Guide PC210: Can I update the firmware?

[ybcobob]

Hi!

I'm considering buying a thermal imaging camera, e.g. for PCB "inspections". In particular, I read a bit about the PC210
and I'm still trying to weigh the pros and cons for me. I've also noticed such things as a firmware bug reported with the
PC210 as mentioned by "markb1980" in a thread. So I would be interested in: Can I update the firmware of a PC210?

Of course I've alreday tried to find out that. But it seems Guide Sensmart doesn't provide a way to perform a fw update
(even for all types of devices?!), since I couldn't find any information on this topic on their website at all: www.guideir.com

Actually, I would have expected something like this from Guide Sensmart, as is the case with other similar manufacturers,
see e.g. here:
 
https://www.hikmicrotech.com/en/support/download-center/firmware-download/

Is there really no possibility of an update... or did I miss a (hidden) website/link?


In any case, many thanks for helpful comments!

Robert

[markb1980]

firmware bug reported with the PC210 as mentioned by "markb1980"

This bug will be just a problem if you need to have exact temp. readings in each situation.

If the temp. readings are not important or you can deal at least with a sight error you will be fine with a PC210.

Can I update the firmware of a PC210?

No! You can send the camera for inspection to a local partner and they will update the firmware for you. You could update it pretty easy but Guide decided to make new releases not public.

But it would anyway not help with the bug mentioned by me - Guide did not fix the behaviour in the update at all.

An employee from Guide asked on the the users here to remove a firmware-upload - see: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/guide-pc210-thermal-camera-anyone-familiar-with/msg4601629/#msg4601629

So I guess any firmware-update will probably cost you some service fee...

Actually, I would have expected something like this from Guide Sensmart, as is the case with other similar manufacturers,

Hikmicro let clients update the firmware themself. With hikmicro you get also a calibration cert. from the factory and a camera which is correctly compenstating the most important parameters and a reporting-software which is pretty good.

So if you want to do serious work then I would recommend Hikmicro. A frient of mine use a Pocket2 and B20 for building inspections in his side-business.

If you are not considering to do thermogrraphy and reporting for clients then you will be also fine with a PC210 and even without the update.

[ybcobob]

Thanks a lot for your very fast and detailed info (and even from a professional ).

It's really sad that Guide no longer manages to provide a reliable "DIY update" option. I actually really like this PC210.
But already knowing that a future update isn't possible at all or only laborious and subject to a fee, makes me think
about alternatives again (my local seller would be in the Netherlands, for example). Well, and it also doesn't sound
so nice if possible bugs aren't fixed by updates anyway. Temperature readings would be quite interesting for me...

Now I'm tend towards the B20 or nice Pocket2. Both are a bit more expensive, but also offer added value. By the way,
I'm also considering buying a book with good basics about thermography ). I would like to use a thermal imager not
only for house & Co., but also for some "scientific" applications: evaluation of faulty and self-designed circuit boards,
vacuum technology stuff (e.g. bake-out of a recipient), cryogenics (e.g. insulation of dewars) - all for hobby projects.

[markb1980]

It's really sad that Guide no longer manages to provide a reliable "DIY update" option.

Yes but many DIY updates end in a bricked camera and an RMA. So I understand that a company want that updates are only performed by traind personnel.

I can understand your point also but there are not only tech-savvy people out there. In my data recovery lab I see each week a DIY project which went wrong. I have done PC service for many years and there is a tremendous amount of folks out there which don't even manage to follow step by step instructions.

I would like to use a thermal imager not only for house & Co., but also for some "scientific" applications

Sounds like analysis and reporting is also important for you.

Then I would strongly suggest a Hicmicro camera. If you need relaiable readings with the macrro lens also go for the original one. Hikmicro has added a Macro-Mode where the camera compensates for the orig. macro lens addon to get correct temp. readings.

The Pocket hat the advantage that you can take a timelapse or even a video. Sadly the video is not radiometric but I guess that would be to much to ask for.

[ybcobob]

Thanks again for your insightful and detailed comments!

After careful consideration, I've finally decided on buying a Pocket2  - including your nice and "educational" book .
Even if the price is significantly more expensive than a PC210, I really appreciate the features and possibilities of
the Pocket2; I also like the compact "form factor".

Ironically, the firmware issue is also a minor stumbling block here. Unfortunately, I encountered the same problem
as described here, for example (... "randomly crashes/freezes"):

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/my-new-hikmicro-pocket-2/50/

Officially, it seems to be known that the very current hardware version is not compatible with the newest FW version
.... like in my case:

Module: V1.0.2.0 build220613
Version: V5.5.29 build 221029

That's why I made use of your hint and downgraded to a previous FW version, here the info for other users:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/my-new-hikmicro-pocket-2/75/

Although I still really like the Pocket2, I hope there will be a new update as soon as possible. What's the best
way to find out about this? Or do I have to keep looking for it myself from time to time?

Incidentally, the "firmware upgrade issue" was also a reason against the purchase of the PC210. Some users
even interpreted this delicate upgrade procedure as a bug in itself, see:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/guide-pc210-thermal-camera-anyone-familiar-with/msg4607731/#msg4607731

[markb1980]

nice and "educational" book

Thanks! I hope you like it!

What's the best way to find out about this? Or do I have to keep looking for it myself from time to time?

Check occationally the website of Hikmicro or set youself an alarm on https://visualping.io/

[HumanCondition]

I got a response front Eleshop about this:

"There is indeed no nice firmware update process, but Guide has guaranteed us that if necessary and there is a new firmware, customers can contact them over e-mail and Guide will provide the correct firmware file to the customer. It is possible to update the firmware with a simple file already, but it is hard for the user to determine which file is required for which version of the camera. Therefore Guide keeps the process in their own hands."

They also told me they have a 2 year warranty for the PF210 and are working on producing a video showing more of the UI and performance.

I'm also debating which 256x192 imager to get and have a Google spreadsheet on the variants in another thread (non-smartphone based ones such as Infiray P2 etc. The shaky nature of Chinese manufacturers never supporting their software after products have shipped, I'm very sceptical on buying a product that relies on their mobile app being updated and functional a few years from now.)

[markb1980]

You are not alone with that issue - that's why I created a website with real samples from cameras: https://thermal-image-samples.com/thermal-pixel-peeping/

Select a brand, select an imager, download the samples-files and software to test what the analysis tool can do. It's not only a question if there is a software available but also how useable is the software!