Probably the most common question I’m asked during class. Even better is the student who pries a bit further and, hoping for some juicy detail, tries to pin me down with the “Okay, I know you guys are vendor-neutral, but come on, which camera do YOU prefer?” angle.
Even though my response, “I don’t have a favorite”, always disappoints, the reasons for stating such are not what you might think. It’s not some “company line” that I just spout off for the sake of self-preservation and gainful employment. I REALLY do not have a favorite camera out there today.
That reply, however, typically always leads to this response:
“Aw, come on, that’s such a cop out!” It’s not.
“You should get into politics!” Are you kidding?
The exchange is of course always very cordial and in good fun, but seriously, I really don’t have a favorite thermal imager…why? Well, they’re all amazing today, especially compared to what was available back when I started ten years ago which I touched on in a previous post. Today’s cameras are well designed and have much thought put into them during the development process.
So, for me it’s not about buying a Fluke, FLIR, Testo, or PalmerWahl. It’s about specs and ergonomics! What equipment specifications are important for you and is the camera comfortable to work with? Seriously.
What does your application require? If you’re evaluating the thermal performance of residential homes, then thermal sensitivity is likely the most important consideration. If you’re a maintenance technician inspecting electrical panels it’s not. If you work for a utility and are inspecting outdoor substations, a larger array, and possibly a telephoto lens, is important to consider. If, however, you are looking at motors or MCC’s at a distance of 3 to 10 feet, less resolution will certainly work.
After those important questions, and others, have been adequately addressed, then it really comes down to personal preference. You are the one who is going to be holding the camera, not me. Is it comfortable to operate? Are the most basic image adjustments (focus, span/level, saving) intuitive? Can you create reports quickly and easily?
As with any product, you are going to have likes and dislikes with each camera model, that is why you should most certainly try before you buy. Contact the manufacturer and see if you can take a camera for a test drive to see what works and what does not. If you still have questions, certainly use us as a resource.
So my final answer to the question “what camera should I buy?” The one that’s right for you!
Still looking for more information on what camera you should buy? The Snell Group has two white papers available on buying a thermal imager; one covering building applications, the other for condition monitoring. Click here to learn more and download from the Knowledge Center.