Results 1 to 19 of 19
  1. #1
    George Krause's Avatar
    George Krause Guest

    Default Throw away your ladder...

    I have received an email from a company in Canada selling an Eye Stick. It is a 25' extension pole, with a video camera, and regular camera mount. The video camera has a view window that can be wirelessly viewed on the ground. Does anyone have feedback on this product, or any others like it?

    Similar Threads:
    Crawl Space Creeper

  2. #2
    chris mcintyre's Avatar
    chris mcintyre Guest

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    It's a neat tool but no substitute for actually getting up on the roof and walking around. There's too much too see on a roof including flashings, roof vents, skylights, and chimneys. But, in the event of no roof access or roofs that are just too high to access, it's better than nothing as long as your report would state the limitations of the inspection method used.


  4. #4
    George Krause's Avatar
    George Krause Guest

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    I know that there are many things that can only be seen from up close. We have an inspector in the Detroit area who has been in the hospital with brain damage and unconscious for days--prognosis is undetermined. 15 years experience. Found on the driveway next to his fallen ladder.

    Just looking at my options, and wondering about their effectiveness.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    Quote Originally Posted by George Krause View Post
    I know that there are many things that can only be seen from up close. We have an inspector in the Detroit area who has been in the hospital with brain damage and unconscious for days--prognosis is undetermined. 15 years experience. Found on the driveway next to his fallen ladder.

    Just looking at my options, and wondering about their effectiveness.
    George, do know the inspectors name?

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  6. #6
    George Krause's Avatar
    George Krause Guest

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    Jon Thatcher--Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. Room 5817. Please pray for him and his family.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Capistrano Beach, CA
    Posts
    1,510

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
    3601 W. Thirteen Mile Road
    Royal Oak, Michigan 48073

    or

    Jon Thatcher
    HomeSmart Inc.
    520 Pinehurst Dr.
    Rochester Hills MI 48309

    I have sent a Get Well card. I hope you will do the same. We are all in this business (and life) together.

    You can send a Get Well card (snail mail delivered by USPS) for free from the link below. InspectionNews will pick up the cost. It is the same system I use for my referral marketing system.

    There is a video walk through to help you send the card.

    Send a Get Well Card to Jon

    View The List Of InspectionNews Member Benefits!

    -----------------
    Sincerely,
    Brian Hannigan
    InspectionNews.net / InspectionReferral.com
    Helping Inspectors $ucceed Since 1997TM

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspectionNews
    Twitter: @InspectionNews

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
    Posts
    4,521

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    Personally my thought on this matter is this.

    Cards are nice but this guy is probably married, has a family and they could use some bucks at a time like this.

    I know when my brother passed away (2) years ago, the HI's on this board and nationwide chipped in unbelievably and helped his wife out. She was extremely greatful at that time of need.

    I'm sure this family will need some help financially also.

    rick


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Capistrano Beach, CA
    Posts
    1,510

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    Does anyone have an update on Jon's condition?

    View The List Of InspectionNews Member Benefits!

    -----------------
    Sincerely,
    Brian Hannigan
    InspectionNews.net / InspectionReferral.com
    Helping Inspectors $ucceed Since 1997TM

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspectionNews
    Twitter: @InspectionNews

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    I just heard of another inspector who fell (or something, I don't know any details) and broke several vertebrae in his back, he is recovering in the hospital.

    Bill Siegel, who is a FABI Director. Bill is a (obviously) a FABI member and also an ASHI member. Bill lives and inspects in South Florida (Super Bowl area for those football fans from this past weekend ).

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    4,982

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    We had a senior inspector up here in hinterland use one of those telescopic ladders. It collapsed and the inspector had a bad break at the wrist amongst other bruising. The pins which lock the steps in place was faulty. He was incapacitated for quite awhile.


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    St. Thomas Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    59

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    Jeffrey Home Inspection

    Please access the above link. I am presently in litigation with the manufacturer of this product. Ladder safety has turned into a paramount interest to me.

    Regards: Bryce Jeffrey

    Last edited by Bryce Jeffrey; 02-09-2010 at 07:08 AM. Reason: insert correct link

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    St. Thomas Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    59

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...







    Wednesday, June 17, 2009

    Metal Tech Telescoping Ladders






















    Metal Tech Telescoping Ladders








    I purchased my high tech, Metaltech Telescoping ladder from the Home Depot Store in London, Ontario. This ladder at first glance appeared to be the answer. Light weight, easy to store and everyone marvelled at its conception.



    I was coming down from a roof inspection. The key word here is DOWN! The ladder suddenly collapsed on the right side. The ladder pivoted to the right and I landed in a heap on the ground. I was fortunate in two ways. First, the collapse was witnessed by a Real Estate Broker standing directly behind me. Second, he drove me to the emergency ward. I was initially diagnosed with a compound fracture of the left wrist, ( the bone punctured the skin ), compressed 2nd and 3rd vertebrae of the spinal column and a torn left rotator cuff.



    After approximately six hours in a neck brace and being sedated while the initial bones were straightened, I was transported to the Hand and Upper Limb Clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital in London. I was scheduled for a 3 AM surgery as the threat of bone infection caused concerns over the possibility of amputation!



    The attending surgeon, on viewing the X-Rays deferred the operation to Dr. King. Those who saw the movie by Michael Moore on the health care system in the U.S. will possibly remember Dr. King. Part of the movie was filmed at St. Joseph's and Dr. King and his highly trained team were featured.



    Surgery was performed the following day. I spent three days in hospital. After discharge I endured thirty days of additional trips to the emergency wards in St. Thomas and in London. I received in excess of 100 shots of morphine, 200 percocets, three different casts, a virulent infection and lost 30 pounds of body weight.



    I have been in the construction industry my entire life. Ladders and ladder safety are paramount.

    This collapse took place on the 6th of June 2007. I commenced litigation immediately upon my release from hospital. The wheels of justice proceed slowly. They are however proceeding in a positive manner.




    My main concern is the safety of this product. The ladder has received unfavourable reviews from Consumers. The ladder is banned in Germany. Why is it popular in Canada and the United States? I think that the answer is money and greed.



    A telescoping ladder? Just how stupid can we as consumers become?


    Mike Holmes uses this ladder on his popular TV show. Home Depot, Rona Stores, Home Hardware and others contribute to the problem.


    I attended the testing of the ladder by a forensic engineering firm. The ladder collapsed completely under controlled conditions. Ladder companies are notorious for protecting their turf and this case will probably go to court. If you are considering the purchase of this product I suggest you extend the ladder, climb up on it and have a friend take a picture on the arc created with your weight. Check, double check and then check again to ensure that the locking mechanism on each side of each step is securely in place. Do not trust the little colour patches that have been added since my collapse! Place your foot on the first rung and then proceed cautiously into your collapse.



    Take a hard look at my photos. Then choose a solid ladder and put up with the inconvenience. Incidentally my collapse was a mere five feet!


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Fredericksburg, VA
    Posts
    895

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    The concept is very interesting BUT ...
    There is no information about the company or the persons involved. Only an online order form. No address, phone number, contact information other than an email address to info@---. The only information about the company I could find was the You Tube videos, the web page order site, and the emails I get once a month. Perhaps some of you folks in Canada can dig up something.

    The above statements are expressed solely as my opinion and in all probability will conflict with someone else's.
    Stu, Fredericksburg VA

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    Quote Originally Posted by George Krause View Post
    I have received an email from a company in Canada selling an Eye Stick. It is a 25' extension pole, with a video camera, and regular camera mount. The video camera has a view window that can be wirelessly viewed on the ground. Does anyone have feedback on this product, or any others like it?
    George I used my PoleCam PhotoStick today. Three storey townhouse, too tall even for my 28' extension ladder. I uses a low-tech version of what you described. Paint pole with a camera tripod attached. Alright, my secret. I taped a mini tripod to a paint roller handle. I've rigged up a pruning pole attachment for a max ht of 25'.
    To use, set the timer on the camera, pop it up there, snap a shot. So I went out on the balcony and shot a few pics like this.

    PS If gadgets can make us safer, that's a good thing. My deepest sympathy for Jon, Bill, and Bryce.
    BJ, good luck with the lawsuit, hope you nail them.

    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Last edited by John Kogel; 02-10-2010 at 10:08 PM.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    928

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    I made my own with a 26 foot painters pole and my camera tripod mount attached to a couple PVC connectors for $40.
    It works great as all I do is hit video and scan.
    My pictures can be taken off the video at descent resolution.


  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    Sorry to hear about your accident Bryce but I've use an Xtend n' Climb telescopic ladder now for 7 years and had no issues with it collapsing or compressing under weight. I wouldn't leave the house without it. I often go days at a time without having to break out my 32' extension ladder as this thing gets me where I need to go the majority of my inspections.


  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    928

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    Guys need to not use these cheap multi ladders is the issue IMO.
    Safest is a good 28' fiberglass ladder with claw feet and hooks.

    I do not know that this is the total solution but we should be safe as possible.

    I have 2 weeks total of ladder climbing training under my belt so know what I am talking about.
    The fiberglass weighs more but less prone to move and also does not conduct electricity.


  19. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    4,982

    Default Re: Throw away your ladder...

    I don't go where my 10' folding ladder will not take me. Have been inspecting for years using binoculars with not trouble.

    Make your own pole camera.

    Make: Online : Maker Workshop - Pole Camera on MAKE: television



Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •