There are many things to consider when it comes to deciding whether to hire or purchase a thermal imaging camera, so we understand this can be a difficult decision to make. We aim to make this process a little bit easier by sharing our thoughts and experiences – and providing you with the advantages and downsides of each option so that you can make an informed decision.
Pros of Thermal Camera Hire
There are many advantages of renting equipment instead of buying outright, whether or not you’ve worked with thermal imaging before. The benefits of hiring from Thermascan include:
Cheaper Than Buying
This is one of the main reasons that people opt to rent instead of buy. Thermal cameras can be expensive and set you back a few thousand pounds, so, if purchasing is not in your budget, you can still rent them instead, meaning you can still use thermal imaging for all your needs.
What's more, this is also a great solution if you’re not sure which model to buy and don’t want to spend money for fear of getting it wrong. You'll save money if you hire equipment, as you can simply give it back and try something else.
Try the Latest Technology
Hiring allows you to keep up to date with the latest technology, meaning that you could be using an even better camera every time you get a rental. This will give you increasingly better results. For example, newer models in the industry have Wi-Fi, MSX, Picture in Picture and higher definitions, which is ideal for modern projects.
It's fair to say that hiring can help you to keep ahead in your industry and in front of your competitors.
Compare Cameras
As mentioned, you can make a better decision on the camera you want to buy if you have the option to compare models – and renting equipment allows you to do that easily. This way, you don’t have to worry about getting a camera that doesn’t fit your needs; should that happen, you can simply return the machine and rent another one.
Great in Short-Term Situations
If you need security on your premises, you may want to buy equipment because you’re going to be using it for a very long time. However, short-term projects, such as those in the film industry, may not take up a lot of time, or you may not even need it for more than just a few scenes, for example, which means you’d be spending money unnecessarily if you bought the equipment.
We provide thermal imaging in film production, so let us know if you’d like to learn more about our camera hire.
You Won’t Have to Repair Equipment
If you’re on the fence about hiring or buying, consider the fact that you won’t have to worry about getting the cameras repaired or calibrated if they need it. This can quickly become time-consuming and expensive, but renting equipment means someone else will take care of everything for you.
Get Good Value for Money
Because there are so many flexible hiring options, you get value for your money, since you’re only paying for the time you’re using the camera for but have a vast range of equipment to choose from.
Learn the Basics
If you’re new to thermal cameras, renting them gives you enough time to learn the basics and understand the power of thermal imaging. You can better see how it makes a difference in your day-to-day.
Potential Downsides
While there are many benefits of renting cameras, it’s important to consider that this may not be the right solution for you. Some downsides of (or things to take into account when) hiring equipment can include:
Long Projects
If you think your project will take longer than three months to complete, then hiring a camera may not be the most cost-efficient solution for your business.
Frequency of Hiring
Likewise, if you find that you’re renting out thermal imaging equipment several times a year, it will be more expensive to keep hiring in the long term. Owning a camera would be more cost-efficient for your business in this case.
Other Uses for the Equipment
If you can see other applications for the cameras you’re renting, then you may want to look into buying, since you’ll be using them a lot.
Pros of Buying Thermal Cameras
When it comes to thermographic cameras for sale, you’ll find we have a large array of options available, so you’re always getting the best and latest equipment. There are many benefits of purchasing instead of renting, such as:
Convenience
Hiring equipment is a little more time-consuming than owning the thermal camera, since you’ll have to go through the renting process. If you’re or need thermal imaging urgently, you’re better off purchasing because the camera will always be there waiting. You don’t have to fill out forms or contact the seller or anything like that, saving you time in the short and long run.
Also, if you have your own thermal cameras in-house, you’ll never have to worry about being unable to find the specific model you want. You won’t suffer delays either – whether it’s the paperwork that's incorrect or the insurance is taking a while to come through.
Save Money
While buying thermal imaging cameras means a higher investment upfront, you’ll soon recoup it anyway, especially if you use the equipment often. If you had to rent a new camera every time you need it, costs would quickly add up.
You might even end up paying the same amount as you would if you chose to buy it, but you’d own nothing in the end.
Resell the Product
When you own an asset, you can do whatever you want with it, so you’re able to sell your thermal imaging camera later on if you so wish, which will help you offset the cost of purchasing a new one.
You may think you’re not going to sell the camera, but Teledyne FLIR is constantly innovating, and better thermal imaging technology is being developed all the time, so you may want to get a new model at some point.
Get to Know the Camera
Another advantage of buying a thermal camera is that you’ll feel more comfortable with a specific model as you keep using it. Learning how the camera works inside out will lead to better results because you’re getting ‘trained’ in the same camera repeatedly.
Potential Drawbacks
There may also be some downsides regarding buying a thermal cameras, which can include:
You May Not Get all Features
If a camera has most of the features you need but not all, you may still need to hire a thermal camera to cover everything. If this is the case, have a more in-depth look at your requirements and at what the camera can do for you before you spend more money.
We can also help you so contact us if you need help choosing a thermal imaging camera for your business.
Make the Most of the Camera
When purchasing equipment, you should first ensure that you have the resources within your team to maximise its use fully. Otherwise, you may want to consider hiring a camera instead.
Consider Your Business Needs
Are the needs of your business expected to change dramatically over the next few months or year? If so, you may want to think about whether buying is the right option – renting will likely give you more flexibility in this case.
In short, while renting equipment can be the right choice in some cases, there are several benefits of purchasing cameras too, so it will depend on your particular situation. If you’re unsure which option to go for, feel free to ask us any questions you may have – we're on hand to help!
After all, as providers of thermal imaging in the UK, we can give you both options.