Surprisingly accurate: Thermal Master P2 Pro in the test – probably the smallest infrared camera for smartphones in use

1 - Introduction, Accessory and Specs 2 - Material Analysis and Connectivity 3 - Software and Usability (from Hell) 4 - Measuring and Conclusion

Weighing just 9 grams, the Thermal Master P2 Pro is actually a compact marvel of aluminum, glass and technology. Apart from the USB or Lightning connection and the lens, the housing is made entirely of light metal, as we will see in a moment. The workmanship is robust and elegant, giving the small thermal imaging camera a solid appearance An additional macro lens can be attached to the housing thanks to built-in magnets in order to display the smallest objects in high resolution, which makes the camera ideal for detailed investigations. Although the additional lens makes the camera slightly thicker, it is still extremely compact and portable compared to other thermal imaging cameras.

The thermal imaging sensor of the Thermal Master P2 Pro has a resolution of 256 × 192 pixels, which is well above the standard resolution of many other portable thermal imaging cameras. That’s why, even if the comparison is somewhat unfair, I’m putting it to the test today in real-life use and pitting it against my Optris PI640. Apart from one minor detail, the results were quite decent, even considering the price. But I don’t want to spoil everything.

Although the raw images from the P2 Pro are quite impressive thanks to the rather large image sensor, the software could certainly be optimized with intelligent image processing. One design-related disadvantage of the tiny camera is the noticeable fisheye effect in the images, but I’ll come to that in a moment. This distortion could be minimized by algorithmic corrections if the software were capable of it. But it doesn’t. The Optris does.

An outstanding unique selling point of the Thermal Master P2 Pro is the magnetic macro lens. With this, even the finest details, such as tiny components on a circuit board, can be examined very precisely. Another major advantage of the Thermal Master P2 Pro is the smooth video recording. With a frame rate of 25 Hz, the camera creates much smoother videos than comparable models, which makes it ideal for analyzing moving objects or components.

The Thermal Master P2 Pro is available in different versions to be compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It offers two connection options, namely a USB-C port for Android smartphones and tablets or more modern iPhones, and an outdated Lightning port for iOS devices such as older iPhones and iPads. I did have to adapt the Lightning connector to USB-C for my current iOS devices, but this flexible option allowed me to connect the camera directly to all my smartphones for counter-testing. Even if this requires additional adapters or cables. Incidentally, the hardware remains identical for both versions, only the connection differs depending on the operating system. Incidentally, not every OTG adapter is suitable for the hybrid solution, but I’ll come to that later. And if you look closely, you will not only see an adapter cable, but also the image of the author and his system camera in the photo studio in the surface-coated lens:

The company behind the company behind the company and the price

And in case you’re having déjà vu: the Thermal Master P2 Pro tested today and the InfiRay P2 Pro are technically almost identical. The main difference lies in the branding and the target group. The InfiRay P2 Pro is currently over 100 euros cheaper than the Thermal Master P2 Pro and is aimed at technically experienced users, while the Thermal Master P2 Pro is aimed more at the broader consumer market through customized software and marketing. For users who value customized and simpler software, the Thermal Master P2 Pro could therefore be quite attractive.

However, those looking for the technically identical product at a potentially better price are currently better served by the InfiRay P2 Pro. Thermal Master is essentially a distributor or licensee of InfiRay. While InfiRay provides the technological basis, Thermal Master takes on the task of making the products accessible to a wider audience. This also explains why the Thermal Master P2 Pro and the InfiRay P2 Pro are technically almost identical. What’s more, InfiRay and IRay are actually the same thing. InfiRay (and formerly IRay) produce the same types of technologies, in particular bolometer sensors, thermal imaging cameras and optical modules for applications in the security, automotive, energy and consumer markets. Products such as the InfiRay P2 Pro thermal imaging camera or modules for drones and security cameras were also originally developed or marketed under the IRay name. Xinfrared, the provider of the XTHERM2 that I have already tested, is also just a brand of InfiRay. Confusing? Well… In principle, the same electronics and bolometer are always installed.

Accessories and scope of delivery

Finally, and before I use and measure anything, let’s take a look at what comes with the iOS version. In addition to the camera, the macro lens with protective cap and a quick start guide, you also get an extension cable and an adapter from Lightning to USB. But I’ll have something to write about that in a moment, because unfortunately it’s not quite as simple as it looks at first glance.

Specifications and technical data

The last part of this page briefly contains the technical data, which is quite impressive.