Just a little story from Fraser. Christmas came early for me this year. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 02:08:28 am
content: This is just a little light hearted story covering the last few weeks for me in the leadup to Christmas. It does involve thermal imaging thoughI must have been a 'good boy' this year as I have recently been rewarded with much good fortuneEvent 1.As readers of my posts will be aware, I found a partially dismantled FLIR ETS320 PCB inspection camera on eBay. I offered the seller half of what he was asking for it, and he accepted. The unit arrived and is in perfect operating condition. With some simple improvements it will become a powerful PCB inspection tool. It cost me less than 15% of the UK priceEvent 2.I am always on the look out for thermal camera related accessories, especially lenses and AGEMA/FLIR related parts. I found an auction in Germany for two of the ultra rare AGEMA/FLIR Remote control handsets for the PM and SC series industrial cameras that I own. These can sell for crazy prices as high as $500 ! I bought both of the remote controls at a superb price. They arrived and are in great condition but one needed 4 new tactile switches. The odds of finding the exact 'custom looking' tactile switches looked poor.I found them on the Radio Spares site ! They were relatively common NKK illuminated tactile button switches costing less than £2 each. RESULTEvent 3.I got into conversation with the German seller of the Remote control handsets. He is a long term thermographer and had all manner of bits and pieces hidden away in his home. It turned out I had already purchased a FLIR PM series Close-Up lens from him earlier in the year via eBay's equivalent of Gumtree in Germany ! He kindly offered to search out some FLIR promotional stuff for me. I ended up with FLIR Pens, Two FLIR Flash Drives and a nice FLIR LED torchI know it's only promotional stuff but I appreciated him looking it out for me and I like promotional giftsEvent 4.After my conversations with the German seller, he offered to search out all his obsolete AGEMA/FLIR bits and pieces that he knew were around somewhere. I did not expect much to come of this, but how wrong I was.I received an email after a week or so, offering me a number of AGEMA/FLIR items.....1. AGEMA Thermovision PM series breakout box2. AGEMA Thermovision PM series Parallel interface for camera communications with a PC & frame grabber3. AGEMA Thermovision 900 interface box for camera connection to a PC4. AGEMA IC2 communications manual5. AGEMA IRWin Researcher 2.01 manual6. FLIR 100mm Close-Up Germanium lens for the Thermovision PM and SC.series cameras7. FLIR/Inframetrics SC1000 interface for connecting the camera to a PC.I have been looking for the PM series breakout box for years. They sell for crazy money when they do turn up on eBay. I already own a PM series Parallel interface box, but a spare would not hurt. The Thermovision 900 interface box is not that useful to me as I do not own a THV900. It does contain very expensive parts and connectors, common to other AGEMA cameras though. The same applies to the SC1000 interface as I do not own that camera. I do own it's stable mate, the PM280 though, it may work with that camera as well. The AGEMA IC2 manual is available on line but great to have on paper as it is a PM series command reference. When I saw the IRWin manual, I was very interested. I know that AGEMA used to place the licence key on the first page of the manualMost of the (very expensive) AGEMA software is now long gone and not available on the internet. I happen to own IRWin 2.01 installation disks from a previous PM series camera purchase. I lacked the installation key however. This situation could change if it was still in the manual.It will come as no surprise to readers that I was interested in the FLIR Germanium Close-up lens. It is the 34/100 model intended for the SC3000 camera and provides a 34mm wide horizontal FOV at 100mm distance. This lens also fits my other AGEMA/FLIR cameras so is very useful to me. As a LW Close-up lens it may be used with any of my LW cameras with the use of a suitable mounting adapter. These lenses cost a small fortune new due to the size of the Germanium lens element and their specialist nature.I tentatively asked for a price on the above items, fully expecting to be faced with unaffordable sums being asked for them. The seller was very kind and basically I got the lot for 130 Euros delivered to the UKThe package arrived today and it is fair to say I am 'over the moon' with its contents.The Close-up lens is perfect. The Interfaces are superb and the THV900 interface is the first off of the production line. It is serial number 001 and contains a AGEMA official label inside its lid stating that it is from the first batch produced so may differ to later batches. The detail of differences is included on the label.The user manual for IRWin does still contain the licence number on the first page and it worked perfectly when I installed IRWin Researcher 2.01 on a suitable laptop. WonderfulEvent 5.I was unaware that FLUKE have recently been offering a free wide angle (x0.45) or telephoto (x2) auxiliary lens with purchases of their TiR cameras. I saw a nicely priced FLUKE X2 Telephoto lens for sale. The seller was open to offers and I negotiated a further 25% discountI later discovered that the lens had been free with the purchase of a TiR camera. These lenses normally cost well over £1K so I had myself an amazing bargain and the seller was happy as he recovered some money on his camera purchase. As some readers will be aware, the brand of a thermal camera auxiliary lens is only relevant in terms of the mounting used. The FLUKE lens uses a simple bayonet mount and the T2 model lens has a nice large lens element diameter, front and back. It may be used on any camera that has the same or smaller auxiliary lens diameter requirements. This would cover a good many of my FLIR cameras as the FLUKE lens exit diameter is around 25mma neat and compact X2 Telephoto lens at a bargain price.... well chuffedEvent 6.Last week I noticed an eBay auction for a FLIR DUO R radiometric drone camera. It was stated to be faulty but as many readers will know, that does not deter me at all. I saw that the camera was actually located only a few miles across town from me. I could even collect it and save time and postage. It was being sold by a Pawn shop as a customer returned item. It apparently failed soon after initial use. I placed a low maximum bid as I felt sure it would sell for silly money as it is not only a 160 x 120 drone thermal camera in the Go-Pro Hero format, but also fully radiometric with a Bluetooth connectivity. I think differently to many other potential buyers though. The fact that it was faulty seems to have almost completely prevented bids on it. I was very surprised. I won the camera for £121 and picked it up the same day. It has already been stripped down and now awaits my attention on the repair benchThis camera sold for only slightly more than faulty FLIR One G2's yet it is soooo much more versatile than those simple dongle units. After a conversation with the seller, I also became the consultant repair tech for the company selling the camera as their previous Tech has sadly passed away.Well there you go, it's been one heck of a ride over the past few weeks. I was not expecting to find so much thermal camera related kit, at such amazing prices, in such a short period of time. It just goes to prove that there are still bargains out there and if I have one piece of advice for fellow Thermal imaging enthusiasts, it is this...... talk to the sellers of such kit, they sometimes provide great discounts and more kit if they think you are offering a good home to their equipment.I will upload some pictures later as it is now late and time for some sleep !Good hunting my fellow thermal imaging enthusiastsFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 02:46:05 am
content: I forgot to mention another very recent 'Win' for me......I saw an auction for a brand new, sealed, in the box Hasp Licence Dongle for FLIR ResearchIR 4 MAX.Long story cut short, I won it for £200. This is a mere fraction of its retail price. It is the 'fully loaded' MAX version of the software designed for serious R&D work. Normal retail is around £1500 up to 7000 Eurosdepending upon where you buy from and most offer only the paper based licence with online activation. I do not think I have seen such a huge variation in the price of the same software licence previously...... weirdhttp://www.thermalvisiondirect.co.uk/product/t199013-researchir-4-x-max-online-activation-download-card/http://www.topa.de/waermebildkameras/produktliste/flir-researchir-max/https://omniviewtech.ca/products/flir-researchir-max-license-keyThings went a bit wrong on delivery though. The seller accidentally sent a FLIR Tools+ licence box and I thought a con was afoot. I was wrong though. The seller despatched the correct ResearchIR 4 MAX HASP dongle immediately upon receiving my message about the Tools+ delivery. He also told me to keep the Tools+ licence ! What an honourable sellerThe HASP licence dongle arrived on Saturday as promised and it is exactly as described, new, sealed in the FLIR box. It works perfectly with the ResearchIR 4 software that FLIR offers for download on their site.I already own a HASP dongle for ResearchIR 4 Standard, so this is a great upgrade, at an amazing price, for meFor those unaware, the HASP HL dongle is a very effective anti piracy system that makes it possible for OEM's to make very expensive software available for easy download without fear of piracy. FLIR use HASP HL dongles that are not easy to circumvent. The dongle I received has all the indications of being a genuine licence dongle so this is not some software piracy hack of FLIR software.More detail of the HASP HL and other HASP dongles is easily found via Google. It is the protection system that I have most frequently come across on seriously expensive software. The OEM needs confidence that it will secure their product, yet it does not restrict the software to a single installation as you can legally install on several computers. Only one installation will run at a time as you have to have the HASP dongle connected whilst it is running. That is useful to me and far better than awful unique system licence key requests to OEM's for a single computer installation.Happy DaysFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 03:41:06 am
content: This web site may explain why I got such a great deal on the ResearchIR software....http://www.sjelectronics.co.uk/experience-flir-research-ir-softwareIt is being given away for free with FLIR Science Cameras. If a company has been buying some new cameras, they may have an excess of software licences. FLIR Tools+ Licence is given away free with the ETS320 and possibly other cameras as well.Fraser

author: Chanc3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 06:36:57 am
content: Absolutely fantastic haul and luck! I wish I had the same amount of success when it comes to finding cameras and parts!It also reaffirms that I should speak to you first, as I was competing with you for that hasp dongle! Shame, but I'm glad you won it!Looking forward to your pictures!

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 10:38:53 am
content: I forgot yet another excellent piece of buying luck from last week......I like to buy books on thermography when they appear at sensible prices. The specialist nature of the topic unfortunately means that many Thermography reference and instructional books cost a great deal of money.I have been very lucky in the past and purchased some really excellent books on the topic at sensible prices.Last week I noticed a lady selling two books that are produced by BINDT (British Institute of Non Destructive Testing). One was titled 'Infrared Thermography - Principles and Practice' by Norman J Walker and the second was 'Infrared Thermography - Applications' by A N Nowicki. These are books used in the training of thermographers and they provide an excellent learning resource. Due to their specialist nature they normally cost £65 each or £110 for the pairI placed decent sized bids on both books. I actually won them both for the start price of £5 each. I was surprised as I fully expected some competition in the auctions. These books are not common on the secondary market. The principles and practice book is filled with thermography theory and is an excellent reference. The applications book is literally stuffed full with excellent colour images that show what is being described in the associated text. Both are an excellent read and mine are in superb condition.Fraser

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 11:17:56 am
content: Going to run them through a colour scanner then Fraser?

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 11:21:09 am
content: Wow that is a lot of nice stuff. Still pricey but also very very cheap.My Christmas is yet to come.

author: Chanc3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 11:21:46 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on December 17, 2017, 11:17:56 amPlease don't, Fraser! Not that I suspect you would anyway.Norman Walker is actually one of our thermography training instructors and I know Andrew quite well also. If you have any questions, I can help! Also, there is an addendum for the vol1. Did it come with that also?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 11:30:53 am
content: Hi Chanc3,Yes, I saw that he worked with youNo worries on copying the books. It is not something I would do.The Errata pages came with Volume 1Fraser

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 11:37:43 am
content: No wonder the rest of us can't find any low cost thermal imagers - we're up against an master scavenger!

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 11:51:15 am
content: "Collector and user of exotic thermographic imaging paraphernalia" pleaseIt's all out there to find, I just know where to lookI do sell stuff as well so I could be considered a Specialist Emporium for thermal imaging equipmentFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 05:23:34 pm
content: Now for the promised pictures of some of the items. I have separate threads running for the ETS320 and DUO R cameras so shall not repeat pictures here.I forgot that my German contact also included a pile of genuine FLIR lens cases in my 'care parcel'To the pictures........

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 05:25:19 pm
content: The two very rare remote control handpieces.......

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 05:26:36 pm
content: The two close-up lenses that came from the German seller......

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 05:28:01 pm
content: The FLUKE x2 Telephoto lens......

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 05:30:21 pm
content: The AGEMA IC2 and IRWin Research 2.01 manuals, complete with original boxAlso the FLIR ResearchIR 4 MAX licence dongle and TOOLS+ licence

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 05:34:53 pm
content: The two BINDT Thermography training manuals......

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 05:48:23 pm
content: For those interested, I will be creating a new thread that will detail a teardown of the AGEMA/FLIR remote control handpiece.I will include details of the NKK switches and RS part number in that thread in case anyone ever owns such a unit and needs to refurbish it. From what I can tell, one of the remote controls suffered failure of certain regularly used buttons so another remote control was purchased to replace it. I bought both of the remote controls as I was confident that I could sort out any issues within them if needed.Those two remote controls are responsible for all of the additional items that I purchased from Germany. I am very glad that I struck up a conversation with the seller and e got to know eachother. He gained some cash for Christmas from some unwanted 'junk' and I gained some very hard to find items that will be very useful to me. A Win, Win situationFraser

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 06:47:21 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on December 17, 2017, 11:30:53 amYou will be teasing us with selected parts of those books for a long time Fraser, or just using the knowledge from them in any case. Teaser of the front covers already. Was just thinking that a scanned book will mean the archived copy in the Tardis style shed will not mean a multi hour search for something you know is in it, just a search through a scanned copy on your local drive.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 07:34:35 pm
content: Hi Sean,These books are good, but I do own betterIt is just interesting to read different texts on the topic and these certainly cover the practical aspects of thermography very well. The Applications manual is the most visually detailed that I have seen and it explains the various pitfalls to take into account when interpreting thermal images.My main reference books are ....Infrared Thermal Imaging by M.Vollmer and K.-P. MollmannThermal imaging Systems by J.M.LloydPractical Applications of Infrared Thermal Sensing and imaging equipment by Herbert KaplanPractical Applications of Infrared Techniques by Ricardo Vanzetti.Lloyd's book may be old, but it is a most excellent reference book and read. I own 8 copies of it, one signed by the author. It is crazy expensive from specialist book sellers so I went through a stage of buying cheap copies whenever I saw them. If some fall apart due to age, I have plenty of sparesI also recently purchased 'Common Sense Approach to Thermal Imaging' by Gerald C Holst and it looks pretty good.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 08:13:14 pm
content: Hopefully the publisher and author will not mind me sharing a few pictures of pages from the 'Applications' manual. They will give a flavour of the manual contents. I will also include the index of both manuals.If anyone objects to the inclusion of these pictures on the forum, please PM me and I will remove them.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 08:15:02 pm
content: Pictures from the 'Applications' manual.....