Cheap new basic thermal camera on eBay - Multicomp / Uni-T + teardown

[Hydron]

Uh... I think I just nabbed the final one - all gone in a day! Probably would have ordered a couple more for work if there was more stock, but toys for me come before toys for work

Cheers for the heads up Fraser & electr_peter - I have other cameras going up to VGA resolution, but they're certainly not as small and handy to use, and being designed for applications other than measurement they don't have nice temperature scales etc.

[Fraser]

I just did a really crude minimum focus distance check on my camera with a warm Matt painted paper clip…… I was somewhat surprised to discover it is around 2” (50mm) !

That seems awfully close for a fixed focus camera. I have a feeling that the Lepton core is set to favour closer targets, rather than distant ones. Bill discovered that the Lepton 3 focus was not optimised for generic use. In this case, that may actually fall in our favour for PCB use

More after a more formal minimum focus distance test tomorrow. When I have time I can carry out a distance focus test as well but that usually suffers as a result of the image noise present in these cores.

Fraser

[Hydron]

I've got a number of elements (both ZnSe and Ge) that I can try infront of mine, but to be honest if I need really close-up imaging (albeit without radiometric data) I've got other options - those close up lenses from ivaylo plus a VGA core let you image at least down to 01005s.

[Fraser]

Hydron,

I hope you find your Multicomp camera useful. It would have been great to get the 120 x 90 pixel model but at this price I could not resist it  It is like having a tape measure in your pocket or tool kit. Want to know your soldering iron tip temperature…. No problem, just check it with this camera  Need to quickly check a PCB for basic thermal activity, no problem, this camera can often help with that as well. There are so many everyday uses for this convenient little camera and I have already forgiven its low resolution as it is adequate for simple tasks. As with you, I have better cameras that I can call upon if needed. There is a significant difference in convenience between my FLIR E60+ And this compact pocket camera. I could use one of my Seek Reveal PRO units but their form factor does not always fit some tasks, such as PCB inspection. I do like my Reveal Pro units though…. Very Star Trek !  I have both FLIR One G2 and Seek Thermal Classic dongles but find them to be a faff to use as you have to get your phone, plug the dongle into it, start the app and then hold the phone right for imaging without dropping it ! The compact Multicomp camera is far quicker to use and is self contained, which I prefer. I would love a 160 x 120 pixel version of it so we need some very clever person to rewrite its firmware to accept a Lepton 3.5 as I have a few of those in stock…….. just kidding, rewriting the firmware for the Lepton 3.x series cores is challenging due to its quad image packet set that needs to be combined to form one frame, plus the greater processing overhead involved in the higher resolution images. I can dream though  We may yet see a higher resolution version of this camera if Uni-T decide to use an Infiray Tiny1 core rather than the Guide 120 x 90 TIMO core used in the UTi120P.

[Fraser]

I just spoke with the seller again. As suspected, all cameras have been sold. I think he may have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly they sold 

Fraser

[kripton2035]

did you ask for a commission as "influencer" ?

[Fraser]

Nah,,that is not me at all 

[Hydron]

I think he may have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly they sold 

... Or annoyed that that the price had been set well below what people might have actually paid

Then again, I probably would have passed at £100, but it didn't need any thought at £55, and sometimes an easy sale is the best option.

[Fred27]

Damn! I missed this. I couldn't justify the £100 previously but would definitely have gone for one at £55.

There were a couple that sold for £40 earlier in the month. I have to wonder whether Farnell have been disposing of stock at their trade outlets?

Somebody must be taking up the slack now that toploser has moved to France and stopped tempting us with all those deals on returns, etc.

[tszaboo]

I'm somewhat confused how they can sell this camera for ~100 USD, when the Uni-t branded one is ~300.
In any case, I hope they will be able to fit a cheap 120x160 sensor with a cheap camera sensor into a USB-C plug sensor, and have something like the Filr one pro. Or at least integrate some cheap Wifi image and file streaming into a standalone unit.

[Fraser]

I am pleased to say that the seller is not annoyed at the price he sold at. He is selling stock that he no longer needs. I have pointed him in the direction of the EEVBlog buy and sell area as a possible additional sales outlet. As has been stated, we miss having Toploser around to tempt us with his excellent offerings 

As to the amazing price that many of us have benefitted from. I have no idea how these units can be sold so cheaply. I can only assume that Farnell are discontinuing the product so effectively ‘dumped’ the stock via their trade counters. I saw that Newark/Farnell Canada had these units heavily discounted, but nowhere near the prices we have seen in the UK. As I stated, one seller offered two of these at £40 each in October so we can assume that he paid less than that for them from Farnell !

Toploser would have more of an insight into how Farnell and RS discount unwanted/discontinued products.

[Fraser]

Newark (Canada) have this camera on discount at the moment… Ca$375.31 from an original Ca$466.31

https://canada.newark.com/multicomp-pro/mp780429/thermal-imager-51-x-38deg-c-9hz/dp/68AH8496?st=multicomp%20camera

They do not appear to be disposing of their stock.

Fraser

[Fraser]

Farnell UK are showing new stock arriving 28th March 2022, so it does not appear that they are not discontinuing the camera. They are asking £238.99 +20% Vat for it !

https://uk.farnell.com/multicomp-pro/mp780429/thermal-imager-51-x-38deg-c-9hz/dp/3394756?st=multicomp%20camera

I think those of us who bought one of these cameras in the latest eBay sales got a good deal on them, even at the £99 price point

The mystery of how these cameras came to market so cheaply remains but the fact that both sellers were also selling many R-Pi units suggests a Farnell Trade Counter deal….why do this when new stock is not  arriving until March 2022, I have no idea. A mass return of unwanted unit’s from organisations that bought them for Fever Detection maybe ? If so, that was a poor purchase choice.

Fraser

[tszaboo]

The mystery of how these cameras came to market so cheaply remains but the fact that both sellers were also selling many R-Pi units suggests a Farnell Trade Counter deal….why do this when new stock is not  arriving until March 2022, I have no idea. A mass return of unwanted unit’s from organisations that bought them for Fever Detection maybe ? If so, that was a poor purchase choice.

Fraser

B-stock, water damage, damaged packaging, "It fell from the truck and we found it on the side of the road".

[Fraser]

I do not think so. No water damage, no packaging damage, no evidence of use and no attempt to sell surreptitiously by removing serial number labels. Legit sellers from what I could see. In some cases, an item that is sold and then returned, even if unused, cannot be sold as brand new again. I am no expert on consumer law and returns procedures though.

[Bill W]

Farnell UK are showing new stock arriving 28th March 2022, so it does not appear that they are not discontinuing the camera. They are asking £238.99 +20% Vat for it !

https://uk.farnell.com/multicomp-pro/mp780429/thermal-imager-51-x-38deg-c-9hz/dp/3394756?st=multicomp%20camera

I think those of us who bought one of these cameras in the latest eBay sales got a good deal on them, even at the £99 price point

Farnell selling at £240 suggests a wholesale price of £120 (RS and Farnell simply double their purchase cost for simpler items).  As such £99 for the previous batch could be 'at cost' given shipping costs etc since then

Bill

[Fraser]

My Multicomp thermal camera arrived safely today. Brand new with no signs of use

Very happy with it 

For those wanting the PC software I downloaded it from the Uni-Trend web site as I could not find it on the Multicomp site.

Fraser

[Hydron]

Mine arrived this morning - very happy with the purchase. Thanks for the heads up about the software.

[electr_peter]

It seems that shipping is quicker for some than others.
Photos by @Fraser show this camera is useful for board work even with no lenses as well as for general use - incredible value

For a reference, PC SW can be found on UNI-T website. Downloads is ~50MB and it takes long time.
https://www.uni-trend.com/meters/html/product/Environmental/Thermal_Imager/Portable%20Series/UTi80P.html
UTi80P software installation file (.exe)
UTi80P software installation instruction
UTi80P software installation file (.zip)

Would SW by @joe-c work with UTi80P/MP780429 camera? freeware-software-for-thermal-analysis-thermovision_joec

[kripton2035]

mine is announced for 16th nov...
but hey it has the Manche sea to cross !

before brexit it took a week for a packet to come from UK to france
now it takes more than 2 weeks !
and I'm not sure it will not be refused by customs...

[Fraser]

Refused by customs ? Why ?

eBay sort out the Taxes for you as part of the auction administration so French Customs should be content with that side of things. It does contain a Lithium Battery but is otherwise a non controlled  product. It’s not like it’s British fish is it 

Hope all goes well with the delivery for you. The arrival estimates can be very pessimistic so it may arrive sooner than expected.

Fraser

[Fraser]

For anyone wanting the flexible gooseneck mounting solution, you need two parts if you buy what I did. The gooseneck mount plus a thread adapter.

I provide links to the two parts below……

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202077414317

Cost :£14.95 but very high quality with a nice heavy cast Iron base. The brand is “Pulsar” and it is a microphone stand. It is unusual in that it has a 3/8” male thread at the top that is fitted with a 3/8” to Microphone stand male thread adapter when delivered. Just replace that adapter with the 3/8” to 1/4” type and you are all set up for PCB inspection

The thread adapter 3/8” female to 1/4” male

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Male-1-4-to-Female-3-8-Threaded-Screw-Converter-Adapter-for-Mounting-Camera-and-/313667370475?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

There are cheaper versions but this one is good and solid  This one costs £3.60 and is a generic brand.


Fraser

[kripton2035]

it's square, it could be assimiled to some breaded fish with no chips...
oh wait ! there ARE chips inside !

[Fraser]

The Kodak supplemental lens set for mobile phones has arrived. It is well made but I am not sure I am sold on the mounting arrangement. A custom 3D printed supplemental lens holder would likely be a better option but that is on the to-do list and may never get done by me. The lenses in the kit contain glass lens elements and are easily dismantled to permit re-purposing of the lens barrel. I saw no vignetting in a quick test of the 'fisheye' lens barrel.

All in all, an interesting design and you get three different lenses (the Macro lens is part of the wide lens) plus two of the lens mounts for around a Fiver so not bad value really.

Fraser

[Hydron]

Would SW by @joe-c work with UTi80P/MP780429 camera? freeware-software-for-thermal-analysis-thermovision_joec

Just tried it, it can read it partially in "Uni-T" mode but the image is corrupted - probably due to the wrong resolution image being supplied (the Uni-T cameras on the support list are likely higher resolution). It is however reporting the same min/max temp range, and there is recognisable detail in the image, so hopefully an easy change by JoeC to add support.

Btw it's easy to get into the camera (just requires a philips #1 with a reasonably slim shank). I didn't pull the screen off however to check what micro is in use (it lives underneath, nothing interesting to see without removing it other than the sensor), as I didn't want to worry about getting dust or fingerprints on the screen (which is behind a plastic cover). There is a SWDebug port present if somebody wanted to have a go at some reverse engineering.