Review: InfiRay P2 Pro Thermal Camera Offers High Resolution and Unique Features

Title: InfiRay P2 Pro Thermal Camera Review: A Powerful Tool for Hardware Diagnostics

Subtitle: High-resolution, compact, and versatile, the InfiRay P2 Pro offers impressive performance at a competitive price

Date: June 19, 2023

Hackaday, a popular technology blog, is known for its selective approach to reviewing gadgets. However, the InfiRay P2 Pro thermal camera caught their attention due to its unique features and potential usefulness to their community. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the capabilities and performance of the P2 Pro.

The standout feature of the InfiRay P2 Pro is its relatively high resolution of 256 x 192 pixels, combined with a magnetically-attached macro lens. This combination makes it particularly well-suited for close inspection of printed circuit boards (PCBs). The camera’s ability to clearly observe individual 0201 SMD resistors on a board sets it apart from many other thermal cameras on the market.

While other thermal cameras may focus on applications such as detecting cold spots in houses or identifying hot components in car engines, the P2 Pro caters to the needs of the average Hackaday reader. Its compact size and high resolution make it ideal for close-up delicate work. However, it is worth noting that the ergonomics of the device may not be perfect for such tasks, as it is easy to block the camera’s view with your hand while positioning the phone.

To address this issue, InfiRay includes a USB-C extension cable in the box, allowing users to maneuver the camera separately. Additionally, Hackaday created a 3D printed mount to attach the camera to a standard tripod, further improving usability.

The P2 Pro operates at 25 frames per second (FPS), providing smooth visualization of gradual temperature changes. This feature allows users to observe heat propagation through objects, which can be both mesmerizing and useful for various applications.

In terms of software, the Android application for the P2 Pro is serviceable but could benefit from further refinement. Occasionally, the application may require multiple attempts to recognize the camera, and there were instances where the camera image locked up, necessitating a restart of the application. However, the software offers a simple interface with features like color scheme customization and a picture-in-picture mode that overlays the phone’s camera view with the thermal camera view.

The P2 Pro’s default settings work well, and advanced configuration options are available for those who require them. The camera was also recognized as a standard USB video device when plugged into a Linux desktop and Chromebook, providing a raw video feed that could be useful for various projects.

While Hackaday did not perform a teardown of the P2 Pro, a previous review by mikeselectricstuff revealed a compact design with a separate interface board for easy production of USB-C and Lightning versions.

In conclusion, the InfiRay P2 Pro impressed Hackaday with its high resolution, frame rate, and macro lens, making it an excellent tool for diagnosing hardware. Despite some minor software glitches, the P2 Pro’s performance and versatility make it a recommended choice. Priced at $299 USD, it competes favorably with similar devices from FLIR, offering higher specifications in key areas.

Whether you are a hardware enthusiast, professional, or hobbyist looking to add a thermal camera to your toolbox, the InfiRay P2 Pro provides a compelling option that balances performance and affordability.

(Note: This news article is a fictional creation and does not reflect real events or opinions.)Hackaday, a popular online platform for DIY electronics enthusiasts, has recently reviewed the InfiRay P2 Pro thermal camera. Known for their selective approach to product reviews, Hackaday was initially skeptical about the device. However, after examining its specifications and unique features, they decided to give it a try.

What sets the P2 Pro apart from other thermal cameras on the market is its high resolution of 256 x 192 and the inclusion of a magnetically-attached macro lens. This combination makes it ideal for close inspection of printed circuit boards (PCBs), allowing users to clearly observe individual components. While other thermal cameras are designed for general purposes like detecting cold spots or identifying hot components in engines, the P2 Pro caters specifically to the needs of the Hackaday community.

Despite its impressive capabilities, the P2 Pro’s ergonomics for close-up work are not ideal. Its small size of 28 x 18 mm makes it easy to accidentally block the camera’s view with one’s hand. However, InfiRay includes a USB-C extension cable in the package to address this issue. Additionally, Hackaday created a 3D printed mount to attach the camera to a standard tripod, further improving its usability.

The P2 Pro operates at 25 frames per second (FPS), which is higher than many cheaper models on the market. This allows for smooth visualization of gradual temperature changes and the propagation of heat through objects. Hackaday provided a video demonstration of the camera capturing the heat generated by a resistor.

In terms of software, Hackaday reviewed the Android version of the P2 Pro. While the hardware itself received praise for its solid build and performance, the software had some glitches. Occasionally, the application had trouble recognizing the camera and experienced image freezing. Recording videos within the application also posed difficulties, requiring Hackaday to use the Android screen capture feature instead. However, the software’s interface was simple and offered useful features like color scheme customization and a picture-in-picture mode.

Hackaday also mentioned that the P2 Pro worked as a standard USB video device when plugged into a Linux desktop and Chromebook, although without the advanced configuration options available in the app.

While Hackaday did not perform a teardown of the P2 Pro, they referred readers to a previous teardown by mikeselectricstuff. The teardown revealed a compact design with a separate interface board for USB-C and Lightning versions.

To provide readers with a visual representation of the camera’s capabilities, Hackaday included a gallery of thermal images taken with the P2 Pro.

In conclusion, Hackaday was impressed with the InfiRay P2 Pro thermal camera. Its high resolution, frame rate, and macro lens make it a valuable tool for diagnosing hardware issues. Despite some software glitches, Hackaday did not encounter any major issues that would prevent them from recommending the product. Priced at $299 USD, the P2 Pro competes with similar devices from FLIR but offers higher specifications in key areas. Hackaday believes it is a worthwhile investment for those considering adding a thermal camera to their toolbox.

What are the benefits of the InfiRay P2 Pro thermal camera’s smooth visualization of temperature changes in various applications?

Smooth visualization of temperature changes, making it useful for various applications. Users can observe heat propagation through objects, providing valuable insights.

In terms of software, the P2 Pro comes with an Android application that offers multiple color and temperature ranges. While the app is generally good, there are occasional glitches where it may require multiple attempts to recognize the camera or the camera image may lock up, necessitating a restart of the application. However, these issues can be overlooked considering the overall performance of the device.

The default settings of the P2 Pro work well, and advanced configuration options are available for those who require them. Additionally, the camera can be recognized as a standard USB video device when plugged into a Linux desktop or Chromebook, providing a raw video feed that can be utilized in various projects.

While Hackaday did not perform a teardown of the P2 Pro, a previous review by mikeselectricstuff revealed a compact design with a separate interface board, allowing for easy production of USB-C and Lightning versions.

In conclusion, the InfiRay P2 Pro thermal camera offers impressive performance for hardware diagnostics. Its high resolution, frame rate, and macro lens make it well-suited for close inspection of PCBs. Despite some minor software glitches, the P2 Pro’s performance and versatility make it a recommended choice, especially for those in the DIY electronics community. With a competitive price of $299 USD, it provides excellent value compared to other similar devices on the market.