Thermal Master Thor002 Infrared Camera Review – Price breaker for technology freaks and semi-professional thermal imaging at a competitive price

1 - Introduction, Unboxing and Technical Specifications 2 - Functions and Menu Navigation 3 - Practical Use and Evaluation Software 4 - Summary and Conclusion

The menu functions of the camera

The menu navigation of the Thermal Master Thor002 is largely logical and allows quick access to all relevant functions. It is operated via five buttons below and to the right of the display, with a central control pad with confirmation button as well as back and menu call buttons. The user interface is in German (after the language change) and is divided into clearly structured submenus. The most important menu items can be described as follows:

Menu bar in live image mode
There are four icons at the bottom of the live image that provide direct access to central functions. The bar on the far left starts with the temperature mode. This allows you to select different measurement types, such as spot measurement, maximum value display or multiple measurement points. This is followed by the gallery icon for direct access to saved images, including thermal images with or without a visual image component. The next symbol with the leaf stands for the color scale or the color mode, which can be switched between different palettes such as “Iron”, “Rainbow” or “White Hot”. On the far right is the cogwheel for the extensive settings, where you can configure emissivity, language, Wi-Fi or display options, for example. The menu is logically structured throughout and can also be operated with gloves, as the buttons are physically designed. The positioning of the symbols is functional and practical.

Measurement parameters
Under this menu item, basic influences on the temperature measurement can be adjusted. This includes the emissivity, which can be set manually between 0.10 and 1.00. The default setting is 0.95, which is usual for matt, non-metallic surfaces such as plaster or plastic. The atmospheric temperature can be adjusted if the ambient temperature and measuring distance have an influence on the radiation correction. The distance setting (e.g. 0.5 m) is used to roughly approximate the optical attenuation due to air and to improve the temperature calculation. This function is relevant for very precise measurements.

Temperature measuring scale
Here you can choose between a fixed temperature range from -20 °C to 150 °C, a second range from 100 °C to 550 °C or an automatic mode. The auto mode analyzes the image field and dynamically adjusts the scale to display the best possible contrast. However, the fixed scale is recommended for reproducible images.

Alarm settings
A temperature alarm can be activated in this menu. Threshold values are available for maximum, minimum or central value temperatures, which can trigger a visual LED warning on the device. In addition, an automatic recording interval (e.g. every 30 seconds) can be set, in which the camera automatically saves images if the threshold value is exceeded. This function is suitable for monitoring systems or electrical components in continuous operation.

Photo settings
Here you can set whether the camera should automatically save images when certain events occur, whether a timer mode should be active and at what interval images should be taken. This is useful for serial recordings of slowly changing thermal conditions, such as cooling processes or the monitoring of heating systems.

Isothermal
This function highlights certain temperature ranges in color. It can be activated for values above, below or within a defined threshold value. The image then shows the rest in grayscale, while the target range is highlighted in color. This makes it easier to find hotspots or to specifically identify thermal thresholds.

Video settings
This menu allows you to control the video recording function. In addition to the recording length and storage medium, the frame rate and encoding options can also be defined here. An active voice memo function during recording is supported via a built-in microphone.

Super resolution
This function is activated by default and allows software-supported upscaling of the native IR resolution of 256 × 192 pixels to a visually sharper 512 × 384 image. Edges are smoothed and the image is sharpened using an internal process, which significantly improves the visual expressiveness without actually increasing the physical resolution.

WLAN settings
The WLAN menu shows that the Thor002 can be operated as a hotspot. The network name and a preset password are visible, which indicates a direct connection to mobile devices. The function is currently deactivated, but can be activated using a simple slider. Whether and how image transmission or remote control is possible depends on external software, as no application has been named in the manual to date.

Unit setting
In the “Unit setting” menu item, the temperature unit can be switched between Celsius and Fahrenheit. The distance unit can also be changed, which is particularly useful for international users. This allows the display of the measured values to be adapted to personal or project-specific standards.

Automatic switch-off
The automatic switch-off function offers convenient energy management. Time levels between 5 minutes and 2 hours are available. The “Off” setting prevents any standby behavior, which can be useful for longer stationary measurements. This makes the camera suitable for both mobile and stationary continuous applications.

Configuring the screen display
These menus allow very detailed configuration of the display. In addition to an overall selection of “All”, the color bar, hotspot marker, memory card status, time, emissivity display, image magnification, battery status and temperature unit can be shown or hidden individually. This is particularly useful for reducing the display to the essentials or for working with complete measurement parameters for technical documentation.

Device information
This menu item displays the model number, software version, total memory and remaining memory space. With over 122 GB of free memory, the device is generously dimensioned. The serial number can be read out directly, which is helpful for service cases or for project documentation.

Date and time
The internal time can be set directly via a calendar wheel. This enables precise assignment of recordings without having to rely on GPS or app synchronization. The date and time stamps in files can therefore be reliably and manually adjusted, which is necessary for archiving long-term thermographic measurements.

Language selection
The camera supports several languages, including German, English, Polish, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Korean. This means that it can be used internationally, which is a clear advantage for training courses or service work with changing personnel.

Saving and voice memos
The display shows that several options are available after recording a thermal measurement. In addition to classic saving as a JPEG, it is also possible to add voice memos. This function is directly accessible via the microphone symbol and makes it much easier to assign and interpret images later on. This is particularly useful for series shots or in building analysis, as additional verbal information can be recorded more quickly and precisely than text. The voice memo is saved together with the image and can be analyzed using the appropriate software. The menu also clearly shows the charge status, the set emissivity and the date with a time stamp, which supports seamless documentation.

These additional settings are a useful addition to the functional picture of the Thor002. Thanks to its many customizable system parameters, the camera looks much more professional than the price initially suggests. If you are prepared to delve a little deeper into the options, you will get an amazingly flexible tool for a wide range of applications. The menu structure of the Thor002 offers an unusually wide range of functions for this price range. The most important parameters such as emissivity, temperature range, alarm and documentation functions can be specifically adapted. However, a solid basic understanding of thermal physics remains a prerequisite for meaningful use, otherwise incorrectly set parameters will quickly lead to measurement errors. However, Thor002 is a powerful tool with a practical operating structure for those who familiarize themselves with it. See also the link on the previous page.