Pint-Sized P2 Pro Thermal Camera Packs Surprisingly High Image Quality
I’ve used a variety of compact and phone-based thermal cameras over the years, and some have proven to be highly useful. Some, not all. I recently got my hands on the Thermal Master P2 Pro Thermal Camera and have been putting it through its paces. Can it legitimately help you on the job? Or is it better-suited as an amusing phone accessory for your kids to play with?
Thermal Master P2 Pro Thermal Camera at a Glance
- Weight: 9 grams
- Field of View: 56.0° x42.2°
- IR Resolution: 256 x 192
- Super IR Resolution: 512 x 384
- Temperature Range: -4° – 1112° F
- Temperature Accuracy: ±2℃ PCB
- Operating Temperature: 5℉ – 131℉（-10℃ – 55℃）
- Dimensions: 27mm × 18mm × 9.8mm
- X3 Super IR Resolution: Creates a smoother, less grainy picture.
- Macro Lens: Magnetically attaches to the camera for super-close inspection
- 15X Zoom: Adjust the zoom with the ease of pinch-to-zoom.
- Adjustable Temperature Bar: Swipe or manually set the temperature range.
- Adjustable Emissivity: Adjust for ambient temperature, spot distances, and emissivity to ensure accurate temperature readings.
- 12 Color Palettes: Select the best color configuration to highlight the data you’re collecting.
- Photo and Video Capable: Choose the visual format that best fits your needs.
- Shareable Analysis: Access post-process temperature data and generate professional reports on the go.
- Low Power Consumption: The camera draws just 0.33W straight from your phone or device.
Using the Thermal Master P2 Pro Thermal Camera
Size and Weight
The P2 Pro claims to the be the world’s smallest thermal camera, and I don’t doubt that for a moment. It’s just 9 grams and has the rough footprint of an SD card for your camera, though it’s about four times thicker. Still, no other thermal camera I’ve used comes close to the size.
Connecting the Camera
Since I’m an iPhone user, that’s the interface I went with. There’s just one problem—the P2 Pro for iPhone uses a Lightning connector, and the newest models are USB-C.
In the box, there’s a Lightning to USB-C adapter to deal with this. It adds about an inch to the length of the camera, though.
There’s also a longer cord that’s designed primarily to use with a computer and gives you more reach.
Powering the P2 Pro
When it comes to power, the camera draws directly from your phone or device. There’s no need to replace or recharge batteries. And since it draws just 0.33W, you won’t drain your phone battery super-fast.
That’s a big deal for me. The biggest complaint I had about the FLIR One Pro LT was that other people in the office (who shall remain nameless, but you know who you are) would use it but not recharge before putting it back, delaying the projects I needed to get done.
Temp Master App
You need to download Thermal Master’s Temp Master app to use the camera. I didn’t experience anything out of the ordinary in downloading and installing it, and it recognizes the camera readily.
I’m pretty tech savvy and found the app easy to navigate and use. All the primary controls and settings are on the main screen, so you don’t have to go digging deep into menus to find what you’re after.
Here’s a quick look at the most important features you have to work with:
- Target Selection: See the temperature range at a single point, along a line, or inside a box or square.
- Color Palette Selection: Choose among 12 color settings.
- Image Capture: Choose between still photo or video.
- Picture in Picture: Bring up a PiP screen that shows the non-IR image for better context.
- Image Adjustments: Adjust the brightness, contrast, and temp scale. Mirror or rotate the image.
- X3 Toggle: Turn the X3 Super IR Resolution on or off.
- Temp Range Adjustment: Select between -4° – 302° F, 212° – 1112° F, or automatic temp range.
- Camera Calibration: A simple one-tap button to calibrate for the environment you’re in.
Image Quality
As for the imaging itself, there’s not much to complain about. The basic image can be a bit grainy, though it was still easy enough to identify most everything I was inspecting. However, when you turn the X3 Super IR function on, it cleans up the image from the grain. It doesn’t highlight edges like FLIR’s MSX technology, but it does make everything in the image clearer.
Above are two images I took, one on the left with X3 and the other on the right without. It’s a remarkable difference.
Macro Abilities
The Thermal Master P2 Pro comes with a macro lens that attaches to the main camera magnetically. I didn’t come across a need for it in my work, but it’s nice to have if you need to inspect something super-close at a high level of detail. It also makes for some cool images just for fun.
Thermal Master P2 Pro Price
The regular price of the P2 Pro is $349, but we’ve seen some sales here and there, so keep your eyes open for a deal. It’s backed by a 2-year warranty if anything goes wrong under normal use.
The Bottom Line
As a phone-mounted thermal camera, I think the Thermal Master P2 Pro is an excellent option. The camera and app are easy to use, the image quality has the detail I’m looking for, and the temperature readings are accurate enough for my needs. I just wish it had a small case so I could keep it in my tool bag without worrying about it getting damaged.
If you’re looking for a compact thermal camera for a wide range of inspection purposes, the P2 Pro is tough to beat for the price. It’s not the cheapest option, but for the resolution and temperature range it covers, it rates very high on the value scale.
It’s not a replacement for high-end thermal cameras, though. Especially if you rely heavily on models like FLIR’s E-series, the P2 Pro and/or your phone may not have the build and technology required for the environments you’re working in.
