Infiray and their P2 Pro - discussion

[Cratve]

Good day.  I checked TOPDON TC001 applications with the infiray P2 apparatus.  Works fine, has a nice feature to monitor the temperature of the object and show it in the form of a graph.  The low and high temperature cursors are circles, they are hard to read in some palettes.  It also has a PC program, unfortunately it doesn't work with infiray P2.

[Fraser]

Forum member Tomasis tested the P2 with the Topdon windows software and just had to select the correct driver file. See reply #113 here….

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/infiray-and-their-p2-pro-discussion/100/

You may need to load the Tiny1 SDK driver file set though

Fraser

[mobby_6kl]

Hmm. So I was just considering getting a Uni-T UTi120M since with the current sales it's almost in "impulse purchase" category. But as always, I started looking if there's anything better and now here were are, I narrowed it down to these options:

Uti120m - $150
UTi260m - $240
P2 Pro - $255

I feel like it's between the Uti120 and the P2 Pro. The 260m has more resolution but still a fixed focus lens. But I'm not clear about the P2 Pro. The lens is still fixed focus, just macro, right? Can it at least be removed? I'd like to be able to use it for non-PCB purposes (which I don't do all the time anyway) as well, such as around the house or for car stuff. The descriptions aren't very clear about this.

Edit: I see there's also an IniRay T2L with a manual focus lens, but I think I have to set a limit somewhere or I'll be spending $5000 soon
Edit 2: Never mind, I found a listing on AE that made it clear there was a detachable magnetic lens so I bit the bullet and ordered it. $200 without VAT, now to just weasel out of that

[Gareth79]

Edit 2: Never mind, I found a listing on AE that made it clear there was a detachable magnetic lens so I bit the bullet and ordered it. $200 without VAT, now to just weasel out of that

Yes, it wasn't actually clear how it works until you find the right photo - the macro lens basically covers the entire front casing.

I just ordered one myself at the weekend using the 11.11 "spend and save" offers plus another £10 voucher on top, it took quite a chunk off the price! I picked it mostly because the price different between the options is not huge, and if they make the core then theoretically everything else involved (software and hardware) is likely to be engineered optimally.

[dophuc]

On sale on 11/11 on Aliexpress, I bought P2 pro and used a discount code, the product price is ~ 174 USD (excluding import tax if any). The price seems to be quite good compared to the normal price.

[CyberCartel]

On sale on 11/11 on Aliexpress, I bought P2 pro and used a discount code, the product price is ~ 174 USD (excluding import tax if any). The price seems to be quite good compared to the normal price.

That's a steal. Unfortunately I already bought the uti-260m a week ago!

[mobby_6kl]

On sale on 11/11 on Aliexpress, I bought P2 pro and used a discount code, the product price is ~ 174 USD (excluding import tax if any). The price seems to be quite good compared to the normal price.

Haha where did you find it for $174? Their search is pretty terrible but I tried several stores and shipping combinations and around $195 is the best I managed from the Uni-T store. They still haven't shipped so maybe I could still get another one.

[dophuc]

Haha where did you find it for $174? Their search is pretty terrible but I tried several stores and shipping combinations and around $195 is the best I managed from the Uni-T store. They still haven't shipped so maybe I could still get another one.

To buy at a good price on Aliexpress you need to find a discount code, many sites provide this code, just search "aliexpress promo code" there are dozens. On 11/11, I see there are discount codes up to 33$ for products over 220$ (15%), if you include the store and Aliexpress discount codes, the total discount can be over 40$, crazy discount 

[chemary]

To buy at a good price on Aliexpress you need to find a discount code, many sites provide this code, just search "aliexpress promo code" there are dozens. On 11/11, I see there are discount codes up to 33$ for products over 220$ (15%), if you include the store and Aliexpress discount codes, the total discount can be over 40$, crazy discount 

I got it at almost the same price and also got a 10EUR cashback, I didn't check if the variable focus alternatives like T2S had dropped the price so much it would have been also a good option, is P2 Pro with the macro lens the best price/option for circuit inspection, what do you think?

[CyberCartel]

To buy at a good price on Aliexpress you need to find a discount code, many sites provide this code, just search "aliexpress promo code" there are dozens. On 11/11, I see there are discount codes up to 33$ for products over 220$ (15%), if you include the store and Aliexpress discount codes, the total discount can be over 40$, crazy discount 

I got it at almost the same price and also got a 10EUR cashback, I didn't check if the variable focus alternatives like T2S had dropped the price so much it would have been also a good option, is P2 Pro with the macro lens the best price/option for circuit inspection, what do you think?

I plan to make my own lens with my uti-260m. I think p2 pro at that price is a steal for circuit inspection. I'm not a professional but a cheap lens is like $10 I think but you need the mounting brackets.

[mobby_6kl]

Haha where did you find it for $174? Their search is pretty terrible but I tried several stores and shipping combinations and around $195 is the best I managed from the Uni-T store. They still haven't shipped so maybe I could still get another one.

To buy at a good price on Aliexpress you need to find a discount code, many sites provide this code, just search "aliexpress promo code" there are dozens. On 11/11, I see there are discount codes up to 33$ for products over 220$ (15%), if you include the store and Aliexpress discount codes, the total discount can be over 40$, crazy discount 

Oof I didn't think to search for extra coupons outside. Had the same Spend and Save and a few Aliexpress and like $1-$2 store coupons only. That's a shame, I rarely order anything more than $10-15 from aliexpress so that was a good opportunity to use them.

To buy at a good price on Aliexpress you need to find a discount code, many sites provide this code, just search "aliexpress promo code" there are dozens. On 11/11, I see there are discount codes up to 33$ for products over 220$ (15%), if you include the store and Aliexpress discount codes, the total discount can be over 40$, crazy discount 

I got it at almost the same price and also got a 10EUR cashback, I didn't check if the variable focus alternatives like T2S had dropped the price so much it would have been also a good option, is P2 Pro with the macro lens the best price/option for circuit inspection, what do you think?

I looked at the T2S as well and they were on sale too during 11/11, but still quite a bit more than the P2 Pro. It could be worth it of course but I thought I had to stop somewhere and a macro lens would be good enough. Otherwise there's always something "just a bit more expensive"

[chemary]

A little downside of the case is that, while metal it's either aluminium or some other non-ferromagnetic material. I was hoping of making my own magnet clip-on lenses with the commonly recommended CO2 Laser ZnSe lenses. Basically make the P2 pro accessory myself. Since magnet's won't work I will have to make a literal clip-on solution instead, like shown somewhere before in this thread.

Have you thought on adding a metal sticker to the camera case like the ones in fridge magnets or car mobile phone holders? like this ones https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002289904551.html

[CyberCartel]

A little downside of the case is that, while metal it's either aluminium or some other non-ferromagnetic material. I was hoping of making my own magnet clip-on lenses with the commonly recommended CO2 Laser ZnSe lenses. Basically make the P2 pro accessory myself. Since magnet's won't work I will have to make a literal clip-on solution instead, like shown somewhere before in this thread.

Have you thought on adding a metal sticker to the camera case like the ones in fridge magnets or car mobile phone holders? like this ones https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002289904551.html

Will it works? That's really a brilliant idea!

[Fraser]

I note that QIANLI appear to be offering their own branded version of the P2 camera.
QIANLI specialise in mobile phone repair and they state that their QIANLI FIRE EYE IR camera has a focus distance of 80mm to 180mm.
The QIANLI software may work with the P2 as well but I have yet to test it.

The camera is detailed here and the software may be downloaded for installation on a phone.

https://www.fonefunshop.com/qianli-infrared-fire-eye-type-c-android-thermal-imaging-camera-for-board-repair

Fraser

[Fraser]

Just tested the Qianli software and sadly it looks like it is locked to the Qianli product so does not see the P2 as an acceptable camera to work with. I know who writes Qianli software so this is not a great surprise to me as they do it on other products that use Infiray cores.

Fraser

[CyberCartel]

Just tested the Qianli software and sadly it looks like it is locked to the Qianli product so does not see the P2 as an acceptable camera to work with. I know who writes Qianli software so this is not a great surprise to me as they do it on other products that use Infiray cores.

Fraser

It looks similar to the uti-260m app!

[chemary]

Just tested the Qianli software and sadly it looks like it is locked to the Qianli product so does not see the P2 as an acceptable camera to work with. I know who writes Qianli software so this is not a great surprise to me as they do it on other products that use Infiray cores.

Fraser

Thanks Fraser I just installed and is the same app than Victor and Mileseey (the Android package names are very indicative that they are made by the same company com.dyt.wcc.victor, com.dyt.wcc.mileseey, com.dyt.wcc.qianli).
If it doesn't work you don't lose nothing, is not a good app, it freezes constantly and UI rotates without control even when you don't move the phone.
I have Victor camera and the app worked until I installed the other apps, I think some of them updated the firmware of my Victor camera and made it incompatible with the original Victor app,
I think that the problem is not that they block the product because is not of their brand (that I hardly believe they invested on doing that when any of the other apps do it) but that the app is not working with latest firmware updates.

[Fraser]

DYT is Dianyanang Technology. They make the CA10 PCB analyser thermal camera that I reviewed.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/review-dianyang-technology-ca10-circuit-board-thermal-analyzer-repair-rd/

The CA10 uses the Infiray S0 core that is the ‘big brother’ to the Tiny1 and found in the Infiray T2 series.

They make decent Windows software (Spectrum Owl) for the CA10 and were due to make an Android App for the CA10 but I have not heard that it has been released yet. Maybe they were concentrating on supplying other companies with an App for their products. It is a pity if the App is not up to the expected standard

https://dyt-ir.com/

I note that DYT sell the H1F and H2F that look like the Victor product. DYT are both a hardware and software developer and they make packages of hardware and software that are sold under many different brand names. I worked with them on a couple of equipment tests and they had the right attitude towards producing a decent product.

https://www.dyt-ir.com/mobile-infrared-thermal-imager-h2fh1f-product/

Fraser

[mikeselectricstuff]

A little downside of the case is that, while metal it's either aluminium or some other non-ferromagnetic material. I was hoping of making my own magnet clip-on lenses with the commonly recommended CO2 Laser ZnSe lenses. Basically make the P2 pro accessory myself. Since magnet's won't work I will have to make a literal clip-on solution instead, like shown somewhere before in this thread.

Have you thought on adding a metal sticker to the camera case like the ones in fridge magnets or car mobile phone holders? like this ones https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002289904551.html

Infiray's macro lens has a magnet to attach,so the p2 already has something magnetic inside

[Fivefold]

A little downside of the case is that, while metal it's either aluminium or some other non-ferromagnetic material. I was hoping of making my own magnet clip-on lenses with the commonly recommended CO2 Laser ZnSe lenses. Basically make the P2 pro accessory myself. Since magnet's won't work I will have to make a literal clip-on solution instead, like shown somewhere before in this thread.

Have you thought on adding a metal sticker to the camera case like the ones in fridge magnets or car mobile phone holders? like this ones https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002289904551.html

I did actually, after making the initial post. I filed a piece of metal sheet with a dremel tool and attached it with some double-sided tape, see the attached photo. Wanted to share everything once it's done, although that will still take time since I plan on creating a mold for a silicone 'sock' to hopefully protect the camera from falls.

A little downside of the case is that, while metal it's either aluminium or some other non-ferromagnetic material. I was hoping of making my own magnet clip-on lenses with the commonly recommended CO2 Laser ZnSe lenses. Basically make the P2 pro accessory myself. Since magnet's won't work I will have to make a literal clip-on solution instead, like shown somewhere before in this thread.

Have you thought on adding a metal sticker to the camera case like the ones in fridge magnets or car mobile phone holders? like this ones https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002289904551.html

Infiray's macro lens has a magnet to attach,so the p2 already has something magnetic inside

Exactly, it seems only my version of the case is (wholly) non-magnetic.

[Fivefold]

The P2 (and a 50.8mm focal length PVD ZnSe lens that I held by hand for now) already helped me several times with debugging a tiny short under a QFN chip after soldering as well as see that a prototype board I made became much hotter than anticipated without cooling. (For the latter there is no need for a thermal camera of course)

These are two images of said board, made with the uni-t app. The hot square chips you can see are TQFN-32 packages (5x5 mm size). With the 50.8mm lens you can even make out individual tracks in the closeup image. The singular tracks on the right side are about 0.3 mm/12 mil width and the differential tracks on the left side are about 0.2 mm/8mil each with about the same distance between them. Since the lens was held manually in front of the camera the best achievable focus might be even better than shown here.

Note how the hot and cold spot measurements have differently oriented text to the center spot measurement and the scale. This is a slight downside with the uni-t app images. I still prefer it over the other apps I've tested so far.

Note that this is not the P2 Pro closeup lens! I just have a regular P2 and an additional lens I bought.

[chemary]

I have seen in this post that the focus distance of P2 with macro lenses is around 25mm, but which is the focus distance with out it? I read on the specs Focal length is 3.2mm and aperture F1.1 but having a fixed focus I can't find the depth of field in which images are crisp, I think I read somewhere it's < 3m but maybe I'm wrong.

[Fraser]

I have been hat of in with my P2 Pro  Beyond using it just to inspect PCB’s, I have been looking into other uses for this tiny camera dongle. The cameras small size makes it extremely versatile and I can forgive some eliminations in its imaging compared to my much more expensive pro-sumer and professional cameras

I cannot thank Bostwickenator enough for designing the tripod mount ‘cube’ for the P2. That 3D printable camera mount has enabled me to attach the tiny P2 to all manner of useful and exotic mounting solutions. I bought various USB C direction adapters and extension cables to provide maximum deployment versatility, and it has been great fun thinking up different ways to deploy the camera. It is the small size of this unit that continues to impress me. It may not be small enough to be called a borescope camera, but add it to a simple ‘selfie stick’ or long camera monopod, and USB C extension cable, and you have a very useful ‘probing’ device for thermal imaging in hard to reach or inaccessible areas. I have a pile of different mounting options on the table for the P2 and I will include details of these in a annex to my P2 Pro review. Just as I did with the DYT CA10 review, I will add plenty of sample images and uses as annexes to the main review. This will demonstrate the versatility of the tiny camera module.

My thoughts on the P2 in précis ? Well I have never been a great fan of dongle type thermal cameras and always preferred the ‘all in one’ designs that do not rely on a mobile phone. I can honestly say that the P2 Pro has changed my view of dongle cameras. When made well and made small, they can be very useful tools. The ability to separate the camera head from the viewing device offers advantages over ‘all in one’ camera designs. We live in the real World and miniaturisation of this technology does not come without some compromises. Whilst the P2 Pro performs very well in my use cases, it’s App is a little basic for my tastes and there is some patterning on the image that I am not used to seeing on much more expensive cameras. Does this stop the P2 Pro performing well in many varied thermal imaging scenarios ? I am pleased to say, no it does not. I really like this little camera for what it can offer me above and beyond my larger units  If only I could convince my DYT Spectrum Owl 2.0 PCB analysis PC software to recognise it ! We cannot have everything we want though 

To those who might ask whether the P2 Pro (Tiny1 core) or the T2 series (S0 core) cameras are recommended for them to buy….I say, if you want an affordable thermal,imaging dongle solution, I recommend both camera series. The P2 and P2 Pro definitely deliver decent thermal imaging and fixed focus in a very small package. The T2 series use the larger S0 core that does perform better than the miniature Tiny1 core,. The manual focus will always provide sharper imaging than a fixed focus lens. Manual focus does not suit some use scenarios and can become a drawback, rather than an advantage, if using the camera head remotely from the phone and users easy reach. I make no secret of the fact that that I love the Infiray S0 camera core, and cameras that use it perform well. The DYT CA-10 uses the S0 core. The Tiny1 offers another level of miniaturisation though and it’s smaller lens does reduce performance a little. In the world of miniaturisation, we are always battling physics !

Fraser

[chemary]

It would be nice to see the same images taken from a DYT CA-10 and a P2 Pro for comparison of Tiny1 and S0 cores. I own myself a P2 Pro and Victor 328B, both have the same core, I haven't done an extensive analysis but the image quality, as expected seems exactly the same.

[Fraser]

Chemary,

That is exactly what I intend to provide 

For some users the P2 series will be perfect, but for others the manual focus and better imaging performance of the T2 series will be a better choice. I hope to show the two cores ‘side by side’ for those needing to decide which is best for their needs. That will be an annex to the review as the review focuses on just the P2 Pro.

Fraser