Thermal Master P2 camera review
Thermal Master P2: 30 Second Review
Specification
Infrared resolution: 256×192@12μm
Measuring range: -14°F～1112°F(-10℃～600℃)
Battery life: 300~480 minutes (for example: Samsung Galaxy S23+ 4700mAh battery life 367 minutes)
Color palette: 12 palettes (white hot/black hot/iron red/red hot + 8 other palettes)
Color bar technology: Highlight temperature target
Professional analysis: Secondary point/line/area data analysis
Adaptation method: Smartphone/Tablet/Computer
Application scenarios: Electrical/HVAC/Plumbing/Home/Car Inspections
Field of view: 56.0°(horizontal)x42.2°(vertical)
weight: 9.7 grams
size: 27mm×18mm×9.8mm
The thermal imaging camera market is growing rapidly, and using thermal imaging cameras to locate wires and pipes behind walls is an obvious choice in the industry. Unlike traditional thermal cameras that are bulky, bulky and expensive, this new wave of plug-in thermal cameras for smartphones offers a cheaper and versatile alternative.
Thermal Master P2 is known as the world’s smallest thermal imaging camera, weighing only 10 grams and extremely compact. Even with a smartphone case, it easily plugs into a smartphone base. Once installed, you can open the Thermal Master P2 app and instantly access all thermal imaging options and settings.
It’s very simple to use. Essentially, it acts as an observer of the thermal signature of any object within its field of view. You will often The best rugged phonesit’s an essential tool for field work – but here you can achieve the same results using a standard smartphone. Point it at a hot pipe and you’ll immediately see the thermal signature of hot and cold pipes or exposed wires. The camera’s sensitivity gives it an advantage over other compact thermal cameras on the market designed for smartphone use. For example, a mechanic can use a thermal camera to see the heat signature of coolant as it flows through the engine, helping you check for blockages. It also allows you to check the temperature of various engine components before touching them, which is useful for locating problems and for safety.
As with any camera, you can capture images and videos recorded at 1440 x 1080 resolution. While not the highest resolution, it’s enough to see details and thermal signatures. If you choose to apply points, all captured images include a thermal data overlay so you can review it later or share it with others. The gallery section of the application features reporting options that enable you to extract data from thermal signature images for more detailed analysis. For a compact solution, Thermal Master P2 offers incredible versatility.
Although P2 is currently only available for Android devices, it is an extremely powerful tool for anyone working in a variety of industries. The device’s small size means you can take it with you anywhere, and its ease of use, sensitivity, detailed output and high display resolution make it a convenient device to take with you. If you need a thermal camera, this gadget for Android smartphones is an excellent choice.
Thermal Master P2: Price and Availability
At just under $200/£200, the Thermal Master P2 is a very affordable option for such a high-quality thermal imaging camera. While the camera is very small and requires a smartphone to run and process the data it captures, the price is very reasonable compared to many alternatives. Thermal Master P2 is widely available and can be obtained directly from the Thermal Master website by clicking here.
Thermal Master P2: Design and Build
The Thermal Master P2 is very small and comes in a sturdy hard case with a lanyard loop so you can strap it in your tool bag or attach it to a tool box to help avoid it. Reflecting the high quality of the thermal imager inside, the case is extremely sturdy, protecting the camera and making it easy to store and carry safely. Essentially, this case keeps your camera safer if you put it in with other tools. The small box measures 42 x 44 x 15 mm and holds the camera securely inside.
The camera itself is even smaller, measuring just 27 x 18 x 9.8 mm and weighing just 10 grams. Even with the protective case and camera, the total weight is only 29 grams, making it almost unnoticeable even if placed in a trouser pocket. Connecting the camera to your smartphone is very simple.
The first step is to download the Thermal Master P2 app from the Google Play Store. Once installed, the app will prompt you to connect your camera. The unit features a USB Type-C connector that plugs directly into the dock of a smartphone or other imaging-compatible device, such as a drone or laptop. Once the camera is connected, the smartphone recognizes it and the app displays a thermal view on the screen.
The basic appearance of the camera unit reveals its compact, sophisticated design. It consists of a small lens on the front and a USB Type-C connector on the base, along with a small logo that says “Thermal Master.” Beyond that, the design is simple yet durable, with a weather-resistant body that will last for years.
Thermal Master P2: Features
One of the selling points of the Thermal Master P2 is that it is one of the smallest thermal cameras in the world, making it very portable. It does this by drawing all the energy and processing power from the connected smartphone. To operate, it must be plugged into the base of your smartphone, and you need to install the P2 app. Currently, the app is only available on Android.
Its small size means most features can be accessed through the app rather than the camera itself. With the app, you can get 15x zoom thermal images (coming soon) with PCB accuracy of ±1.5°C and a temperature range of -4°F to 1022°F. While the thermal camera doesn’t offer the ultra-high resolution of a standard imaging camera, it does provide infrared resolution of 256 x 192 pixels, which can be boosted to 512 x 384 pixels with super-resolution.
After launching the application, the heat map displays a visual representation of thermal signatures with a temperature accuracy of ±1.5°C. The P2 stays compact by drawing power from a connected smartphone and offloading most of the processing to apps. Therefore, there is no built-in battery. Nonetheless, its low power consumption of just 0.3W ensures minimal impact on smartphone battery life.
15x zoom would be a great feature for a thermal camera, although it’s not available yet as it’s relatively uncommon in this category. Two-finger gestures let you zoom in and out smoothly, which is especially useful for inspecting intricate details in wiring, pipes, or other thermal features.
The P2 also allows you to capture still images and video. After capturing images, you can open them in a gallery and generate a report that breaks down the data into useful numerical insights for further review.
Unlike many thermal cameras that only display thermal signatures, the P2 includes diagnostic tools. The DIY color bar feature lets you use sliders to highlight target areas and set temperatures manually. For example, when working on a car engine, you can monitor the temperature of a component until it cools down to a safe level for operation.
Another useful feature is Adjustable Emissivity, which allows you to fine-tune environment point distance and emissivity settings to ensure accuracy on a variety of surfaces including soil, glass, brick, skin, water, paper, cloth, and wood temperature reading.
The P2 Camera app offers 12 color palettes, allowing you to adjust the visual representation of temperature to suit your needs. You can switch from the standard iron-red color palette (a style commonly associated with thermal imaging) to alternative color palettes such as white hot (black and white), rainbow, etc., depending on your needs and preferences.
In terms of versatility, the Thermal Master P2 can be used in a variety of applications, including pipe inspection, insulation inspection, and as an aerial thermal imaging attachment for drones (with appropriate software and firmware updates). It’s also helpful for high-maintenance tasks, such as finding hot spots in the electrical system or inspecting engine components (such as coolant pipes for blockages or temperature issues).
Because the P2 relies on your smartphone for processing and power, its performance depends on the device you’re using. For this review, we used the Vivo X100, a slightly older Android model that offers plenty of power for processing images and data.
Thermal Master P2: Performance
For thermal imaging cameras, the P2 makes operation as easy as possible. First, you just download the app, plug in your camera, and start using the standard app. The screen provides instant readouts showing the temperature of various items, including maximum and minimum values. The color overlay of the palette clearly shows the temperature gradient between these points.
The P2 really becomes useful when you switch to pro mode. While the main screen looks largely the same, you have more readouts and features, allowing you to use the target point tool to pinpoint areas within an image and get precise temperature readings.
Features such as the ability to draw lines and track heat signatures as they travel are great for mechanics and plumbers. It also helps identify faults in electronic equipment, such as blown components on a PCB. By watching the heat signature, you can detect where a component that should be hot is showing a cold signature, which indicates a fault, such as a blown capacitor.
Likewise, cameras have creative applications. For example, photographers could use it in the wild to detect the thermal signature of animals hiding in vegetation. This is particularly useful for spotting creatures such as muntjacs in the New Forest, which can be well hidden in the undergrowth but are quickly spotted by a thermal camera.
Due to its compact size and ease of use, Thermal Master P2 has a wide range of applications. For industries or professions that require rapid detection of thermal signatures, the P2 is a practical and efficient tool. Combined with its relatively low cost, it’s an excellent choice for professionals and amateurs alike.
Should you buy Thermal Master P2?
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Row 0 – Cell 1 | Row 0 – Cell 2 |
| value | Excellent value for money for a thermal imaging camera, especially considering its compact size and ease of use | 4.5 |
| design | Small size and plug-and-play functionality after storing the application make this thermal camera extremely convenient | 4.5 |
| feature | The main functions of the thermal imaging camera are all driven by the smartphone app, meaning more functions can be added in the future | 4 |
| Performance | For a simple thermal camera, the overall functionality is excellent and will suit your needs | 4.5 |
| all | A super simple thermal camera that harnesses the power of an app to give it many advanced features | 4.5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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