Infrared Thermometers: which one do you use?

[Garraty47]

I know not everyone uses one of these tools, but for those who do use a non-contact infrared thermometer - which brand/model do you use? Any recommendations or suggestions for getting the best use out of these? How do they compare to magnetic thermometers mounted directly on a wood stove or flue?

I picked up an inexpensive mid-range General IRT201 (($19.95) to play around with and so far it seems to be doing the job, although it’s range is limited from - 4 to 608 degrees F ( -20 to 320 degrees C) so I may return it and get something with better range and accuracy.

 

[Montanalocal]

Same advise I posted to the hygrometer question

The thing I like best about Amazon is their Customer Review feedback. When you call up your item on Amazon, choose “sort by” “Avg. customer review” in the upper right corner. Then run your mouse pointer over the Amount of gold stars for the items, and the percent of one through five star ratings will pop up as a bar chart.

Chose the lower star ratings on that bar chart, and the individual customer feedbacks will be shown. This will let you know of potential problems with this item. Often times feedbackers will suggest better items that they have experience with.

Do not use one, so can not comment on that.

 

[firefighterjake]

Cheap model from Harbor Freight . . . laser pointer no longer works, but it still seems to be able to take temps on the rare occasion I use it. Not entirely sure how accurate it was, but it was within 35 or 50 degrees of my Condar thermometer. Probably close enough for my needs.

 

[Bad LP]

I have a Fluke.

 

[Matt93eg]

I have a southwire brand from Lowe’s. Have used for years without any issues. I never used it as a direct replacement for a stove thermometer but it’s nice to have. I currently have a cat stove so I rely on my condar cat probe but use to IR for different things.

We have 2 heat pumps for the house. One for main living area and one for the master bedroom, bathroom, foyer area. We don’t heat our master area with the stove as we keep the door shut due to having 2 cats that don’t get along so it’s nice when the temps outside get lower and lower you can point the IR into a supply duct to see what the output temp is from the heat pump. You can use that as a tool to decide if your better off just stopping the heat pump and running the heat strips.

It also doubles as a cat toy. Let the cats chase the lazer

 

[Retired Coal Miner]

Timely topic, I popped into a Sears store that had the yellow and black Store Closing sale signs. Picked up one of these for what seems to be 25% off list. Range is spec'ed at -58 to +1202 F:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-non-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7

I wonder if that sears.com website will exist in 12 months, the model is not present on Amazon or craftsman.com, makes me think that as predicted by some tool-heads I know the new owners of craftsman will drastically cut back on the lineup.

I did note one thing when looking up this model on a smartphone as I saw it sitting there on the almost bare shelves. The retail prices go up with the temperature range, max = 1250 F costs more than a model with max 900 F, which costs more than a model with max 550 F.

 

[maple1]

A can of flat black spray paint might also be needed. They dont do good on shiny surfaces. Like say new copper. A spot of paint where you want to measure will fix that.

 

[Bad LP]

Yes, the temperature range does effect the price. I learned this years ago buying a non contact thermometer for diesel engine use and Maple1 is dead on. Dull works better.

 

[Matt93eg]

A can of flat black spray paint might also be needed. They dont do good on shiny surfaces. Like say new copper. A spot of paint where you want to measure will fix that.

I have noticed this to. Any shiny surface seems to give weird readings.

 

[VirginiaIron]

I just picked up a VAUGHAN infrared thermometer WITH circular laser for $9.99 at Sams Club. -18*f -900*f/ -28*c - 482*c

https://m.samsclub.com/ip/vaughan-infrared-thermometer-w-circle-laser/prod22320475

$43 at Wal-Mart

 

[VirginiaIron]

A can of flat black spray paint might also be needed. They dont do good on shiny surfaces. Like say new copper. A spot of paint where you want to measure will fix that.

Also black electrical tape will work and is a recommended alternative in the operating instructions of our commercial unit.