Infrared Camera

[TONY MUSCAT]

Has anyone heard of Palmer Wahl Infrared heat spy 3000 and the Mikron 7800. Are they a good camera ?
thanks
Tony
Inch by Inch Inspections

[Jason Kaylor]

Originally Posted by tmuscat

Has anyone heard of Palmer Wahl Infrared heat spy 3000 and the Mikron 7800. Are they a good camera ?
thanks
Tony
Inch by Inch Inspections

Not really on the Palmer Wahl, it is 150mk thermal sensitivity. That does not even come close to meeting the up coming Resnet IR camera standard.

Plus do these two look familiar?

http://www.aikencolon.com/Ideal-61-8...ra_p_1831.html
http://www.irisys.co.uk/thermal-imag...atasheets.aspx

However the Mikron 7800 is super nice: 320x240 resolution, 60 mk thermal sensitivity, 60Hz refresh rate and a 500C temp range! Kind of strange you pick such different levels in cameras to compare. Only the FLIR B400 (add on the temp option) and the FLIR T400 can compete with that. The B400 and T400 have a little better thermal sensitivity at 50mk, and only 30Hz on the refresh. Unless the 7800 is drastically cheaper than 20K it would be tough to compete with the B and T 400's.

If you want to go that high up the ladder check out one of these three.

http://www.aikencolon.com/Electrophy...as_c_1119.html

Those three are about as good as you get, with a 640x480 rez and very affordable compared to other cameras they compete with.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
Irwin Industrial Tools
Fluke Ti10 Thermal Imager
Fluke TiR Resources
Miller Fall Protection
Retrotec Duct & Blower Door

[Ron Bibler]

If they are older cameras stay a way from them. 10K will put into a very nice camera thesed days

Best

Ron

[Jason Kaylor]

Originally Posted by rbibler

If they are older cameras stay a way from them. 10K will put into a very nice camera thesed days

Best

Ron

That depends on what you want to do Ron. $4995 will get you a very good entry level camera that is great for building diagnostics, heck even cheaper with the SD Cam making a come back. $10k is barely a down payment on a good short wave imager.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
Irwin Industrial Tools
Fluke Ti10 Thermal Imager
Fluke TiR Resources
Miller Fall Protection
Retrotec Duct & Blower Door

[Nick Gromicko]

Call www.InspectorOutlet.com No one can beat their prices. No one.

[Ron Bibler]

Originally Posted by jkaylor

That depends on what you want to do Ron. $4995 will get you a very good entry level camera that is great for building diagnostics, heck even cheaper with the SD Cam making a come back. $10k is barely a down payment on a good short wave imager.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
Irwin Industrial Tools
Fluke Ti10 Thermal Imager
Fluke TiR Resources
Miller Fall Protection
Retrotec Duct & Blower Door

The cheap cameras are not worth the money... you will want a better camera in 6 months.


How about a ThermaCAM BX320 25ThermaCAM BX320 with 45° Lens$11950.00

http://www.tequipment.net/FlirBX320.html

So im off by 2K

But you can find used one for around 7K.

Best

Ron

[Kevin R. Weiss]

I would advise against the Micron. I had one. Not very durable - the design of the flip up screen and hinge is a big weak point. The picture quality degraded significantly over one year. Developed a white "halo" around the picture that would not go away. The Micron people/engineers could not help. Not sure I believe that its specs are true compared to Flukes or FLIRs (both FLIR and Fluke reps that I talked to when shopping for the one I have now suggested that the Micron - manufactured in China - specs were inflated.)

[Jason Kaylor]

Originally Posted by rbibler

The cheap cameras are not worth the money... you will want a beter cameras in 6 months.


How about a ThermaCAM BX320 25ThermaCAM BX320 with 25° Lens$11950.00

http://www.tequipment.net/FlirBX320.html

So im off by 2K

But you can find used one for around 7K.

Best

Ron

That is an older camera Ron. For about the same price you can go with a FLIR B250 or Fluke TiR3. B250 is 200x150, 80mk, with a touch screen and optional lenses. The TiR3 is 320x240, 70mk and optional lenses. We also own an infrared inspection business here in Phoenix. I will normally use a TiR4 (just better sensitivity over the TiR3, and misc bells and whistles) or a HotShot HD-S. The 3 and 4 also have 60Hz out for video vs the 9hz on the FLIR. Video out is a pretty big deal if you get in to flat roofs, insurance jobs or anything that has a lot of potential litigation.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
Testo Infrared Cameras
HotShot Hi-Rez Infrared Cameras
Fluke TiR1 Resources
FLIR B60 Resources
Retrotec Duct & Blower Door

[Jason Kaylor]

Originally Posted by kweiss

I would advise against the Micron. I had one. Not very durable - the design of the flip up screen and hinge is a big weak point. The picture quality degraded significantly over one year. Developed a white "halo" around the picture that would not go away. The Micron people/engineers could not help. Not sure I believe that its specs are true compared to Flukes or FLIRs (both FLIR and Fluke reps that I talked to when shopping for the one I have now suggested that the Micron - manufactured in China - specs were inflated.)

I have almost zero experience with the Mikron. I am pretty sure they are actually made in Japan. They are owned by NEC. NEC makes the AVIO line of cameras that are pretty impressive on paper. Once again, no experience with the units. From what I know the AVIO's are over 40k and their big claim is true telephoto ability up to 100x (or something obscene like that).

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
Testo Infrared Cameras
HotShot Hi-Rez Infrared Cameras
Fluke TiR1 Resources
FLIR B60 Resources
Retrotec Duct & Blower Door

[Ron Bibler]

Originally Posted by jkaylor

That is an older camera Ron. For about the same price you can go with a FLIR B250 or Fluke TiR3. B250 is 200x150, 80mk, with a touch screen and optional lenses. The TiR3 is 320x240, 70mk and optional lenses. We also own an infrared inspection business here in Phoenix. I will normally use a TiR4 (just better sensitivity over the TiR3, and misc bells and whistles) or a HotShot HD-S. The 3 and 4 also have 60Hz out for video vs the 9hz on the FLIR. Video out is a pretty big deal if you get in to flat roofs, insurance jobs or anything that has a lot of potential litigation.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
Testo Infrared Cameras
HotShot Hi-Rez Infrared Cameras
Fluke TiR1 Resources
FLIR B60 Resources
Retrotec Duct & Blower Door

That BX320 camera can still be had as new from FLIR. I don't like the Fluke cameras... All that new stuff you point out is for the most point junk that gets in they way. As far as the fusion. don't need it....

For me I would have that BX320 Over any of the news cameras for that amount of money.

This just the way I see it... A real work horse...

Best

Ron

[Jason Kaylor]

Originally Posted by rbibler

All that new stuff you point out is for the most point junk that gets in they way.

Ron

Not sure if I would consider resolution and thermal sensitivity as junk, that is the actual IR microbolometer detector that you are paying for. I am not sure if the BX320 has an optional telephoto lens, but if you ever get in to that type of work you will not be able to do long distance quantitative analysis without telephoto. It isn't so important that you have to have it off the bat, but it is great to be able to have the option. Another option on the newer B series the the ability to add on higher temperatures. It is a tad frustrating when you have a camera that goes to approx 100C, and you then get a call from someone wanting you to come out and do their plant or industrial setting full of gears, motors, etc. Spending around 10k, then not being able to do the job will drive ya nuts. With the newer B series you can simply add that feature on at a later point.

David Anderson has a BX320, and he loves it. But I bet if you asked him if he had to pick today he would take a B200 or B250 over the BX320. The 200 is much cheaper and the 250 is about the same price.

You are very correct about the BX320 and EX320, both are great cameras. At the time they were made, and even today, they are tough to beat for the price. I would suggest you get a demo on the BX and newer B series. What is on paper and actual field performance are two different things.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
Testo Infrared Cameras
HotShot Hi-Rez Infrared Cameras
Fluke TiR1 Resources
FLIR B60 Resources
Retrotec Duct & Blower Door

[Ron Bibler]

Hey Jason Good to chat with you about cameras. I like the new systems and all the stuff that they sport. But pound for pound My money is on the BX 320 And yes they have a telephoto lens.

I have work with the Flukes and the Flir cameras. Unless you want a T360 or T400 For the money the BX320 is a hands down work horse.

I will say no more on this subject. Just my 2 cents

Best

Ron

[Kevin R. Weiss]

Jason you may be right about where Mikrons come from. I was going on what a competitor rep said. But that aside, I stand by not buying one. My experience was bad, I had one for a year. Based on personal comparison with a TiR1, I believe that their specs are overblown, but have only my opinion based on my use. In the end it cost me a lot of money. If the OP ould like more details feel free to contact me directly.

[TONY MUSCAT]

thanks for all the info I will look into it.
Tony
Inch by Inch Inspections

[TONY MUSCAT]

Here is the link for Palmer wahl http://www.palmerwahl.com/pdfs/Heat%...%20HSI3000.pdf