Snap On Infrared camera advice needed.

[DieselSaves]

I am currently fine tuning our shops in floor hot water heating and I’m in the market for an IR camera to make the best decisions about pump routing. I can also use the same camera for diagnosing bearing problems and overheating issues on our varied equipment. I’ve seen almost every available option, from the iOS adapters to the very expensive Flir handhelds.

The newer tech with the hybrid real time/IR overlay looks useful and a local ebayer has a Snap On EETH310 listed for $750. Looks to be the going price for that tool used.

I’m looking for experiences from any techs who have used this tool or it’s direct predecessor and what day to day shortcomings you’ve found with it.

 

[usdemt]

If you are going to spend the money get the dual camera. Just viewing the thermal image can be confusing more then you think. Being able to blend it to a normal camera to identify things is a huge bonus to me.

 

[billford]

I have the Snap on Ultra thermal imager. I'm not sure what the part number is but its the second generation Snap-on thermal imager. Its miles better than the original snap-on imager

The ultra lets you adjust how much "heat" you see. You can also have a split screen, the normal image and heat image.

It has wifi capabilities, but I never use it.

I was using it today to check a heated steering wheel, I can see grid that was working and part that was not working. It even works with current draws that kills batteries. Just point it at a fuse box to see stuck relays and wiring harnesses to see a warm wire.

At home, I can see warm pipes in the wall, door/window drafts, etc...

Its pricey, but definitely worthwhile buying. You can find lots of uses for it. Just my opinion.

 

[DieselSaves]

Thanks for the advice. I do like the two camera option. I’m planning on making one my own shortly.

 

[RKA]

Pay attention to the viewing angle on the lens. For auto techs a normal lens with macro focusing is more useful, which is what I would expect with the snap on (don’t know, just guessing). With buildings and HVAC work a wider lens is more useful. If the HVAC work is one time, you can make do, just fix the scale as you walk around the building making your assessments.

 

[gte718p]

SnapOn does not make electronics. Why pay the markup for Snappy. Buy a FLIR. They are the industry standard, they actually make and support the product, and they are erally good.

They make every variety imaginable in every price range.

 

[rlitman]

SnapOn does not make electronics. Why pay the markup for Snappy. Buy a FLIR. They are the industry standard, they actually make and support the product, and they are erally good.

They make every variety imaginable in every price range.

FLIR doesn't make their sub $2000 cameras in-house either. That being said, they do make a great product, and should the FLIR E4 I use at work fail, I'd replace it with the same in a heartbeat.

 

[ItsNemo]

Take a look at the new Flir TG267....is relatively affordable for the resolution it provides (same 160x120 as the E6 to put it in perspective).