These tiny USB-C thermal cameras bring professional heat vision to your phones

Credit: RISION TL;DR RISION’s new infrared thermal cameras connect over USB-C and work with devices running Android, iOS, and Windows. The new RISION Magic and Magic Pro can upscale images to double the sensor’s resolution for richer details. The cameras also let you view thermal data overlaid on images from your phone’s camera, making it easier to see through the blurry blobs.

Infrared-based thermal imaging comes in extremely handy for finding any faults or abnormalities in machines as well as electrical or electronic systems. Numerous brands sell rugged phones with dedicated IR cameras that enable night vision, but don’t offer the desired accuracy. To achieve greater accuracy, you might need to purchase dedicated equipment, such as handheld thermal guns with IR imaging.

That’s one more gadget to carry with you, and it may not always be economical. Some brands aim to address ergonomics with compact, lightweight IR cameras that attach via your phone’s USB port, and RISION is one of them. RISION has announced two new infrared thermal camera modules in its Magic series that attach to your Android device , iPhone, iPad, or even a Windows laptop via USB-C.

The new RISION Magic and Magic Pro weigh less than 25 grams and require minimal power, which they draw from your phone’s or laptop’s USB-C port, eliminating the need for a built-in battery.