Vantrue Power TS2 Thermal Camera - Unboxing & Testing

[Julian23]

Vantrue recently released a new product called the TS2, which is a portable thermal camera. I’ve been invited to give it a try, so I’ll share some initial info before getting into proper testing.
I was mainly interested in something like this for automotive diagnostics, checking electrical components (for example dashcams), but also for general use, like inspecting houses, finding heat leaks, or even PC troubleshooting. So overall quite a versatile tool if it performs well.
This post is just a first look and specs overview. I already did a quick check, but full testing will follow.

Key Specifications

Thermal Resolution: 256×192 (native)
Upscaled Resolution: 512×384
Temperature Range: -20°C to 550°C
Accuracy: ±2°C or ±2%
Lens: 4.3 mm adjustable macro lens
Field of View: 56° × 42°
NETD: <40 mK
Digital Zoom: up to 15x
Refresh Rate: 25 Hz
Color Palettes: 12
Compatibility: Android, iOS, PC
Interface: USB-C
Protection Rating: IP65

Important to note: the real sensor resolution is 256×192. The 512×384 output is digital upscaling.
That said, from a quick test, the upscaling actually works surprisingly well and the image looks quite detailed.

Unboxing

For those familiar with my dashcam reviews, here are some usual unboxing shots of the TS2.
The outer packaging is solid and well made, similar to other Vantrue products. Everything is packed securely and nothing feels cheap.

Inside the box you get two smaller black boxes along with the main unit.

The black boxes contain the manual and a male-to-female USB-C extension cord with a USB-C to USB-A adapter plug.

Underneath that sits the carrying case, which already gives a hint at how compact the camera is.

The included case is actually quite nice. It’s compact, rigid, and feels like it will protect the device well.

First Impressions

The TS2 itself is very compact. Smaller than expected once you see it in person. It easily fits into a pocket or small tool bag.

Build quality feels solid. The housing does not feel cheap and the lens assembly is the most prominent part on the front. The focus ring is smooth and gives good feedback when adjusting.
The adjustable macro lens is a nice touch, especially for close-up work like electronics or detailed inspections.

Overall, the first impression is positive. Specs look strong on paper and the upscaling seems to be done properly, but real performance will matter.

 

[Julian23]

Now, let's take a look at some images taken with the TS2.
It is important to note that the focus has to be adjusted correctly. Otherwise, the picture won't be as good as it could be.

Here is a picture of the engine bay of a car. The parking heater has been running to heat the interior.
The TS2 is easily able to show the hottest part in the frame with the different colors, and it will mark the hottest object with the temperature.

The TS2 only needs a very small area to show the temperature.
It spotted the coolant hose with hot water in it.

The displayed temperatures were checked with an infrared thermometer. From my checks it matched pretty close.

There are limits to the TS2. If there are reflections, it will show a too low value. Check the picture above in the bottom right. The part is not -10.6°C.

Checking the temps of the PC is no issue for the TS2.
It will show hotspots.
In these pictures, the AIO can be seen as very effective.

Thanks to the manual focus it can also show the temp on a PCB. Individual SMD parts can be checked. A faulty one would be easy to spot.

Very good sharpness in this picture.

These were just some random pictures taken by the TS2. There are many different options for how the heat should be shown, options to add specific points to measure, etc.
The TS2 can also take videos!

I will post more pictures soon.

 

[Julian23]

Since I also have the Vantrue T800 and it does heat up during use in turbo mode, I wanted to check how hot it actually gets and where.
All three images were taken a few minutes after usage.

It can be seen that the batteries in the handle do heat up with the heavy discharge.
The hotspot is at 44.4°C or 111.92°F. The color of the text can be adjusted within the app. (I simply forgot to change it for better visibility)

Other side

Thanks to the adjustable lens of the TS2, we can take a closer look at the impeller and the cables.
The cables have a temp of 40.9°C or 105.62°F.

 

[Julian23]

It has been about a month since my initial post, and I have used the TS2 quite a few times now. I wanted to share an update on how it performs in everyday situations.

Honestly, for the most part, having a thermal camera is just a really fun gadget. You constantly find yourself wondering how warm random objects are and where the heat is coming from.
For example, I checked the main gas heating system just to see how warm the unit and its exhaust pipes get.
Is it absolutely necessary to know? Probably not, but it is really cool to look at!

Automotive and Mechanical Uses

Beyond just playing around, I found some great practical uses for it. I checked my car tires and brakes after a normal drive.

While there were only slight temperature differences visible after this drive, both were still clearly warm on the screen.
It is easy to see how this would be definitely useful for motorsport or sporty driving to check the temps of the discs and pads.

For general mechanical troubleshooting, a tool like this is incredibly valuable.
You could easily use it to identify defective bearings on a car or machinery, as failing bearings will create excessive friction and run visibly hotter than normal ones.


Home Inspection
Around the house, the TS2 really proved its worth. I pointed it at my front door and could clearly see a temperature difference right near the weather seal. It immediately highlighted where the door is poorly insulated. This is super useful if you are looking to improve your home insulation. This is especially useful in cold areas.

It is also incredibly helpful for finding things hidden out of sight. Hot water pipes routed behind walls show up very distinctly. The same goes for underfloor heating loops, which are very easy to trace.

Limitations to Keep in Mind
There are a few physical limitations you need to be aware of when using it.
First, the TS2 cannot see through glass. If you point it at a window, you will just see a thermal reflection of the room.
Second, highly reflective bare metals will cause the camera to display incorrect or deviating temperature values.
This is completely normal and happens with standard handheld infrared thermometers as well, but it is something to remember when you are checking shiny pipes or glossy painted surfaces.

Final Thoughts
While it definitely has a huge "cool toy" factor, the TS2 is also a genuinely useful troubleshooting tool.
When you actually need to find a heat leak or a failing component, it makes the job incredibly easy.