Tony Kumeta, General European Manager of Ideal Industries (UK) Ltd, explains: "Whether you're troubleshooting an industrial pump or checking air distribution in a duct, you want a thermal imager you can depend on to work quickly and accurately. We engineered the HeatSeeker to ensure a precise, highly functional diagnostic tool that was simple to use for detection and post-analysis."

Ideal's HeatSeeker incorporates an Auto Hot/Cold Tracker, a new technology that automatically pinpoints the hottest and coldest temperatures within a single screen by highlighting both with dual cursors. Just a quick scan of the Auto Hot/Cold Tracker immediately identifies current or potential problems, such as overloaded circuits, inefficient heat transfer, moisture leakage or fluid distribution for a stuck valve. By locating potential malfunctions before they become critical the HeatSeeker lowers maintenance costs.

For superior accuracy in the field, HeatSeeker captures a "real' digital photo of the subject that is then blended with a full infrared picture to provide added detail to the image under review. Depending on the complexity of the image, the technician can choose to blend the digital photo with 25 per cent, 50 per cent or 75 per cent infrared to better identify suspected components. The digital and thermal images can also be shown simultaneously in the display. The combination of the Auto Hot/Cold Tracker and digital/thermal blending qualifies the HeatSeeker for a wide variety of applications, improving its versatility and value.

Operating the HeatSeeker does not require specialist training. Once an image is captured, technicians simply move toggles to navigate the tracking cursors across the LCD screen to measure surface temperature variations ranging from -10degC to +350degC. A full 2209 temperature measurements can be viewed live on the LCD with an accuracy of +/-2degC or +/-2 per cent of reading in degC, whichever is the greater. Images can be saved to evaluate all temperature points, as well as marked with text and live voice recordings. The supplied ThermalVision software makes it easy to view, edit or analyse images on a PC, as well as to generate detailed inspection reports.

Other market-proven features of the HeatSeeker are a Class II laser, a built-in LED illuminator for use in poorly lit areas, a removable handle, and adjustable emissivity to improve accuracy.

Ideal's HeatSeeker Thermal Imager (Part # 61-844) is available from March with a RRP of 2350.00 +VAT. The kit includes: USB cable, camera handle, carrying case, power supply, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, and ThermalVision software. An optional car charger accessory is also available.