Hexagon Support, Laser Trackers, Thermal Cameras, and Multimeters: How to Choose When the Clock Is Running

Hexagon Support, Laser Trackers, Thermal Cameras, and Multimeters: How to Choose When the Clock Is Running

If you've ever had a customer call at 4:47 PM with a measurement problem that needs an answer by 8:00 AM, you know the best tool is not the one with the highest spec. It's the one that fits the situation. I coordinate emergency measurement support at an industrial instrumentation company. For the last 11 years, I've coordinated 300+ rush orders, including same-day turnarounds for manufacturers and calibration labs. Last quarter alone, we processed 47 rush orders with 95% on-time delivery. In March 2024, a client needed a fixture alignment verified 36 hours before a third-party audit. That's the pressure that separates useful recommendations from generic ones.

Before I suggest anything, let's put the options into three buckets. They don't compete with each other. They answer different questions:

• A physical dimension has to be verified – large part, fixture, robot, or assembly. Your question is "where is it, and is it within tolerance?" That's a job for a Hexagon laser tracker or a coordinate measuring machine.
• An electrical problem is producing heat – panel, breaker, bus bar, motor. Your question is "what's heating up before it fails?" That's a job for the FLIR E96 Advanced Thermal Imaging Camera.
• You need to trace voltage, current, or continuity – controls, drives, wiring. Your question is "is the circuit actually working?" That's a job for the Fluke 87-5 Industrial Multimeter.

These are not interchangeable. If someone hands you a single "best instrument" list for all three, ask them what they've actually measured besides their credit card statement.

Scenario A: When a Dimension Has to Be Right

Dimension calls usually mean one of two things: a part won't fit, or an auditor wants proof that it fits. Both require a measurement system with documented accuracy.

Hexagon laser trackers are the workhorses for large-scale metrology. I've used them to check injection mold cavities, robotic arms, and assembly fixtures. In March 2024, a client called 36 hours before an audit because a fixture's critical alignment had never been verified. Normal calibration lead time was ten days. We didn't have ten days. We brought in a Hexagon laser tracker, measured the 14 critical points, generated a report, and had a signed verification in under six hours. The audit passed.

Here's the part that doesn't get mentioned enough: the tool is only as fast as the support behind it. When a tracker is down, you don't have time to search forums. Based on our internal data from 200+ rush jobs, the fastest path is to call Hexagon support with the serial number and a clear symptom. Remote diagnostics can solve a surprising number of problems without a technician visit. Send a generic email and you'll probably wait a day. Call the support line and ask for remote diagnostics, and you might be back up in an hour.

Scenario B: When the Problem Is Heat, Not Voltage

Voltage and current measurements can tell you that a circuit is working, but they won't always tell you that it's about to stop working. That's where thermal imaging changes the game.

Last summer, a plant manager called about an intermittent breaker trip. His electrician had already replaced the breaker twice. The multimeter showed nothing wrong because, by the time they measured it, the circuit had cooled down. We brought a FLIR E96 Advanced Thermal Imaging Camera to the panel and scanned it under load.

There it was. A loose lug running at 173°F while the adjacent connection sat at 110°F. Tightened it, the problem went away, and the breaker didn't trip again.

Never expected a thermal camera to solve an electrical mystery that a multimeter couldn't catch. Turns out, resistance creates heat long before it creates a fault.

The FLIR E96 is a camera I feel comfortable recommending when someone needs high resolution and a practical range for industrial electrical work. It's fast to deploy, and you don't need to shut down equipment to start pointing. But it is not a general-purpose troubleshooting tool. You still need a good multimeter for half the things you'll encounter.

Scenario C: What Is the Best Fluke Multimeter for Electricians?

This is the question I get more than any other: "What is the best Fluke multimeter for electricians?"

The honest answer is: it depends on the electrician. But there's a reason the Fluke 87-5 Industrial Multimeter (often called the 87V) is the standard recommendation for industrial work.

The 87-5 has true RMS, a low-pass filter for VFDs, high accuracy, and a feature set that covers most industrial troubleshooting. If you work around motor drives, 480V panels, and control systems, it's hard to beat.

But if you're a residential or commercial electrician who mostly works on lighting, outlets, and simple branch circuits, the 87-5 might be more than you need. A simpler Fluke model with non-contact voltage detection and a small clamp meter can save money and backpack space. The "best" is the one that matches your risk and your work, not the one with the longest feature list.

Still Unsure? Here's How to Decide

If you're not sure which scenario you're in, ask yourself three questions:

1. What am I actually measuring? A distance or shape? A temperature? A voltage or current? That alone eliminates two of the three.
2. How confident do I need to be in the answer? An audit report requires traceability. A quick troubleshooting check requires repeatability. They're different standards.
3. How much time do I really have? For same-day emergencies, use the tool you already know how to operate. For longer deadlines, get the right tool and make sure support is available.

If you're standing in front of a panel and you suspect a bad connection, start with a thermal camera. If you're chasing a tripping motor, use a multimeter with a low-pass filter. If you're trying to prove a part is within tolerance, get a laser tracker and a competent operator.

One more thing: don't assume small orders don't deserve support. When I was starting out as an independent technician, the vendors who treated my $200 orders seriously are the ones I still call for $20,000 orders. Hexagon, FLIR, and Fluke all have service organizations that will talk to you whether you're a one-person contractor or a Fortune 500 plant. Take advantage of that.

I have mixed feelings about "best tool" lists. On one hand, clear recommendations are useful. On the other, I've watched people spend $10,000 on a thermal camera because an article told them it was the best, when a $500 multimeter would have solved their actual problem. Tools are only expensive when they sit in a case.

My experience here is based on about 200 rush orders with mid-sized manufacturers and plant maintenance teams. If you work in ultra-high precision aerospace or cleanroom metrology, your requirements will be tighter than what I've described—especially for calibration traceability and environmental compensation. Don't take my word as your only source.

A quick note on claims: anyone can call a camera "advanced" or a multimeter "industrial." Per FTC advertising guidelines, claims still need substantiation, so I always go to the datasheet and calibration certificate before making a purchase decision.