Dropped $350 on a thermal imaging camera for finding hot spots in server racks - best money I ever spent or a total gimmick?

I bought one last month and it caught a failing PSU before it caused downtime, but my coworker says you're better off just using a laser thermometer and your gut, so which side are you on?

3 comments

3 Comments

jenny_lane125d ago

Grabbed one off eBay for half that and it paid for itself in a week when I found a hot switch that was about to fry. My gut told me the rack was fine but the camera said otherwise. That said my coworker also calls my lucky socks a "waste of money" so maybe take his advice with a grain of salt haha. I'd say if you've got the cash and you're tired of playing guesswork with your gear it's a solid buy. Just don't use it to find your lost car keys like I did once.

lucast814d ago

Respectfully gotta disagree with you on this one. I bought one of those thermal cameras a couple years back and honestly it just collects dust now. For the money, I could have replaced a few power supplies just on principle and still come out ahead. Found a warm spot once that turned out to be a dusty fan, not a fire hazard. You got lucky finding that switch, but most people aren't going to have that kind of payback. Is it really worth it for peace of mind when a cheap temp gun does most of the same checks?

hannah_wells4d ago

Yeah @jenny_lane12 that eBay move is smart, I've seen those things save whole setups before.