Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: stephen s on August 28, 2009, 07:27:58 pm
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had been saving some pennies with a view of buying an Omni-vac in the next couple of months, however after getting a nice football bet up ( £3K ) I was able to bring the date forward to this week and ordered on Wednesday.
Was told it would be a 7-8 day lead time which meant delivery next week sometime which was fine.
Although I had a wee communication issue which I feel could have been better I must say I have to give Omni-vac a big thumbs up for calling me yesterday and deliver the vac today ( 2 days after order )
I was also given a full apology for the communication hitch and on a whole the service was excellent, just need to put it together now which I will in the next few days.
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Put it together? Half an hour should be enough. ;D
Had a custy ask if I could clear the gutters on a three storey block of flats today.
"Yes i can do that for you - I'll suck them out from ground level with my vac"
The management co. representative said "we'd rather someone looked into the gutters so we are going to put some scaffolding up"
I told her there was no need as i could use a camera to have a look for her. She looked at me as if I'd landed from Mars. "we'll let you know if we need you"
Daft as a brush, they must have money to burn. ::)
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Let us know what its like Stephen.
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will do mate, I do a £50 monthly window clean for a very loyal customer and I told her I'm gonna do a free gutter clean to give me some practice so will be doing that next week or week after.
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Put it together? Half an hour should be enough. ;D
Had a custy ask if I could clear the gutters on a three storey block of flats today.
"Yes i can do that for you - I'll suck them out from ground level with my vac"
The management co. representative said "we'd rather someone looked into the gutters so we are going to put some scaffolding up"
I told her there was no need as i could use a camera to have a look for her. She looked at me as if I'd landed from Mars. "we'll let you know if we need you"
Daft as a brush, they must have money to burn. ::)
LOL, unbelievable!
The scaffolding will cost them dearly!
Out of interest, what make of camera do you use?
I have seen pictures of a chap holding a small screen, and a camera mounted on a pole, but not sure where you can buy them?
I presume it's a wireless webcam or similar?
TIA
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will do mate, I do a £50 monthly window clean for a very loyal customer and I told her I'm gonna do a free gutter clean to give me some practice so will be doing that next week or week after.
Great idea, build some goodwill.
I have been considering offering an annual gutter clean to be included in the price for a monthly window clean by increasing the price of the window clean to include a discounted price for the gutter clean.
That way I gain by having steady increased revenue each month, and the customer gains by having a discounted gutter clean once a year, which has already been paid for.
This price would only be available to regular customers, and that may encourage others to become customers to take advantage.
Just a thought, but going to give it a try.
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I could have picked a smaller house to try it on but as I said this customer has been so loyal to me and is worth £50 per month for the clean. always makes me a nice cup of tea, always has time for a chat and always gives me a nice tip at Xmas.
have been cleaning for her for nearly 3 years and in that time she has had many an offer to undercut me and has always said to me its not down to price but quality of work and most of all Trust
So its always nice to repay that loyalty back from time to time.
On the camera front I didn't get the Camera from Omni-vac as I worked for Sony for 19 years and although the Sony Camera's are mega buck I still know some of the tech guys there and one of them pointed out a nice cheap wireless camera and 2 and a half inch screen from Maplins that will do just nicely which I bought.
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You'll need to power the camera and the monitor unless you've managed to find a battery powered camera and monitor readily built in.
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yes I know but you can wire a battery case to the camera to power it, the battery case holds 4 X AA batteries
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yes I know but you can wire a battery case to the camera to power it, the battery case holds 4 X AA batteries
Thanks for the quick reply, is it this one?
If so, it now has a rechargeable battery fitted.
EDIT
The screen needs a continuous power supply.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=228327
(http://images.maplin.co.uk/300/n79gq.jpg)
Complete portable wireless security with ultra compact LCD monitor
Wireless camera with rechargeable li-ion battery installed and a 2.4-inch wireless LCD receiver
Rechargeable battery lasts at least 5 hours while continuously working
50m transmission distance
4-channel LCD receiver
Sleek and durable black finish
Easily fixes to walls or ceilings
Suitable for use where there is none or limited access to power
Ideal for theft prevention, after-hours surveillance, home security and more
The wireless camera can be easily fixed onto walls or ceilings and its battery lasts up to 5 hours while continuously working. It has 50 metre of transmission range making it wide coverage for cameras of its range. The LCD display receiver comes in sleek durable black finish. The unit is ideal for using in areas where no or limited access to power exists. This Wireless Colour Camera and 2.4-inch LCD Wireless Monitor is ideal for general surveillance at home or small offices. Contents: Wireless camera (with built in battery) Wireless 2.4-inch TFT LCD receiver 2 x Power adaptors Lens adjuster Mounting hardware User manual
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That would do it - just need a battey - probably 12v to power the screen. Not a bad price either.
I did similar but to be honest it's hardly used especially on residential work.
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yes I know but you can wire a battery case to the camera to power it, the battery case holds 4 X AA batteries
Thanks for the quick reply, is it this one?
If so, it now has a rechargeable battery fitted.
EDIT
The screen needs a continuous power supply.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=228327
(http://images.maplin.co.uk/300/n79gq.jpg)
Complete portable wireless security with ultra compact LCD monitor
Wireless camera with rechargeable li-ion battery installed and a 2.4-inch wireless LCD receiver
Rechargeable battery lasts at least 5 hours while continuously working
50m transmission distance
4-channel LCD receiver
Sleek and durable black finish
Easily fixes to walls or ceilings
Suitable for use where there is none or limited access to power
Ideal for theft prevention, after-hours surveillance, home security and more
The wireless camera can be easily fixed onto walls or ceilings and its battery lasts up to 5 hours while continuously working. It has 50 metre of transmission range making it wide coverage for cameras of its range. The LCD display receiver comes in sleek durable black finish. The unit is ideal for using in areas where no or limited access to power exists. This Wireless Colour Camera and 2.4-inch LCD Wireless Monitor is ideal for general surveillance at home or small offices. Contents: Wireless camera (with built in battery) Wireless 2.4-inch TFT LCD receiver 2 x Power adaptors Lens adjuster Mounting hardware User manual
yes mate thats the very one £129.99 as my tech mate from Sony said you don't wanna shoot the moon just get a look inside a gutter and he's absolutely right as thats all I want it for
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Maplins Q & A regarding the unit
Q- Is the wireless LCD reciever on the N79GQ kit, battery powered? or does it need constant AC power? - Steve Gordge
Answer- This requires constant power.
Q- it this system motion sensitive? - aat
Answer- No sorry this product does not support that.
Q- Can further camera's or camera stands be purchased? - Tim
Answer- Unfortunately we do not stock additional cameras or stands.
Q- does the reciever have a SD card slot - Goback98
Answer- No this product does not support that feature.
I dare say the maplin unit is a good budget alternative to our camera system but it is not a like for like comparison for example clients cannot be provided with recordings on dvd or sent by pc to prove the cleaning has been performed.
Our system provides the features required in the questions and provides broadcast quality recordings which are required by property management departments, surveyors, local authorities etc.
To sum up the maplin unit is a viewing device only.
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Glyn - I have your camera kit, is there a way to take still pictures?
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Hi Steve
I have your camera kit, is there a way to take still pictures?
I am certain this can be performed by using a PC program.
But am not sure which program but can certainly find out for you.
I am on holiday for a week but please can you email me and I will get one of our staff to contact you
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AIMINVESTOR - hows it going ,? hav u had that break and hit the streets yet ?? ;D
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Hi Steve
I have your camera kit, is there a way to take still pictures?
I am certain this can be performed by using a PC program.
But am not sure which program but can certainly find out for you.
I am on holiday for a week but please can you email me and I will get one of our staff to contact you
could you please let me know also if you find out how?
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Steve
you have mail
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cheers glyn
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yes I know but you can wire a battery case to the camera to power it, the battery case holds 4 X AA batteries
Thanks for the quick reply, is it this one?
If so, it now has a rechargeable battery fitted.
EDIT
The screen needs a continuous power supply.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=228327
(http://images.maplin.co.uk/300/n79gq.jpg)
yes mate thats the very one £129.99 as my tech mate from Sony said you don't wanna shoot the moon just get a look inside a gutter and he's absolutely right as thats all I want it for
Excellent, many thanks for your help, my local Maplins has 2 in stock, soon to be 1!
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Maplins Q & A regarding the unit
Q- Is the wireless LCD reciever on the N79GQ kit, battery powered? or does it need constant AC power? - Steve Gordge
Answer- This requires constant power.
Q- it this system motion sensitive? - aat
Answer- No sorry this product does not support that.
Q- Can further camera's or camera stands be purchased? - Tim
Answer- Unfortunately we do not stock additional cameras or stands.
Q- does the reciever have a SD card slot - Goback98
Answer- No this product does not support that feature.
I dare say the maplin unit is a good budget alternative to our camera system but it is not a like for like comparison for example clients cannot be provided with recordings on dvd or sent by pc to prove the cleaning has been performed.
Our system provides the features required in the questions and provides broadcast quality recordings which are required by property management departments, surveyors, local authorities etc.
To sum up the maplin unit is a viewing device only.
I think most people realise that ::)
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I dare say the maplin unit is a good budget alternative to our camera system but it is not a like for like comparison for example clients cannot be provided with recordings on dvd or sent by pc to prove the cleaning has been performed.
Our system provides the features required in the questions and provides broadcast quality recordings which are required by property management departments, surveyors, local authorities etc.
To sum up the maplin unit is a viewing device only.
thats why I bought it to just view on as I'm not interested in gimmicks and who wants to sit and watch a DVD of the insides of gutters ? would put me off my popcorn.
so to re-sum its a great add on for just £129.99 and it does exactly what it says on the tin.
as the tech guy at Sony said your only viewing the insides of gutters so why pay £500 -£600 to do that when you can pay £130 best advice comes cheaply
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there are many cheap alternatives on ebay. i busted my omni version and the replacement was to expensive. i have my replacement coming and it was a very cheap alternative. hopefully it will be upto the job which i'm sure it will be as its the same spec or maybe a little better
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thats why I bought it to just view on as I'm not interested in gimmicks and who wants to sit and watch a DVD of the insides of gutters ?
Property managers and freehold managers very often require a copy of the gutter cleaning footage as proof the work has throughly been carried out for their clients.
It is also usefull as a safeguard for the contractor when a customer calls a few months latter after a heavy rainfull saying the job wasnt carried out fully because some gutters overflowed the dvd footage is proof.
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thats why I bought it to just view on as I'm not interested in gimmicks and who wants to sit and watch a DVD of the insides of gutters ?
Property managers and freehold managers very often require a copy of the gutter cleaning footage as proof the work has throughly been carried out for their clients.
It is also usefull as a safeguard for the contractor when a customer calls a few months latter after a heavy rainfull saying the job wasnt carried out fully because some gutters overflowed the dvd footage is proof.
I totally agree, I think the more expensive system is indeed the one to have for commercial and local governnment contracts, but for residential cleans I think the more basic Maplins one will suffice.
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Omi vac system camera is horrendously overpriced. The camera is good quality and performs really well but not for the money. You need to use the Vac tube for the camera and its way too heavy to control effectively. We have been using a fishing pole made of glass fibre instead but we cant get to the height of the vac tube and we are left with the cable trailing every where which is not good. I would say the Omni Vac boys have got to come up with a better solution. Their customer service is a bit limp, nothing worse than being asked for your number every time you call up, why dont they get some customer relationship software, oh and dont try to blame the customer when a piece of rubbish pressure washer blows up and hugely inconveniences someone who just gave you 6K. Other than that , nice kit!
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Glyn - I have your camera kit, is there a way to take still pictures?
Put your footage through a video editing suite and you can take any stills from that.
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good idea , thanks muchly