infrared thermometer...where to buy?

[Jake]

the other night, I weent to sears in search of a infared thremometer... they had one for 150 bucks. I figured its probably very nice, but I dont need something that nice.

went to another sears .. they had one for 75 bucks, but were out of em

what do you guys use?

 

[begreen]

Sears, Harbor Freight. Both usually have them at good prices. If not on sale wait. You should be able to get one for under $50.

 

[Shipper50]

I bought mine off ebay and it cost around $ 40 shipped I think. It only reads up to 525 or so. I have fun making the dogs chase it and it was worth the money for that part.

Shipper

 

[rhetoric]

Harbor Freight is cheap, but the thermometer only goes up to 400 degrees or so. I took it back.

 

[begreen]

That was the wrong model. Their cheapest one only goes to 482 degrees. This is a better choice. It goes on sale pretty regularly:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96451

It looks like the Sears unit has gone up in price, but still worth watching for a sale:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03450466000P?keyword=infrared+thermometer

Here's one for sale now at $49
http://www.instrumart.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=10228
(also search Amazon.com for infrared thermometer or MicroTemp for same price, free shipping)


or just found this one, an ATD-701 for $36.12 , range -76* to +1022*F:
http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/xq/asp/TID./catid.207/qx/category.htm

 

[Martin Strand III]

Here's a handy dandy little laser infrared thermometer that reads from -58*F to >1000*F (*C also) for about $75. at

(broken link removed to http://www.maverickhousewares.com/LT02.htm)

Aye,
Marty

 

[Bill]

Harbor Freight has two models, one goes to 1000* and they cost 29 bucks on sale right now.

 

[swestall]

Just ordered that National Tool unit; nice device for the price. Thanks for the tip. If I get above the 1000 degree mark, surface temp, I'll be in trouble any way you look at it.

 

[begreen]

I'm trying to decide whether to get the ATD-701 or the more expensive ATD-702. The advantage of the more expensive unit is that it comes with an external probe which would be handy for internal flue temp measurements.

 

[MotoBoyMatt]

Have any of you verified your IR thermometer readings against a contact style thermometer? I was reading the instructions that came with my IR that I just got for christmas and it said metal had significantly different emissivity than other organic objects. I checked my stove with a thermocouple and the IR and the IR reads around 900 when the TC is at 600 or so. I'm really surprised at the difference and that I never really thought about this before, I've used IRs at work before and would just point them at anyting and read the temp like it was magic. I see some of the better models have adjustable emissivity, has anyone played with the setting?

 

[bfunk13]

I have fun making the dogs chase it and it was worth the money for that part.

I wondered if i was the only one. ;-P

 

[edthedawg]

I have an extra one I just picked up on ebay - bought for a friend, but then he went and got his own at Harbor Freight. I'd be willing to sell it, even at a slight loss. It's essentially the same as the Cen-Tech unit that HF sells. Has a max temp over 1000F. PM me for details if you're interested - last I heard, HF was out of stock?

 

[rowerwet]

I just got the royobi infrared with laser at HD for about $40 it goes up to 600 F, the part I like is it gives the upper reading and the lower reading at the same time.
to read on metal or pex wrap masking tape around the pipe and shoot the tape, this also helps because you always read the same spots.

 

[drizler]

Harbor Freight has two models, one goes to 1000* and they cost 29 bucks on sale right now.

I have had one of those HF laser units for about a year. It's pretty well built when you consider it speaks chinese. $30 has been the going rate for some time now. I know it goes past 600F and the laser seems to work a lot farther away than the 7 ' they claim accuracy for, I use mine all the time finding drafts and measuring things like water pipe temps. It seems to have all the same basic features as the expensive ones and I really don't care diddly for extreme to the tenth of a degree accuracy. It's big enough to not lose easily as well being about the size of a small pistol.

 

[velvetfoot]

I have the HF model as well.
I don't know if I have the terminology right, but the angle of aperture is pretty high on it.
In other words, it doesn't exactly have a narrow beam at any distance, so it's best to get close.
Maybe the more expensive ones are better.

 

[Gamalot]

The electronics supply house I use sells 3 different models by TENMA. $49.95 for one that goes up to 1000* and $99.95 to go to 1200*, both can be had with a calibration certificate for an additional price.

www.mcmelectronics.com. or 800-543-4330.

Gary

 

[firefighterjake]

I picked up this one from Harbor Freight . . . so far it seems pretty decent. Temp from the IR thermometer was pretty much in line with my contact thermometer and vice versa . . . then again I'm only using the thermometers as a gauge as to what is happening and not an absolute temp.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96451