Infiray P2 Pro: Unleashing the Power of Miniaturized Thermal Imaging

At first glance, it's natural to be skeptical of the Infiray P2 Pro. Can something so small really deliver impressive thermal imaging capabilities? The initial impression might lead you to believe it's a mere novelty or a toy. But let me assure you, those initial impressions were wrong, this little device is a game-changer.

A Remarkable Evolution:

The realm of Chinese thermal imaging microbolometers and cores has seen a meteoric rise in recent years, thanks in part to the urgency of developing affordable yet high-performing imaging solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The P2 Pro serves as an embodiment of this progress, showcasing how imaging cores have shrunk in size while still delivering precise thermal measurements.

The Power of Lens and Pixels:

The resolution of 256 x 192 pixels may be dictated by the manufacturer's market target, but don't let that fool you. Personally, I may have preferred a wider field of view lens for this camera, but even with its stock specifications, the P2 Pro is a versatile tool. It excels in both general thermal imaging and precision close-up work.

Getting Up Close and Personal:

The P2 Pro takes the already proven P2 camera and enhances it with greater temperature measurement capabilities and a supplementary close-up lens. This macro lens facilitates intricate thermal analysis of small objects, such as modern miniature electronic components on a PCB. The depth of field offered by the standard 56-degree HFOV lens is astonishing. During testing, it demonstrated exceptional focus from infinity down to approximately ~20 centimeters, while the close-up lens provided a user-friendly depth of field at its ~25mm fixed focus distance.

Robust Hardware for Versatility:

Over a month of rigorous testing and familiarization, the P2 Pro's hardware proved itself to be stable and reliable, free from any signs of instability or quality-related issues. Its design strikes a harmonious balance between aesthetics and practicality. Once mounted in the tripod, this little thermal camera unleashes its true potential, with mounting options limited only by your creativity. The advantage of its compact and rugged design cannot be overstated, it packs a punch far above its weight. The robust USB Type-C male connector also stood the test, showing no signs of wear or fragility during testing.

The Crucial Role of Software:

Of course, the P2 Pro's hardware is only part of the equation. To transform it into a functional thermal imaging system, you need a capable host device with the necessary processing power, communication, and display capabilities. Mobile phones fit the bill perfectly. However, as a self-proclaimed non-fan of dongle-type thermal imaging cameras that dangle precariously from a mobile phone's USB connector, I had my reservations. Previous experiences with FLIR ONE G2, G3, and Seek Thermal Classic thermal camera dongles had not impressed me.

Overcoming Dongle Challenges:

Dongle-type thermal cameras often face challenges in delivering adequate imaging performance while maintaining a small form factor and practicality in daily use. Surprisingly, the P2 Pro defied my expectations. Its compact size integrates seamlessly with a mobile phone, avoiding the bulk and clumsiness that plague other thermal imaging dongles.

The Heart of the System:

The host device runs software that converts the data from the thermal camera dongle into viewable and savable imagery for the user. The quality of this software is paramount. The P2 Pro app installed seamlessly on several CAT S62 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra phone models, with only a minor issue of occasional failure to recognize the camera. However, this was easily resolved by reattaching the camera. The app reliably auto-starts.

A Versatile Imaging Tool:

Using the P2 Pro camera was not just a test, it was a delightful experience. In general use, it performs well, providing valuable insights into the surroundings. But where it truly shines is in precision work. The exceptional depth of field afforded by the camera's lens allows well-focused imaging at distances of around ~20 centimeters without any need for additional lenses. For close-up inspections and analyses, the P2 Pro's supplementary close-up lens steals the show. With a ~25mm working distance, it delivers well-focused images of even the tiniest SMT components on PCBs. These images are more than sufficient for PCB thermal analysis. The combination of native close focusing and the supplementary close-up (Macro) lens empowers users to capture a broad thermal overview of a large PCB and then add the close-up lens for detailed insights into specific areas of interest. By attaching the P2 Pro to a simple, inexpensive microscope stand, you can create an efficient PCB thermal analysis solution. Similarly, mounting the camera on an articulated arm transforms it into a versatile bench thermography system, allowing the observation of distant targets that would be challenging with a microscope stand.

Accuracy in Temperature Measurement:

If a thermal camera aims to be more than a visual tool and provide accurate temperature measurements, it must be radiometric. In the case of the P2 Pro, it delivers accurate temperature readings within its specified range. This capability is particularly valuable for tasks like PCB thermal analysis and fault identification. The Emissivity and distance functions work as expected, and the camera passes measurement accuracy tests with flying colors.

Versatility in Temperature Measurement:

Radiometric thermal cameras offer various temperature measurement methods, including center spot, hottest spot, coldest spot, and region of interest (ROI) measurements. The P2 Pro keeps it straightforward, offering two measurement modes: Basic mode provides a center temperature measurement along with the highest and lowest temperatures in the scene, suitable for quick assessments. For more advanced options, Pro mode can be enabled, offering user-selectable and positionable spot, line, and ROI measurements. The ROI is limited to a user-defined variable-size rectangle, which suffices for most tasks. The Line and ROI measurement options provide readings for the highest, lowest, and average temperatures, with clear, colored dot markers indicating the relevant points. With the capability to deploy three of each advanced measurement type, users have ample multi-point measurement options when monitoring several locations within a thermal scene.

Final Thoughts:

After more then a month of rigorous testing, my perspective has shifted to genuine belief in this miniaturized thermal imaging technology. The Infiray Tiny1 thermal imaging core within the P2 Pro's metal casing surpasses equivalent cores from FLIR and SEEK Thermal. This review sample will find a permanent place in my lab as a highly portable and exceptionally useful thermal imaging tool.

My gratitude extends to Infiray for providing the sample P2 Pro camera for this comprehensive review.

In Conclusion::

The Infiray P2 Pro is not just a thermal camera, it's a marvel of miniaturized thermal imaging technology. It's a game-changer, offering compact dimensions without compromising on performance. This thermal camera's journey is a testament to the rapid advancement in thermal imaging technology, offering a versatile solution for various applications. Its exceptional resolution, coupled with the supplementary close-up lens, allows for precise thermal analysis, making it an invaluable tool for fields like PCB thermal analysis. The hardware is not just reliable, it's robust and appealing. Paired with modern smartphones, it transforms into an impressive thermal imaging system. In a world where size often matters, this small thermal camera has made a big impression, earning its place as a reliable and highly portable imaging tool.

Infiray P2 PRO Specifications:

• Imaging Core: Infiray Tiny1
• Resolution: 256 x 192 Pixels
• Pixel Size: 12um
• Frame Rate: 25fps
• Field of view: 56.0°x 42.2°
• NETD: <50mK @25C with F1.0 Lens
• Focus Distance (Fixed lens): ~200mm to Infinity
• Focus Distance (with close-up lens): 25mm
• Measurement Temperature range: -10C to +550C in two ranges
• Measurement accuracy: +/- 2C or +/- 2% whichever is greater
• Span and Level adjustment : Automatic (Brightness and Contrast controls are included)
• Interface to Host: USB C with USB 2.0 data compatibility
• Official Operating Systems Supported: Android only
• Unnoficial Operating Systems Supported: Windows 10, Windows 11 using IRCAM Thermal Viewer
• SDK availability: A Tiny1 series core SDK is available

Current Draw: Measured current consumption from the Host mobile phone: 50/59mA with short duration increases to 150mA during an FFC event Note that the phone continued to supply power even when the APP was not running and the P2 Pro continued to draw 50/59mA.

Unboxing:

Comparison Infiray P2 Pro vs. Flir Lepton 3.5 (Cat S62 Pro)
	FLIR	infiray
Motherboard VRM
PCB
Wire junction box