Trixology
General Category => General Computing/Macintosh => Topic started by: Bull Winkus on February 14, 2014, 09:09:17 AM
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I thought this might be of interest to some of the weather watchers.
Apparently FLIR, the company that makes forward looking infrared target acquisition cameras for the military, is about to enter the consumer infrared camera market. That's real interesting because right now there is no consumer level infrared camera market to speak of. While FLIR has been selling relatively inexpensive infrared cameras in the 1 to 4 thousand dollar range (some professional level camera can reach as high as $16K), the target market has been small business professionals, not consumers.
The FLIR One, $349, available sometime this Spring, will piggyback onto the iPhone 5 or 5s and include software available from the iTunes app store.
A competing product, the Mμ Optics Thermal Imager, is also scheduled for availability late this Spring. Able to piggyback onto an iPhone or an iPad, it is being crowd funded at Indiegogo and can be pre-purchased or reserved for $150.
http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=29385864
http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=29385952
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it is being crowd funded at Indiegogo
The Indiegogo campaign ended 11 months ago. They raised $282,221.
It's a very interesting concept for the price point.
About four years ago I hired a guy who had a top-end infrared camera to come shoot images of the inside of our home. He had a "screen" door gizmo that fit into the opening of our front door, with a large fan imbedded in it. He pulled air out of the home and then shot the images. There was a 30 degree difference in the outside and inside temperatures. His images showed every single place the home was leaking air. We sealed them up, reduced our heating bills and it was totally worth it. It cost me $800 to hire the guy with the camera and it paid for itself in about 3 years.
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A very wise move indeed, Blick! Especially during the weather extremes of late.
I've been wanting to do something similar here, but here's the deal. I trained with FLIR as a Thermal Imaging Technician while I was working for Abbott Laboratories in Michigan. I just don't have a camera since retiring. I've been shopping for one, but they are quite expensive, and I was sure the price might come down soon. Looks like my wish has come true. Although these cameras are likely not going to be as sophisticated as the high end FLIR models, when it comes to energy efficiency all you need to do is find the leaks and plug them up.
The infrared cameras are also good at finding roof leaks while they are still tiny and otherwise unnoticeable. Scanning the walls and breaker boxes can also help identify undetected wiring issues. Some homes have burned due to improper storage of oily rags and other materials that can generate heat through oxidation. A periodic scan around the home can give peace of mind about such issues.
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Dear Herb, Blick, and WeatherCat fans,
I thought this might be of interest to some of the weather watchers.
Apparently FLIR, the company that makes forward looking infrared target acquisition cameras for the military, is about to enter the consumer infrared camera market.
. . . . .
It is interesting, but seemed a little silly without some practical application. Until . . . . . .
It's a very interesting concept for the price point.
About four years ago I hired a guy who had a top-end infrared camera to come shoot images of the inside of our home. He had a "screen" door gizmo that fit into the opening of our front door, with a large fan imbedded in it. He pulled air out of the home and then shot the images. There was a 30 degree difference in the outside and inside temperatures. His images showed every single place the home was leaking air. We sealed them up, reduced our heating bills and it was totally worth it. It cost me $800 to hire the guy with the camera and it paid for itself in about 3 years.
The infrared cameras are also good at finding roof leaks while they are still tiny and otherwise unnoticeable. Scanning the walls and breaker boxes can also help identify undetected wiring issues. Some homes have burned due to improper storage of oily rags and other materials that can generate heat through oxidation. A periodic scan around the home can give peace of mind about such issues.
Hmm, this could be very interesting indeed. In addition to the house, it might come in handy if you are exploring the state of insulation or searching for leaks on a classic car. It does seem a little pricey, but if you have the applications, it might be a wise investment that will pay for itself.
Cheers,Edouard [cheers1]
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I believe it would be handy for troubleshooting wiring issues and leaks in elder statesmen vehicles. Hot spots, cold spots, even warm and cool spots. Each tells a story about something, even if of no consequence.
And if you can see it, as opposed to just having some bit of raw data from a specific point, through imagery you can glean more information than just a number. (https://www.google.com/search?q=infrared+images&newwindow=1&safe=off&biw=1483&bih=1043&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Mwj_UuTCGImayAH9t4GQCw&sqi=2&ved=0CCoQsAQ)
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Mr. Winkus:
I have a home security camera system from a FLIR subsidiary (FLIR Security) and they have very good Mac software. I consider them the leader in Mac compatibility in what is mostly a Windows-oriented industry. There's a lot more pre-sales info published by FLIR than by Mμ Optics. I am wondering if you know enough about both of these products to know which one you are leaning towards purchasing? I assume FLIR because of your background.
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I am wondering if you know enough about both of these products to know which one you are leaning towards purchasing? I assume FLIR because of your background.
Originally I was leaning toward FLIR, simply because I'd not heard of Mμ Optics. But, after looking at their reporting pages on Indiegogo and seeing the progress reports, I was thinking about ponying up the $150 for the "Not So Early Adopters Special." Though, I'm still studying the issue and haven't quite made up my mind.
I looked for some details on the FLIR camera, and was disappointed that the IR camera resolution was not defined. Plus, it appeared they were using a VGA camera for the non IR camera. Nothing wrong with that, except that Apple's got a much better camera built in. I couldn't understand why they would need to add another that wasn't as good. Perhaps there's a benefit to it, but they didn't say. Also, the first FLIR my company sprang for was one of their cheaper IR cameras. I was very disappointed in it. The resolution was very small. It was manual focus, the software was Microsoftian and the camera was a chore to use. I figure, since they still have the high dollar cameras to protect from cannibalization, the performance of the camera was going to be deliberately compromised to some extent, but you wont know it unless you're familiar with what it could be. Mμ Optics will be under no such pressure.
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mu-thermal-camera-a-great-tool-to-save-on-energy-costs?c=gallery
http://vimeo.com/user16023256/videos
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I was thinking about ponying up the $150 for the "Not So Early Adopters Special."
The indiegogo campaign is closed and has been since March 2013. The only option available currently is to pre-order from muoptics.com. However, there is no price posted for pre-ordering. It's just a notification list with no obligation to purchase. I assume based on their indiegogo updates that the actual purchase price for those who did not get in to the indiegogo campaign will be $325.
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By gosh, you're right! I hadn't noticed that. I did see that the campaign was closed, but I had assumed that they were still taking orders for the specials that hadn't been sold out. ? Silly me!
I put my name in the hat for a pre-order. The price does seem a little undefined at this time. The Campaign Home shows it estimated at $325, but the $300 USD Special indicates $400. The lesser cost specials indicate $325, however. I would presume that $325 is their price target since they need to undercut FLIR's $350. FLIR has the name recognition, even though they will be competing with a product that is limited to the iPhone 5 and 5s. As an investment, the consumer segment for this instrument is pretty iffy, making the investment somewhat risky. If they can prove the market for the product, they may be hoping for a buyout down the road. While neither Apple nor FLIR would be interested, there are many instrumentation consolidators that might pony up when the time comes.
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Herb:
The Flir One accessory for the iPhone gets a mention and some photos in this article:
http://www.macworld.com/article/2458893/flir-one-first-look-shooting-thermal-imaging-pictures-of-the-new-macbook-pro.html
Looks like they are getting close to release.
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Thanks, Blick! Looks like it may be out soon. I sort of lost interest in it when I discovered that it will only work on the iPhone 5s. I've got an iPhone 4s and when my contract is out, I'm discontinuing cell service. I'll keep the phone for use as a handheld computer. I really don't need cellular. I rarely even use it. I'm a stay at home kinda guy. I don't travel, and the service is the expensive part of the deal.
A reference to it showed up on Silicon Investor (SI), a stock talk BBS that I frequent. The link provided went to CNN.com. I guess their publicity department is going into overdrive ahead of the launch.
http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=29641292
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I sort of lost interest in it when I discovered that it will only work on the iPhone 5s.
Even if you were interested in a mobile phone, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this being tied to the 5s. The next time Apple changes the size of the iPhone (which may be as early as this fall) the Flir One is no longer compatible with the latest phone. I'm not necessarily a fan of the latest and greatest, but I don't like being tied to hardware (or software) that requires me to hang on to some technology that is no longer being manufactured. Of course, this philosophy applies to just about every piece of tech that I own so I spend some of my time wishing I was in charge of the common sense department at some of these companies.
In the meantime, the next time I can't get ahold of you I will remember that you have gone off the cellular grid for some piece and quiet.
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? In the meantime, the next time I can't get ahold of you I will remember that you have gone off the cellular grid for some piece and quiet.
LOL!! It rarely rang anyway. I will miss the FaceTime chats, though. One of my Grandsons, 7 years old, likes to call me on it and play Minecraft Realms with me.
Agree with your stance on dependent technology. FLIR is going to have to get out in front of Apple and anticipate their next move, if they plan on keeping up. Might just be too expensive for them given the niche market they're in. I'm not too impressed with their hardware in this instance. The resolution on the IR sensor is really low, hence the blurry colorization of the hot spots. The problem is, the sensors for uncooled infrared detection are still very expensive to manufacture, mostly due to materials. I don't see it getting cheaper anytime soon, unless some application of graphene provides a cheap substitute. Which is possible, I guess!
Anytime you need me, I'll be there! Need some help moving some boulder off the lawn, I'm your man! I don't have that much muscle, but I know how to hire someone who does. [biggrin]
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Howdy Herb, Blick, and WeatherCat technology fans,
I've got an iPhone 4s and when my contract is out, I'm discontinuing cell service. I'll keep the phone for use as a handheld computer. I really don't need cellular. I rarely even use it. I'm a stay at home kinda guy. I don't travel, and the service is the expensive part of the deal.
This is unlikely to change your mind, but just in case you hadn't thought about this angle. I upgraded the stereo in my trusty wagon to one with Bluetooth so that I could play music from my iPhone. It even has hand's free calling, but I never got around to testing that before the engine died.
The other cars in the house also had antiquated car stereos, so I ordered some kits from Crutchfield and upgraded all the remaining cars to stereos with Bluetooth. I've only run some limited tests, but I've been very impressed with the clarity and utility of having the phone available for emergencies. To avoid any risk of someone other than the family calling while I'm driving, I added this iOS program: Call Bliss:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/call-bliss/id575698521?mt=8 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/call-bliss/id575698521?mt=8)
It locks the phone down with the selected exceptions from my address book.
So far the worst emergency has been a call telling that I didn't have pick up my sister from a car repair appointment because they couldn't take the car after all. Nonetheless the interface between the iPhone and stereo worked perfectly, and these hand's free stereos really do a good job of minimizing the time you need to take your eyes off the road. Also, it is a nice way to have music in the car. If you sync your iPhone with iTunes frequently, it is easy to change playlists on your phone and give yourself something fresh to play in the car.
So, just something to think about before your plan expires.
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
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I upgraded the stereo in my trusty wagon to one with Bluetooth so that I could play music from my iPhone.
Great minds think alike. I did the same thing with my trusty old iPhone 3Gs. Works great.
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Thanks Edouard! Glad to hear you've joined us other ole timers in the 21st Century. Started using Bluetooth calling back in 2008, I think. Bought a 2008 Prius with navigation & already had an iPhone. Paired 'em up and I've been using the cell in the car hands free ever since. Current version is a Venza with navigation. It works even better than the Prius did.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t31.0-8/1275127_561111723943100_409084427_o.jpg)
With these cars, you have to register the phone with the car radio before it will work. There is no chance that someone might hijack your number and use it through the Bluetooth radio.
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Dear Blick, Herb, and WeatherCat automotive technology enthusiasts, . . .
Great minds think alike. I did the same thing with my trusty old iPhone 3Gs. Works great.
Thanks Edouard! Glad to hear you've joined us other ole timers in the 21st Century. Started using Bluetooth calling back in 2008, I think.
;) . . . . . Awe shucks!! I upgraded as fast as I could! There wasn't a Bluetooth capable stereo that looked correct in my trusty wagon until last year! . . . . . [biggrin]
After all, I do have my priorities!! (http://www.canebas.org/Automotive/V8_Buick/Misc/Biquette_V8_Buick_signature.gif)
Latest project, upgrading the headlights!
Bought a 2008 Prius with navigation & already had an iPhone.
;) . . . . . . . AHHHHHHHH!!! Don't mention that car! :o
Around here, the roads are literally crawlin' with 'em. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting one!! (apologies to Stu and Grand of course!) ;D
It is getting to the point that a respectable, but mature, Buick Special station wagon can't show her face in public no' mor'!! . . . . [biggrin]
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
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You can't swing a dead cat without hitting one!! (apologies to Stu and Grand of course!)
Ha ha ha! Thanks for the laugh! I need it. I am sitting in a cafe in Moab, Utah, where it is 91 F in the shade at 19:00.
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So Blick, you just down from the mountain checking out Summertime? Getting a taste, so to speak? It must feel like an Italian kitchen, compared to what you're used to! Well, at least the humidity is low, I'm guessing. [tup]
I know what you mean, Edouard. When I bought my Prius, I thought I was a trend setter. Not many people in Michigan were driving them. It was a weird looking little car to the people I worked with. One person even called it a spaceship looking car. LOL! I was giving one guy a ride to the credit union one day. We went out and hopped in the car. Before he got his seat belt fastened, I had pressed the start button, flipped it into reverse and we were backing up with no starter noise and no engine sound. He threw his hands up and shouted, "Whoah! Don't you have to start this thing? Where's the key?"
I'd probably still be driving it, if I hadn't had problems with a trapped nerve at the C7 vertebrae. I couldn't adjust the seat positions in it to relieve my stress. Went over 6 months unable to drive any further than to the grocery store, in pain the whole way. I finally decided that I had to have a car with more seat adjustments than slide forward and back and tilting the back cushion, if I was ever going to get any relief. I was having the same issue with my New Tacoma truck, too. Traded them both for the Venza, and have been cruising ever since.
I found out after buying the Prius that they had already been available in the US for 10 years. Most were sold in California. By the time I left Michigan in 2010, they were everywhere! Not a novelty anymore. But you know? The car did get incredible gas milage! I was averaging 48 mpg most of the time, except in extreme heat or cold, then it would drop to around 42 mpg. Still not bad.
Other than the adjustable seats, my favorite thing about the Venza is the all wheel drive with 24 mpg average. This past Winter, my neighbor's pickup couldn't even get out of the driveway after an all day sleet storm. I was going anywhere I wanted to go with full control. I was even going into his driveway to pick him up, and getting back on the road, up hill, without any noticeable slipping. Best car I've ever had, and I've had quite a few! [rockon] What can I say? It's a wagon!
[lol2]
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Herb:
Your post hit a nerve. But in my case, C6. I am having it blocked today by a pain management anesthesiologist. If it works, I may get my life back. If it doesn't, it hurts so bad to be at a keyboard, I may have to give up keyboarding as a sport.
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Blick, I'm saddened to hear that. I know how stressful and debilitating it can be. One can tolerate a lot of pain, but it's effect on normal activities are life changing.
Everyone's situation calls for individualized treatment options, but if I may share my experiences it may have some correlations that might be helpful. The C7 is the joint in the neck where the nerves going to the upper extremities pass out of the spine. Holding my head up straight to drive was causing the nerve to my right arm to be compressed. This is no longer the case, as my self styled physical therapy seems to have worn away the arthritic bump that was causing the issue. It was a problem for about 8 months before disappearing.
After X-rays my diagnosis was arthritis. I was prescribed Methocarbamol 500mg for muscle spasm and Diclofenac 50mg (a 12 hr non-narcotic NSAID, like Ibuprofen) for pain. I was told to take the spasm pill as need and the pain pill to stay ahead of the pain, because it was being used for its anti-inflammatory effect. It was expected that I would have to take these medications for the rest of my life. I don't take them now.
I believe one can help themselves by arming their mind with more knowledge about their condition. You can't suddenly become a doctor, but you can specialize in one issue to the point of making informed decisions when listening to the doctor's explanations and options for treatment. Free software that can help is Essential Skeleton, Essential Anatomy and Google search.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/essential-skeleton-4/id669385000?mt=12
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/essential-anatomy-4/id626264355?mt=12
My efforts and successes have been to maintain and even extend my mobility in the problem joints. I try to perform daily routines to flex the neck joints from side to side, fighting the longer term trend to become more rigid. It seems to be working for now, though I don't know to what age this will be effective. There may come a time when it will no longer help, but for now I'm impressed with the results. The important thing to remember is that it took a long time for the problem to get where it is, and it will take a long time to remove it through therapy. The results, though, are worth the effort. While I still get aches and pains in the joints in my neck, they are easily overcome by flexing and a couple of Ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours for a day or so to keep down inflammation.
Good luck! Whatever treatment you get, I hope it works for you.
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Thanks for your kind and informative post, Herb. I appreciate you taking the time to compose and share your thoughts (and encouragement). I have downloaded the skeleton app. My nerve block has been put off for a couple of days courtesy of the Affordable Healthcare Act. Ha ha. Waiting for insurance company to approve. Am entertaining myself with WeatherCat explorations and pondering what you wrote about managing pain.
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Dear Herb, Blick, and WeatherCat back pain and automobile specialists,
So sorry to hear about your respective vertebrae problems. This is a very difficult matter and since my sister has never fully recovered from multiple back injuries I'm familiar with how debilitating it can be. Best of luck to both of you! [tup]
I know what you mean, Edouard. When I bought my Prius, I thought I was a trend setter.
. . . .
I found out after buying the Prius that they had already been available in the US for 10 years. Most were sold in California. By the time I left Michigan in 2010, they were everywhere! Not a novelty anymore.
Yes indeed, the Prius is not so common that people are looking for something new that is environmentally trendy. We are seeing more and more Tesla Model-S cars on the roads around here. Sure is hard to believe that people would drop $100,000 for a car that only has a 200 mile range. That's where my wagon has been stuck all her life.
Other than the adjustable seats, my favorite thing about the Venza is the all wheel drive with 24 mpg average. This past Winter, my neighbor's pickup couldn't even get out of the driveway after an all day sleet storm. I was going anywhere I wanted to go with full control. I was even going into his driveway to pick him up, and getting back on the road, up hill, without any noticeable slipping. Best car I've ever had, and I've had quite a few! [rockon] What can I say? It's a wagon!
*Sniff*, all this time and money I've spend on my 1965 wagon was to . . . . get something like 24 MPG. Sure hope someday I succeed!
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
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Blick, the only time I have problems now is when I forget how old I am and do more physical work than my body wants to allow. Here lately, that's been about every three days. LOL! Lot of stuff needs doing around here. Just got back from the hardware store a little while ago. I was picking up four 60 lb. bags of Quikrete to go with the bag I already have. Over the weekend, I put together a Kobalt portable cement mixer. I'm going to fix a step in the back yard, then work on my walkways. The pour for the step, I estimated (measure-guessed) at 2 cu.ft. As far as I could tell from the totally inadequate documentation, a 60 lb. bag is equivalent to 0.45 cu.ft. The 5 bags should be plenty.
Anyway, it's after such activity that the soreness starts to come back in my neck. It is not the feeling of a direct nerve pain. It's just more like tight muscles and the feeling that the neck joints are starting to get some inflammation in them. That's when I just cool it for a couple of days, taking the Ibuprofen to fight the inflammation and flexing my cervical spine in a side to side motion and sometimes in a head rolling motion. It feels like gravel in the joints, but it doesn't hurt unless I let the inflammation get away from me. Inflammation causes swelling in the joint. Swelling is the real pain starter.
The only neck injury I've ever had was a whiplash back in the early '90s from helping someone stack sheetrock. It wasn't severe, and I never saw a doctor for it until the arthritis issue in 2012.
Edouard, I hope you make it to 24 mpg! Though in reality, I don't know if it's possible to get Detroit iron to 24 mpg. Only reason these new cars can do it is aluminum alloy, plastic, super thin sheet metal and many man-hours of talented engineering. Enjoy that trusty wagon! Driving it makes YOU the trendsetter. I'll bet you're the envy of the neighborhood among nostalgic car enthusiasts!