Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer

[DFB]

...with Laser!

So who has one???

I want to get one of these. I'm sure it will more than earn its keep around my house even more so in the garage and I might even check the grease temp in the new apple cider donut machine I just installed down at the Orchard where I work too!

So today I went looking online (Amazon) and quite frankly found the amount of choices pretty overwhelming. Prices ranging from less than $20 to easily way up over $100. I will assume the cheapest is nothing more than imported junk without much accuracy though many great reviews from ghost hunters and those seeking other paranormal activity.

At about the $40-$50 range buyers seemed to be generally pleased with models such as the Actron CP7876, Kintrex IRT 0421, Micro Temp MT Pro, and the Maverick LT02 though consensus still varied on accuracy, maybe from a lack of emissivity adjustment on these units for the objects being measured? But....from there its not much more for a lower end professional brand name Fluke 62 MINI , Klien IR1000, or Greenlee TG1000. Theres also 2 professional offerings from WCI a product name I'm not familair with. All under $75. So that will be my self imposed cutoff point $75! I'm already leaning heavily toward the Greenlee for about $66 with its adjustable sensitivity though I cant find any independent reviews online about it.

Whats good? What not? What will do the job? Is emissivity compensation THAT important for most things you do with them? What about warranty? The Kintrex IRT clearly states a 2 year warranty. Battery? Looks like AA or AAA is prefered power source to 9V The 9v being found mostly on the cheap ones. I do take pride in my tools, I have quality name brands they earn me a living a lot of times along with a few Harbor Freight tools that dont suck

 

[kennyd]

I have had a Raytek for 10+ years, very handy!

Handheld Thermometer | Portable Thermometer | Infrared Digital Thermometer

 

[RobertN]

I use a Fluke 566. But it is $400+. And it is for work, so extra cost was not issue.

The questions I would ask first, is what range of temp do you need to measure, and how much accuracy do you require. From that info, pick one that matches closest to your price range.

 

[RickB]

We have a Raytek the shop owns and I have a $49 Sears unit in my road tool set. Both work well and are indespensible. Biggest downfall to IR thermometers is not thinking of how to use one to troubleshoot a problem. Dead nuts accuracy isn't very often important; usually you are looking at temp differences between different test areas. For example, I have had 100% success identifying a single leaking hyd cylinder piston of a pair in parallel such as a FEL using an IR gun and without cracking loose any fittings or spilling any oil. Oil passing by a leaking piston seal will raise the piston and barrel temp in the area beyond that of the rest of the cylinder.

 

[LWG]

I have one from Horrible Fright. I bought it originally for cooking, but it it helpful for lots of things. With a sale or coupon, it should be about $40. When I first got it I did a lot of things to determine accuracy. It seemed pretty good, and has lasted for a few years now.

 

[dave1949]

I have a Mastercool brand unit, two AAA batteries, model # 52224-A. http://www.mastercool.com/media/thermometer_flier_LR.pdf $49 at Amazon now.

Mine was a gift three-four years ago, still works fine, battery life is fine. Seems to be consistent and accurate for 50* - 100* range. I haven't tried it on hotter things.

 

[dex3361]

Consider these 3 aspects when buying an IR Gun

Emissivity- Adjustable is good but it depends on what you are using it for.

Spot size- sample spot of 1 inch at a given distance. 8:1 is 1 inch spot at 8 inches away from the gun.

Temperature Range- what are you looking to measure and buy a gun to cover this range.

Here is a link to WW Grangers and I gathered some IR guns to compare.

 

[DFB]

Kenny D.. I see Raytek on there too. One reviewer says the model MT6 is the same as Fluke 62 and that Fluke owns Raytek. Mostly 4 and 5 star reviews.

Robert N... I'll give thought to that heat range thing. Most of them list high end measurements in either 700+ or 900+F range.

Rick B... Good example and great point you make. I read on one review where a failing wheel bearing on trailer was recognized by the heat difference as opposed to the other wheels.

 

[Furu]

I have used mine to check the tire and hub temperature on my trailers while traveling. I have also used it to validate the temperature on my welding rod ovens.

 

[DFB]

Thks guys! Seems like they all work pretty decent hey...

On that point spot its seems they most range 8 9 10 or 12. I would think the farther away the better?

 

[dex3361]

Thks guys! Seems like they all work pretty decent hey...

On that point spot its seems they most range 8 9 10 or 12. I would think the farther away the better?

Thats right and usually the farther the more costly.

 

[kenmac]

I have had a Raytek for 10+ years, very handy!

I have this same brand I purchased years ago to shoot the temp. of the suction / gas line on A/C units. It is not very good at that as, it all depends on where the lazer hits the line ie in; the middle ,on the edge. Temps were all over the place.Haven't used it since

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Thanks for reminding me I have one...
My kintrex just measured my pellet stove output is 300 degrees

 

[Bird]

I've got the Ryobi IR001 from Home Depot. I've had it about two and a half years. I know it ain't the best, but it's good enough for my uses.

 

[troutsqueezer]

I bought the Ryobi as well a few weeks ago for around $29. Don't see any problem with it at all. It seems to match all the thermometers around the ranch for ambient temps and that's close enough for me. Max temp is 600 degrees F. It's 29 bucks...worth a gamble which seems to have paid off.

 

[DFB]

Dang there is enough of them to choose from!

I never much go to Home Depot but I did get a sweet little Ryobi 10" table saw from them to keep on site at the Apple Orchard.

The Grainger link provided info for Extech equipment which in turn had me back to looking at the WCI Professional temp guns on the Amazon site. I think they warrant a closer look. To me they seem to have the same physical design and general specs. Compare these two models...

Amazon.com: WCI Professional High-Temperature IR Infrared Thermometer Laser Pointer Gun - Instant °C Or °F Measurements - Type K Input, 20 Point Memory, LCD Display And Alarm - For Electrical, HVAC, Automotive Diagnostics, Or Cooking Etc.: Home Impro

42515 - InfraRed Thermometer with Type K Input

Everything I researched recomends the greatest spot to target ratio you can get in your price range

There's one WCI model with a 30 " distance to spot ratio for $59.99....that's interesting.

Might be very useful in checking heat and cold leaks in building construction. Last year I wood framed a new 20 x24 storage cooler at work after tearing out the original that was so rotted the entire ceiling had fell in. Plywood covered up the new walls and ceiling, and had 2 inches of spray foam applied. Have to keep those apples cold you know

 

[zzvyb6]

I bought a Craftsman 1000 degree version at a Sears store closing for $6.00 It does what I want it to do and also makes a fun dog chasing toy. I only use it very carefull with them for a minute or so. It says I'm healthy, too.

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

I have this same brand I purchased years ago to shoot the temp. of the suction / gas line on A/C units. It is not very good at that as, it all depends on where the lazer hits the line ie in; the middle ,on the edge. Temps were all over the place.Haven't used it since

Try spraying the area to me measured with a "thin" coat of flat black paint.
I believe I read that the units read better with a dark non shiny surface.

I have 2 used units that I found reasonably priced on ebay.
Raytek is a well known brand
I also have 2 Fluke temperature meters that accept K-type thermocouples.
The thermocouples are nice for checking/adjusting furnace temp. rise , liquid temps, refrigerator, freezer... temps.

 

[Bird]

I also have 2 Fluke temperature meters that accept K-type thermocouples.
The thermocouples are nice for checking/adjusting furnace temp. rise , liquid temps, refrigerator, freezer... temps.

I just have one Extech Clamp Meter with the K-type thermocouple, and yep they can be very handy. My Extech will be 23 years old in April. Still works just fine.

 

[Mace Canute]

I have a 3M brand one I bought years ago and it always seems to be accurate whenever I take the time to check it against a known temperature. I can't really recommend any one particular brand other than the usual generic advice to buy a good brand name one if your work requires accurate measurement.

I don't use it often but when I do, I wonder how I made do without it before! The more you use one, the more things you realize you can check with it.

A little FYI...the lazer in them has nothing to do with temperature sensing, it's strictly to help with aiming the unit dead center on whatever you are checking.