Thermal Master Thor 001 Review: A commercial powerhouse that immediately pays for itself
Rugged and ready-to-go.
Thermal Master takes aim at the commercial thermal camera market with a capable offering that costs a fraction of the competition. With dual cameras, PC software compatibility, and a rugged build, this camera is ready for field work.Stephen Pereyra Published
Verdict - a robust and reliable tool for professionals
The Thermal Master Thor 001 finds its perfect home in commercial settings, delivering utility beyond simple thermal imaging. By offering a third reference point during diagnostics, this camera proved invaluable, and in this case, helped a company save time and product during testing. The dual camera functionality is a standout feature, providing the necessary context that standalone thermal sensors often lack. While the flashlight is underwhelming and the lack of a touchscreen is noticeable, the overall package is highly recommended for people who need a dedicated and reliable thermal camera.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The Thermal Master Thor is available on Amazon and on the Thermal Master site. It is available in two configurations, with the Thor 001 ($579) bringing macro focus and slightly better performance over the Thor 002. However, the Thor 002 ($379) comes in at around $200 less, and Thermal Master is offering an additional $40 off with code THERMALBFRI.
The Thermal Master Thor 001 is Thermal Master's latest and most premium option in the commercial thermal camera space. With features that rival those of higher-end competitors, Thermal Master presents a compelling piece of industrial equipment that shines in versatility and build quality.
Specifications
| Model | THOR001 / THOR002 |
| Temperature Range | THOR001: ±1.5℃ or ±1.5% / THOR002: ±2℃ or ±2% |
| IR Resolution | 256×192 |
| Upscaled IR Resolution | 512×384 |
| Macro Lens | THOR001: Included / THOR002: Not Included |
| Lens Focal Length | 4.3mm Digital Zoom |
| Display | 3.5 inch IPS (640x480) |
| Point Measurement | THOR001: 6 Custom Spots / THOR002: 3 Custom Spots |
| NETD/Thermal Sensitivity | THOR001: <35mk / THOR002: <40mk |
| Image Mode | Fusion, IR, PIP, |
| Visual Digital Camera | 2MP |
| Software | PC-based Analysis Software |
| Laser Indicator | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes |
| Lens Cap | Yes |
| FOV | 40°×30° |
| IFOV | 2.79mrad |
| Pixel Pitch | 12μm |
| Focus Mode | Fixed focus |
| Min Focus Distance | THOR001: 8cm / THOR002: 30cm |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Fast Charge | 18W |
| Battery | 5000mAh rechargeable lithium |
| Charging Time | 4h |
| Operating Time | 8h |
Unboxing
Much like previous Thermal Master products, the unboxing experience is straightforward, though the Thor 001 leans more into professional protection. The unit arrives with a decent-quality hard case, ensuring adequate protection for the camera in rougher work environments. A notable inclusion is the built-in lens cover, which is a welcome extra level of safety.
Features and Testing
In testing, the Thor 001 distinguished itself not just as a gadget but as a legitimate commercial asset.
One of the best features is the dual-camera functionality. In commercial settings, having a visual image overlaid or alongside the thermal image removes the guesswork often associated with low-resolution thermal blobs.
During our testing, the camera was taken to a commercial setting to assess the temperature accuracy of a scientific drying oven. The Thor 001 quickly provided results that helped diagnose and visually represent temperature differentials within the unit. Furthermore, the data provided was crucial for determining the accuracy of the product's moisture content calculations. This capability directly contributed to saving the company time and reducing product waste by pinpointing issues faster than traditional methods.
Like the P1, the Thor 001 uses a fixed-focus system. This is a significant workflow advantage as it removes focal ambiguity and allows for quick, single-handed inspections without messing with a focus ring. This is complemented by the physical trigger for picture capture, which makes documenting issues on the fly quick and tactile.
The device also retains compatibility with the Thermal Master PC app, which remains a substantial value-add. Being able to offload data for analysis or 3D viewing bridges the gap between this handheld unit and more expensive, stationary setups. Although given its mass, a sturdy mounting point is highly recommended, and fortunately, the Thor 001 has a screw mounting point on the bottom of the handle to secure it in place.
The build is robust, feels solid in the hand, and fits its designation as a tool for commercial environments. However, the interface feels slightly dated due to the lack of a touchscreen option-navigation relies entirely on physical controls. Additionally, while the unit includes a built-in laser and flashlight to assist with aiming and illuminate dark spaces, the flashlight is not very bright. It may require supplemental lighting in truly dark environments.
Conclusion
Overall, the Thermal Master Thor 001 is highly recommended for professionals who require a dedicated thermal camera. It separates itself from budget mobile dongles by offering a ruggedized, standalone experience with features specifically tuned for commercial diagnostics. While the interface lacks a touch display and the flashlight is weak, the context provided by the dual cameras and the reliability of the hard buttons make it a trustworthy tool for saving time and resources on the job.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
