DYTSpectrumOwl CA-20 Motorized PCBA Thermal Analyzer on Kickstarter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Dianyang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 06:09:39 am
content: Hi All,Now we are on Kickstarter to crowdfunding our new CA-20 electronical version, there is a big discount, if you are interested with that, please click below link to check,https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/347474009/dytspectrumowl-desktop-circuit-board-thermal-analyzer?ref=5zf0le&token=ea9e5deaThanks!

author: laseralex
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 08:10:24 am
content: At minimum focus distance, what resolution does your camera offer?Can you compare your device to the FLIR ETS320 and the Teslong TCP1000?Nice work on the Kickstarter!

author: Dianyang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 10:26:34 am
content: Quote from: laseralex on January 14, 2022, 08:10:24 amOur product resolution is 260x200, here is the first version CA-10 evaluation by Mr. Fraser,https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/review-dianyang-technology-ca10-circuit-board-thermal-analyzer-repair-rd/The CA-20 has a better features,You may also check our new software UI via Youtube videos, both support Windows and Android,https://youtu.be/xbQt13tXJUUThanks!

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 12:14:55 pm
content: I am pleased to see DYT releasing another PCBA thermal analysis cameraThis Kickstarter campaign deserves to do very well as DYT already have an excellent product in the CA10 so have shown that they are a company that ‘delivers the goods’ unlike some kickstarter campaigns of the past. The CA20 uses a different support system to the CA10 but remains very versatile. The motorised support system for the camera head is a novel enhancement to the CA10 design.With regard to the actual thermal camera head, it is the same excellent design and build quality, as I also found in the CA10 system. The camera head contains an imaging core from a much respected manufacturer and this is capable of excellent thermal imaging at a frame rate up to 25fps. For those wondering, no it is not a Seek Thermal Core in this cameraThe ability to remove the camera head from its motorised base and attach it to a different mounting system increases the versatility of the CA20. I purchased articulated arms and various tripods on which to mount my CA10 camera head as may be seen in my review referenced by Dianyang above. The camera is manual focus so not limited to just close-up imaging and does not suffer from the limitations of fixed focus systems. I have found the CA10 to be an invaluable tool in my electronics repair and diagnostics work as it is simple ‘the right tool for the job’The CA20 is a new addition to the DYT range that offers the motorised mount plus the ability to use the new SpectrumOwl V2 analysis software that will continue to evolve as features are added. Users of the CA10 are not able to use SpectrumOwl V2 so the CA20 offers more to the R&D engineer, as well as still being a great repair diagnostics tool.I shall be writing of my experiences with SpectrumOwl V2 soon so watch out for that on this forum.I wish DYT all the best with their Kickstarter campaign as they deserve recognition for the excellent development work that they have done, and continue to do going forwardsFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 12:24:11 pm
content: To add to my comments above. The CA20 camera will produce the same very nice image quality as the CA10 that I reviewed as it uses the same imaging core and lens system. The CA20 imaging core has an enhanced temperature measurement range however (-10C to +450C).Minimum focus distance is stated as 20mm and I found this to be accurate in my testing of the camera. As will be seen in my review of the CA10, imaging of modern tiny SMD components was easily achieved with the CA10 and will be no different for the CA20. I am looking at attaching a reversed lens assembly to the front of my CA10 to create a true thermal microscope but that is a story for another day and another threadFraser

author: alexwhittemore
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2022, 06:38:07 pm
content: I'm VERY torn - I've been thinking of picking up the original for ~$600 USD on AliExpress for a while. It looks like you're putting a lot of effort into the software, and if the upgraded software is also compatible with the older unit, I think that'd sell me on that one.The quality of life upgrades to the hardware (easily mobile imaging head, motorized stand) look worth the price premium as well with the kickstarter (~$100USD over the current product), but I hate impulse buying for products I KNOW are coming to market. On the other hand, if the new unit sells for USD1360 retail, that's definitely too rich for me compared to the original.So, will the new software be compatible with the old unit? Or is the advanced software a big part of the upgrade, and will be locked out for the old hardware?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2022, 07:42:28 pm
content: The SpectrumOwl V2 software (for R&D) is only useable with the CA20 and above. I tried it on my CA10 and my camera is not recognised as a compatible unit.The CA20 offers use of the more advanced software plus a greater temperature range which could be useful. The CA10 is a lovely unit but sadly you will have to be content with just the SpectrumOwl V1 software. I do not see DYT abandoning the V1 software development but it will always be aimed more at repair techs rather than Repair + R&D operations.In some ways, it is a pity that the SpectrumOwl software has been named V1 and V2 rather than, say “SpectrumOwl” and “SpectrumOwl Researcher” or “SpectrumOwl Advanced” to show that they are different software packages, rather than “Versions” that can make users think older versions are inferior or obsolete. That is not the case with SpectrumOwl.Fraser

author: alexwhittemore
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2022, 07:57:01 pm
content: Excellent, thanks for the crystal clarity!Ugh. Like I said, I HATE kickstarters. But I guess maybe I’ll have to give it serious consideration.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2022, 08:21:32 pm
content: I agree, Kickstarters are not something I would normally get involved with as you hear stories of products never being delivered.I do not represent DYT and cannot be their guarantor on this Kickstarter, but I can say that I have had dealings with DYT and the team there and they appear very honest and hard working. Their product portfolio shows that they design and release products and are not a vapourware company. I believe that DYT is trying the Kickstarter campaign as another marketing avenue for their products. It can be very hard for a company offering innovative solutions to penetrate the market and become known in order to enhance sales.Fraser

author: Dianyang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2022, 02:52:33 pm
content: Hi,Acutally don't be sad of our products.CA-10 is focus on repairing products, like PCBA etc., it is a cost-effective product.CA-20 or higher is focus on R&D products, to develop PCBA, to long time measure many hot areas, to measure the heating material etc.CA-20 or higher has different software, it is not compatible with CA-10, later we will release Android App for all our thermal analyzer including CA-10.Actually we are not familiar with Kickstarter, it is the first time to do it, but this is a good channel to promote our products overseas.Thanks for your support!Quote from: alexwhittemore on January 16, 2022, 07:57:01 pm