There are other posts regarding this issue, but all of them are quite old. So, I´m asking the same question ... I´m looking for a new camera por predictive maintenance in Oil & Gas facilities. What will you consider as a good choice ? As always, FLIR is really expensive and we´re taking a look to other cameras like Fluke, Micron, Avio. Can you please give me some input about it ? I´m not exactly looking for a pro camera, I´m looking for medium priced options. Thanks.

Flir makes a nice inexpensive camera called the InfraCam. You can pick up one for just under $7,000 US.

Hello,

We have a FLUKE TI 30 and TI 40 in our plant and we are dis appointed with them. Both cameras have been out for warranty service and we have had no service from FLUKE. We were supposed to recieve 2 days of training with each camera and have not gotten any response from them. Bottom line is if I had the call I would go FLIR.

Regards,

Hi,
Of course that price is important, but keep in mind the limits of the camera for the application you will be using it. If you are going to use it to measure rotating equipment of electric cabinets, maybe you don't want a state of the art camera, but if you are going to use it to search for hot spots on electric stations, maybe you ought to take a closer look at the tech specs, and ask for some field demos.

Don't go for the least expensive camera (nor the most expensive one). Go for the camera that is right for you, because in the long run, the price of the camera will pay itself when you avoid the first failure.

Cheers

If you have any questions on camera's The Snell Group is a vender Neutral Company. You can contact us and we can help you better understand the pros and cons of many camera's. We also have a webinar on buying an infrared camera that could be very useful to you. You can reach us here at www.thesnellgroup.com
Here is the link right to the webinars.

http://thesnellgroup.com/InfraredWebinars.aspx

Regards

Which is the price of a FLIR T400 in United States ?

Machine Doc

As always it depends on how much cash you have to spend. I use a Flir E45 and have had some very good results with it, the one minor problem I had was fixed very quickly. Their Infracam is not too bad, i have used one, but I would have liked to get the NEC thermo Tracer. It has the higher spec detector array, inbuilt digital camera and will do the all new fusion of thermal/ digital image. Unfortunatly it was £4000 more than the E45 so I was told I couldn't have one.
I guess the best thing to do is see what you need your camera to do, see how much you have to spend then talk to the manufacturers and try them all out to see what is right for you

Price is always a concern, but don't let that be your final decision point. I have a Flir SC640, I am an IR consultant so I need a lot of options. You may not need all of the bells and whistles. I really like FLIR as far as service and support. Also my local sales guy has been a big help to me. I have not heard many good things about Fluke as well, as stated above. Give all of the IR cameras a good look and make a decision on what applications you have, camera quality, and image quality, and also the report software is another big item. My main suggestion is to get lots of demos and get what you feel is right for you and your applications.

Christopher M. Troutt
BRI-INC. St. Louis MO
ASNT Level 2 Infrared Thermographer
ASNT Level 1 Vibration Analyst

Hello Machinedoc,
one key point which seems worthy of note is the emergence of Ex rated cameras.
I know that SAT have one and I believe there are others.
Which is more important, the name on the cmaera or the safety rating?
Best Regards,
Tom Murphy

Machine Doc,

I have been very happy with my Flex Cam Pro W/Fusion upgrade,(now Fluke). Lots of bells and whistles and good reporting tool as well. Check out the images in my photo album posted here.My Photo Album

www.infraredcamerasinc.com
Check out their new cam i saw it at the SNELL show anf or 11k with computer viao mounted on the cam was unbelievable even doctors stoped by and couldn't believe it.I have an e body flir and it works great.

Given your location (South America) I would suggest that instrument reliability and post-sale service are two important considerations. Exactly which system you purchase depends, in addition to cost, on your many other needs, including ease of use, documentation, outside use, etc. It is not simple.

That said, there are many, many fine cameras on the market at this point in time, with a variety of feature sets and prices. I'd be happy to discuss your specific needs further if you like. Feel free to contact me at <jsnell@thesnellgroup>. We also have a recorded webinar available on line that you may find useful in helping sort out issues.

quote:

We have a FLUKE TI 30 and TI 40 in our plant and we are dis appointed with them. Both cameras have been out for warranty service and we have had no service from FLUKE. We were supposed to recieve 2 days of training with each camera and have not gotten any response from them. Bottom line is if I had the call I would go FLIR.

DDane,

PLEASE call me (800-636-9820) or email me (jsnell@thesnellgroup.com) about your training issues. I don't work for Fluke but we are the company that they hired to provide the training you mentioned. I don't know why you were unable to get the training, but would be happy to do what I can to assist.

Joining the search for a new camera. I work in the pulp and Paper industry. Currently on site we have a Flir P65HS, which goes unused for the most part. What I am charged with, is finding a less expensive, easier to setup and use camera. This camera would be used as to help trouble shoot motors, bearings, etc. With the P65 to be used for more in depth inspections. Any ideas on which camera would fit the bill?

GBoob,

I also work in the pulp and paper. I currently use Flirs P640 and I also haves Flir's InfraCam. I use the InfraCam for basic route mechanical (bearing, motors, pumps, couplings, etc..)surfing. The InfraCam is user friendly and rugged for the P&P environment. If I find any problems with the Infracam that needs to be adressed in depth I will then use the P640. You can get an Infracam at a fairly reasonable rate.

Having a P65 and another FLIR product, such as the InfraCAM (an excellent camera),also makes a great deal of sense from the point of view of reading images in software, although Mikron's images can be read in FLIR software if you want another option.

Regarding the InfraCam, it's pricing has been further reduced from $6,750 to now only $4,995.00. IR getting more and more affordable to include in routine PdM.
http://www.reliabilitydirectstore.com/Extech-InfraCAM-S...mera-p/ext-irc55.htm

You also have a few alternatives here:
http://www.vtab.se/index.php?page=57&lang=en

Olov

This post is bordering on being moved to "Things for Sale" so let's resist the urge for sell cameras here.

It is OK to post for sales stuff in the things for sale forum and then simply link from here.

I understand that the replies are in the context of the question but this could quickly spiral.

Thanks

Terry O