Can you guys recommend a good reliable infrared laser thermometer? Looking for accuracy and consistent readings. Bought a cheap Extech a couple years ago. Haven’t been happy with it.
IR Laser thermometer recommendations
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This is what I've had for quite some time. Very accurate and still has the original battery. I'm thinking I bought it off Amazon.
Buy a Fluke you will be happy with it.
dual fours
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I have a FLUKE infrared laser thermometer, model # 62 MAX. It has given me good service. It was on sale at GRAINGER's $107.50 +tax on 8/16/2016. You may want to know the items ''drop something'' it is called, that is the distance the item can be safely dropped and survive the fall (yeah right). Mine is rated for 3M drop and a temp. range of -30 to 500 c. It has a 10:1 ratio (at 10' out it covers a 1' area).
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What temp range?
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Whatever brand you buy, make sure you don't rely on temperature readings taken from a shiny surface.
A shiny reflective surface will give the cheaper laser instruments a false reading.
A shiny reflective surface will give the cheaper laser instruments a false reading.
Automotive application will be a majority, if not all, of it's use.
gkent
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Every one of these I've owned or seen has to be calibrated depending on the type of surface you're measuring. And then its only as accurate as you've calibrated it. I generally don't bother with calibrating them since I usually use them to do comparison readings - like tire temps. Example, you're checking four tires. It doesn't matter if it reads 50 deg or 200 deg - what I'm interested in is the "difference" between the four for comparison. But if you want to measure one thing and you want it accurate well, good luck. Generally I've found the variance between types of materials to be around 10 deg., which for most purposes doesn't matter. But if you're checking body temps for fever, a 10 deg. inaccuracy won't cut it !!
I believe the one I have was bought at Tractor Supply.
What I find interesting is it reads consistently low on a human IE- reads 95 degrees when my temp is 97.8.
Even worse if I actually have a fever- 98 vs 102 fever.
Here's the odd part- it's accurate on the car. It agrees with my mechanical temp gauge 100%, and with a third temp gauge.
It also agrees with my AC vent gauge.
What I find interesting is it reads consistently low on a human IE- reads 95 degrees when my temp is 97.8.
Even worse if I actually have a fever- 98 vs 102 fever.
Here's the odd part- it's accurate on the car. It agrees with my mechanical temp gauge 100%, and with a third temp gauge.
It also agrees with my AC vent gauge.
I bet laser thermometers for body temps have been recalibrated. Lazers only measure surface temps not internal temps. Even oral and rectal thermometers are different.
I chuckle at people measuring their coolant temp at the thermostat or what ever. Just surface temperature there. The radiator will be different and of course internally at different spots will be all over the charts. Like mentioned above. They work great for checking differences. Which cylinder is causing a misfire? Check the manifold or header tubes. The cold one is the dead one.You can compare circuit breakers and electrical connectors. The hot ones are a problem.
I checked wheel and rotor temps side to side on y tool truck to diagnose a dragging brake caliper.
Lots of good uses but be careful thinking the temp you read is the actual temp.
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Exactly......one tends to get washed before using it on the other end.Even oral and rectal thermometers are different.
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Very true. We have guys running around with IR cameras checking/testing electrical distribution boards for hot spots.
Just like an election poll, it is very easy to fool the client with the scale of choice used in the results. I was sent to one job with a supposed repair needed....then I looked at the scale after not finding any issues on site. The contactor is question was barely body temperature after running all day.
The scale was about 10 degrees from coldest to hottest....it was a BS exercise. I told the client he was fine and had words with my boss.
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