Need Camera Recommendation for Drone Use

[Jazee]

Considering doing some roof inspections and power pole inspections using a drone.  I'm very green regarding use of thermal cameras.  Done some preliminary research but still have questions.  Wondering if anyone can shed some light?

Essentially I want to get started on this with as little investment as possible as I'm not sure if and how often I will do this in the future.  But at the same time I want meaningful, useable results.

First question is, how imperative is it for me to have a Radiometric camera. From what I understand that gives more accurate temperature readings and the temp is stored per pixel.  However I would expect on a roof inspection when you are looking for leaks you are looking for significant relative temp differences.   I'm not sure about power poles where you are looking for an insulator that is failing.  Is a non-radiometric useable for these situations or practically speaking you really need to get a radiometric model?

Looks like the Flir Vue is the way to go.  Seems the older non Pro version is being sold at a discount.  However the specs look nearly identical to the Pro with the exception of the controls.  The Pro uses some new app.  Is that a big deal?  I noticed the color palette control on the non Pro is adjustable with RC-IF module.  Can't the color pallete be select when the camera is connected to a computer before you start taking pictures?


And finally, if I'm going to be doing flat warehouse roofs and power line poles, what should be my order of preference as far as resolution and lens combination?  The 336 is less expensive, will that work okay with a 6.8? or is a 9mm better?  Or does the 640 really provide a lot of additional benefit and is well worth the extra money?  Seems for roofs you are going to just have to take more photos with the 336 at a lower altitude to get the equivalent of the 640 and since the area of the top of a power pole is pretty small, I would assume the 336 is adequate there also.

Appreciate it if someone can throw me a bone on this subject.

[Bruno28]

Parrot Bebot is coming with a new small drone that uses flir one pro on it. I think thats your cheapest option. You get video signal of thermal and visual camera. I think they are going for $1500usd at the end of the year.

But a flir 336 will be a lot better image quality.
Someone else will be able to help you more on this.

[Chanc3]

If you're looking to do anything commercial, get a radiometric camera. You definitely need the temperature accuracy, otherwise you won't be able to give temperature deltas, which can be crucial.

Buy once...

[Ultrapurple]

How about buying a cheap, used, low resolution device like a Seek Compact, learning from it, then selling it on again? You'll learn a lot for very little money.

Two or three good quality three-foot micro USB extension cables will mean you can put the sensor on the end of a fiberglass pole and look at single story roofs. (I wouldn't recommend using that method for examining high voltage stuff, because the extension cables provide a nice conductive path right down to you).

If you're planning on selling your services as a professional thermographer you will need proper training and then a good quality camera. There is quite a lot of information on the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors forum, including discussions on equipment, training, what services to offer, how much to charge and - importantly - liability issues.