Group - we got this by email and found it very interesting so we asked Jon if we could publish it for discussion here (Terry O):

"As you may be aware, FLIR introduced a new camera last week...InfraCam 120X120 pixels at $6750.00. This camera is marketed directly against the Fluke Ti20/30 cameras and the market segment FLIR is looking to capture is the building diagostics/low cost markets....
 
...I thought that it may be interesting to compare this camera and others. To do this I am using PPP [Price Per Pixel]. I will put together a more comprehensive comparison later as a follow up." 
 
Model-Array Size-Price of Unit-PPP [Price Per Pixel]
 
InfraCam-120X120-$6,750.00-$0.47 per pixel

Ti30-120x126*-$9,995.00-$0.66 per pixel

Ti20-60X80-$6,500.00-$1.35  per pixel

M7800-320X240-$18,995.00-$0.24  per pixel

M7815-320X240-$14,500.00-$0.19  per pixel

M7815B-320X240-$16,500.00-$0.21  per pixel

* The pixels shown are the actual image pixels. They claim to use a 120X160 array however 34 pixels of the display are used for data in the Ti30.

Information Provided by:  
Jon Chynoweth
VP Sales & Marketing
Mikron Infrared, Inc.
Phone: 906-487.6060
Fax: 906.487.6066
Web Site: http://www.mikroninfrared.com
Em: jon@mikroninfrared.com

Terrence,

This is an interesting post. If your serious about doing building diagnostics, in my opinion you need at minimum a 320x240 array. You can use the 120x120 or 160x120 but you will get marginal quality images unless your close to the structure. If you plan on doing anything over 1 story high you'll need the larger array.

Test the imagers including the supplied software before you make a decision to purchase. You'll want to give your customers a professional report and not spend your time pasting 120x120 images together to make one nice image. Get an explaination of FOV and IFOV from the manufacturer so you understand what your getting into. Best of all, take a Level I course which will explain everything you need to know before you make a big investment.

Greg - as some of the forum members are new to IR it would be great if you would expand the definition of FOV and IFOV.

Now that IR cameras are getting so inexpensive - it seems like there will be a proliferation of people selling services without having the proper equipment or the proper training.

Terry O

IFOV stands for Instantaneous Field of View; it is a specification of the smallest item that can be seen with a camera.

IFOVmeas is more relevant as it a specification for the smallest item that can be measured with a camera.

FOV stands for Field of view it is pretty self explanitory.

There is more information on http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/navy/docs/es310/EO_image/EO_Image.htm

Terry, Your first post is an unusual way of cost justification, Firstly the only Flir camera in the list is the new InfraCam, is this because it is the only one that Mikron can beat with this method? Or, Why have they chosen to use this camera only??????

Secondly, as I am sure everyone is aware that while number of pixels is very important, it is not the only factor in camera selection. It is very difficult to compare cameras as the features vary drastically from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer.

I personally use a 320x240 (Flir S65), and I have to say that I am very happy with it. The reasons that I am happy extend far beyond the camera itself, but include other things like service turnaround, backup, software, technical support and the good personal relationship I have with the people at Flir. This is not represented in the price per pixel method. I also believe that to use a method like this to put a price per pixel value on my camera is unfair as there is really no other camera on the market with the exact same specification down to detector pitch, fill factor etc.etc.

It is my oppinion that this is a very poor way of comparing cameras, and I would much rather see a list of reasons to buy Mikron (or in fact any other camera) posted that does not include price.