I’m a big fan of Android smartphones with built-in thermal cameras. Ulefone Power Armor 18T.
We also understand that some people don’t want to trade in their smartphones to access this handy superpower.
Plus: How to use this Android smartphone with thermal imaging superpowers (and why you need it)
If you don’t want to buy a new phone, this tool is a great choice, and you can currently get it for $80 off if you’re a Prime member. Infiltrate P2 Pro.
InfiRay P2 Pro Technical Specifications
- 256×192 IR resolution
- 256×192 IR resolution
- Temperature range from -20°C to 550°C ± 2°C
- Compact design: 27mm x 18mm x 9.8mm, weight 9g
- Battery-free design
- Supports Android 9.0 and above
- USB-C Interface
The InfiRay P2 Pro consists of a small thermal camera and a magnetic snap-on macro lens that allows the camera to get very close to the item being inspected.
Also: This 12-in-1 power screwdriver is my favorite tool and it comes in at under $50.
The camera is indeed tiny: it measures 27 x 18 x 9.8mm and weighs just 9 grams, making it smaller and lighter than a charging cable.
The InfiRay P2 Pro is very small.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Setting up the P2 Pro is easy: simply download and install the P2 Pro app from the Google Play Store, launch the app, plug your camera into a USB-C port and you’re ready to go.
Here’s the InfiRay P2 Pro attached to an Android smartphone.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
If your Android smartphone is a rugged type, you may have problems mounting the camera. USB-C Extender.
Also: The best travel gadgets for 2024
You can then start exploring the environment.
Here’s a selfie with the InfiRay P2 Pro.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
A feature of the P2 Pro app that I really like is that in addition to the crosshairs in the center of the image, there are two other crosshairs that find the maximum and minimum temperatures in your shot.
The P2 Pro app provides a variety of temperature information.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Then there’s the macro lens.
This is a magnetic macro lens for the P2 Pro.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Putting a macro lens on the front of your camera allows you to get closer to what you’re looking at, resulting in better resolution and a more focused photo.
Let’s get closer with a macro lens.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Here’s a close-up thermal image.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The software offers a lot of customization options without being stuffed with unnecessary features.
The P2 Pro software is well thought out.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
This thermal camera is great, especially for the price.
Not sure what a thermal camera can do? Here are some things you can do with a thermal camera:
- Find the electrical component that is overheating (faulty components will usually be hotter).
- We diagnose all kinds of HVAC issues, from windows that leak heat to radiators that won’t heat properly to air conditioners that won’t cool.
- Find a rechargeable battery that is dangerously overheating.
- Locate the radiator pipes under the floorboards.
- Locate the overheated power cable.
- Find cooling system problems in desktop and laptop systems.
- Spot binding brakes on cars.
My advice for learning how to use a thermal camera is to use it to look at things when they’re not malfunctioning – radiators, car brakes, electrical components, etc. That way you’ll know when things aren’t working properly because you’ll know what they look like.
Also: Every gadget geek knows: there’s always a better tool.
Thermal cameras are so useful that we use them without thinking. Just now I wanted to know if an appliance was getting power. Instead of reaching for the multimeter, I used the thermal camera to see if anything was hot inside. I could see that the part was hot, which ruled out a lot of possible problems.
I’ve tested several thermal cameras, both standalone and smartphone-mounted. Infire P2 Pro It’s great. It’s small, flexible with the macro lens, fast and accurate, and doesn’t require a separate charger.
This is a great addition to any repair tool kit, and if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can save $80 off the list price. iPhone In the version, Android That version is currently discounted to $219.