Plug n play simplicity, inexpensive and extremely mobile...USB cameras are still highly effective and an overwhelming favorite for industrial camera seekers and an ideal choice for applications that require image capture and/or recording when there's little to no budget.

In today's economy people are cutting costs on every level from Executive all the way down to Warehouse operations. If you need or want a camera and do not have a large budget or any budget at all, look to USB cameras to see if they will meet your needs.

USB cameras are available at a fraction of the cost of newer, faster interfaces including Gigabit Ethernet (GigE), FireWire (IEEE.1394) and CameraLink (CL) and they are MUCH SIMPLER TO OPERATE! One cable, one camera, one computer..that is all you need to get yourself up and running.

Why industry professionals look at USB cameras because:

  • USB cameras are "plug n play", meaning plug the camera into the computer with a single cable and you are virtually ready to go.
  • USB cameras only use one USB cable versus cameras that require several cables (one for power, one for control, etc).
  • Extremely low power consumption
  • Small Form Factor
  • Mobility - since this camera can be hooked directly to the computer with only a cable it is easier to transport and operate via a laptop while you are on the road

Microscopy and Inspection applications are slowly beginning to migrate away from the "old school" look though the microscope methods that typically strains people's eyes and may not be 100% accurate and are starting to take interest in USB camera systems as a first step on their way to a new and improved system of operations.

The #1 factor of why USB cameras are the preferred choice though? COST.  Once again, USB cameras are a fraction of the cost of newer, faster cameras with Gigabit Ethernet (GigE), FireWire (IEEE.1394) and CameraLink (CL) interfaces and are ideal if your application is simply capturing and/or recording.  One cable, one camera, one computer...

At an inspection show last year there were three systems set up that I had a chance to take an up close and personal look at. One system was FireWire, the other a Smart Camera and the third set-up sitting alone and off to the side was a USB camera connected to a laptop.

Most people would assume that the smart camera or the firewire camera would have received the most fanfare, but to everyone's shock and amazement the USB camera stole the show.  These cameras received more attention because the average price tag was less than $500 whereas the other cameras ranged from $2k - $10k.

When you have no budget or a very limited budget for such things including R&D purposes, these cameras suddenly seem ideal and make sense. Ask any consumer if $500 for a USB camera is expensive and they will tell you absolutely. This is where I am going to clarify this misconception...people get what they pay for. If you only want to spend $100 on a USB camera from Best Buy then you shouldn't be surprised when the life span of this camera comes to an abrupt end quicker then you anticipated.

Industrial cameras are industrial grade, meaning they are built to withstand tougher than normal operations while having a longer life expectancy. In the industrial world...$500 is extremely inexpensive and highly effective.

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