UNI-T UTi261M / UTi722M thermal camera overview - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: GraemeG
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2025, 10:59:33 pm
content: Just like many on here, I have been curious about thermal cameras for quite a while. The usual reasons; they look like a fun toy with genuine usefulness. Looking for unusually hot or cold components when repairing electronics, checking building insulation and hot or cold drafts, etc.I had been looking at several of the 256x192 pixel units like the Mileseey TR256i and the Infiray P2 Pro. While I have no problem with arranging a DIY macro lens for close-up work if I need to, I liked the idea of a unit with a manual focus. Then I came across the UNI-T UTi261M for AUD$299 delivered and this unit has a manual focus lens. AUD$299 (Australian dollars) is currently roughly equal to US$200 or Euro €170. This seems pretty reasonable to me, AUD$70 cheaper than the manual focus P2 Pro and only AUD$40 more than the fixed focus TR256i. A couple of macro lenses would cost me most of that difference.My UTi261M arrived a few days ago. I found details of this model difficult to find so thought I’d provide a summary here. According to a UNI-T Technical Support engineer, the 261M is apparently the same physical unit as the UTi722M however it is intended specifically for the Chinese market while the 722M is packaged for the international market. To quote him directly “Although they may appear similar and share many specifications, the distinction lies in their intended markets“.That said, when I load the UNI-T Thermal Mobile app from the Google Play Store, it identifies my 261M as a 722M so I suspect they are in fact identical.SpecificationsI have found the uni-trend.com web site very slow and often fails to load pages however the European site works well.International storehttps://thermal.uni-trend.com/product/uti722m/European storehttps://uni-t-shop.eu/collections/smartphone-thermal-cameras/products/uti722m-smartphone-thermal-camera-module-for-androidThe following specs are from the uni-t-shop.eu site.Technical DataIR resolution(Pixels): 256×192Pixel size: 12µmFrame rate: ≤25HzThermal sensitivity(NETD): ≤50mK @25℃Focus: Manual FocusLens size: 21.5mmLens focal length: 4.0mmField of view(FOV): 44.92°(H) × 33.42°(V)Measurement modes: Industry & EST screeningTemperature measurement range: -20℃~450℃Accuracy: Industry: ±2℃ or ±2% whichever is greater (0℃~450℃)EST: ±0.5℃ (30℃~40℃)FunctionsColor palettes: Ironbow, White Hot, Black Hot, Red Hot, Lava, Rainbow, Rainbow HCOn screen analyzer: 3 Points/3 Lines/3 RectanglesIsotherm: Auto/Below/Above/Section/ManualHi/Lo temperature alarm: LCD animation & BuzzerHi/Lo temperature tracking: √Video recording: √General CharacteristicsUSB: Type-CImage storage format: JPEGVideo storage format: MP4Certificates: CE, UKCA, FCC, RoHSLanguages: ZH, EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, SVWeight: Approx. 30gDimension: 29.5mm×24.5mm×29.5mmPacking DetailsStandard accessories Type-C extension cable, Hand Strap, Cleaning Cloth,, Cloth Bag, English manual, Documents Download Operation GuideStandard individual packing Gift boxThe supplied paper manual also adds these items.Spectral range: 7.5 ~ 14 μmSpatial resolution (IFOV): 3.0mradResolution: 0.1 degree COptimal measurement distance: 0.4mTemp measurement parameters: Emissivity, Ambient temp, Distance

author: GraemeG
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2025, 11:14:57 pm
content: The UTi261M/UTi722M uses the android app Thermal Mobile supplied by UNI-T.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.unitrend.thermal_mobile_721The current app version is 3.7.6. I have no experience with similar applications from other manufacturers but this app seems easy to use and the functions and settings are mostly easy to understand and use. There are several screenshots in the Google Play Store to give you an idea of what it looks like.FocusThe manual focus is one of the key reasons I chose this particular camera and I am very happy with that decision. From the point of infinity focus it is possible to turn the lens almost 2 complete turns anticlockwise (outward) to bring the focus in closer. The closest focus is approximately 10mm, more than close enough for anything I plan to do. At 1 full turn from infinity the focus is around 25mm and at ½ a turn it is about 50mm so no problems when you need to work on small items like circuit boards. At these close distances the depth of field is very narrow, as you can see in the photos, but focused at infinity it is pretty forgiving. There is a point where the focus is acceptable from infinity all the way down to half a metre and probably even less.Closest focus ~10mm and focus set to ~25mm

author: GraemeG
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2025, 11:31:26 pm
content: AccessoriesThe product arrived in good packaging; a small cubic cardboard box with black foam packing. The unit includes a neat little rigid carry case, lens cap, male-female USB-C cable, short lanyard and lens cleaning cloth.Sample picsI'm having some problems inserting inline images so will put the remainder here.The neat little carry case. Insulation missing above ceiling fan after recent installation. Circuit breakers for the A/C unit running slightly warm.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2025, 01:44:46 pm
content: Thank you for this overview. It is good to see comment on another thermal camera USB dongle that has manual focus. I am also pleased to read that your Chinese home market unit worked with the International App version. It is possible to restrict which USB camera dongle will work with a particular App but I have not seen China restricting their home market dongles in this way. It is sometimes done between different manufacturers who are using the same hardware though.I like the test that you did with the ruler to show the minimum focus distance. I never thought of doing thatEnjoy your new thermal cameraFraser

author: GraemeG
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2025, 11:20:57 pm
content: Thanks Fraser. I've only just started to explore it's possibilities but it looks to be a very handy tool. Thanks also for your many and detailed posts in this forum. I read many of them before deciding what to buy and you filled in a lot of gaps in my knowledge!