Xinfrared One XH09 thermal camera review – see like an enhanced ninja!

REVIEW – The cost of thermal imaging cameras is decreasing rapidly as the technology to produce them is refined and the supply is increasing. But more than being an example of macroeconomics these cameras are super useful, always gaining new features, and are now available as accessories for smartphones. I have an Xinfrared One XH09 thermal camera to review. Read on to see what I think! 

What is it?

The Xinfrared One XH09 is an infrared camera that can attach to an Android phone using the USB C interface or an iPhone using the lightning port. The camera can also be used as a standalone YUY2 infrared camera with 256×192 resolution and a 50 Hz progressive frame rate. The camera has an adjustable focus and an automatic internal shutter to periodically reset the image quality. When paired with the Thermal Eye X app, a variety of image palettes and filters can be applied to the image to optimize the detection of warm-bodied animals and the determination of the measured temperature. The app also allows X³ technology to be used to raise the resolution to 288×384. The camera can be sold as a kit with a grip to position the camera and mobile device for optimal use.

What’s in the box?

• Xinfrared XH09 thermal monocular
• Smsmartphone bracket mount
• USB C extension cable
• lens cap
• hard case

Hardware specs

• Product Model: XH 09
• IR Resolution: 256×192 @12μm
• AI-Temp: AI temperature measurement, accuracy ±3°C
• Battery Life: 300~480 minutes (Eg: Samsung Galaxy S23+ 4700mAh batarry life 367 minutes)
• Frame Rate: 50Hz
• Focal Length 9mm manual adjustable focusing, lens of 9mm ≈ lens of 13mm @17μm
• Observe Distance: 1.8m×2m deer at 551 yards (504 meters)
• NETD: 40mK(@77°F,F#1.0)
• Spectral Band: 8 – 14 μm
• Operating Temperature: -20℃～60℃
• Storage Temperature: -40℃～85℃
• Power Consumption: 350mw
• Processor: Self-developed LY ASIC chip
• Aperture: F1.0
• FOV: 19.63°×14.71°
• Object Temperature Range: 0℃~100℃
• Temperature Correction: Distance, ambient temperature, and emissivity
• Magnification: 2×~15× continuous digital zoom
• Dual Image Mode: High definition mode/Heat highlights mode, tap to switch
• Image Enhancement: Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE)
• X³ Patented image algorithm
• Hot Spot Tracking: Tactical heat tracking
• Dedicated Outdoor Palette: Night Vision Green/Bird/White hot/ Black hot/ Red head/ Iron red
• Measurement Correction: Temperature correction/distance correction
• Reticle: 7 shapes + 5 colors quick switching
• Application Scenarios: Smartphone / Pad / ergonomic handle / tripod / extension cable / car
• Tactical Assist: E-compass/ speed/ position/ weather/ time
• Weight (with lens): 18.5g
• Temperature Measurement Range: 32°F~212°F(0°C~100°C)
• Operating Temperature: -4°F~140°F(-20°C~+60°C)
• Dimension (with lens): 23mm×23mm×23.8mm
• Video Storage: Photo and video saving function
• App Name: Thermal Eye X
• Android 9.0 and above system

Design and features

Unboxing

The Xinfrared One XH09 thermal camera comes in a black gift box. At first glance, it looks like there is a simple round sticker on the top of the box but, in actually, it is the center of a series of concentric circles pressed into the cardboard of the top. The front of the box has a sticker with product information. The product name on the box is Thermal Eye X2, but the serial number for this product matches the product within. I think that some branding changes were being made while this review sample was being put together. 

On the inside of the box, the hard case for the camera is securely fastened in a foam cutout.

The inside of the hard case has a foam cutout to hold the camera and a pocket to store the extension cable.

The pistol grip, camera mount, and mobile mount come wrapped in packing material separately and outside of a container.

Design

The Xinfrared One XH09 thermal camera looks similar to other thermal cameras designed to be mounted to mobile devices and looks like some of the other cameras manufactured by Xinfrared. The camera body is manufactured from aluminum and has a sandblasted finish. The sides of the camera are smooth, but the back has a machined pattern with a plastic rectangle set in the middle. The rectangle has the Xinfrared brand logo printed on it, and when the camera is first connected to the phone, the label is illuminated by an LED from within.

The insides are not accessible, but the manufacturer provides some details of the inner workings:

The world’s smallest outdoor thermal imaging night vision device, Thermal Eye X2 is equipped with InfiRay’s world-renowned high-definition vanadium oxide thermal imaging core, with a telephoto adjustable alloy lens, and the night vision detection ability far exceeds that of ordinary thermal imaging night vision devices; At the same time, it integrates the self-developed Falcon image chip and the exclusive image algorithm of the fourth generation MATRIX IV, so that the field of vision is clearer and the picture quality is sharper; It adopts 50Hz high frame rate output, the image is smoother, and the all-alloy body is sturdy and durable.

The front of the camera has the lens surrounded by the focus ring. The focus ring turns smoothly and stops at the nearest and farthest settings. At the nearest setting, it focuses about four inches from the surface and has impressive macro capabilities. Focus to infinity happens about a full turn before the focus ring stops.

The USB connector sits only about 1 mm from the camera body and will not plug into my phone with the case installed. If the grip and holder are not going to be used, then a case will probably not work either. 

The camera comes with a rubber lens cap that press fits over the lens and focus ring.

With minuscule size and weight, one of the worst things that can happen to this is for it to fall out of the phone and get lost. One of the ways around that is by using the pistol grip assembly.

The pistol grip and clamp assembly consists of four parts:

• grip with 1/4 x 20 male tripod adapter
• Xinfrared camera clamp
• Adjustable swivel mount
• Mobile device holder

The piston grip has a lanyard loop at the base of the handle and a female 1/4″ mount so that it can be mounted on top of a tripod or other device with a 1/4″ male post. 

The swivel has a mounting bar that can fit horizontally or vertically into the mobile mount. This means that the mobile device or camera can be rotated in any orientation that the user prefers. The swivel is relocated with a 3/32″ fallen key, so this is best to be done before use in the field, but the ability to configure the handle in several different ways is refreshing. 

The mobile clamp and the camera clamp each have a spring-open design. The spring tension against the set screw helps keep it from loosening.  The camera clamp has a 1/4″ female bolt in the base but also has a beveled edge for a cold shoe adapter. 

The pistol grip can be mounted to either the camera or mobile. I prefer to have the grip mounted to the camera to adjust the angle of the mobile to avoid glare as required. 

Setup

The Xinfrared One XH09 thermal camera setup is as easy as downloading the app, accepting and setting the permissions, and installing the camera into the USB port of an Android device. No personal email or account is required.

The permissions required by the installed app include storage, camera, audio recording, and phone call permissions for managing the infrared photo album, using the camera, accessing the video function, and storing image information. Before plugging in the device, ensure that the OTG function has been turned on. OPPO, VIVO, OnePlus, realme, iQOO, etc. need to have the OTG capability turned on manually, but most other mobile phones have this enabled by default. If the OTG function is functioning normally, the phone will prompt, “Do you want to allow Thermal Eye X to access the USB Camera?” after the camera is connected. (Select Yes to the prompt.)

Operation

The Xinfrared One XH09 thermal camera can be used like other cameras, except it should not be pointed at the sun or very hot objects. As a guidance, the thermal measurement range is 0 to 100ºC. 

The camera is generally used with the Thermal Eye X software. The current version at the time of the review is 2.0.44.231216. Before the camera is installed, the software only has access to some minor settings and the photo and video storage.

After the camera is installed, the main interface of the software is divided into an upper button bar, a main image area, a lower button bar, and a tactical display area.  The buttons include settings, album, camera, photo taking, shutter, highlight tracking, Highlight mode and HD mode, cross cursor, color palette, and other functions.

The photo album of the app contains all the photos and videos recorded. 

The X³ algorithm is an advanced algorithm that increases the resolution from 256×192 to 384×288, delivering ultra-clear and sharp images.

There are separate photo and video recording buttons and holding down the photo button enables a burst photo mode.

Double-clicking the image in the center causes the image to fill the mobile screen. Double-clicking the full-screen image restores the original app screen.

Below the image is a shutter switch to reset the image to eliminate oversampling artifacts in the image. It is the same function as the automatic shutter but is performed manually.

The app has a hot spot tracking which identifies the hottest areas in the image with a small red cursor.

The central button below the image has three filters:

• HD mode (green eye): High Definition (HD) technology and InfiRay outdoor core provides ultra-clear and sharp thermal images.
• Highlight mode (red eye): Highlights the targets, especially when the prey is covered by dense forests and bushes.
• Ninja mode: Highlights the targets in orange and presents all other background in grey.

The app also has 8 professional hunting reticles primarily for use when mounting the camera to a bow. When the reticle is first displayed a control pad is also displayed to allow fine adjustments to the location. Users can also click on the plus and minus signs of the size control buttons to zoom in and out of the crosshairs. Users can click the lock button in the position control button to lock the position of the cross cursor. Sliding the cross cursor left and right can switch the form of the cross cursor. There are 8 forms of the cross cursor, and sliding up and down can switch the colors of the cross cursor, which are white, purple, blue, red, and green. Click the unlock button to freely drag the crosshairs. 

The information displayed on the screen can be customized on a floating settings bar to the right of the screen.

The settings include a temperature setting display. This will display the temperature on the image. The center, hottest, and coldest temperatures will be displayed. The temperature unit can be selected as Celsius (℃), Fahrenheit (F), or Kelvin (K).

The PIP will display a re-positional window of the image captured by the front or back camera. The Infrared PIP will display a 4x zoom of the center of the image in a re-positional window. This is useful for focusing a zoomed-out image or providing context when looking at a zoomed-in image. The Xinfrared One XH09 does not support a hybrid image view. The infrared image may also be flipped across the vertical access in case it is being used in a mirror (mirrors reflect infrared light as well as visible light). The infrared image may also be rotated every 90 degrees to account for different orientations of the camera in the holder and use with the phone. 

The automatic shutter resets the image to eliminate oversampling artifacts in the image. The user manual recommends users turn it on during daily use. 

The capture set menu allows the user to select if the recorded image or video will include temperature data and background information. 

The general menu allows users to set the language, watermark, and theme in a common interface. The default language follows the system but there is an option to use Chinese or English. As the phone rotates, the watermark is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen. Users can choose to turn off the watermark. Users can choose to follow the system, light or dark themes.

The help menu displays information about the company, privacy agreements, help documents, feedback, software version, firmware version, SN code, and activation time in the help interface.

Seven pallets can be used for coloring the infrared image: green hot, red hot, gray hot, white hot, high-contrast black hot, and high-contrast white hot modes. 

In the environmental variable correction function, users can choose to adjust the emissivity according to the material of the target object. With this function, you can add custom modes, change the mode name and parameters, and select modes you have defined to switch between different radiometric scenarios for temperature measurement demand quickly. Emissivity correction provides the surface emissivity of eight common objects and allows customized object surfaces. The allowed emissivity range is 0.01～1.00.

The distance correction adjusts temperature measurement based on the input distance to the measured object. The allowed distance range is 0.25m～5m. For a distance greater than 5m, select 5m, but the measurement accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The ambient temperature correction can compensate for the temperature measurement based on the input ambient temperature of the current device. The allowed ambient temperature range is the temperature range supported by the device.

Performance

As indicated above, the camera may be used without the Thermal Eye X software on a computer as a standalone camera. The below image is from my Windows machine.

One of the first things about the Thermal Eye X software you notice is that it has this very distinctive load screen which is quite loud if the volume on your phone is not set to zero. If you are using this device for game spotting this may be one way to alert your target of your blind location.

After the app starts up the camera must be connected to make any adjustments. However, the photo and video recordings are available even if the camera is disconnected.

I tried using the camera to take some macro shots of a penny. At full magnification, it appears that the lower border of the attic frieze is about 1 pixel and on a cent the thickness of this part is about 0.1 mm.

This feature becomes much more pronounced with the X³ enhancement is turned on. (No matter how many times I use this feature I cannot stop thinking of it being used in a CSI episode.) 

I used the temperature measuring tools on ice water and recorded temperatures of close to 12ºC.

I also recorded a sublingual temperature of close to 43ºC (I’m not running a 109ºF fever). I repeated these measurements with my AGM Glory G1S phone and had much more reasonable results. The maximum sublingual temperature was 36.6ºC (phew) and the minimum ice water temperature was 0.1ºC.

The specs claim the temperature measurement accuracy is ±3°C, but my test shows it falls below that threshold. In general, comparing the software to the AGM glory, I feel that the AGM software was much more capable and provided some extra features such as regions of interest (ROI) temperature measurements and time-lapse. Also, the Xinfrared software has some issues maintaining a truly comprehensive localization as some notifications are still in Chinese (even if it is for a contest that is no longer running).

The 50 Hz feature does seem to provide very impressive high-rate video compared to other sensors on the market and will be very useful for tracking game or birds. 

Another issue is that the camera will continue to use the mobile’s power even when not being used to capture images. The AGM captured this temperature after a few minutes of use:

What I like

• Fantastic resolution, especially with X³
• Compact and lightweight, with a variety of mounting options

What needs to be improved

• Noisy Thermal Eye X intro
• No hybrid thermal view
• Limited thermal range
• Inaccurate thermal measurements

Final thoughts

The Xinfrared One XH09 infrared camera has great image quality and is a small but powerful addition to a cell phone, giving it the power of a dedicated high-quality thermal imager with the convenience of a mobile device. With this combination, the images can be processed, emailed, included in online databases, etc. The available magnification, focus, and X³ image enhancement set this camera apart from the competition. This model may not be the best if you need reliable temperature measurement, but it is able to differentiate temperatures in the image and can track moving items effectively thanks to the 50Hz capture. 

Price: $369.99
Where to buy: Amazon and Xinfrared (Save 5% off with code: gadgeteer5)
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Xinfrared.