Is visual camera a must have feature?

[nishul]

Hello all,

Here goes my first post here -

I need your suggestions to help me make a decision. I am in the middle of buying a thermal camera from HT instruments - THT47. The dealership in US gave me great deal on it (almost 50% off of $3000(original cost) because it is a demo model), and tempted me to purchase it. However, I completely overlooked the fact that the camera doesn't sport a visual camera, and doesn't do any kind of edge detection/overlay. Owning a FLIR one G2, I sometime feel 160*120 thermal resolution is not enough, and MSX technology makes a lot difference. Although THT 47 has frame rate of 50 Hz, which is nice. Using my limited knowledge, THT 47 also seems to have a better thermal sensitivity than FLIR one G2

Here are the specs from HT website  for THT 47 -
IR sensor resolution   160 x 120
Temperature range   -20 ÷ 400°C -4 ÷ 752°F
Thermal sensitivity   < 0.08°C @ 30°C
NETD   < 80mK
Spectrum range   8 ÷ 14?m
IFOV (@1m)   3.33mrad
Type of IR sensor   UFPA
Frequency   50Hz
Field of view (FOV)   29.8° X 22.6°
Focus width of standard lens   7.5mm
Focusing of IR optics   Manual

The other option is send the camera back to HT (I will have to pay for the shipping), and buy Thermal experts pro for half the price. What do you guys suggest? I am buying a themal camera as a hobby. Though one time I ended up using my FLIR one G2 to look at the variation in the temperature distribution of a plate due to an impinging jet. So, opportunities like this may arise at my research lab.

Thanks,
Nishul

[Redshift1340]

It's a nice option but not necessarily a must have feature.  Unless you're planning on producing reports in which a visual image is needed for context.  The THT47 is a very nice feature-packed camera, and it sounds like you got a killer deal.  I would love to have that camera for $1500.  Also, because the Thermal Expert is a smartphone dongle, it's not going to be nearly as robust as the THT47.  Plus you would be stepping down from 50hz to 9hz which sucks if you're planning to use your camera recreationally, like looking for game at night or security, etc.  Unless you can get the same killer 50% off deal on a THT60 (which has the visual camera feature), I would keep it.  That's just my 2 cents, hope I helped a bit

[Fraser]

In my experience the visible light camera and MSX are NOT essential features in a thermal camera. I own many professional cameras that do not have such features. The idea of a visible light camera or MSX is to add context to a thermal image so that the scene may be interpreted by the camera operator. When it comes to reports, many thermographers  carry a separate high quality digital camera to document the scene that is the subject of investigation.

If the images produced by your camera are adequate in terms of quality and contain enough detail for interpretation, keep the camera. Do not get hing up on visible light cameras or MSX. My similar 160 X 120 pixel TESTO 880 produces great images that are easy to interpret. Of course my 320 X 240 pixel cameras provide a clearer image but then they cost a lot more.

The FLIR One Gen 2 is the absolute bottom of the 160 X 120 thermal camera range and was built down to a price. It is compromised by its 12um microbolometer and silicon lens block. Almost any decent 160 X 120 thermal camera will outperform it. I own the F1G2 so can be sure of this. It's a very nice and convenient tiny camera, but you get what you pay for so expectations need to be managed

Fraser

[nishul]

It's a nice option but not necessarily a must have feature.  Unless you're planning on producing reports in which a visual image is needed for context.  The THT47 is a very nice feature-packed camera, and it sounds like you got a killer deal.  I would love to have that camera for $1500.  Also, because the Thermal Expert is a smartphone dongle, it's not going to be nearly as robust as the THT47.  Plus you would be stepping down from 50hz to 9hz which sucks if you're planning to use your camera recreationally, like looking for game at night or security, etc.  Unless you can get the same killer 50% off deal on a THT60 (which has the visual camera feature), I would keep it.  That's just my 2 cents, hope I helped a bit

Thank you for your inputs. I actually did not even ask for THT 60 prices or if a demo model is available. Its a little out of my budget even with a 50% discount hehe. Student life is hard.

After using FLIR one G2 for a while, I will completely agree with you that a standalone unit is way better. I think I am going to keep this camera, and save money for another one with a higher thermal resolution.

I want to use this thermal camera for pretty much everything I can. Its a fun thing for me as of now. We have a facility here that stimulates hot jet engine plume at around 1900 F, it would be nice to put this camera in there to take a look at it.

[Redshift1340]

It's a nice option but not necessarily a must have feature.  Unless you're planning on producing reports in which a visual image is needed for context.  The THT47 is a very nice feature-packed camera, and it sounds like you got a killer deal.  I would love to have that camera for $1500.  Also, because the Thermal Expert is a smartphone dongle, it's not going to be nearly as robust as the THT47.  Plus you would be stepping down from 50hz to 9hz which sucks if you're planning to use your camera recreationally, like looking for game at night or security, etc.  Unless you can get the same killer 50% off deal on a THT60 (which has the visual camera feature), I would keep it.  That's just my 2 cents, hope I helped a bit

Thank you for your inputs. I actually did not even ask for THT 60 prices or if a demo model is available. Its a little out of my budget even with a 50% discount hehe. Student life is hard.

After using FLIR one G2 for a while, I will completely agree with you that a standalone unit is way better. I think I am going to keep this camera, and save money for another one with a higher thermal resolution.

I want to use this thermal camera for pretty much everything I can. Its a fun thing for me as of now. We have a facility here that stimulates hot jet engine plume at around 1900 F, it would be nice to put this camera in there to take a look at it.

Also, when you decide to step up to a higher resolution camera, I'm sure you will be able to sell the THT47 for nearly what you paid for it if not a little more because of that 50% off   If you get the chance, post pictures of your jet engine testing here.  I'd love to see those!

[nishul]

In my experience the visible light camera and MSX are NOT essential features in a thermal camera. I own many professional cameras that do not have such features. The idea of a visible light camera or MSX is to add context to a thermal image so that the scene may be interpreted by the camera operator. When it comes to reports, many thermographers  carry a separate high quality digital camera to document the scene that is the subject of investigation.

If the images produced by your camera are adequate in terms of quality and contain enough detail for interpretation, keep the camera. Do not get hing up on visible light cameras or MSX. My similar 160 X 120 pixel TESTO 880 produces great images that are easy to interpret. Of course my 320 X 240 pixel cameras provide a clearer image but then they cost a lot more.

The FLIR One Gen 2 is the absolute bottom of the 160 X 120 thermal camera range and was built down to a price. It is compromised by its 12um microbolometer and silicon lens block. Almost any decent 160 X 120 thermal camera will outperform it. I own the F1G2 so can be sure of this. It's a very nice and convenient tiny camera, but you get what you pay for so expectations need to be managed

Fraser

Thanks a lot for your input, Fraser. Yes, I am aware of your thermal camera collection. Just read the thread yesterday with a list of thermal cameras you own. Thank you for sharing that.

Cost is becoming a real issue with me. It seems that I will stick to this camera, and save up for a higher resolution one.