Thoughts and opinions on Temp Guns

[LeopardShade]

I am considering purchasing an Infrared Temperature Gun in the near future to quickly and accurately obtain information on my enclosure temps. What are your thoughts on these, and could anyone possibly recommend a reputable place to buy a Temp Gun? Thanks.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Temp guns are definitely the way to go for multiple animals. It sure beats having cords all over for digital probes! Pro Exotics has a good one for around $30.

 

[LeopardShade]

I've recently been getting fed up with the cords of digital thermometers. And the fact that you have to push ridiculously hard for them to stick on the glass. Well, at least I have to.

Thanks for the suggestion, much appreciated.

 

[BrightReptiles]

Harbor freight has some good ones, there is one in the circular this week for $15

 

[touch 13]

So these are suitable for herps?
I have contractors running up and down the halls of my retirement home constantly, and they always have one tucked in on their sides. The Fish guys come in once a week to clean the tank for the residents and they use one as well.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

These work great and are cheap:

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Temperatu...3FS4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315336581&sr=8-1

 

[GeckoDude31]

^ I agree.

 

[robin]

http://tempgun.com/ i have two of these

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

I use the same ones as robin.

 

[theCREECH]

I like it sometimes.

It doesn't read well on glass. It seems the glass refects too much of the light beam. I can put my hand on the glass and tell that it's hotter than my hand, but the temp gun will tell me it's only 75... weird.

Also paper towel losses heat fast so if it's not directly pressing down on the heated surface it will tell you that it's colder than it really is. Again, when I push down on the surface where the usually is, it feels warmer than my hand, but the temp gun will only read 75 or so.

Other than those two surfaces it seems pretty acurate. I would probably read a tile or rock pretty well with good accuracy.

Just my two cents

 

[LeopardShade]

Also paper towel losses heat fast so if it's not directly pressing down on the heated surface it will tell you that it's colder than it really is. Again, when I push down on the surface where the usually is, it feels warmer than my hand, but the temp gun will only read 75 or so.

Well that could be an issue, because I use paper towel for my substrate. Are you saying that a temp gun cannot give accurate readings with paper towel? If so, has the digital probe thermometer that I've been using for more than a year now (reads 90-95 degrees at all times) been giving me inaccurate readings? Or is it just the temp gun that has a problem with paper towel? I'm sorry for asking all this questions, I'm just kind of confused.

 

[Weirik]

These work great and are cheap:

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Temperatu...3FS4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315336581&sr=8-1

Agreed! I bought this and it works great! Can't beat the price either.

 

[doublet74]

Pro Exotics PE-2. $40 with a case.

 

[theCREECH]

Well that could be an issue, because I use paper towel for my substrate. Are you saying that a temp gun cannot give accurate readings with paper towel? If so, has the digital probe thermometer that I've been using for more than a year now (reads 90-95 degrees at all times) been giving me inaccurate readings? Or is it just the temp gun that has a problem with paper towel? I'm sorry for asking all this questions, I'm just kind of confused.

I think your thermometer is more correct, than the temp gun. I find that the paper towel is never directly on the heat. So when I point the gun and check the temp it's a little low. But my digital probe reads 90-95. The probe is on the paper towel weighted down so that my temps are more acurate.

I was just trying to say, that paper towel doesn't rest directly on the heat, it always creates a gap and losses heat. The heat gun on paper towel doesn't give an accurate reading.

 

[LeopardShade]

Thank you. That clears it up a lot. Hmm... so it won't work that much better on glass as well?

 

[brillobee]

Glass causes an inaccurate reading. You can't zap it through the glass, you have to take the lid off and read it that way. (it can't read through mesh and wires either) It has to be clear between the gun and the surface you want the temp of.