First look - The Thermal Master THOR-001 and close-up lens - by Fraser - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 07:53:16 pm
content: Pictures of the Thermal Master THOR-001 thermal imaging camera and its OEM Close-up lensI had a feeling of Deja-Vu when I unpacked this cameraApart from the inclusion of the Close-up lens it looks just like the THOR-002 that I just reviewed for this forum.The Close-up lens may be of interest to readers and I can advise that it is a well designed clip on assembly that provides a working distance of 80mm with a 29.3 Degree x 21.8 Degree FOVThe lens appears to be Chalcogenide IR glass and is a Meniscus type. The dome of the meniscus is noticeably more prominent than that seen on the CO2 laser focus ZnSe lenses used for DIY close-up lenses.After testing I will produce a review on the THOR-001 and its PCB analysis capabilities with the OEM Close-up lens fitted.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 07:57:57 pm
content: The THOR-001 camera kit...

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 08:01:55 pm
content: The OEM Close-up lens.....

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 08:10:11 pm
content: Detailed views of the Close-up lens...

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2025, 08:14:46 pm
content: The THOR-001 also has an additional menu entry to provide support for the Close-up lens.I believe this, when activated, may apply an offset in temperature measurements to account for the Close-up lens transmission figure.Fraser

author: phantom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 09:11:28 am
content: hi! thank you for your amazing work! i have some questions!i use thermal camera (seek thermal compact pro) just to find shorts on mobile phone (using macro lens)do you think this camera is better then seek?do you think i can use this camera instead of seek??do you think i can simply buy 002 version and put a generical macro lens to have same results of this 001?thanks

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 10:38:14 am
content: Not at the moment. Testing is ongoing.

author: phantom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2025, 05:25:04 am
content: i have edit my post

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2025, 09:45:55 am
content: Yes, Yes and Yes… with caveatsThere is a difference in physical resolution but my experience of the Seek Thermal products is that the advantage of greater pixel count is often lost due to image noise content. I have not tested the latest offerings from Seek Thermal as they ignored my request for the loan of units to test.The macro lens attachment that comes with the THOR-001 is not just a ZnSe laser focus lens like we use in our DIY close-up lenses. It is a quality optic made from Chalcogenide IR glass or possibly pure Germanium (there is no detail provided on the exact material used). The DIY ZnSe meniscus type laser focus lenses are a decent alternative though. The THOR-001 also provides a correction factor for the use of the Macro lens to account for its transmission loss, but you can either live with the small error in measurements or do your own corrections. The close-up lens will have a transmission figure of approximately 98%.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2025, 11:08:36 am
content: Phantom,I have updated my response as I had no time to fully respond to the question posed earlier.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 11:54:54 pm
content: The THOR-001 full review is currently delayed due to circumstances beyond my control. It will be produced and uploaded as soon as I am able to do so.Thank you for your patience.Fraser