I found this vendor literature mildly humorous.

"We designed HotShot to be so intuitive to use that anyone could pick one up and begin using the camera within just a few minutes of familiarization"

I guess the training vendors are going to be out of business?

This is not the only time we've seen this sort of thing. Of course the camera suppliers have made cameras that are incredibly easy to use and are just trying to impress that upon the market. Interestingly, Electrophysic, the manufacturer of the HotShot, is one of the suppliers who generally support training for customers.

Because we work with so many people in our training courses who are just beginning to use the camera, we see the value of easy-to-use cameras! We also follow folks through their learning cycle and continue to appreciate how hard the work really is and how even just a little training goes a long way!

I'm amazed at how many new users seem to expect the camera to do it all. Some seem to turn the camera "on" and turn their brains "off!"

In the 25 years I've been using thermography, the basic physics has not changed. Without a solid foundation thermographers will (1) miss things and (2) make mistakes. Neither is acceptable. Training, experience and good work procedures make a huge difference.

Thanks for bringing this one to the front!

El-Pete,

Unfortunately this sales approach is used a lot by all of the maintenance-related technology tool (vibration, ulrasound, alignment, balancing, etc.) vendors. The sales method will continue as long as there are gullible and accepting customers that actually believe that a "tool" is the "solution" to a problem!

Walt

I'm sure you could use it in minutes; that's true w/most. However, what's its worth? Punch a button to turn it on and snap - you got an image but ??????????????

The camera may be easy to use and I think that's what they were implying, not making the tech an instant thermographer.

As Walt denotes; it's common and you got to make a sale in a limited space and short span = you probably won't read a 30 page sales pitch.