Terry G

Less than year and half old Infrared camera for sale. I just purchased a new camera and was going to save this one as a back up. Comes with everything. THis is the Hight temp. version. Sells on the web for over 21+. Perfect for building inspections. check out FLuke on Inspector tools website for spec's. Some one can get a good deal. Contact me at terry@seacoastinspections.com

David - "Infrared technology is not magic and its not x-ray vision however, in the hands of a trained inspector the use of an infrared camera will greatly reduce the chances of hidden problems going undetected. What's your inspector looking at?" Are you serious. Your telling me your average client is not going to assume that you have had some kind of training to use IR after reading that statement. Wow! Chris - What is it with cert stuff. If you go back and look at my original post I never mention certification. You do. The level I & II training is what everyone can benifit from. No you don't have to get certified. Infact just going to the training doesn't get you certified. You have to have 900 documented hours and pass the ASNT tests to even think about meeting certification requirements. Richard - Excellent piece of advice. You never shoot at something straight on. That is IR 101 and would be one of many things you learn in a level one Class. It might seem obvious to the 1% club here on this sight. But to new inspectors or new owners of camera's something that simple can really mess you up and make you look bad infront of a client. Level I covers all that and more. The part I don't understand is why people are investing in Thermal imaging just to use as a tool for home inspections. Your making a good investment in an IR camera. Why not get maximum pay back for that investment. Thermography is a seperate business on it's own and has been. The residential market is basically untapped because most full time thremographers are making 700-1500 or more a day on the commercial and industrial side. Why limit yourseleves. Even if you don't believe that you will learn anything, the investment in those classes can pay for itself in weeks. Right or wrong most architects, roofers, insulation contractors will not use you with out Level II training. I'm trying to get more people into IR not scare them away. It is a perfect business to compliment Home inspections. 50% of my business is IR related. Most IR inspections earn me much more than home inspections and I have less over all time invested. I don't know who can argue with that. I'm sure someone will. Terry

We are lucky to have so much IR knowledge on this thread. I just have a couple of questions? David - You state the following on your website "Infrared technology is not magic and its not x-ray vision however, in the hands of a trained inspector the use of an infrared camera will greatly reduce the chances of hidden problems going undetected. What's your inspector looking at?" Very well worded I might add. Couldn't agree more. Problem I am having is I'm alittle confused about the word "trained". I thought you just said training is not needed for what you do. What your telling us and what your telling your customers seems to be different? Which is it? Chris - Your website says "Specialist in Moisture detection and Thermal scanning". The last time I checked Specialist was defined as "someone who is an expert in, or devoted to, some specific branch of study or research". Again there seems to be a difference from what is said here and what is being said to potential clients. Interesting how you guys have had your cameras for a couple months and have it all figured out. Shows how dumb I am. I am a level II and have 5 years experience of using IR in building diagnostics from residential, commercial, retail, industrial, schools, and even state legistative buildings. I never thought of just decieving my clients by mis-representing my qualifications. Terry

I agree, but it happens and I know of guys that do it in my area. Any anomaly that I come across is documented as just that "an anomaly". An anomaly is an irregularity, a mis proportion, or something that is strange or unusual, or unique. Now based on experience I will give an opinion on what I think the anomaly is but I never state what it is with out confirmation through other means. I make sure before any inspection every begins that every customer is clear on the limitations of IR. It is even clearly written in my contract which is signed before the camera comes out of the case. Terry

Sorry you took that so personally. It was a general statement directed at no one. If you want to self calibrate yourself be my guest. I'm just trying to give some honest advice. I'm sure you are an excellent inpector, I would just hate to see anybody "pay for it later". Terry

Level III is only needed for people who are setting up, training, and managing a preventive maintenance program.

Yes it is important to experiment with your equipement. But that will not teach you everything you need to know. Anyone who invests in an IR camera and does not complete level I and level II is crazy in my opinion. Inspecting buildings is one of the most difficult things to do as a thermographer. It is very easy to make a mistake. I have spent the last 5 years educating realtors and homeowners about IR before it was "the in Thing". As soon as the price dropped it took a couple months for these "morons" to ruin 5 years of work. It amazes me that people think real training is optional. The good news is these guys are getting sued and are weeding themselves out. Becoming a good Thermographer is not something you can just pick up and know what your doing by taking an online course. You are putting your business at risk without investing in proper training. Infact it is even more important with these lower priced cameras. Because the resolutions and detectors are not as good.

Glad to see it is working for others. I have been using IR for over 5 years. I would highly recommend to anyone that is thinking about buying a camera to include real training in the purchase price. Not online training. I mean Level I and Level II in classroom. I have taken courses with both Flir and Snell and have to say for me I got more out of the Snell classes than Flir's (ITC). Snell is independent and just teachers you what you need to know. I would also make sure your insurance company knows you are using infrared. I had to change my first E&O because of it. Don't assume you are covered. Another point which you will learn as a Level II is you are better off not putting numbers for temperatures in you pictures. Unless you include a nice disclaimer about the accuracy of those numbers. I have learned alot the hard way(and still learning) and got into this when it was not the "in" thing to do. IR is like you said just another tool in the bag. But used properly and with experience can be a valuable peice of a successful business.

I have been following all the IR talk and am curious what your guys thoughts are now that you have been using it for awhile. Have you checked with your insurance companies to make sure the have your back?