The infrared cameras start about 4000$ and use much different digital technology and High resolution then conventional cameras. They print to memory cards but use specially filtered chips . They can be rented, purchased but usually no one wants you to borrow it! You can adapt a very few models of digital cameras to see some “infrared”. The Firemen use a simpler camera so they can see if they need to run thru the smoke and get a live body. These are the same gradedefinition as what hunters and soldiers use.
There are infrared guns 40-90$ for spotting air leaks and voids in insulation. They give you a digital readout or shoot a red dot to pinpoint the change in temperature from whats around the area. Yes, and even high powered cooks use them for everything from candy to barbeque. There are at least 4 brands around.
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Junkhound could build one from scrap for free.
Please inform junkhound I have two Mavicas 3.5" type that still work and will donate them to the 'cause. We can get em reading infrared and then 'mail to each guy who needs one for a day........
Nah, dont have a germanium window handy not within my budget.
If/n I did, pretty simple to replace the window in any camera.
If anyone know a good place for low cost IR windows, even polymer, would be a nice post.
Best IR ever used or was involved with was the IR tracker for stingers that was mounted on Humvees in the early '90's. 4" germanium lens, $$$$, near liquid N2 operation. Tech's got a "appropriate use" lecture after using it to watch some babes at lunchtime leaving the Huntsville cafeteria.
Edited 5/28/2009 11:03 am ET by junkhound
I once locked up my wife with an IR maverick missile. Granted, it was an inert trainer, just the seeker head, no motor or shaped charge.I told her it proved beyond any doubt that she's totally hot.
In the late 60's I was in the Navy and a friend worked with heat-seeking Sidewinder missiles. It was a spooky sight with the missile on a test stand, a guy walked back and forth with a cigarette and the tail control surfaces would move with him as the thing locked onto its "target".BruceT
Something like this? http://www.edmundoptics.com/onlinecatalog/displayproduct.cfm?productID=2685
Some of that germanium stuff shows up on eBay once in a while.
Yep, had seen that, looking for something about 10% of those prices <G>
See if edmunds has any scratched or chipped ones.
What's so special about germanium windows? My wife has had them blooming in window boxes for years. :)BruceT
it got an "m" in the middle <G>
Interestingly, halite (rock salt) works as well as geranium (in terms of IR transparency), possibly better. But for some reason it's not as durable in a field instrument. Plain old glass and plastic block IR light.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Most the geraniums grandma used to raise, they sure reflected red light well but dont think they transmitted IR <G>. Too much of that there halite seemed to kill the geraniums too.
I don't know about U, but IR gettin' sick of germ-anium puns and I wish to halite never started 'em.BruceT
Haven't a clue what the spectral response is but when I had the lab, all our printers used what Kodak called a cold mirror, which transmitted visual spectrum and reflected IR. I wonder if you could use one in "reverse". I recall a long time back seeing them for sale at Edmund for spit...PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
So when are you going to rite a review of them?
I was hoping y'al ( southern for y'os guys) might have spent your money before I have to spend mine.
I will be using a full tilt infrared camera for a hour in September.
They rent by the hour?
roun here (northern for these perts) they are rented by the week.
This one belongs to the military post we use. Its one of the ways the local German employees in the public works depart can check on the contractors to be sure they are completing various projects. For a BSA Environmental Merit badge I will probably choose a few different buildings and we will photograph them. I will use the pictures to illustrate heat loss etc.
There is usually one per every larger military post. They value theirs at around $10,000. I probably will just get to touch it, buts it is a good way to explain heat loss to folks. I may get a chance to use the fire department one for an hour, but they will have to bring it from a post 2 hours northwest of us.
I have an IR "penlight" thermometer my BIL gave me for Christmas. Don't know what it cost, but similar appear to run $80-100.
It could be useful for tracking down bad insulation, etc, but of course it's a lot more tedious to use than a camera.
I've never really tried the IR setting on my digital camera. I'm guessing it's not a low enough band to work for heat sensing.