Products > Thermal Imaging
Fraser has bought his new favourite daily use camera - The FLIR Exx. Love it
Fraser:
I have made a significant thermal camera purchase........
I think I have now found my favourite modern thermal camera for daily use.
A little story to entertain you, dear reader.......
As some readers will know, I collect thermal cameras and have quite a number of different models that I use for different tasks. My FLIR E4 is my daily use camera as its upgraded 320 x 240 pixel resolution plus extra menus fits my general lab needs well. It is fixed focus which is a pity but for the price I paid it is a bargain thermal camera IMHO.
My industrial thermal cameras from the likes of FLIR and NEC AVIO are capable of producing superior images and data output than that of the humble E4, but then they cost a lot more money when new so no surprises there. On the down side, those Industrial thermal cameras tend to be heavier and less ergonomically refined than modern offerings from the likes of FLIR. Lovely image quality though :)
My FLIR PM695 cameras are likely my best specified units with their 320 x 240 pixel large and sensitive microbolometer, huge Germanium lenses, excellent image processing, 60 frames per second output and even true manual/auto focus modes ! (not fixed focus deep DOF that is commonly called 'auto focus' in marketing blurb)
What I have been hunting for is a thermal camera that shares the best elements of the E4 and PM695 camera. The Holy Grail of thermal cameras for me I suppose. I am retired so buying a new top of the line FLIR camera is not going to happen. I decided to take a look at the FLIR Exx series and see whether it would suit my needs. In short, I was impressed with the specification, ergonomics and the all important ability to upgrade the specification in a similar way to that done on the E4 cameras. It also had a built in 60fps MP4 video recording capability. This will be very useful for my wildlife observation work.
I came across several Exx series cameras on eBay but they were either too expensive or the latest MSX equipped model that I wanted to avoid due to the potential upgrade complications. I am not even certain that the latest MSX model can be upgraded as far as the older model in terms of enabling all E60 options etc.
I found some Exx cameras that looked promising but the condition was marginal. I have no issue buying well used thermal cameras and happily restore them to their former glory. On this occasion though, I wanted a really nice example of a FLIR Exx, but at a price that I could afford..... a big ask ! I was looking for a circa 2012 Exx camera that had been very well cared for and for less than £1000.
The cheapest Exx camera is usually the less capable E30bx model that has very limited functionality and a single temperature range of -20C to +150C. It was intended for building survey work. On paper this model was without wireless connectivity but some models did contain the wireless transceiver so were upgradeable to use such.
As a little bit of background on the Exx series cameras.... there are at least three versions of the series in existence.
MK1 - The first release of this excellent thermal camera. the basic E30 model does not have the flashlight or visible light camera active, but the hardware is present behind a blanking plate and may be enabled as part of the upgrade process. I do not think this first generation was equipped with wireless connectivity either. (happy to be corrected on this)
MK1 Facelifted - A new version of the MK1 Exx was released. This had a slightly different navigation keypad format (separate U, D, L, R buttons), the E30 had the visible light camera and flashlight active as standard, and Wireless connectivity was enabled on all models higher than the basic E30. The camera performance was otherwise unchanged.
MK11 - The MK11 was officially designated as such and is very easily identified by its similar keypad design to that of the Ex series (a simple clipped corner square navigation pad). This new version came equipped with MSX edge overlay technology to improve image context and interpretation. In truth MSX is only really a help on the lower resolution cameras as 320x240 pixels provide excellent image context and clarity already. The platform came equipped with all the features of the MK1 Facelifted model plus some extras like display auto orientation as found on smart phones. Is it a significant upgrade on the MK1 Facelifted model ? IMHO , no. The MSX may appeal to some users but the potential added complexity of upgrading the MK11 to the maximum available E60 specification is a big issue for me personally.
Better to upgrade from E40 spec to full E60 spec than have MSX IMHO. The E30 model was deleted from the Exx range with the introduction of the MK11. The base model became the E40 and E40bx.
The above summary of changes is not comprehensive as I did not research every difference once I had decided to search for the MK1 Facelifted model.
I did a few searches on eBay for the E30, E30bx and E40, E40bx but found nothing that fell within my budget or condition requirements. One camera looked promising but then I read that it was ex. Lease and the wear on the buttons told be that it had been hard used. The price was not good enough to tempt me.... no, I would hold out for a really nice condition unit at the right price. More searches followed but I began to suspect my specification could not be met within my £1000 budget.
Then one day I literally stumbled upon a superb condition Mk1 Facelifted E30bx on eBay that was privately owned and looked very well cared for. The camera came with all its accessories, an extra battery and the charging dock. I thought I had found my perfect camera to upgrade to E60bx spec. The lack of the higher Temperature Range 2 was not an issue for me.
I hit the 'buy it now' button and thought my search was over. I did my research on the E60 spec upgrade process and prepared a laptop for the task in readiness for the cameras arrival. The next day brought bad news from the seller. He had already sold the camera to a local chap for cash and had not been able to cancel the auction before I hit the 'buy it now' button. A mixture of emotions surged through me.... sadness, disappointment and anger. It took a day for me to calm down over the whole matter, but life goes on and nobody died. I had possibly missed the best Exx deal that I would see for a long time though :(
With a heavy heart I moved on from the failed E30bx purchase and started my searches of all likely sources of a used Exx camera again. Soon after, I found an advertisement for a Mk1 Facelifted E40 that was new in the box ! I had not imagined I would find such a camera version new in the box, and at a price that I could afford. I was initially suspicious that it was some sort of scam advertisement. Some checks and phone calls proved that to not be the case. It was a business selling excess inventory that was no longer required. A sale followed, and at an excellent price. My Guardian Angel had looked after me well on this deal :)
The camera arrived in due course and I opened the case with some trepidation. Was the camera as good as described ? The answer, I am pleased to say, was yes. It was perfect :) A quick check proved it to be functioning perfectly and the statistics page revealed that the camera had been switched on only 6 times since its manufacture and had virtual no run time on it. Just initial testing I suspect. The supplied Calibration certificate shows December 2011. It is running on its original 1.33.20 firmware. The Model number is E40 0.10 and Part No is 49001-0301
Only one battery was included and no external charger, but I can live with that. I can rebuild the battery but it appears to still be in good condition. The camera is unblemished and just needs to be upgraded to release its full potential.
I found the Tools+ Software licence for two users which was great :) plus the camera has its correct Exx soft pouch to protect it from knocks when not in its hard case.
I have, at last, found a modern lightweight high performance camera that provides me with what I need, in a format that I like, and at a price that I could afford. I am very happy with my new camera.
Now this could well be the last expensive thermal camera that I purchase because it fulfils all my needs. In fact it is likely time for me to send some of my other good cameras to new homes to recover my investment in them. I will always buy thermal camera projects to restore in order to learn abut their designs and the enjoyment that repairing them provides. I recently bought a very used looking ARGUS 3 for that reason. It is great to raise a thermal camera from the grave and get it working again :)
Well I hope this little story has been of some interest. Others may also be looking for a really nice modern thermal camera.... to you I say, buy carefully and go for the best you can afford. Be on the look-out for a camera that has been well cared for and that you are certain will meet your needs, either 'as bought' or after upgrade. sadly there are a lot of fraudsters advertising thermal cameras so ensure that you make contact with them by telephone in your country and check their details. Paying via PayPal is an option but Bank Transfer is possible if you have managed to validate the sellers identity (as I did). There will always be risks when spending such large sums of money on a product but just do your checks and be cautious. A deal that seems too good to be true usually is. I got lucky... great price and totally legitimate UK based business seller :) Not exactly a cheap item to buy, but oh so nice to use :)
I have purchased the genuine FLIR Tripod adapter bracket. It is a pity that this is not provided with these expensive cameras, but buying the proper rigid metal bracket makes sense when the value of the camera is considered and what a fall could do to it. My bracket came from Amazon for £36 delivered.
I attach pictures of my camera and also pictures of the three FLIR Exx versions.
My next task will be to do the upgrade on the camera :)
Fraser
Fraser:
My E40 .........
Fraser:
My latest 'patient' .... an Argus 3 in need of some TLC !
I will use this to learn more about the ARGUS 3 camera design. It may not be a viable full restoration due to its poor external condition. It may even end up as a test chassis for repairing other ARGUS 3 cameras.
Fraser
Chanc3:
Great purchase! The older model is indeed very hackable! The interface is quite different to the newer model, although it's much easier to use.
I'm still at a loss as to how you find companies that sell these bargains!
Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk
HighVoltage:
Wow, what a great story
And it seems to be a very nice camera.
My modified E4 still works very well and is my every day IR camera.
But this one does indeed looks like a next good upgrade.
Thanks for sharing
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