This little gadget gave my Android phone thermal vision superpowers. Here’s how to use it

I’m a big fan of Android smartphones with built-in thermal cameras, like the amazing Ulefone 18T Power Armor.

I also understand that some people simply don’t want to have to upgrade their smartphones to gain access to this useful superpower.

Also: How I Use This Android Phone With Thermal Vision Superpowers (And Why You Need It)

If you don’t want to have to buy a new smartphone, then this is the tool for you, and right now you can get it for $80 off if you’re a Prime member: InfiRay P2 Pro surveillance camera.

InfiRay P2 Pro Technical Specifications

• Infrared resolution of 256 x 192
• Infrared resolution of 256 x 192
• Temperature range -20°C to 550°C ±2°C
• Small design: 27mm × 18mm × 9.8mm and weighs 9g
• Battery-less design
• Compatible with Android 9.0 and higher
• USB-C interface

InfiRay P2 Pro consists of a small thermal camera and a magnetically adjustable macro lens that allows the camera to be brought closer to the item being examined.

Also: This 12-in-1 power screwdriver is my go-to tool and is available for under $50.

The camera is really tiny: it measures 27 × 18 × 9.8 mm and weighs 9 grams, making it smaller and lighter than a charging cable.

Setting up the P2 Pro is easy: download and install the P2 Pro app from the Google Play Store, launch the app, plug the camera into the USB-C port, and you’re good to go.

If your Android smartphone is the rugged type, you may have trouble fitting the camera and need to get a new one. USB-C Extender.

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Then you can start exploring your surroundings.

One feature of the P2 Pro app that I really like is that along with the cross in the center of the image there are two more that capture the highest and lowest temperature in the shot.

Then there is the macro lens.

By placing the macro lens on the front of the camera, you will be able to get an up close and personal view of what you are looking at, giving you better resolving power to really focus.

The software offers plenty of customization options without being bloated with unnecessary features.

This thermal camera is amazing, especially considering the price.

Not sure what you can do with a thermal camera? Here are some of the things you can do with a thermal camera:

• Look for overheated electrical components (faulty components usually run hotter).
• Diagnose all types of HVAC problems, from windows that leak heat to radiators that don’t heat properly or air conditioning units that don’t cool.
• Detect dangerous overheating Rechargeable batteries.
• Find the radiator pipes under the floorboards.
• Look for overheated power cords.
• Find problems with cooling systems on desktop and laptop systems.
• Point-fixation brakes in automobiles.

My advice for learning how to use a thermal imaging camera is to use it to look at things when they are not faulty (radiators, car brakes, electrical components, anything) and that way you can tell what things should look like and know when they are not working right.

Also: Any gadget fan knows: there is always a better tool.

I find the thermal imager so useful that I reach for it without thinking twice. Just now, I wanted to find out if an electrical appliance was getting power. Instead of using a multimeter, I used my thermal imager to see if anything was getting hot inside. Once I saw that the components were getting hot, that eliminated a lot of potential problems.

I’ve been testing several thermal cameras, both standalone cameras and cameras that connect to smartphones, and the InfiRay P2 Pro It’s the best. It’s small, the macro lens makes it super flexible, it’s fast and accurate, and it doesn’t need to be charged separately.

This is a fantastic addition to any repair tool kit and if you are an Amazon Prime member you can get $80 off the list price of the iPhone version, while the Android The version is currently discounted to $219.