Thermal imaging camera rental @ home depot

[bzinsky]

posted this in another thread figured it should get it's own since it's something good to know. I looked into renting it a year ago and it was close to $200 for the rental and the nearest home depot that had them was an hour away. They have them available for rental at most home depot rental places now at a great price.

Flir e6, $55 for 4 hours. $2500 camera on amazon.

Rented it just to find bad areas in insulation. Incredibly easy to use. Automatically adjusted the temp range and took a thermal and regular photo each time I pulled the trigger.

House was purchased as unfinished project in '08 and was down to the studs. I did the insulation myself and thought I did a good job at the time.

 

[djjsr]

Those cameras are great. We used one to scan (industrial) electrical cabinets. Found hundreds of potential problems, usually just slightly loose connections.

 

[machsnell]

Great to know. Thanks for heads up. This has been on my list to do

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[LuvAZ]

Nice. Those cameras are very versatile!

I recently BOUGHT one at HD for $250, FYI.

Here's a link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/FLIR-ONE-Thermal-Imaging-Camera-for-IOS-757929/206480287

It's called a 'SEEK' thermal image camera and attaches to iPhone. It's used w/a free app that essentially turns your iPhone into a thermal camera.

For the price, I felt it was a better value to own it for $250 than rent one for $200.

I found some very interesting uses for it. It can help indicate uneven tire wear, tell you the level of propane in a tank (yes, just like x-ray vision)!

You can see critters (or someone crouching in the bushes) outside after dark, etc.

HTH,
Will

 

[bzinsky]

Nice. Those cameras are very versatile!

I recently BOUGHT one at HD for $250, FYI.

Here's a link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/FLIR-ONE-Thermal-Imaging-Camera-for-IOS-757929/206480287

It's called a 'SEEK' thermal image camera and attaches to iPhone. It's used w/a free app that essentially turns your iPhone into a thermal camera.

For the price, I felt it was a better value to own it for $250 than rent one for $200.

I found some very interesting uses for it. It can help indicate uneven tire wear, tell you the level of propane in a tank (yes, just like x-ray vision)!

You can see critters (or someone crouching in the bushes) outside after dark, etc.

HTH,
Will

that is very cool. Man I was looking into this stuff not that long ago and there were not many cost effective options

only issue with the phone version is it seems you're SOL if you get a different phone, well atleast with iphone.

 

[rlitman]

that is very cool. Man I was looking into this stuff not that long ago and there were not many cost effective options



only issue with the phone version is it seems you're SOL if you get a different phone, well atleast with iphone.

Correct. The first generation had to fit on an Iphone5 ONLY. I've seen that camera well under $100 on eBay now.

For years, I'd had a contractor we have do our UPS PM work bring in a FLIR once a year, and I'd borrow it while they were doing their work to check things around the building. Then, two years ago, I discovered a failing electrical connection with it that was on the brink of catastrophe. After that image saved to day, the boss decided we should own one. Now, I find it an indispensable tool.

 

[torqueman2002]

Nice. Those cameras are very versatile!

I recently BOUGHT one at HD for $250, FYI.

Here's a link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/FLIR-ONE-Thermal-Imaging-Camera-for-IOS-757929/206480287

It's called a 'SEEK' thermal image camera and attaches to iPhone. It's used w/a free app that essentially turns your iPhone into a thermal camera.

For the price, I felt it was a better value to own it for $250 than rent one for $200.

I found some very interesting uses for it. It can help indicate uneven tire wear, tell you the level of propane in a tank (yes, just like x-ray vision)!

You can see critters (or someone crouching in the bushes) outside after dark, etc.

HTH,
Will

Will - Thanks!

I just checked and they list 1 for Android.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/FLIR-ONE...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-206480287-_-206480277-_-N

 

[Brian_WK]

I'm currently torn between the FLIR One and The SEEK both for android anyone have experiences with both?

Brian

 

[LuvAZ]

Dr. Blockhead, you're welcome.

But what's an Android?

 

[rsanter]

Where are you located?
In some states (like California) the utility companies have those that you can borrow for free....yes free
In other areas where the city is promoting energy effiency the city has bought them for people to borrow.

Take a look in your state for Tool Lending Library's.

Bob

 

[cmanningjr]

I'm currently torn between the FLIR One and The SEEK both for android anyone have experiences with both?

Brian

I was looking into these a while back. The FLIR uses 2 lenses to give you a better picture quality where the SEEK only uses one. Both are good for the price. IMO I would go with FLIR. They've been doing IR imaging forever..


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[crabjoe]

I like the FLIR One because the dual cameras give what looks like better resolution, but the thermal sensor is only 80x60. It also doesn't have a replaceable battery. These batteries can only take so many charges the their done.

The Seek Thermal has a 206x156 thermal sensor but it doesn't have the dual camera so you only see the thermal image, making it so you don't see as much detail. Also the Seek uses the phone's battery so you don't ever have to worry about recharging.

I wish I could use them side by side to see which I liked better...

 

[torqueman2002]

Dr. Blockhead, you're welcome.

But what's an Android?

Sorry, should be Andy, son of Hemy Roid.

 

[wssix99]

They are great for Christmas Cards, also. (BTW - This is an actual live picture from one of a FLIR thermal imaging camera - no photoshop.)

View media item 8024

 

[nehog]

But what's an Android?

The phone that someone who wants a more reliable, better phone than that fruit one.

 

[rlitman]

This was shot on an HD rental FLIR (and I5), and was what got my company to buy a FLIR E8.

The picture was shot after the equipment was de-energized (to remove the protective covers), and had time to cool. Through the metal grating (which didn't give as nice a picture), it showed as high as 398F on that bolt.

That's a 1/2" diameter grade 8 bolt holding a 1/4" thick copper bar to a 600A contactor on a 480V system.

 

[jpcjguy]

I picked up a FLIR E4 and did the software upgrade to an E8 (same internal hardware). It is awesome, but still figuring out how to use it properly. From what I hear, setting it up properly makes a big difference on performance. Anyone on here that is an "expert"? Not really up for spending $$$ on a "class". Just some tips for using it around the house.

 

[rlitman]

Depends on what you want to get out of it.

One tip: If you use the merged visual/IR images, make sure the calibration distance is set correctly, or there will be a weird offset.

 

[bczygan]

What should I use on "Old Sparky" (My 60A Fused main service panel)?

Bill

 

[sands35]

I picked up a FLIR E4 and did the software upgrade to an E8 (same internal hardware). It is awesome, but still figuring out how to use it properly. From what I hear, setting it up properly makes a big difference on performance. Anyone on here that is an "expert"? Not really up for spending $$$ on a "class". Just some tips for using it around the house.

I've never used that model, but I have used other FLIRs. Krylon flat black (not ultra flat black) has an Emissivity of 0.95 and is commonly used to calibrate IR laser thermometers.

For accurate results (not the same as relative results) you need to know the emissivity of your target. Most houses with painted walls are OK, but there will be some variance in actual temp vs. observed. That is just fine if you are looking for an insulation leak though.

It is also helpful to have a contact reference for calibration. An inexpensive thermo-couple works for that.

 

[Binrat]

i too considered the rental version, but i gave in and bought the Apple version for my 5s, i figure even once i get a new phone i can still use this combo. i would like to compare the two side by side. Flir does sell a newer model for the iPhone 6 that uses the charge port and is useable on ipads as well. also a andyroid version.

 

[jpcjguy]

Depends on what you want to get out of it.

One tip: If you use the merged visual/IR images, make sure the calibration distance is set correctly, or there will be a weird offset.

I've never used that model, but I have used other FLIRs. Krylon flat black (not ultra flat black) has an Emissivity of 0.95 and is commonly used to calibrate IR laser thermometers.

For accurate results (not the same as relative results) you need to know the emissivity of your target. Most houses with painted walls are OK, but there will be some variance in actual temp vs. observed. That is just fine if you are looking for an insulation leak though.

It is also helpful to have a contact reference for calibration. An inexpensive thermo-couple works for that.

Ha! It is this greek talk that you speak of that I need help with - but translated to English

 

[rlitman]

Ha! It is this greek talk that you speak of that I need help with - but translated to English

FLIR has a feature called MSX. Their E series imagers (like yours), have a visual camera (like a cell phone camera) mounted above the thermal imager lens.

MSX merges the two images and uses the visual image to emboss a lifelike texture onto the thermal image to make it easier to interpret. But the two cameras are not coaxial, so there is some parallax error. They correct for the parallax using software, but you need to tell it the distance from the camera to what you are imaging to get the best correction. Otherwise, there will be some strange offset in the merging that can be a little confusing.

Emissivity is related to the sort of spectrum of radiation an object radiates at different temperatures. The thermal imager is nothing more than a grid of infrared thermometers behind an infrared lens. The thermal image is calculated from the "color" of the spectrum emitted by whatever you are looking at. The imager is calibrated for an emissivity of 0.95. Objects with lower emissivities will appear colder than they really are to the imager. But you can paint them to get a better idea of their actual temperature (on the paint spot).

You'll also notice that metal objects may appear to be hotter than their surroundings. You need to move around a bit to determine if what you're seeing, is a reflection of your own thermal image.

 

[Kevin54]

Something to consider for people that can't find one to rent, is to contact your local power company. They have FLIR's and a lot of times will come out to check out your house for free. I had this done a few years ago to see where I had bad spots. IIRC, a brand new super insulated house gets a rating of something like 1000, and an old drafty farmhouse gets a rating of like 400. Our house fell into the mid 800 range. Not too bad for a house built in '88. I'd have to see if I still have the papers on it.

But give you power company a call and see if they do a thermal imaging check for free.