Thermal cameras have become an essential tool for homeowners and inspectors as they are useful for various applications. Not long ago, I tested the entry-level HSFTOOLS Finder S1 and now they release the new generation Finder S2 which brings some significant improvements. Let’s find out if it is worth the upgrade.
Disclosure: We received the thermal camera as a courtesy for review purposes. However, the review is intended to provide honest, unbiased insights about the product, based on personal experiences and observations.
Compact and Portable Design
Surprisingly, the Finder S2 looks almost the same as the S1. The packaging is identical, you also have the same carrying case and USB-C extension adapter inside. There is almost no difference between the two thermal cameras; The only notable change is the bigger camera sensor on the S2.
Like the Finder S1, the Finder S2 is still incompatible with iPhones, even though newer iPhone models feature USB-C ports. This limitation makes it inaccessible to iOS users, which is a missed opportunity, especially given the increasing demand for portable thermal cameras across all platforms.
Setting up the Finder S2 is super easy. You’ll just need to download the HSFTOOLS app from the Play Store. Then when you plug in the thermal camera, the app can be launched automatically and you can see the thermal image instantly. The S2 doesn’t have a built-in battery, instead, it draws power directly from the connected Android device. With a slightly increased power consumption of 0.36W, the S2 still remains extremely energy efficient. It can run for 6–8 hours on a smartphone. I love that I never have to worry about charging a battery like I did with the FLIR ONE Pro. That was a huge inconvenience and the battery life of that camera was getting worse by time.
Improved Resolution and Image Quality
The most significant upgrade of the Finder S2 is its upgraded sensor. While the Finder S1 has a modest 96×96 native resolution, the Finder S2 features a much sharper 256×192 resolution. The higher-resolution sensor captures more data points, so we have much sharper images. This level of detail is essential for professionals as it helps diagnose problems quickly and confidently. This is helpful for pinpointing minor air leaks, insulation gaps or detecting overheating circuit components. When using the S1, the fine details were blurry, so you might need to get closer to the target to interpret the image correctly.
Like its predecessor, the Finder S2 allows users to manually adjust emissivity settings based on the material being measured, like wood, brick, metal, or plastic. It also offers features like setting custom upper and lower temperature limits, so you can isolate temperature extremes more effectively. Besides, there are customizable tools allowing for targeted readings across points, lines, and specific areas on the thermal image.
Another interesting application of the thermal camera is pet care. The Finder S2 can help pet owners and veterinarians by detecting temperature variations on a pet’s body. It might identify potential issues such as inflammation, infections, or circulatory problems. For example, an injured or infected area on a dog or cat may appear as a hotspot in the thermal image, so you can detect the condition early before it gets worse. The camera can also be useful for checking heating pads in colder months, so that you can keep your pets warm and comfortable. And you can also use the S2 to locate lost pets by detecting their body heat, which is especially useful at night.
Conclusion
The HSFTOOLS Finder S2 takes everything that made the S1 great and enhances it with higher resolution and greater accuracy. It has become a much more compelling option for professionals and serious DIYers.
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