OT cheap infrared thermometers

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2018: OT cheap infrared thermometers
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tommy coffey on Sunday, May 06, 2018 - 06:11 am:

I have read the discussions on here about infrared thermometers but I wonder if anyone has bought and used one of the cheap ones (some less than 10.00) and how well do they work. It appears that the cheap cheap ones and some more expensive ones originate from the same factory somewhere in China. Why pay 20.00 for one a Harbor Freight if you can order one for .99 on Ebay? And how do you check out a cheap one if you do buy it to see how accurate it is, find somebody with an expensive one to check it by?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Claverie, Memphis TN on Sunday, May 06, 2018 - 06:37 am:

I don't know about a 99 cent one, but I'm not sure just how accurate it needs to be.

I use it to do a walk-around check of tire treads and wheel bearings when I make a pit stop on a trip. I also use it to look at the top-to-bottom temperature differential of the radiator.

In both cases, it's not the exact temperature I'm looking at -- it's the difference between this and that.

I would think you could easily check the accuracy, though. Point it at a pot of boiling water on the stove, and point it at a glass of ice tea. That should give you an idea.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jason Given - St. Paul, MN on Sunday, May 06, 2018 - 09:16 am:

I keep a cheap one in my truck. We have expensive ones at work.

What I have read and observed, the expensive one is more accurate, especially over a long distance distance from the widget. The cheap one does ok, if your less than 5 or so feet from the object. Even at 10+ feet it isn't too bad.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Sunday, May 06, 2018 - 11:12 am:

Watch the ads, some are downright BS. When you see this one on ebay;
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=infrared+thermometer+gun &LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=15
It shows $4.19 to $38.89 with a picture of the thermometer gun. When you open the ad, there is a box to click on, the $4.19 is a voltage testing pin the gun is $38.89. Also check the temp range there are some that are lower then what we would need for checking our cars etc.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tommy coffey on Sunday, May 06, 2018 - 03:01 pm:

I suppose I'll find out. I ordered one off Ebay for 7.49 and free shipping. If it's junk it won't be the first time I've thrown away money. Sometimes I think I threw away a heck of a lot more when I bought the car...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerome Hoffman, Hays Kansas on Sunday, May 06, 2018 - 03:10 pm:

The last one I picked up was a HF one for about 20 bucks. Used cheaper AA battery's, the one I got a few years ago at Home Depot was around 45 and uses a 9V battery.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill's Auto Works Wakeman, Ohio on Sunday, May 06, 2018 - 06:22 pm:

I have one of the HF ones in each transport truck. I used them to check wheel bearings from time to time when I stop for a break. I think for the price they work great. For what I use them for, they don't need to be perfectly accurate to a degree!
God Bless
Bill


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