vtsnowedin
Elite Member
Anyone ever use theirs to check the bearing temperature of your tractors turbo during cool down? It would solve the question about just how much idle time after hard work is needed to avoid turbo damage.
Cheap Laser Temp Gun
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aczlan
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I have one of these: Amazon.com: BAFX Products Non Contact Infrared (IR) Thermometer Range of -58F to 1,022F Includes Battery: Industrial & Scientific that I have been very happy with for the past 2 years.
Aaron Z
Aaron Z
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DFB
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newbury
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I've bought two of the HF when they were marked down to $25 or less plus a 25% off coupon.
No, but I use it to check my trailer and truck tire temps when I'm hauling. Lately it's usage was to check interior temps when we had subfreezing weather.
I keep a standard, accurate old style thermometer hanging in a shop and check them against that every so often. Always spot on.
It also makes a great toy for our Corgi who chases the red dot ALL over.
tjcarguy
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Princess auto has em 20$ next week had a couple work fine, get lost easily or find legs ---Trevor
heviduty
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Keep in mind the reading you get is not what is within the laser dot, but the average of temps within a circle whose origin or edge is the dot (depending on model). The diameter of this circle is determined by the distance from the gun to the object divided by the distance to spot ratio.
Cheaper guns usually have a low distance to spot ratio. For a quick reading of things close by, a D:S ratio of 12:1 or even 8:1 works fine, but to check the temp of a small object from several feet away, you may want to step up to a D:S of at least 30:1. But for 20 bucks who's complaining.
Also, infrared energy reflects just like visible light, which can cause shiny objects to give false readings.
Cheaper guns usually have a low distance to spot ratio. For a quick reading of things close by, a D:S ratio of 12:1 or even 8:1 works fine, but to check the temp of a small object from several feet away, you may want to step up to a D:S of at least 30:1. But for 20 bucks who's complaining.
Also, infrared energy reflects just like visible light, which can cause shiny objects to give false readings.
OP
DFB
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I have the 30:1 on my WIC branded CEM
Several years back (TBN thread link in my original post) there was a whole series of the different CEM models being sold on Amazon at that time. It was like a one time deal maybe something similar will come around again sometime.
CEM,professional measuring instruments manufacturer,Shenzhen Everbest Machinery-Products
The one I have the DT8838H is super accurate to within 1.5* degrees across the ranges I use it at and matches the temp gauge exact just beyond the circulator pump when I scan the pump.
Now the cheapy $20.00 one is reading about 15 degrees less when I measure the same point but I think its due to some reflectiveness with the semi gloss black paint on the pump :confused3: It does seem to depends on the surface I'm reading.
Like it been said it is the reflectiveness of material that can create readout problems for users. Dark non reflective colors seem to read best especially with fixed emissivity. Sometimes a piece of black tape can make a big difference in taking the reading. I can make the two sensor guns I have match almost exact most times but not always, and flat black or a brown or dark blue surfaces seems to work better than others to get more uniform readings.
I do notice the more expensive unit has a shiny reflective disc in the tube...looks like a mirror almost, where as the cheapy unit has a like an opaque plastic disc. Does that make a difference? (I wouldn't begin to know.)
Let me tell ya though I have a laser tach and its just the opposite you need a good piece of reflective tape to get a truly accurate reading
I kind of kick myself not trying another one at the time for the prices the were ranging from $34.99 (8:1 range) to around $89.00 if I remember right. They even had a 50:1 model. I just looked its still available. I was a hit or miss in a way though. I did return the first one they sent at the time because the laser wouldn't come on no matter how I pressed the button but the replacement has been flawless, even has the original battery still.
Several years back (TBN thread link in my original post) there was a whole series of the different CEM models being sold on Amazon at that time. It was like a one time deal maybe something similar will come around again sometime.
CEM,professional measuring instruments manufacturer,Shenzhen Everbest Machinery-Products
The one I have the DT8838H is super accurate to within 1.5* degrees across the ranges I use it at and matches the temp gauge exact just beyond the circulator pump when I scan the pump.
Now the cheapy $20.00 one is reading about 15 degrees less when I measure the same point but I think its due to some reflectiveness with the semi gloss black paint on the pump :confused3: It does seem to depends on the surface I'm reading.
Like it been said it is the reflectiveness of material that can create readout problems for users. Dark non reflective colors seem to read best especially with fixed emissivity. Sometimes a piece of black tape can make a big difference in taking the reading. I can make the two sensor guns I have match almost exact most times but not always, and flat black or a brown or dark blue surfaces seems to work better than others to get more uniform readings.
I do notice the more expensive unit has a shiny reflective disc in the tube...looks like a mirror almost, where as the cheapy unit has a like an opaque plastic disc. Does that make a difference? (I wouldn't begin to know.)
Let me tell ya though I have a laser tach and its just the opposite you need a good piece of reflective tape to get a truly accurate reading
I kind of kick myself not trying another one at the time for the prices the were ranging from $34.99 (8:1 range) to around $89.00 if I remember right. They even had a 50:1 model. I just looked its still available. I was a hit or miss in a way though. I did return the first one they sent at the time because the laser wouldn't come on no matter how I pressed the button but the replacement has been flawless, even has the original battery still.
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Thank you for answering my question before I asked it.
I've often wondered if one of these would be accurate enough... It seems a lot cheaper than finding out that my front end is out AFTER ruining a $250 tire.