First off I'd like to metion I am new to thermography.  I have watched four webinars through the Snell group including how to buy an infrared camera.  I'd like opinions on if I am looking in the right areas.  For starters my main focus will be roofing surveys and building applications.  My partner and I have 25 years in the roofing industry and are looking to develop a secondary thermography business.  I would like also to be able to do some mechanical inspections if warranted with the same camera, is this possible?  I am looking in the area of a 320 camera as I don't belive the 160 will be enough.  Right now I am looking at the Fluke Tir3ft, Tir4ft, and the Flir B360 and B400.  I am wondering if these camera's would work for mechanical inspections seeing as how they only read up to 100C. Any opinions on these Camera's would be great as well as any suggestions on other Camera's I should be looking at.  My partner has already taken the Snell level 1 certification and I will be taking it in May and would like to have a camera available during the training.  Thanks for your help. 

flir has a few new EX320's 10 k great deal low battery life but awsome results

email direct if you want to talk

 

---

John Cannamela
ASNT II Vibration/ Level II Thermographer
HVAC Journeyman
Owner ISC Building Diagnostics
http://www.infraredsurvey.com www.iscbuildingdiagnostics.com
jc@iscbuildingdiagnostics.com

If you are looking in the B400 range you should also check these out.  Basically the same price for the 100C unit and 2x the resolution.

 http://www.aikencolon.com/Electrophysics-Infrared-Cameras_c_1119.html

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Sales
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
FLIR Thermal Imagers
HotShot Hi-Rez Infrared Cameras

Fluke TiR1 Resources

FLIR B60 Resources

Retrotec Duct & Blower Door

 

Thanks I will do that!

Jason, 

 

Thanks for the info.  I should probably change my initial statement a little.  The B400 is probably a little more than I want to spend, although this seems to be a great camera I think there are cheaper alternatives that can meet my needs.  I don't want to buy more camera than I need.  My ideal range is somewhere between 10 - 15k, however I do need to meet my needs so if I can't meet my objectives in that range than I will have to a second look.  Do you suggest anything else in this range?  Thanks again for your help.

Because of your need for higher temperatures as well as thermal sensitivity your options are pretty much a FLIR B200 or B250 with the high temperature upgrade. 

The TiR3 and 4 have higher thermal sensitivity (TiR4 is the lowest current available) as well as almost 2x the resolution, but only 100C for the temp range.  The are both sub 15.5K.

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Sales
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
FLIR Thermal Imagers
HotShot Hi-Rez Infrared Cameras

Fluke TiR1 Resources

FLIR B60 Resources

Retrotec Duct & Blower Door

 

I would not be so quick as to discount the 160x120 as I think it can work in many instances of mechanical inspections. As for the 100C limit, most systems will still image above their maximum temperature calibration, at least to some extent, but the measurement may be out of calibration; worst case you could conceivably consider adding a high-temperature spot radiometer to get the extra range.

 I don't say all of this to confuse you but only to make sure you are considering all viable options (an there are many good ones) prior to making your decision. I'm glad you have a budget in mind and urge you to stick to that. We often have a number of system on loan from the manufactures which are available during class for students to try; I can't guarantee we'll have all you want to consider but keep that in mind as an option too.

---

Thermally Yours,

John
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
The Snell Group
www.thesnellgroup.com
www.thermalsolutions.org
800-636-9820

John,

 Thank you for responding.  Would you be open to answering some questions for me via telephone.  Thanks.

Certainly. I'm in most of Thursday and Friday and most of next week. Call at your convenience.

---

Thermally Yours,

John
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
The Snell Group
www.thesnellgroup.com
www.thermalsolutions.org
800-636-9820

The FLIR T200 and T250 are the same price as the B200/250 but will measure up to 662 degrees F.  I would recommend you look at these.

 They are  150x200 array systems which means they have over 56% more pixels than the 120x160 array systems and many more analytical features as well.

---

Brad Risser
FLIR Systems
866-837-3244