laser temp guns

[the gnome]

i picked up a las-temp gun for $39
it has a 10:1 distance-spot ratio

its a 1" spot @10" dist.
so at 30" its a 3" spot.
I'll be averaging a distance 8ft and sometimes 12ft.
that's going to give me a large spot for temps.

are all these guns the same with the D.S-> ratio?
I thought the spot size would be much smaller?

what are you guys using to shoot your canopy temps?

 

[qupee]

I wouldn't count on it to read accurately at that distance, unless it explicitly states it can.

 

[hvac guy]

I have a Fluke 568 laser temp gun, best thing to have for reading temps of wires, contactors, enclosures, plants, hvac, etc.

 

[oscarthegrouch]

I wouldn't count on a cheap unit to be very accurate especially at a distance. I've seen them ranging from $20 to over $1000 and I would imagine its for a reason.

 

[Treetroit City]

Mine has a laser spot that stays tiny, like the diameter of pencil graphite.

Also, if the spot gets bigger then it's not a laser right? I thought that was the whole thing with lasers, the diameter of the light beam never increases unlike a flashlight.

 

[the gnome]

I wouldn't count on it to read accurately at that distance, unless it explicitly states it can.

it doesn't really state a distance?
but shooting it on a wall in the house @ 4ft and then 15ft the temps are within 1F

I have a Fluke 568 laser temp gun, best thing to have for reading temps of wires, contactors, enclosures, plants, hvac, etc.

now that's the one I like, 50:1
six different languages, data logging etc etc ....
and only $399 tamales

I'll have to live with my $37 radio shack gun to shoot canopy temps and check the grill temps for the steaks lol

 

[yujin]

Those temperature guns run with an infra red sensor. The laser is just there to aim it. That's why it's got a big opening on the business end. It's for the much wider angle infra red sensor. As for canopy temps I just point the laser just a little below where I want to take the temperature. An easy way to see how wide the beam is just point it in the direction of your kitchen stove. (with it on, of course) Just move it away from the stove until you see the temp drop. You can even do it a different distances to approximate a cone. Those temperature guns are super helpful, but at longer ranges they can be somewhat inaccurate.

 

[qupee]

it doesn't really state a distance?
but shooting it on a wall in the house @ 4ft and then 15ft the temps are within 1F

I can't find anything about a max distance for mine, either (Nicety ST380). It does say make sure the target is larger than the spot, twice as large at least for best accuracy.

I would guess if you are aiming from a perpendicular angle at the top of a reasonably thick canopy should give a fair reading. From an angle, though, like standing at the door pointing mostly forward into a room, your spot will more vertical and might not give the best reading, similarly if what the spot is hitting is not somewhat consistently covered (sparse canopy, varying height).

 

[supermanlives]

mine is pretty accurate but I don't use it more than like 4ft

 

[nachoconqueso]

The cheaper ones can be more accurate than you think. I saw some nice ones with positive reviews on amazon. I kinda want one just for fun. I measure my canopy by setting a digital thermometer on my tomato cages.

 

[qupee]

$30 http://www.amazon.com/Infrared-Thermometer-ST380-Temperature-Measurement/dp/B0028RZA7Q

We use ours for all kinds of stuff, from making sure the bath water isn't too warm, to setting the fridge & freezer accurately, to bringing a pan full of cooking oil up to temp so those tater tots come out with a golden brown, crispy crust and a soft, moist, hot inside