ

[David A. Andersen]

they created building courses to take the place of Level I classes.

The building course is not a replacement for Lvl I, was my point.

If anyone thinks that if they take the building course, they should not consider themselves a Lvl I. They are a Building Science Thermographer.