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I have some qualms about Hilti, which I won’t get into, but they just earned mega points with me.
How? They answered a couple of questions about their thermal imaging camera – including a very tough one – in the realest way possible.
Here’s what I asked as part of a longer conversation catching me up about their latest new tools:
The PT-C thermal camera might be too high-valued to justify a test sample, but I have a lot of questions. I’m not familiar with the 12V line, but see that there’s a 21700-based pack. Is that new? What other tools leverage its higher power?
Is the camera capable of videos, or just photos? What’s the refresh rate (Hz)? Is there contrast boosting, such as found in other products with lower-resolution sensors, or any type of video image overlap? How many false color modes aside from rainbow? Is there supporting measurement software, such as what’s available with brands with machinery and building inspection tools (such as FLIR)?
Why buy the Hilti PT-C over other brands’ thermal imaging cameras?
That last question is always a tough one. Why buy the Hilti product over other brands’?
I always hope for honest and frank answers to questions like that, but am disappointed more often than not.
I don’t know what I expected, but was surprised and pleased with the answer.
Here’s how they answered all of these questions:
I’m not familiar with the 12V line, but see that there’s a 21700-based pack. Is that new?
No, it’s not – we have had it for a few years. What other tools leverage its higher power? Most of our 12V tools can run off of either of our 12V batteries.
Is the camera capable of videos, or just photos?
The camera is capable of only photos at this time– every time a picture is taken, one thermal and one normal picture is captured.
What’s the refresh rate (Hz)?
Will circle back on this one.
I asked this because most handheld thermal imaging cameras have a 9Hz refresh rate, and some higher-end cameras have a 30Hz rate.
Is there contrast boosting, such as found in other products with lower-resolution sensors, or any type of video image overlap?
You can set the thermal range and that will give you a higher contrast.
I am a huge fan of contrast boosting, which is very different from visual-thermal overlays.
How many false color modes aside from rainbow?
There are 5 different color schemes in addition to normal camera mode with hot or cold spots highlighted in red or blue.
The normal camera mode with hot or cold spot highlights seems like it could be a useful feature, especially for building easy-to-digest reports.
Is there supporting measurement software, such as what’s available with brands with machinery and building inspection tools (such as FLIR)?
No software integration at this time. Pictures can be exported as .jpg file and voice recording as a .wav file
Why buy the Hilti PT-C over other brands’ thermal imaging cameras?
Hilti’s PT-C offers high image definition with a broad thermal range (-4 – +1112F) and the ability to record voice notes. It is covered by Hilti’s 20-2-1 warranty and includes 2x calibrations during the 2-year period.
20-2-1?? Is that a typo? Apparently not.
Here’s what it says on Hilti’s site:
20 YEAR Materials and workmanship warranty
Hilti will repair or replace parts that break as a result of defects in materials or workmanship for 20 years.
2 YEAR Wear and tear coverage
Hilti will repair tools at no cost for 2 years from the date of purchase. Damage due to wear and tear is covered. No charges for parts, labor, or even shipping.
1 DAY In and out of the repair center in one day, guaranteed, or the repair is free.
If Hilti does not repair a tool the same day it is received in a Tool Service Center then the repair is free – including parts, labor and shipping.
There’s some fine print, but this is the gist of the warranty period.
You get 2 free calibrations during the 2-year period? Sounds pretty sweet.
Hilti advertises the thermal imager as:
Infrared camera for thermal imaging, for inspecting electrical, mechanical, piping, and HVAC applications.
It sounds like they optimized the camera for exactly those types of users, and left out unneeded frills.
Back to the last question. They gave me a real answer without trying to be persuasive, and definitely without being hyperbolic.
I tend to greatly appreciate the “show, don’t tell” approach.
Maybe 50% of tool brands try to convince me that everything they make is exceptionally good, top-tier, and the best of the best. The other 50% of tool brands give me no-BS answers, information, and insights that contribute towards objective understanding.
I don’t know Hilti as well as I do other brands. But from interactions like this, I’m looking forward to doing my part to change that.
My qualms with Hilti mainly have to do with whether they’re truly interested in individual users, rather than commercial buyers, and they’re slowly easing my concerns.
As for why I didn’t want to just request a loaner or review sample, I tend to be polarized about thermal imaging cameras and technology. The Hilti PT-C seems very similar to the Bosch GTC600C, and both don’t seem as appealing to me as models from dedicated test instrument and thermal imaging brands.
Hilti’s answers change my preconception a little bit, and I suppose my interest now depends on yours.