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HIKMICRO Pocket2 Series Review Thermal Imaging Camera

Tuesday, June 27, 2023



The HIKMICRO Pocket2 thermal imaging camera is a cool gadget that can see heat. It works by detecting the invisible heat radiation that objects give off. The HIKMICRO Pocket2 camera has a special lens that focuses this heat onto a bunch of tiny sensors. These sensors turn the heat into electrical signals. 
 
The signals are then processed to create a picture where different colors show different temperatures. Hotter things show up as brighter colors (e.g. yellow), while cooler things appear darker (e.g. navy blue). This type of camera is used in lots of different fields to spot temperature differences and find issues or potential problems.

With its impressive specifications, ease of use, and durability, the HIKMICRO Pocket2 stands out among other pocket thermal imaging cameras on the market. One of the key highlights of the Pocket2 is its IR resolution (256x192) with 49,152 pixels and 8MP camera. This ensures high-definition thermal images with excellent clarity, thanks to the low noise thermal sensitivity (40mK NETD), which creates a high thermal contrast that allows the camera to distinguish between very small thermal differences. This, in turn, lets you take precise temperature reading and accurate detection of subtle heat loss or gain.


The HIKMICRO Pocket2 thermal camera offers a wide temperature range of  -20°C to 400°C, making it suitable for a variety of applications such as water leak detection, pinpoint building insulation leaks or troubleshooting faults in electrical systems. 
 
The Pocket2 thermal camera features a built-in LED flashlight designed to help you illuminate dark and hard-to-reach areas, enabling thorough inspections. An audio alarm and warning light function is also integrated to notify you when the temperature exceeds a specified range. The Pocket2 thermal camera also supports video recording and continuous digital zoom (1.0x to 4.0x ).


Operating the Pocket2 is effortless, thanks to its 3.5" touchscreen interface. The touchscreen is easy to navigate and enables detailed inspection and analysis. The 1-tap level and span function improves image contrast and highlights potential issues instantly. Touch Level/Span function is a super convenient feature that helps simplify the process of selecting a specific area of focus within a thermal image. With just a single touch on the screen, the camera automatically adjusts the level and span based on the thermal contrast in that particular spot.


Touch Level/Span function saves valuable time that would otherwise be spent on manual adjustments. Using the touchscreen interface, you can quickly tap on an object or area of interest, and the camera will display a circle around your selection. Inside this circle, the span is automatically narrowed down to accurately represent the temperature range and level, providing precise details in the thermal image and effectively highlighting any issues. 
 
The advantage of Level/Span functionality is that it allows you to easily zoom in on the specific problems or details that matter to you. By narrowing the span, the 1-Touch Level/Span enables you to disregard irrelevant areas of the image, focusing only on the areas of interest and enhancing your ability to identify and analyze thermal anomalies.


The HIKMICRO Pocket2 camera also supports real-time image transfer and report generation through Wi-Fi connectivity with smartphones, facilitating seamless workflow and efficient collaboration. The Pocket2 offers four image modes: thermal, optical, PIP, and fusion. PIP overlays a fixed section of a thermal image onto a digital photo, making it easier to locate anomaly locations. Fusion blends key details from the 8MP digital camera with the IR image, enhancing detail and clarity. The Pocket2 thermal camera is capable of accurately reading a heat source from 1.9 meters (6ft3) distance.


The camera supports real-time screen sharing, allowing you to connect to mobile devices via built-in Wi-Fi and the HIKMICRO Viewer App. This feature enables live streaming to Android or iOS phones and tablets, promoting collaboration and remote monitoring. 
 
With on-camera recording capabilities, the Pocket2 has a built-in 16GB eMMC flash storage, providing ample space for storing thermal/visual images and videos. The onboard recording and playback features offer convenience and flexibility for capturing and reviewing data.


Durability is another notable feature of the Pocket2. It is designed to withstand challenging work environments with its rugged rubber body construction, passing a 2-meter drop test and offering IP54 protection. The Pocket2 features a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, as well as 2 physical on-board buttons: a clicky shutter button and non-clicky power button. There is also lanyard anchor point, tripod mount thread and a protruding rubber camera bump lip to protect the recessed camera lenses.


Being portable, the HIKMICRO Pocket2 camera has a built-in Li-Ion rechargeable battery with up to 4 hours of battery life, as well as internal flash memory storage (16GB eMMC), which is enough space to store thousands of thermal images or 9 hours of recording videos. The Pocket2 thermal camera is similar in size and weight to a smartphone - just a bit thicker - about 218 grams and 14cm long x 8.5cm wide x 2cm thick (including camera bump) in dimension.


HIKMICO offers hassle-free warranty coverage for the Pocket2. The battery is covered for 2 years, the entire device is covered for 3 years, and the sensor is covered for an impressive 10 years. This comprehensive warranty, coupled with lifetime firmware updates and technical support is a big selling point. In terms of compatibility, the Pocket2 comes with free professional analysis software, called HIKMICRO Analyzer, which is available for PC.



Overall, the HIKMICRO Pocket2 Series thermal imaging camera stands out as a top choice in the market due to its compact size, powerful performance, and comprehensive features. The camera's high-resolution thermal imaging capabilities, along with its ease of use and durability, make it suitable for a wide range of applications. 
 
Despite a few minor drawbacks, the Pocket2 offers excellent value for professionals in fields such as building science, inspection, and energy performance. With its versatile functionality, impressive image quality, and reliable performance, the Pocket2 is highly recommended for those seeking a quality, ultra-portable thermal imaging camera.

Potential deal breakers
  • Shutter button sensitivity
  • Lack of lens protection
  • Expensive optional accessories
  • Low water resistance rating
  • More expensive than some competitors


Selling points
  • Precise temperature reading
  • Wide temperature range
  • Easy to use touchscreen interface
  • Rugged with IP54 protection
  • Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Long warranty
  • Pre-calibrated form factory (calibration certificate included)
  • Built-in microphone for recording audio
  • Anchor point for lanyard
  • Drop resistant
  • Hardshell nylon case included
  • Adjustable image resolution (2MP, 5MP & 8MP)
  • Mobile app & PC software support
  • Firmware updates and software support
  • Built-in led flashlight
  • Tripod mountable
  • Touch Level/Span function
  • Works whilst charging
 
Accessories included are a USB-A to USB-C cable (50cm), 10W USB wall adapter, fabric lanyard (17cm) and hardshell case. The hardshell case has a clamshell opening and features a rubberized metal slider. The hardshell fabric and hidden coil zipper are water resistant but, the zipper isn't fully waterproof. Internally, the hardshell case is lined with soft fabric, mesh pocket and elastic strap. You can buy the HIKMICRO Pocket2 thermal camera from amazon UK and Amazon US store.

 

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