This USB -C accessory gave my Android and iPhone thermal imaging powers – and it is on sale

Thermal Master USB-C camera

Key takeaways of zdnet

• It is the perfect thermal camera for professional and consumer use.
• From my test, the camera has great accuracy and temperature resolution.
• While it works with Android and iOS, it is still quite expensive at $ 300.

I do not make any bones about being a very big fan of thermal cameras for smartphones. Initially, I rejected them as a gimmick, but within minutes, I was sold on his practicality. I think they should be one for both engineers and home diyers.

I have used me for all types of applications, from finding out how much propane is in a tank (indicating camera in the tank and you will see levels), search of pipes and electric cables in walls, spotting the drafts around the doors and windows, and identifying defective components on the circuit boards.

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They are practical beyond words, so I am always excited to test a new camera, so when new Thermal master p3 Got down on my desk, I could not wait to try it.

P3 is a USB-C camera that works with Android, iOS and Windows, which is great for engineers that work with Windows-Interested Tablet and Laptop. Only 59 x 27 x 17.2 mm/2.32 x 1.06 x 0.68 inch and weigh only on 26.3g/0.93oz, it is quite small to pop into a pocket or bag. Even it comes with a carry case to prevent the unit from being banging in use and to prevent 50 cm cable to allow for convenient position.

The camera has a thermal range of -20 ° C to 600 ° C/-4 ° F to 1,112 ° F, which has accuracy of ° 2 ° C, and can detect the temperature difference as 0.035 ° C. It has 512 × 384 pixels and 25 Hz refresh rate resolution, which are all important if you are looking for defective components on small circuit boards.

Another feature that distinguishes P3 from many of other thermal cameras for smartphones on the market is that it has a manual focus macro lens that allows you to get closer to what you are looking at.

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In fact, the lens can focus from 8 millimeters to 80 meters. Manual focus is a double-edged feature-it’s easy because you can tell the camera what to focus, but it can cause some pain to rotate the lens so that it can be focused on something.

Swings and round dizziness.

Another good touch is that the USB-C connector is quite long to be able to use the camera with a smartphone in cases.

Again, for accurate work, it is important to try to indicate a small component in a ocean of other components on the circuit board.

Some thermal cameras are total battery hogs, but not P3. This camera draws a ridiculous less 0.32w power, which means that it does not pull too much on the host phone battery, allowing several hours of use.

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While I like smartphones with built-in thermal cameras, most of them are heavy, and I do not really want to take a second handset with me. I have a small camera that I can attach to whatever device I can attach (or someone else, because they just have to do so that the app is to download).

ZDNET purchase advice

Good thermal cameras are not cheap, but they are very cheap as they used to be. Thermal master has recently been carrying forward very good quality, good price hardware, and P3 thermal camera This is exactly this. For $ 299, you are receiving a professional-grade camera packed in a very convenient, portable form factor.

Throw into the additional feature of this unit working with Android, iOS and Windows, and you have a very versatile thermal imaging system.

And ZDNET readers can use coupon code Tmamzpd5 To get additional 5% from the price.