Re: CCTV lens calculator

[G. Morgan <alarmpro@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Thu, 9 Nov 2006 07:17:04 -0700, "Bob La Londe" <nospam@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>
>"G. Morgan" <alarmpro@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:n8b5l2l0tfbp2mbvgg0ir19a1qc6e4raca@xxxxxxxxxx
>> Anybody recommend a good and free CCTV lens calculator?
>
>I don't do many "cheap" installations so I basically just keep two lenses on
>hand.  They cover 99% of my applications.  I keep a 2.8-12mm Varifocal AI
>and a 5.5-33mm Varifocal AI lens on the shelf.  The 2.8-12mm covers probably
>95% of all applications and its pretty darned inexpensive if you shop
>around.  The savings to go with a fixed focal lens is more than outweighed
>by the labor savings when the customer asks me to adjust the field of view.
>I just hand the customer one of my GMRS radios and tell them to stand in
>front of the monitor while I go get on the lift, climb the pole, setup the
>ladder, or whatever.  I tap in a t-connector at the camera (if signal
>strength is not an issue and I use my inspection monitor so I can see what
>they see.  One trip up the ladder.  One lens on the camera.  When the
>customer says ok then its OK.  If they want it changed in the future then
>its a billable service call because they said it was ok the way it was
>before.
>
>It also helps them to understand things like, "No.  Wider is not better.
>More cameras is better."
>
>For field calculations prior to bidding a job I have an eyeball monitor and
>a 12VDC camera that I run off a battery pack.  This often helps me show
>customers what they will get before hand, and the preparedness often lands
>the client.  There are a few cheap skates out there who will try to use that
>info to do it themselves.  Let them.  Once they have demonstrated what they
>are I am always too busy to help them when they call back. "Gee, we are
>awfully busy right now.  If you really want us to look at it I have a whole
>in my schedule in about 5 weeks.  If you want us out you need to schedule
>for that time now.  There will be a charge for coming out of course."  If
>they hem and haw, when they call back I seem to have always scheduled that
>time, but if they can put it off another week I might be able to work them
>in.
>
>Its all about maximizing your time.


That's all great advice.   Thank you.






--

-Graham
(remove the double e's to email)