Short version? The AC Infinity Spectron 7 is a 4K grow camera that can also see heat and photograph underneath your canopy, and it's £149.99. If you want to keep an eye on a tent from the sofa and catch problems early, it earns its place. One warning before you open the box. The antenna and the strap come in their own little bags, they look like throwaway extras, and you need both.
AC Infinity Spectron 7
- 4K / 8MP
- Thermal imaging
- Under-canopy stills cam
- 940nm night vision
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
The numbers
| Main camera | 4K, 8MP. Stills and video. M12 lens, f/2.7 |
| Second camera | Corded under-canopy cam. Stills only |
| Thermal | Infrared imaging, reads leaf temperature |
| Night vision | 940nm infrared, up to 10m (32ft), plant safe |
| Climate sensors | Built in, with VPD tracking |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz only. Antenna in the box |
| Timelapse | Needs a microSD card (not included) |
| Mounting | Dual-joint clamps for tent poles. Strap for the second camera in the box |
| Main unit size | 5.1 x 5.2 x 3.1cm |
| Model | AC-APM7 |
AC Infinity Spectron 7 FAQs
Is the AC Infinity Spectron 7 any good?
For keeping tabs on a tent remotely, yes. You get a 4K camera, a thermal view, night vision that won't wake your plants and a second camera for under the canopy, all for £149.99. It needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, so check your signal reaches the tent first.
What's in the Spectron 7 box? Do I need the antenna and strap?
Yes, you need both. The antenna and the strap come in separate small bags inside the box, and they're easy to mistake for spare bits and bin. Don't. The antenna goes on the main camera. The strap is for fixing the second camera to your tent pole. Check the bags before you chuck the packaging.
What is the strap for?
It's how you fix the secondary camera to the pole. The second camera is the corded one that looks at the plants from underneath, and without the strap it has nothing holding it where you want it.
Does the second camera record video?
No. The secondary camera takes stills only. It photographs the underside of the canopy to give the AI more to work with, but you won't get video from it. Video and timelapse come from the main 4K camera.
Do I need an AC Infinity controller to use the Spectron 7?
No. The Spectron 7 works on its own straight out of the box. It connects to the AC Infinity app over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and you get live view, thermal imaging, the under-canopy stills, VPD readings, AI health alerts and remote monitoring without a controller. It takes stills, and 4K timelapses if you add a microSD card. You only need an AC Infinity AI controller if you want the camera to trigger kit for you, like dimming your lights when it spots heat stress or adjusting fans and heaters from live VPD. Have a look at our AC Infinity range for controllers. The clamps fit standard tent poles too, including tents that aren't AC Infinity.
Spectron 7 or Trolmaster Grow Camera (TC-1)?
The Spectron 7 is £149.99 and the Trolmaster Grow Camera is £155. Mostly it comes down to what else is in your tent. If you run AC Infinity controllers, the Spectron 7 is built to work with them. If you're a Trolmaster room, stick with Trolmaster. Thermal imaging and the under-canopy camera are the Spectron's own tricks.
Do I need a microSD card?
Only for timelapses. Live view, still images and the AI insights all work without one. For 4K timelapses you'll need to supply your own card, as there isn't one in the box.
Does the Spectron 7 work on 5GHz Wi-Fi?
No, it's 2.4GHz only. If your router combines both bands under one name, you may need to split them while you set it up. The antenna in the box helps with signal, so fit it.
Will the night vision upset my plants?
No. It uses 940nm infrared, which plants don't respond to, so it won't interrupt the dark period. Range is up to 10m.
What's in the box (and what not to bin)
The camera and its corded second camera are obvious. It's the small stuff that catches people out.
And about that second camera. It takes stills, not video. That's fine, it's there to feed the AI pictures from underneath the leaves where pests and mould like to start. Just don't expect a second live feed.
No microSD card though. Add one if you want 4K timelapses.
What it does well
The thermal view is what makes it different from a standard grow cam. It reads leaf temperature across the canopy, and with the built-in climate sensors it works out VPD from leaf and air temperature together. That's a better number to run a tent on than air temperature alone.
Then there's the under-canopy camera. Most problems start where you can't see them, down below the top growth. Now you can see them without lifting a fan leaf.
- 4K stills and video, so you can zoom in on a leaf and actually see something
- Plant-safe night vision, so you can check the tent during lights off
- AI alerts for stress, pests, mould and mildew
- Tracks plant stage and growth rate over time
- Weatherproof, with dual-joint clamps so you can angle it where you need
Where it falls short
Good fit if you...
- want to check the tent without opening it
- already run AC Infinity kit
- like data, especially VPD
Look elsewhere if you...
- only have 5GHz Wi-Fi where the tent is
- want video from the second camera
- just want a cheap camera for timelapses
Setting it up
- Open the box and find the two small bags. Antenna and strap. Keep them.
- Fit the antenna to the main camera.
- Clamp the main camera to a tent pole and angle it at the canopy.
- Strap the second camera to a pole low down, pointing up at the underside of the plants.
- Connect it in the AC Infinity app on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
- Drop in a microSD card if you want timelapses.
Got a question about it? Give us a ring on 020 8686 9643 or email info@thehydrobros.com.
Or pop into the shop and have a look at one: Unit 12, Progress Business Park, Progress Way, Croydon CR0 4XD.
More grow guides
- Best pH and EC meters for growers
- Best carbon filters for grow tents
- Aqua Master P110 Pro 2 closer look
- Grow tent setup guide
The Hydro Bros Team. We sell this kit and talk growers through it every day in our Croydon shop.
