Upgrading Water Well Camera Equipment
In 2023, we acquired the water well camera division from Aries, which left customers asking what next steps look like for Aries water well camera equipment. Acquisitions are notably turbulent at times, but we’ve been able to pick up the pieces and get customers back up and running as quickly as possible. Repairs, upgrades, and inevitable obsolescence of parts are all a normal part of any piece of equipment’s lifespan, so we at LUS have been committed to making this a seamless transition for those with Aries equipment who are looking to move forward.
What moving forward looks like though can be more complicated than a simple swap of the camera head or control panel. Some of our equipment is compatible with certain Aries pieces, but this is not the case for all. The best way to find out what options are available is to contact us. From there, our team can assist with in-depth questions of what you’re currently running and what you’d like to be able to do. With this detailed information, we can come up with an upgrade plan that is suitable for your individual company needs.
Truths About Upgrading
There are a few things we know to be true about upgrading cameras. While compatibility varies from system to system, we have advice when considering upgrading either your LUS or Aries water well camera system.
1. Not all cameras are the same.
While different camera brands can hold similar properties, there are often engineering and manufacturing nuances that make them incompatible. Unless it is specified that a particular camera works with another company’s equipment, you can bet that the equipment is either not interchangeable or will need heavy modification. The latter is typically not recommended when it comes to electronics.
2. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
In the past, we have successfully integrated our new camera equipment with older Aries pieces. However, this was only possible because the older Aries equipment was in fairly good condition. For example, we have seen older custom-built winches that still had good cable and were able to be outfitted directly with a new system. We have even seen older video modules that still provided good quality video feeds. Just as with LUS equipment, if taken care of well, it can last a long time.
The real issue lies in trying to integrate newer electronics with poorly cared-for or obsolete parts. While we will work with you on reusing these older pieces if they’re still functioning in some capacity, oftentimes the best mode of action is reserving these older systems as backups and upgrading to newer systems.
3. You get what you pay for.
When it comes to purchasing equipment, cheaper isn’t always better, especially with increasing market competition. When equipment is less expensive, it’s likely due to inferior components, irregular mechanical or electrical designs, or poor video quality. Inferior components are more likely to break down faster, which leads to more service or upgrades required. Higher up-front costs can mean that there are fewer surprises later on and that the equipment is of high quality.
4. Service matters.
When it comes to upgrades, it’s always a good idea to take into account the service that will be required when something goes down. We have a dedicated service and repair team that is well-versed in both Aries and LUS camera repairs, allowing you to be up and running faster. Â
Overall, upgrading options vary from system to system. Though Aries and LUS cameras are not technically interchangeable, the cable heads are, which allows for flexibility in using LUS and Aries systems together. As a result, we have been able to seamlessly upgrade customers from their older obsolete Aries systems to LUS cameras.
