Hi All,

We are getting into home energy audits and are looking to buy an IR camera. After taking one of Snell webinairs and reading posts here and elsewhere I think we are leaning towards the Fluke cameras... One thing we haven't been able to determine is weather the thermal sensitivity of better than .1 degree (ie TiR1 or B60) is worth the extra $2K-$3K. Will it allow us to get good results when the inside/outside temperature differential is less than 18 degrees? (extend our season maybe?) John has said "sensitivity is important and more sensitive is better". We are just trying to get a handle on how much better.   

Any other comments on the merits/problems of each of the above cameras would also be greatly appreciated. Our max budget is in the less than $8K range.

Thank for any help!

Dan

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Dan Rudolf
net0home

If software is not in your budget Then get the camera that includes it. Your report is what people  pay you for. I must say that having Flir word based software is expensive but I have had great luck with it. The EX320  is on sale now- you should ask about it

call or email

www.unitedinfrared.com    ask or look for Peter or Greg They do have a good deal. They also have a package that looks very good.

Remember it not the surgery its the surgeon.You can make great pics if you take your time with most cameras. I also went to Snell's class-great school.. Most reports are qualitative not quanitative- you need other instuments for accurate numbers for example moisture meters- you wouldn't rely on IR alone for that. IR can find the area of concern and then its up to you to verify it.

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

Sensitivity IS important. While you can characterize or specify a value, it is, ultimately, what you see in the camera or image that is telling. Having better sensitivity allows you to work more often—more days in the year and more time on any given day you can work. Will lesser sensitivity work? Yes, but fewer days and fewer hours/minutes on any given day. So the investment is one that WILL pay returns.

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Thermally Yours,

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

Thanks John,

So if we are looking at the TiR1 vs. the b60... Spec wise the TiR1 is a little more sensitive (.01 degrees) but the b60 has a 180x180 resolution vs. a 160x120 for the TiR1. Is the resolution as important?

I think I'm still leaning towards the Fluke. I can't find the specs for the FLIR on shock or even the warranty. I've asked the FLIR sales guy but haven't heard back as of yet.

Are there any other cameras we should seriously consider?

Thanks for the advice,
Dan

 

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Dan Rudolf
net0home

Hi John,

I took a look at the EX320 looks like a nice camera but it's out of our price range. As far as the software I understood that both the Fluke and FLIR come with software (Smartview and Quickreport) which seem provide about the same report ability from what I can see. I've managed to play some with Smartview and a Fluke camera (the Ti25) but haven't found a FLIR to try. I've asked the FLIR sales guy for a demo or loaner... we shall see.

Dan

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Dan Rudolf
net0home

The spatial resolution of both these cameras is very adequate for residential work. Thermal sensitivity is similar (8mK@25C for the B60 and <7mK@30C for the TiR1). How they actually perform is more than just specs, of course, but I've used both these and they do the job. Other cameras can be found in our links page (https://www.thesnellgroup.com/LinksOfInterest.aspx?category=1). Many good choices, including the two you ask about. 

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Thermally Yours,

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

John Snell:

 Thermal sensitivity is similar (8mK@25C for the B60 and <7mK@30C for the TiR1). 

 

OOPS! That should be 80mK and 70mK! I guess I needed a cup of java! 

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Thermally Yours,

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

If you were still considering the B40 or B50 you might want to also look at the i40 or i50.  They are basically the same cameras at the same price, but the i series has a higher temperature range.  You will probably not use the higher temps in energy audits, but why buy a unit that has a lower temp range with everything else equal for the same price.

 Personally we sell a ton of TiR1's and B60's for building diagnostics of any type, the FLIR B200 would be a close 3rd to those 2.

 

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Sales
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Fluke Thermal Imagers
FLIR Thermal Imagers
Fluke TiR1 Resources

FLIR B60 Resources

Retrotec Blower Door / Duct

 

We went with the TiR1. Couldn't justify the extra price of the B60. Two year warranty too on the Fluke!

Thanks for all the advice,
Dan

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Dan Rudolf
net0home

Just an FYI, the FLIR i-series and b-series also have 2 year warranties.

 

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Brad Risser
FLIR Systems
866-837-3244