Over the years I’ve reviewed a number of thermal cameras, some standalone and some built into smartphones. For the average user, they offer more than adequate performance and sensitivity.
But sometimes you need something beyond “more than adequate”.
That’s where the Xinfrared T2S Plus comes in. Note that the T2S Plus I’m testing is for Android smartphones, but there’s also a separate iPhone version with a Lightning connector.
Technical characteristics of the Xinfrared T2S Plus
-
Resolution : 256X192px -
Pixel Pitch : 12μm -
Field of view : 44.9° x 33.4° -
Frame rate : 25Hz -
Sensor : high performance industrial grade InfiRay sensor -
Focus mode : 8mm macro lens -
Temperature measurement range : approximately -20°C to +450°C -
Measurement accuracy : ±2°C. -
Weight : <18g -
Dimensions : 26 x 26 x 24.2mm -
Energy consumption : <350mW
The T2S Pro is tiny. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The T2S Plus is immediately distinguished by several aspects. It’s a bit larger than other stand-alone units I’ve used, but at less than 18 grams and the dimensions less than a 26mm cube on a side, it slips into a pocket with ease.
It also comes with a very nice carrying case to protect the device from drops, which also contains the adapter cables.
The T2S Plus comes in a nice protective case. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
What are adapter cables used for? Well, while the USB-C connector will fit many Android smartphones, the ports on some smartphones, and especially rugged smartphones like the Blackview 8900 Pro (ignore the fact that this smartphone already has a built-in thermal camera) , are too deep to accept the camera grip.
The T2S Plus does not fit the Blackview 8900 Pro (although this smartphone has a built-in thermal camera). Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
This is not a problem with the T2S Plus. Because it comes with an adapter cable for USB-C smartphones that have a recessed connector, but also for smartphones that use microUSB.
Adapter cables are handy for recessed USB-C ports. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The Xtherm app (for Android and iOS) also has some great features. I particularly like the information displayed on the screen and the ability to place dots to read the temperature, draw areas and even draw a line.
Thermal view of my morning cup of coffee. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Then, in a fit of madness, I pointed the device at my face and was shocked to find it could “see” me breathing.
The blow of the nostrils
You can see my nostrils darken when I inhale cool air and whiten when I exhale warm air!
Yes, the T2S Pro can see you inhale and exhale. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I’ve tried with other thermal cameras and although they can “see” some changes, the quality is nowhere near the T2S Pro.
The image refresh rate and quality are simply amazing, and there is rarely any lag in the display. The display is very fluid, which makes it easier and faster to solve problems.
This camera has a price: 340 €
And if you want to get really close, really close, rotating the focus platform lets you do that. Here is a very close macro shot of all the lenses on my iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Macro thermal image of the iPhone 14 Pro Max lens assembly. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I really like the Xinfrared T2S Plus camera. It’s fast and accurate, the apps it connects to are well-designed and have pro-grade features, and the refresh rate is one of the fastest I’ve seen on a thermal camera. You can get very close to objects with ease – making it much easier to diagnose dead components, and the quality of the output is excellent.
This camera has a price: 340 €. It’s not expensive for a decent quality thermal camera, but that puts it in the professional price category.
If you want something a little more affordable, the InfiRay P2 Pro is currently available for €250, or you can buy a smartphone with a built-in thermal camera, like the Ulefone Power Armor 19T.
Source: “ZDNet.com”