This Little Accessory Gave My Android Phone Heat Vision Superpowers. Here’s How to Use It

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

I also understand that some people don’t want to have to change their smartphone to be able to use this useful superpower.

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

InfiRay P2 Pro Specifications

• IR resolution 256×192
• IR resolution 256×192
• Temperature range -20°C to 550°C ± 2°C
• Compact design: 27mm × 18mm × 9.8mm and weighs 9g
• Battery-free design
• Supports Android 9.0 and above
• USB-C interface

The InfiRay P2 Pro includes a small thermal camera and a magnetically attached macro lens that allows the camera to get very close to objects.

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The camera is really small. At 27 × 18 × 9.8mm and weighing 9 grams, it is 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 start using it.

If your Android smartphone is a rugged one, you may have trouble mounting the camera and need to get a 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 crosshair in the middle of the photo, there are two other crosshairs that record the highest and lowest temperatures in the photo.

Then there is the macro lens.

Mounting a macro lens to the front of your camera allows you to get closer to what you’re looking at, giving you better resolving power to really focus.

This software offers a lot of customization options without being bloated with unnecessary features.

This thermal camera is awesome, especially considering the price.

Not sure what you can do with one? Here are a few things you can do with a thermal camera:

• Look for overheating electrical components (faulty components tend to run hotter).
• Diagnose all types of HVAC problems, from heat-leaking windows to radiators that don’t heat properly to air conditioners that don’t cool.
• Dangerous overheating condition detected rechargeable battery.
• Find the radiator hose under the floor.
• Find the overheated power cord.
• Find cooling system problems on desktop and laptop computers.
• Brake lock in place on car.

My advice when learning how to use a thermal camera is to use it to look at things when they’re not faulty — radiators, car brakes, electrical appliances, whatever — and that way you’ll know what things look like, so you can tell when things aren’t working properly.

Also: Every gadget enthusiast knows: There’s always a better tool.

I find thermal cameras so useful that I use them without thinking. Recently, I wanted to know if an electrical device was getting power. Instead of reaching for a multimeter, I used the thermal camera to see if anything was getting hot inside. When I saw the components getting hot, that eliminated a whole bunch of possible problems.

I’ve tested a number of thermal cameras — both standalone cameras and smartphone-attached cameras — and InfiRay P2 Pro is the best. It’s small, the macro lens makes it incredibly versatile, fast and accurate, and doesn’t need to be charged separately.

This is a great addition to any repair kit and if you’re an Amazon Prime member you can get it for $80 off its list price. iPhone version, while Android The version is currently discounted to $219.