A request for data:

I have a problem. While I don’t intend to suggest a topic and have ChatGPT write my post for me, I’m also not going to ignore a tool I can use to make my writing better. I’ve always felt that more readers will read other posts if they find my writing interesting. However, when I used ChatGPT to improve my post, not everyone liked the AI version. You know engineers, we want data. At the bottom of this post, you can vote for the version you prefer. No registration, no email, no money, just vote for the version you like the best.

My version:

When Amazon cut the price of the FLIR ONE Gen 3 thermal camera by 50%, I convinced my wife I really wanted it for Christmas. I’ve always wanted a thermal camera, but most of them were too expensive, too low resolution, or just too cumbersome.

The FLIR ONE Gen 3 is a compact camera that attaches to the USB-C port of your smartphone. It’s actually two cameras: a conventional camera with a resolution of 1440×1080 and an infrared camera with a resolution of 80×60. This might sound confusing, but it makes it very convenient for pinpointing heat sources or heat losses.

My first clue that this was not a typical Chinese-built gadget came with the Export Controlled warning attached to it. I certainly won’t be packing it for any of my international trips.

The obvious use of a thermal camera is to reduce energy costs in your house. In fact, when I was showing it off to my mother-in-law, it found that the space between her door and the floor was creating major heat loss. The folks at FLIR superimpose and blend the two images, making it easy to see exactly where the losses are.

If you live in Texas, this is exceedingly important. Our electricity costs have more than doubled in the last year. At first, I blamed it on Putin’s war, but after a few hours of research on the Internet, I realized that I was paying recovery costs for the two weeks in 2021. Thanks to the Texas legislature and ERCOT, I’ll be paying those recovery fees for the next 28 years. A penny saved in energy is almost two and a half cents in the bank.

The FLIR ONE Gen 3 sounds great, but why did I want one? It has a range of -3 to 248°F (-19 to 120°C). I can’t verify the temperature of my print nozzle, but I can easily see variations and those always troublesome drafts on my 3D printer bed.

A thermal camera is also useful for troubleshooting electronic circuits. Using the camera is faster and far less painful than the touch method in locating short circuits or overheating devices. No more branded fingertips.

Improved by ChatGPT:

When Amazon slashed the price of the FLIR ONE Gen 3 thermal camera in half, I couldn’t resist the temptation and persuaded my wife that it was the perfect Christmas gift. I had always been fascinated by thermal cameras, but most of them were either exorbitantly priced, had low resolution, or were simply too unwieldy.

Enter the FLIR ONE Gen 3, a sleek, compact camera that effortlessly connects to your smartphone’s USB-C port. Boasting not one but two cameras – a conventional camera with a stunning 1440×1080 resolution and an infrared camera at 80×60 resolution – it’s a versatile gadget that excels in detecting heat sources and losses.

My intrigue was piqued when I noticed the Export Controlled warning on the device – not your average Chinese-built gizmo! Needless to say, I won’t be taking this along on any globe-trotting adventures.

The primary allure of a thermal camera lies in its ability to optimize energy efficiency in your home. While proudly demonstrating its capabilities to my mother-in-law, I uncovered a significant heat leak between her door and the floor. The innovative minds at FLIR ingeniously superimpose and blend the images from both cameras, allowing users to pinpoint precisely where heat escapes.

For those residing in Texas, this gadget is a godsend. In just one year, our electricity costs have skyrocketed, more than doubling. Initially, I attributed this to Putin’s war, but after delving into online research, I discovered that I was shouldering recovery costs from 2021. Thanks to the Texas legislature and ERCOT, I’ll be burdened with these fees for several decades. Thus, every penny saved in energy translates to nearly two and a half cents in the bank.

Easy to locate the hotspot

But why did I specifically want the FLIR ONE Gen 3? With a temperature range of -3 to 248°F (-19 to 120°C), it’s a versatile tool. Although it can’t verify the temperature of my print nozzle, it can easily detect variations and those pesky drafts affecting my 3D printer bed.

Moreover, a thermal camera serves as an invaluable asset for troubleshooting electronic circuits. The camera eliminates the need for the time-consuming and occasionally painful touch method when locating short circuits or overheating devices. Say goodbye to scorched fingertips!

In the process of writing this, I also tried Rytr.me and was so disappointed in the result, I did not add it to this post. Just to be fair though, my post is based on ChatGPT 4.0 and Ryter is based on ChatGPT 3.5. There’s a big difference.

Is it time for all the aspiring writers to throw in the towel? Not so fast. I like how Chat improved my original post. I certainly believe I can use it to enhance my writing but I don’t believe it can replace me yet.

Now it’s your turn

© 2023, Byron Seastrunk. All rights reserved.