Spectoscope Impresses Clients and Agents

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#1

Originally Posted By: rfrancis
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Did a 6plex yesterday 3 stories high used the spectoscope showed agent and client a short video of there flat roof. They wondered how I got a video of it as they could not see a long ladder anywhere near me or my car…I am magic I said then showed them the spectoscope. The day before same thing agents clients impressed…many are saying that it should be part of standard equipment for inspectors. No more embarssing moments saying I cannot get that high. No more shaking ladders.


Thanks again NACHI this is a great piece of equipment

–
Bob Francis


Shamrock Home Inspections Inc


Toronto, Ontario Canada

#2

Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Bob,


That is kewl you found value in that dandy little piece of equipment but there are some of us that still use the old tried and true method of breaking out the ladder and walking on the structure.

Technology is a good thing to keep in front of an agent. Agents want to make sure their clients are getting the best everyone has to offer.

Joe Myers

#3

Originally Posted By: rfrancis
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Joe


Did not really set out to impress, but I'll take it where I can. My whole point of getting this was to protect me from falling off or down as alot of roofs one person cannot get to safely. Had a few near misses myself scary stuff. Each time no one was around. Did not like telling clients I could not get to roof as too high. Also a royal pain tying and untying the ladder. Worrying about damaging siding and going thru a window getting the ladder up and down another problem. But hey if the agents and clients are impressed that is a added bonus. Also the wife (THE BOSS) was always worried about me and ladders then she heard me on the phone one day talking to another inspector swapping stories well lets just say she hit the roof when she heard about some of my near misses and stuff
she has this idea in her head that she wants me to be around to watch my 7 year old son grow up.........she is right AGAIN

--
Bob Francis
Shamrock Home Inspections Inc
Toronto, Ontario Canada

#4

Originally Posted By: jfarsetta
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Bob,


What type of video configuration did you use?

--
Joe Farsetta

Illigitimi Non Carborundum
"Dont let the bastards grind you down..."

#5

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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Bob, I’m going to bring a few to our Kingston Canada Chapter meeting just to get them though customs. Customs thinks they’re light anti-tank weapons. icon_smile.gif


Nick

#6

Originally Posted By: Chris Morrell
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I’m also curious what equipment you used with the spectoscope. When I designed it I came up with a few possible scenarios, but I’ve seen people do their own thing several times.

–
Chris Morrell


Director of Information Technology


http://www.nachi.org/


![](upload://mqWBEEo1VgpozrXVj5u0nySV27h.html)
#7

Originally Posted By: cmccann
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What is the cost for one of these?

–
NACHI MAB!

#8

Originally Posted By: cmccann
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Never mind I did a search, looks like about 200.00, is that still true? I like the idea a lot since where I’m at lots of chimneys and snow on roof.

–
NACHI MAB!

#9

Originally Posted By: rfrancis
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What I use is a small digtal camera that has a video mode in it. It takes a video for two minutes more then enough time. With the recent warm weather up here the snow is melting, its great for showing client ponding on a flat roof. On one house show the client a huge pile of garbage the roofers left behind on the flat roof we all got a laugh at that.

–
Bob Francis


Shamrock Home Inspections Inc


Toronto, Ontario Canada

#10

Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko
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Yes, $200 U.S.


Nick

#11

Originally Posted By: jvanloo
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How does it work ? Do you have to bring your laptop outside or can I hook it up to my digital camera outside. My camera can record video for 12 minutes… would this work. It is a Sony Cybershot. If so I will be buying one soon.

#12

Originally Posted By: Chris Morrell
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Jason,


You can mount any camera on the top of the spectoscope. It was designed for versatility. There are many different ways to do it. Here are some options:

  • Mount a video camera on top wired to a PDA on the ground. This way you can take stills from the video.
  • Mount a video camera or digital camera with video capabilities on top, and just start recording before you extend the pole.
  • Use a digital camera with remote capabilities (this is not the best solution because you can't really see what you're looking at)
  • Use a webcam wired to your laptop. This is probably not a great solution for most -- you'd have to purchase a laptop case that straps to your body (they exist).


I'm sure there are other ways people might use it. I'd like to hear about 'em.

--
Chris Morrell
Director of Information Technology
http://www.nachi.org/

![](upload://aYSvFyzAYm6iwDBztk8STV8OfzM.html)

#13

Originally Posted By: mpetner
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I always wondered how high that thing can reach. Some of the older Philly style homes are four stories high.

#14

Originally Posted By: Chris Morrell
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It telescopes to 30 feet and collapses down to 6 feet.

–
Chris Morrell


Director of Information Technology


http://www.nachi.org/


![](upload://aYSvFyzAYm6iwDBztk8STV8OfzM.html)
#15

Originally Posted By: jvanloo
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I still dont quite understand how it works. If my camera is at the top of the spectoscope… how can i tell where i am positioning it to view certain areas of the roof?

–
Jason Van Loo


480.628.3290


480.730.1526 fax


homeinspectorguy@cox.net


Americana Inspection Services

Tempe, AZ
#16

Originally Posted By: mpetner
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What’s it made of? Aluminum?


Just wondering because Philly also has alot of very narrow streets with overhead power lines.

#17

Originally Posted By: cradan
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Spectoscope really costs. Granted, many members who already have laptops and cameras could obviously quickly benefit by procuring a quality extension device. Some newer members probably don’t have a camera and/or laptop, etc. For those who don’t and think this is an exciting idea, we probably need to be a bit more specific so as not to create unreasonable or unrealistic expectations for these folks, if the Spectoscope is simply a telescoping extension platform.

–
Chris


http://www.inspect4me.com


Chicago Illinois Home Inspections

#18

Originally Posted By: rfrancis
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To All


Yes it is a telescoping device made out of alumimum. I use a small digtal camera with a video mode for two minutes. Total cost $260 Canadain
plus $200 Canadian for the camera Total $460 Canadian Almost the same price I paid for my JAWS ladder Keep in mind this is Canadian dollars So $460 Canadian is equal to about $340 US dollars.

Some will like it some will not I enjoy it from a safety point of view I am not RAMBO I did not like telling clients I could not inspect the roof as to height or etc also I feel it give me a little better chance that some one will not complain or etc!!!!

It fits in my VW no problem it can be entended in a minute freeing up more time, it helps explain to client what was seen "look at previous posts"
I write on report roof seen by specoscope client shown video

Its a simple device I use a checklist book report some use software and laptops Bottom line it works for me. In one case if I only got to the edge of the roof with a ladder I would not have been able to see the HUGE pile of garbage the roofers left behind. Would not like to be called back on that one.

--
Bob Francis
Shamrock Home Inspections Inc
Toronto, Ontario Canada

#19

Originally Posted By: Chris Morrell
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Chris,


We originally intended to put it out there as a whole package, but found that most people just wanted the pole. Everyone likes their own setup. It's not a cheap toy (we're selling it at cost, by the way) but it's great for certain situations and can theoretically replace an even more expensive ladder. I'd imagine most inspectors still carry around a ladder, though ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

And yes, it's aluminum, but that doesn't mean you should go touching wires with it. Touching an incoming electric service line with it could still kill you (especially if the ground is wet).

--
Chris Morrell
Director of Information Technology
http://www.nachi.org/

![](upload://aYSvFyzAYm6iwDBztk8STV8OfzM.html)

#20

Originally Posted By: rsummers
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I guess if I couldn’t get a ladder least to the eaves of a structure because of the height of the building a picture or a movie clip would be better than nothing. I think if the only way that I inspected the roof was with a picture or video that fact would be listed on my report. I don’t think it would be very good service to just use a pole with a camera on top just because you don’t want to use a ladder. I don’t always get on roofs but if its safe I’m on it.