The Ultimate Handheld Thermal Camera Kaiweets KTI-W02 | Voltlog #489

Are you in the market for a budget-friendly thermal camera that doesn’t compromise on quality? Look no further than the Kaiweets KTI-W02. This compact yet powerful device offers impressive features that cater to a wide range of applications, from home inspections to automotive diagnostics and electrical troubleshooting.

Unboxing the Kaiweets KTI-W02 is a delightful experience, with its premium packaging and inclusion of a hard EVA carry case. The camera itself boasts a sleek design, with ridges around the display and camera lens for added protection. Despite its compact size, it packs a punch with a 256×192 pixel thermal sensor, a temperature measurement range of -20°C to +550°C, and a lightning-fast 1-second boot time.

One of the standout features of the Kaiweets KTI-W02 is its impressive battery life of up to 16 hours, coupled with a rapid 2.5-hour recharge time. This makes it an ideal companion for extended field operations or prolonged inspections. Additionally, the camera’s IP54 rating ensures dust and water resistance, while its 2-meter drop rating provides peace of mind against accidental drops.

In terms of performance, the Kaiweets KTI-W02 delivers crisp and detailed thermal images, thanks to its 25Hz frame rate. The camera offers multiple display modes, including thermal-only, visual-only, fusion, and picture-in-picture, allowing you to customize the view according to your needs. While the fusion mode could use some improvement in aligning the thermal and visual images, it still provides a useful perspective.

The camera’s menu system is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing you to adjust settings such as temperature range, emissivity, color palettes, and region of interest measurement. However, it’s worth noting that the camera lacks video recording capabilities and is limited to a single center-point measurement on the screen.

InTheMail | Voltlog #482

Welcome to another exciting InTheMail unboxing extravaganza! In this episode, we dive into a treasure trove of gadgets, tools, and components perfect for any electronics tinkerer or maker. From mechanical fasteners and wiring accessories to unique finds like magnetic multimeter leads and a PoE detector, this mailbag is brimming with surprises.

One highlight is the heartwarming story of upgrading a toy excavator for a 2-year-old construction machinery enthusiast. By incorporating LEDs, sound effects, and vibrations, an ordinary toy was transformed into an interactive delight, sparking joy and wonder. This project showcases the magic of combining electronics with creativity.

Another intriguing item is the set of sodium-ion 18650 batteries. While still in the early stages of adoption, these safer and longer-lasting alternatives to lithium-ion batteries hold promise for future designs. The possibility of destructive testing (with caution, of course) adds an element of excitement and curiosity.

From essential components like standoffs and screws to specialized tools like the drain cleaning brush and countdown timer, this mailbag caters to a wide range of needs. Whether you’re prototyping, repairing, or simply exploring new technologies, there’s something for everyone. So, join us on this adventure as we unbox, explore, and dream up new projects with the latest additions to our ever-growing collection of electronics goodies.

KAISI TX-350E Soldering Microscope Review | Voltlog #455

In this comprehensive review, we take an in-depth look at the Kaisi TX-350E soldering trinocular microscope, an affordable and high-quality tool that can significantly enhance your soldering and inspection work. With a 7-50X zoom capability and a 100mm working distance, this microscope offers a clear and detailed view of even the smallest components.

One standout feature of the Kaisi TX-350E is its built-in fume extractor, a unique addition that helps remove solder fumes from your work area, ensuring a safer and more comfortable working environment. The microscope also comes with a camera port, allowing you to connect a separate camera for documentation or video purposes.

Unboxing the microscope reveals a well-designed and sturdy build, with all the necessary components neatly packaged. Assembly is straightforward, even without consulting the user manual, thanks to the intuitive design. The included ring light and adjustable brightness control ensure optimal illumination for your work surface.

While the working distance of 80mm may not be the most generous, it is still practical for most soldering and inspection tasks. The clear and crisp image through the eyepiece, combined with the stereoscopic view, provides excellent depth perception and detail, making it easier to work with tiny components and intricate repairs.

For those interested in using a camera with the microscope, the provided adapter allows for adjustments and focus fine-tuning, although parfocaling (achieving focus in both the eyepieces and camera port simultaneously) may require some effort. Overall, the Kaisi TX-350E soldering trinocular microscope is a well-built and feature-rich tool that offers excellent value for its price point.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional in the electronics industry, this microscope can be a valuable addition to your workbench, simplifying soldering and inspection tasks with its magnification capabilities and unique fume extraction feature.

Laser Fume Extractor Used As Solder Fume Extractor? | Voltlog #454

As an electronics enthusiast or professional, maintaining a safe and clean work environment is crucial, especially when dealing with soldering fumes. While DIY fume extractors can be a cost-effective solution, commercial systems offer convenience and enhanced performance. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of a commercial fume extractor from VEVOR, originally designed for laser engraving but repurposed for soldering fume extraction.

The VEVOR fume extractor, priced at around €220 shipped to the EU, boasts impressive specs with an 80W power rating, 180m³/h airflow, and a claimed 99.97% filtration level for PM2.5 particles. Upon unboxing, the unit’s sturdy metal construction and substantial weight (15kg) are immediately noticeable, hinting at its industrial-grade build quality.

One of the standout features of the VEVOR unit is its multi-stage filtration system, consisting of a pre-filter, activated charcoal filter, coarse filter, fine filter, and a HEPA filter. This comprehensive setup ensures thorough removal of soldering fumes and particulates, providing a clean working environment.

In comparison to a DIY fume extractor costing around €322, the VEVOR unit offers superior suction power and filtration capabilities. However, it comes with a few trade-offs, such as higher noise levels (65dB compared to 55dB for the DIY system) and increased power consumption (145W vs. 22W for the DIY system).

While the VEVOR unit excels in performance, it lacks some user-friendly features tailored for soldering applications. The lack of readily available replacement filters and the potential messiness of handling loose activated charcoal during filter changes are notable drawbacks. Fortunately, VEVOR also offers a specialized soldering fume extractor that addresses these concerns, featuring a flexible desktop duct system, multiple speed levels, and a more user-friendly design specifically tailored for soldering applications.

InTheMail | Voltlog #450

Welcome back to another exciting episode of “InTheMail”! In this installment, we’ll be unboxing a treasure trove of electronic gadgets and tools that are sure to pique your interest. From cutting-edge USB testers to compact GPS modules and industrial-grade connectors, this mailbag is packed with goodies that will make any electronics enthusiast’s heart skip a beat.

First up, we have the FNIRSI FNB58 and FNB48P USB testers, which boast impressive specifications and a sleek design. These bad boys can handle a wide range of voltages, currents, and power levels, making them indispensable for any serious tinkerer. But that’s not all – we’ll also be taking a closer look at a nifty GPS module based on the ATGM336H chipset, perfect for prototyping and testing your location-based projects.

Moving on, we’ve got some exciting USB-C chargers and power delivery modules, including a car laptop charger capable of delivering a whopping 100W of power. Prepare to be amazed as we put this beast through its paces and see if it can truly live up to its claims. But that’s not all, folks! We’ll also be exploring industrial-grade circular connectors, Anderson-style connectors, and even a specialized connector for VW rear-view mirrors.

If you’re a fan of automotive projects, this one’s for you. And let’s not forget about the tools and accessories! From self-priming water pumps for your DIY plant watering station to audio modules, diagonal cutters, and a portable soldering iron stand, this mailbag has everything you need to take your projects to the next level.

So, buckle up and get ready for an electrifying ride through the world of electronics! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, there’s something in this mailbag for everyone.

Voltlog #149 – BigClown Premium Multi Kit Unboxing

Welcome to a new voltlog, today we are doing an unboxing of the BigClown multi kit which comes in this rather interesting red clown suitcase. I’ve tweeted a photo about this and said that it’s one of the more interesting packaging methods I’ve seen in a while, it just looks good and it’s original.

→Checkout their Indiegogo campaign here.

→Checkout their online shop here.

 

Voltlog #141 – Creality CR-10 First Impression: It’s easy to print!

This is an update video to let you know how things are going with my new 3d printer, the Creality CR-10. The short version: it’s very easy to print with this system, even for a beginner like myself.

Here are some links to the products shown in the video:

 

Voltlog #112 – The nicest PCB ruler (with microwave components)

Just a short video showing you the nicest pcb ruler I’ve seen so far. It contains the most common microwave components that you will find in an RF design.

Link to this pcb ruler