Europe shops or Europe delivery (no extra taxes) for thermal cameras  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Newbie12
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 18, 2024, 07:27:09 pm
content: Hello guys, I'm looking to buy a thermal camera for pcb repair, ocazional household thermal issues, 250-300 euro budget.I'm 99% sure that I will order the infiray t2s+, IF I find a reputable seller. I'm also open to other models that can be attached to a phone.Do you know some sources that can provide also warranty, in case of something?I saw some on Aliexpress, but due to the price being higher than 150 euros I should pay extra custom tax, which I don't want. Also the warranty is more of less equal to 0.Do you know any other sources that are legit?

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2024, 07:36:14 pm
content: To be clear: you wouldn't be paying "extra customs tax". You'd be paying the VAT you would otherwise pay to a salesperson inside the EU but in the form of a customs charge. Often there's an administrative fee, though.

author: Newbie12
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 18, 2024, 08:11:47 pm
content: I don't know how it's in your country, but in mine up to 150 euro, you pay VAT. If the seller, like Aliexpress retains the VAT at the source, you don't pay it again.After 150 euros, you pay also a customs tax, this is separate from the VAT. European Union rules for items that are coming outside of EU.

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2024, 08:29:35 pm
content: Afaik, this is not correct. You defacto pay VAT in both cases, but the fees may differ as <150€ requires less formalities.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2024, 08:55:52 pm
content: Customs processing fee charged by courier/customs broker depends on particular EU country. For example in Latvia (as individual) I can do simple online clearance with no additional fees. As of import tax, it depends on TARIC code of the goods. For most of electronics it's miniscule or zero.

author: Newbie12
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 06:30:42 am
content: The problem is not only the customs tax, but also the formalities and the extra charge by the curier to handle this. So basically if the item if over 150 euro and get shipped from outside EU, I need to pay VAT +shipping +customs tax +curier handling papers tax( about 20 euro). I have no problem paying VAT+shipping, it's normal, but I don't want to add 50 euro+ extra(customs +handling) for nothing, if I can buy it from EU.That is why I asked, the point is not to debate about taxes, but to find a reliable seller in EU, or outside EU but with EU warehouses.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 07:23:14 am
content: if you look at some of aliexpress items, the expensive ones often are shipped from an european warehouse, so it's like they send it from europeand you don't have the extra taxes. this 150 euros limit only applies to goods send from outside of the EU.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 08:42:08 am
content: IR cams have Little value in reapir , use your finger or simple temp probe to detect overheat.Suggest buy IR cam from EU seller.j

author: RAPo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 08:46:53 am
content: After readinghttps://eleshop.eu/customer-service.html#shippingtry eleshop.eu.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 11:24:00 am
content: Newbie12,Have you considered buying a used, perfect condition camera via eBay etc ? I have bought some excellent cameras that way. Cheaper than new and no taxes to concern you if in your country. TIC’s are generally pretty reliable and warranties are often worth little if a camera is bought outside of Europe. I am one of the few people who repairs thermal imaging cameras and the budget models are often too inexpensive to be worth a repair fee.Fraser

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 11:27:58 am
content: Quote from: jonpaul on November 19, 2024, 08:42:08 amSimply

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 11:51:32 am
content: Wrapper,I thought the same but “each to their own” ehThe time I have saved myself with a thermal camera whilst working on laptops is significant. True, we all managed without thermal imagers in days gone by, but then we had a tougher, more protracted, job locating the fault. Work smart and not hard 👍Fraser

author: rteodor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 11:54:35 am
content: Customs over here its "Romanian roulette".Try eleshop.eu Don't know if they have Infiray thou.I got a Uni-T from them. Its usual chinesium annoyances: long boot time, stupid animations that nobody asked for, small but periodic hiccups in the video feed, idiot interface asks to confirm save, etc. But its usable, I could even find a nagging electrical fault with it that my sparky could not (I was near him and I know he searched).

author: pope
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 07:28:42 pm
content: Not sure if this is off topic but I'm in a similar situation.I'm looking for a thermal imaging camera to inspect PCBs. I work almost exclusively in my own THT PCBs and I need to be able to check the new PCBs I make. So, not an everyday use.Budget is anythingf less than 300 euro (exc. VAT) and it has to be within EU.I was thinking ofthe Guide IR PC210. What do you guys think?I'm completely inexperienced with thermal cameras, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

author: rteodor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 07:52:26 pm
content: Quote from: pope on November 19, 2024, 07:28:42 pmAgain, eleshop is in Netherlands (EU) and has quite a few thermal cameras:https://eleshop.eu/inspection/thermal-imaging-cameras.htmlRead the descriptions. They are honest in my opinion and even recommend better cameras.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 08:18:40 pm
content: Quote from: pope on November 19, 2024, 07:28:42 pmI suggest InfiRay T2S+ (adjustable focus) which you can get from eleshophttps://eleshop.eu/infiray-t2s-thermal-camera-for-android.htmlWhile Guide IR PC210 will more or less work for TH parts (but not well for SMD), it's more of a tool suitable for home, electrical inspection rather than electronics.PCB inspection at 9:20:

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 08:51:27 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on November 19, 2024, 11:51:32 amThermal camera often can turn unsuccessful multiple day repair into simplest 5 minute job, like try finding shorted MLCC on a power rail that goes all across the motherboard and with no schematic available. The more complicated device, the more difference it makes.

author: pope
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 10:30:28 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on November 19, 2024, 08:18:40 pmThank you for the recommendation.The reason I was considering something standalone is because I always prefer it over something that requires a PC/phone. That's why I don't have a PC oscilloscope for example.However the InfiRay T2S+ seems quite tempting and since I must admit I haven't done my homework (due to lack of time) I might just go with this one...

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 10:38:23 pm
content: ^Afaik there is nothing good for PCB inspection in standalone form-factor for this price. All fixed focus and no macro lens available. So you'd need to hack a macro lens on yourself to make it anywhere comparable to smartphone options. BTW you could buy a EUR 5 phone holder/tripod from Chinahttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005945268715.htmland stick IR camera on backside of the phone on double sided tape or something else. There are more expensive holders that hold imager as well like on the video. Also you could just dedicate some old phone you already may have or could or buy some very cheap phone. Whatever phone you use, display will be way better than on standalone camera and you'll have basically a standalone imager.

author: pope
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 11:14:18 pm
content: Yeah well I'm not a great fan of phones and gadgets in general so I just realised that my phone doesn;t have usc-C since it's rather old. It has a "Micro-USB" instead.And that's pretty much my point. I’d rather have a standalone device that can work in the future without needing to chase after newer connectors, software, or other updates.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 11:19:21 pm
content: Quote from: pope on November 19, 2024, 11:14:18 pmBut you can just keep the same old phone instead of getting rid of it. Also you can get a USB adapter.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2024, 01:07:03 am
content: Quote from: Fraser on November 19, 2024, 11:24:00 amMy TS001 (cam phone, manual focus, pretty good for pcb imaging imho) cost me £180 this way. No tax. It's as-new.

author: ftg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2024, 08:30:26 am
content: Quote from: pope on November 19, 2024, 07:28:42 pmI have the Guide PC210 with the eleshop.eu macro lens and it serves my current needs for debugging and repair quite well.The macro lens allows me to resolve which of two side by side 0402 resistors is heating up more.And the fps is good enough to see traces and parts pulsing from hitting a current limit and going to hickup mode.It shows up as a web cam on the computer and works in vlc, but does not work in Teams. I have not tried OBS.

author: pope
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2024, 09:34:17 am
content: Quote from: wraper on November 19, 2024, 11:19:21 pmNot really. Apparently I can't get it to work on my phone (Android 7) although they claim that it can work on devices with Android 6 onwards.Quite frankly, I'm rather pissed of trying for the last couple of days to figure what to do because even if I buy a cheap smartphone only for the t2s+ (something like the Redmi A3) I have no clue whether I will get it to work.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 11, 2024, 09:57:27 am
content: Quote^Not all micro USB - type C adapters will work. Most are only good for PC, charging connection but won't allow phone working as a host. You should look for "OTG adapter"

author: pope
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2024, 11:25:21 am
content: Quote from: wraper on December 11, 2024, 09:57:27 amIt's not the adapter. Actually, the camera comes with a micro usb - C cable adapter.The crappy software recognise the camera and I can hear some clicks when it's connected (relay? shutter?) but that's all I get: