Buy new or used - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rop12770
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 29, 2023, 01:43:00 pm
content: Hey guysMy first post here, but long time reader and YT channel follower.I'm in the middle of a decision: I want to buy a thermal camera. I have a friend that borrowed me a Seek PRO, that he wants to sell, and I'm testing it. Seems pretty nice, but he's asking for 380€, already with a lens and a "safety" box (enclosure).My question is: does it worth the money? Or can I get a better one for less money? What do you guys think?Thanks

author: markb1980
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2023, 05:11:03 pm
content: I am ansolutely no friend of the washed out and grainy seek images...I would want to ask you first what are you planning to use the camera for?If you mean the Seek Compact Pro phone accessory camera:I am also no fan of the phone accessory cameras - you are just one grop or bump away from damaging camera and phone and I hate the handeling of those. I have seen them low as 450 EUR band new online in europe. The ZnSe-Lens cost 10-12 USD in Aliexpress and the rubber ring you can 3D print for a few cents if you have a 3D printer or for the cost of a beer if a friend have one ;-)You can get a Guide PC210, InfiRay C200 or Uni-T UTi260b at this price point...Out of them I would choose the PC210 because that's the only one who allows you to set level and span manually and it's the only one which has a useable analysis- and reporting software if that maters:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/guide-pc210-review/If you can afford a bit more money you could think about Hikmicro B10, B20 or Pocket2 - they come factory calibrated, have all features for prof. applications and a really good analysis and repoting software. Sadly the newer models have actually a wired firmware-bug so you should be prepared to RMA a camera or hope that the new firmware-update is soon out...With a little luck you would get still a model from the old series which is not affected by the bug.For the image-quality see the attachments.

author: rop12770
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 29, 2023, 05:21:52 pm
content: HelloThe idea is to try to help find shorts on electronic equipments (laptops for instance, sometimes SSD's PCB)Thanks

author: markb1980
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2023, 05:26:38 pm
content: Quote from: rop12770 on January 29, 2023, 05:21:52 pmThat's exactly that I am doing...Get yourself a PF210 from Guide or a Pocket2 from Hikmicro. This cameras have a large screen and allow you to set level and span with one touch. They are light and can be used on a flexible arm:https://eleshop.eu/guide-pf210.html

author: rop12770
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 29, 2023, 05:45:43 pm
content: So, it's not a good deal?

author: markb1980
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2023, 05:52:37 pm
content: Quote from: rop12770 on January 29, 2023, 05:45:43 pmThe Compact Pro from Seek?Not a killer deal - you would save aprox. 100 EUR instead of buying it new...But I am no fan of seeks sensors. You get very grainy and discolorated images and also no great blending-mode with outline-enhancement like MSX or iMIX.

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2023, 12:54:55 am
content: Quote from: markb1980 on January 29, 2023, 05:52:37 pmFor close in electronics work, not having MSX (or other similar visual image corruptions) is surely an advantage ?Inevitable parallax issues and once up into the 320x240 sensor area that's plenty of resolution for PCB work

author: markb1980
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2023, 12:32:40 pm
content: Quote from: markb1980 on January 29, 2023, 05:52:37 pm... I meant that in general and not related to electronics work.Quote from: Bill W on February 04, 2023, 12:54:55 am... I agree but who will have a TIC and not use it also for other things.I have 256x192 and I am quite happy with that when dealing with electronics or other things.I know 320x240 is a great resolution and since a while standard. In the actual entry level market there are not that much 320x240 options out there for a good price. You can get plenty of 256x192 options for a very low price and they are pretty close so actually I would rather recommend one of those yo you get a better price to performance ratio.If you want to do prof. work and you need reporting, etc. you can get started with Hikmicro (B20, Pocket2, ...) for 600-650 EUR.If you just need a tool for you own projects you can get a Guide PC210 or Infiray C200 for low as 300-400 EUR.With 320x240 resolution you end up arround the 1000 EUR mark for a camera on Aliexpress.