THOR… a new thermal camera - Review hopefully coming soon - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2025, 09:55:05 pm
content: UPDATE 9 May 25 : I now have a THOR-002 camera for testingI will hopefully be testing a new camera from the Thermal Master stable in the near future. It is the THOR-001 and it is intended to compete with FLIR’s new E5 Pro camera. It will be very interesting to see how this new camera performs as it is said to provide a higher specification at a third of the E5 Pro cost.It is very early days in the release of this product so I cannot locate a brochure yet but I did find a teaser videohttps://fb.watch/zik-c1J-jE/?fs=eWatch out for a review from me as soon as I can get my hands on a unit to testFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2025, 10:12:37 pm
content: Screen grabs for the FLIR E5 Pro camera with which the THOR-001 is intended to compete.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2025, 09:19:33 am
content: Looking at the limited specification extract that I can find, the THOR camera does appear very promising. It has an IPS screen which is nice to see. I note that it also employs the X3 resolution enhancement mode that uses “AI” to increase the physical 256 x 192 pixel resolution to 512 x 384 enhanced pixels on the display and saved images. The X³ mode will likely be under user control so may be switched off when not wanted. I first met the X³ mode when testing the Thermal Master P2 that I reviewed for this forum. I was, and am, uncertain about how that mode actually works and it is fair to say that it coped with some thermal scenes better than others. Nice to have the option of resolution enhancement thoughThermal Master advised that they continue to develop the X³ mode performance so the THOR may be different to the P2 in this respect. I note the comment in the specs about an “extended lens” being available, but do not know what that is yet. The camera appears to be fixed focus like the FLIR Ex series so the extended lens could be a close-up lensI believe that this is the first Thermal Master camera in the pistol grip format and hopefully it will impress when tested. I will share more specifications as soon as they are released by Thermal Master.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2025, 10:27:35 am
content: I just found a picture of the THOR camera with the “extension” lens fitted. It does appear to be a close-up lens as I had suspected.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2025, 12:41:23 pm
content: There will be two versions of THOR cameraThe THOR-001 kit includes the close-up lens whilst the THOR-002 kit is supplied without the close-up lens.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2025, 11:10:17 am
content: I have been advised that a THOR-002 is on its way to me. As soon as it arrives I will provide my initial impressions, followed by a full review of its performance and the user experienceSadly the close-up lens is not available for another month so I will have to use one of my other close-up lenses for close PCB inspection.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 12:01:19 pm
content: I have yet to find the full specifications for the THOR but parts of the specification appear in advertising images. Having met the X³ resolution enhancement mode when testing the Thermal Master P2, I am interested to see how it performs in a complete camera system that is not reliant on a mobile phone for processing. The THOR appears to be using the Thermal Master IQ+ system to enhance measurement accuracy as well. We now have a maximum temperature specification of 550C/1022F to work with as wellOn the attached image we also see some lens specifications marked on the close-up lens adapter.The annotation reads : 5.6mm F1.2 with an FOV of 29.3 x 21.8 degrees.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 12:55:22 pm
content: I have found a couple more interesting images relating to the THOR camera series. One includes the basic specificationsFrom tne specificAtion in the attached image, there does appear to be some minor differences between the THOR001 and THOR002 cameras. Fortunately the temperature measurement range is the same, but the THOR001 is stated as having greater measurement accuracy, slightly better NETD, more spot temperatures and more palettes. An interesting decision by Thermal Master as these seem unnecessary differences. The THOR001 has the MACRO lens included in the kit. Both cameras use a 4.3mm lens.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 01:13:58 pm
content: ELEshop appear to be preparing to sell the THOR001 camera kit. There is a price of 598 Euros but no images, specification or description yet.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 01:30:15 pm
content: I have found the V1.0 user manual whilst looking for FCC certification

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 01:35:59 pm
content: The user manual V1.0 has provided us with a full specification for the THR001 and THOR002 camerasI have captured the relevant pages as images.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 01:49:48 pm
content: Thanks to the FCC approval testing, we have some internal and external images of the THOR camera in PDF documentsFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 01:56:28 pm
content: Internal images from the FCC report.This is likely a prototype unit but it can be seen that brass inserts are used for the casing screws, and their locations if disassembly is desired. It is good to see quality case fixing techniques in the designThere is also a gasket around the case perimeter to provide fluid ingress protectionThe thermal imaging core is mounted on a sizeable cast aluminium chassis which will help dissipate heat from the cores electronics. This aids thermal stability and is good to see. The battery is not removable, but it would be replaceable when at the end of its life. Run time is stated as 6 hours.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 01:57:51 pm
content: Internal images - continued….Looks to be a SoC plus eMMC flash, RAM and PMIC. Highly integrated as we have come to expect these days.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 01:59:19 pm
content: Internal images - continued….

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 02:00:53 pm
content: Internal images - continued….

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2025, 02:02:09 pm
content: Internal images - continued….RTL8821CS Radio module for Wi-Fi connectivity.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2025, 07:17:14 pm
content: I just obtained ths Brochure for the THOR camera series and attach it to this post.I have also confirmed that the extension lens for close-up work is not going to be offered as an after-sales accessory, so those wanting the Macro imaging function will need to consider the THOR001 kit that includes the additional lens.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2025, 03:18:25 pm
content: The THOR002 camera arrived this afternoon and I have given it a very quick test to see how it performs.From this brief test I can honestly say that I am impressed with the unit. More testing and use is needed of course.I am about to produce an "Initial Impressions" post on this camera and will post it later today.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2025, 05:16:41 pm
content: "Initial impressions" post is here....https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/thermal-master-thor-002-initial-impressions-by-fraser/