I got my cam from PE, also in three days.
As for support, they personally called me to check up on things.
As for price, they backed up some discounts and I got my CAM last summer for a price lower than today’s deals!
Sometimes you have just got to ask.
I was told of some real deals at Level I last week that people got, just for the asking.
Some times price is not the bottom line! Where have we heard that before?
I always had excellent service with Professional Equipement.
They provide a 30 day guarantee on their IR cameras. You
can send it back if you don’t like it. Good service.
Professional Equipment has the FLIR B-CAM SD on sale for a short time
$4995.00 you save $1755.00 Reg price $6,750.00
www.professionalequipment.com it’s right on there front page
Dan,
I trust you are clear you will see NOTHING about building energy use with this sort of modification to a visible light camera. I still hear of folks also trying to use “infrared film.” Both the modification you reference and IR film are sensitive to near-IR light. Mostly you will see reflected near-IR light from the sun or, if looking at something above 450F, you will see some emitted near-IR light. Not very useful for home inspection but fun none-the-less.
Infrared cameras detect longer wavelengths, thermal infrared light. Most of the cameras in the market today detect energy with wavelengths of 8-14 microns and are sensitive to differences of less than 0.1F! The attached B&W thermal image of a handprint gives you an idea of what I’m talking about; it would be visible for 1-3 minutes after contact depending on the circumstances.
If you or any other readers have questions about IR and buildings, I’d be happy to try to answer them. I do NOT sell IR cameras. My company does provide training but I’m not a hard sell. My interest is in people getting the right information to make decisions that solve problems.
Thermally yours,
John Snell
Snell Infrared
800-636-9820
I just posted some images on our website <http://www.irtalk.com/forums/thread/1341.aspx> that, while not a perfect 1:1 comparison (due to there having been taken on different days), show both these cameras (FLIR InfraCAM-SD/BCAM-SD and the Fluke TiR1) can get the job done quite nicely. I’ve re-posted the images here as well but refer you to the original post for more details.
Clearly there are differences in the specifications that will probably allow you to push the envelope harder with one, the Fluke, due to it’s better thermal sensitivity and slightly larger array. As others have shown, the IR-Fusion is also a great feature. BUT, please note that my extensive experience using them clearly satisfies me that both cameras, when used properly, can work well for buildings work.
And the good news is the prices of both are pretty darned attractive. My analysis shows that the added cost for having a camera on the job (not including the extra time) over a reasonable life for the tool, is about what you’d spend for lunch at a fast food restaurant. Clearly it has a great deal more value that that to the homeowner!
Thermally yours,
John Snell
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
Snell Infrared
800-636-9820
802-229-9820
ordered bcam tonight, will have it tommorrow, not to bad.
looking forward to joining the IR club
Congrats William… Way to go.!!! 
[quote=John Snell]
Thermally yours,
John Snell
[
Cool signature… “Thermally yours”. :mrgreen:](“http://www.thermalsolutions.org”)
Got the Bcam, scanned the house and just found some moisture in the ceiling, most likley from the ice damming that occurred this winter.
What an awsome tool, a weapon that will put me leagues ahead of a basic inspection. I had no idea the moisture made it that far into the soffits, just awsome.
William,
Was it moisture or moisture damage?
Can you share your IR pics?
I recently finished up some ongoing work on a pretty severe ice dam backup issue. Given that we had ten feet of snow in Vermont this winter with fairly “mild” temperatures, it was not unexpected.
The two images show the warm (wet) framing from the outside and (on the next posting) the cold (wet due to evaporation) sheathing on the inside of the roof. It was right at freezing the morning I shot these just before sunrise.
In my experience moisture is NOT always this evident. A moisture meter (or two) to confirm is always a great idea.
These images are from our recent webinar, An Introduction to Infrared Thermography for Home Inspectors.
Thermally yours,
John Snell
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
Snell Infrared
800-636-9820
802-229-9820
http://www.IRTalk.com
The second image showing the sheathing from the attic, cold due to evaporative cooling on the wet surface as well as conductive loss to the cooler outside.
Having the right conditions is critical to doing good moisture work.
Thermally yours,
John Snell
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
Snell Infrared
800-636-9820
802-229-9820
http://www.IRTalk.com
Hi guys. I was reading your posts as I like to do from time to time. We have the Extech, Flir, and Fluke thermal imagers.
We can also help on the pricing. Just call in.
Here is a link to the new i5 for more information on it:
http://www.tequipment.net/ExtechI5.html
We will also have home inspector kits with the i5 in it on the site later today. We have demo units to send out on the i5 as well as other units!
We are here to help and beleive we are second to none with pricing, service, and knowledge.
Thanks
Evan Cirelli
"We will also have home inspector kits with the i5 in it on the site later today. We have demo units to send out on the i5 as well as other units! "
I remain unconvinced that this system will do what we need it to when inspecting buildings. The attached photo shows three larger arrays that can work. The question remains, “will the 80x80 do the job?”
The spatial resolution spec suggests an 80x80 array with this given FOV is barely adequate, if that, to resolve framing at typical distances used. The thermal resolution of the i5, at least according to spec of 100mK, should be sufficient. (BTW, I have no doubt the i5 will be useful for much of the PdM work that is being done with infrared.)
The one image posted on your link of a house is completely inadequate to assess the capabilities. I look forward to seeing more images and/or using the system so I can better evaluate it. AND, I’m willing to be proven wrong! I just don’t want folks to “jump” and then realize they made a mistake, all to save a few grand.
Thermally yours,
John Snell
ASNT NDT Thermal/Infrared Level III #48166
Snell Infrared
800-636-9820
802-229-9820
http://www.IRTalk.com
Very good advise to consider!
“What you plan to use the camera for” should always be the prime consideration. You can get a bigger camera and just waste money (and still be safe) but you can’t get a little camera and try to use it for what it is not designed for!
It is not about the camera, it’s about the HI’s use.
Like home inspections, price is not a selection factor unless it is between the same class cameras.
Hey guys…
If you’re in the building inspection or home diagnostic business, you really can NOT be without this instrument. We carry Flir, Fluke, Extech, Palmer Wahl and can offer the best prices and service. Give us a call for additional info!
Here is a link to the Flir BCAM
http://www.tequipment.net/FlirBCAMSD.html
Thanks,
Rick Bridges
How much more are you charging, now?
Good info on this thread.
Thanks to all.
When setting your prices you should look beyond what others are charging, especially with new technologies. When I started in IR there was no one person that I could call for this type of information - and that was a blessing in disguise. I first started with a number that I thought was a “no brainer” and I experimented with a defined test period and let my customer feedback tell what the perceived value was for the service. Over the last three years I have continued to raise my price because I have not really seen resistance from my customers who want that type of inspection.
Another consideration is to look at what other types of providers (other than home inspectors) - i.e. Thermographers charge. This is important because that is where your customer will have to go to get the information if you are not providing the service. Most thermographers are charging between $150 - $250 per hour with a two hour minimum.
I encourage each of you to shed the “herd” mentality and look at your customers for the answers to these types of questions. You will find that your customers are always willing to pay for information that they deem valuable and necessary.