Thermal Master P3 USB Thermal Camera Dongle
First Impressions by Fraser
Thermal Master has sent me a P3 USB Thermal Camera Dongle for testing.
What makes this particular thermal camera dongle stand out in the crowd is the combination of a manual focus lens and the Thermal Master AI driven X3 resolution enhancement mode.
First impressions of the camera dongle are excellent. It appears well designed, with a high quality metal case and lens assembly. The casing is not as small as that of the P2 and P2 Pro but it remains conveniently compact and sleek. The finish on the case is also of high quality in a mainly satin black coating with brass/gold accents for those who like a thermal camera with style
The USB Type-C plug extending from the top surface appears well secured into the cameras case and shows no signs of weakness in the design. The plug is extended to permit easy mounting on a mobile phone that is wearing a protective cover.
The P3 is supplied with some useful accessories:
1. USB-C extension cable 48cm in length
2. USB-C socket to Lightning plug adapter for older iOS devices
3. USB-C socket to USB-A plug for connection to a PC or Tablet
4. Rugged carry case for P3 and accessories
The box advertises the P3 as "All-OS", hence the inclusion of the adapters to facilitate connection to a wide range of devices. From what I have seen, the P3 is able to operate with iOS, Android and Windows platforms but I have not seen software support stated for Linux. I am uncertain whether Apple MAC is supported. The various Apps are available via the phones App store and the PC software, called "Temp Master" is available from the Download area of the Thermal Master Web site (Note comments later in this document regarding the PC software).
The specifications of the P3 are a pleasure to read as they provide an insight into the P3's varied capabilities. The specifications are repeated below:
Model: P3
Infrared Core: Thermal Master High-Sensitivity Sensor
Detector: Vox 256x192 @12μm
X³IR™ Resolution: 512x384 pixels
Frame Rate 25Hz
NETD: ＜35mk@25℃
Focal Length: 4.3mm
Lens FOV: 40°x30.2°
Focusing Mode: Manual Focus Lens with Macro down to 8mm distance
Digital Zoom: 15× (common sense applies here as resolution decreases with an increase in Digital Zoom)
Measurement Range: -4℉~1122℉（-20℃~600℃）
Temp Accuracy: ±2℃ or ±2% of the reading
Power Consumption: 0.32W
Image enhancement: RazorX™ Ultra-Clear algorithm
Accuracy Enhancement: IQ+ Precision Temp
(Dynamic compensation algorithm for temperature drift with intelligent sensing of ambient temperature)
Isotherm mode: Yes
A setting that highlights a specific range of temperatures within the thermal image, making them stand out with a distinct color)
Compatibility: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ Phones and PCs
(iPhone 8-16, Android 7.0 or higher system)
Size (LxWxH) : 59*27*17.2 mm
Case Material: Aerospace Alloy
Plug: Plug extended by 2mm, compatible with most phone cases
Package Content: P3 thermal camera, portable case, Type-C to Lightning adapter, 50cm extension cable, user manual
From the above specifications it can be seen that the P3 uses a 256x192 pixel 25fps thermal imaging core that has a stated NETD of <35mK. That is an impressive thermal sensitivity. I do recommend that buyers not get too fixated on NETD though. Whilst it can be a guide to thermal sensitivity when comparing different cameras or cores, it is not the "whole picture" when assessing camera performance. Thermal Master have created an image and measurement enhancement package for their cameras and these are present in the P3. We have the X3 resolution enhancement mode that is said to use AI in its operation. This creates a 512 x 384 pixel image from the physical 256x192 pixel microbolometer output. In my experience this X3 mode can work well in many thermal scenes. The RazorX algorithm is focussed on image enhancement whilst the IQ+ algorithm focuses on providing the best measurement accuracy possible fro a given thermal scene and target. This package of image processing and enhancement algorithms is welcomed as image processing is a key are in thermal imaging that needs to continue development to provide the best possible images from the relatively low resolution thermal imaging microbolometers.
The P3 clearly has good microbolometer and image processing/enhancement credentials, but all that is wasted if the lens system that illuminates the microbolometer is of poor design or poor quality. Thankfully Thermal Master understand the need for good optics and have not held back on the production cost of the small, but perfectly formed, lens and manual focus assembly. The lens is recessed deep into the lens barrel affording it good impact protection, and the metal manual focus ring is beautifully designed to be large enough to be easily operated whilst not being cumbersome and projecting too far forward of the casing. When using the manual focus I found it to be very forgiving in terms of Depth of Field and the focus ring movement is beautifully smooth with just the right amount of rotation resistance, likely provided by a carefully selected high viscosity optical grease. The large focus ring is the perfect size for ease of use. I found that I am able to adjust the focus with one finger acting on the focus ring at the side of the cameras case. Very nice. I have no complaints about the choice of lens, its FOV or the feel of the manual focus function whilst in use. I am pleased that Thermal Master elected to use a 40 Degree HFOV lens rather than something nearer to 60 degrees as other cameras use. The 40 degree HFOV lens provides a better IFOV figure.
There will always be those who like, or dislike, the idea of attaching a thermal camera to a mobile phone. I tend to fall into the "dislike" category of user as I have always used complete thermal cameras that are rugged and an "All-in-One" thermal imaging solution. That said, I have modified my view of thermal imaging USB dongles since using some for PCB analysis and testing for reviews. The FLIR One G2, G3 and Seek Thermal Classic Dongle Cameras left me feeling underwhelmed with the whole USB thermal camera dongle experience but the Infiray P2 Pro changed that view for me. A well designed USB thermal camera dongle with good thermal imaging capabilities can be a pleasure to use. Granted there is the need for a Host phone, tablet or PC, but these are not rare items in daily life these days. The versatility of the small USB thermal dongles is what I like. I can attach one to my everyday phone, a dedicated workshop phone or some other host. I can use an extension cable to make the thermal imaging Dongle even more versatile for PCB analysis or imaging in confined spaces. Do remember personal safety when delving in a car engine bay or a live equipment cabinet though ! For me I am now a convert to USB thermal imaging dongles in situations for which they are well suited. I still use my "All-in-One" type thermal imaging cameras as they have their strengths as well. I love the Thermal Master THOR series that I am currently testing, but that excellent camera has a size disadvantage when working in confined spaces or wanting to have a thermal imaging capability on your person when out and about, without the weight of a larger camera format. For those, like me, who dislike holding a mobile phone between their fingers whilst using it, I found several excellent "pistol grip" format mobile phone handlers. The Manfrotto travel format "Pistol grip" holder is an excellent compact solution.
So we are going a bit deeper than I intended with this post but I am genuinely impressed with the products offered by Thermal Master and the P3 is no exception, so it is easy to get carried away !
A first impressions post would not be complete without some sample "teaser" images captured by the camera so I am including a few here and there will be more in the full review, including comparisons between images captured with the X3 mode on and off to show what it does.
The P3 was connected to my Motorola phone and the Temp-Master app that was previously installed for my Thermal Master P2 recognised the P3 and began working with it without incident. This App can attach GPS data to images so I will need to strip that data off of any images that I upload and this should be considered by users of these cameras and the related Apps. I am sure Thermal Master are not alone in Geo tagging images. The App also saves the images in a large format over which I have no control, so please forgive the image sizes in this thread ! (software size reduction could degrade the thermal images).
I attempted to connect the P3 to my Windows 7 laptop and then to my Windows 10 laptop. Sadly I could not get the Temp-Master PC software to install in the English language or do anything more than display the thermal image stream. I shall have to investigate the PC software situation further and maybe discuss with Thermal Master after making sure that I am not doing something stupid !
The sample images provided here include the usual, (obligatory) cat images, some house images and images of my Philips DVB set top box PCB as used for other reviews that I have written. More interesting targets will be included in the full review. I carried out a quick P3 measurement accuracy test against a known accurate Black Body and the result was impressive after allowing the camera to warm up. For a 40 degree Celsius Black Body reference, I measured the emission plate as 39.9 and 40.0 Degrees Celsius with the P3. Not bad at all
The camera must be allowed to temperature stabilise though and this is true of all thermal cameras when the highest measurement accuracy is required.
So in summary, do I like the Thermal Master P3 manual focus thermal imaging USB Dongle ?
That is simple to answer as I very much like what I see in the P3. Its imaging performance, within the obvious constraints of a 256x192 physical pixel microbolometer camera, is excellent. The X3 super resolution mode certainly appears to be a very useful resolution enhancement tool as well.
The full review of the P3 will follow once I have had some time using the unit in various situations and collecting imagery to share with this forum. If considering the purchase of a USB thermal imaging dongle then the P3 is most certainly worthy of serious consideration. If manual focus is not desired, the P2 and its tiny brother, the P2 Pro, are excellent alternatives. There are reviews of both by me on this forum. For a manual focus USB dongle type thermal imaging solution the P3 offers a lot and is very versatile.
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