Infrared Thermometer

[bushhawg73]

Looking to buy one, what do you have and how do you like it. Any additional advice on the temp range would be great.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Look at the specs, how big an area or circle does it measure at what distance? Do you need to measure a real small area from far away (expensive)? or do you need to measure the temp of a radiator hose from 12 inches (much cheaper)?

I have a Caterpillar branded multimeter (certainly not a great quality one) that is true RMS and has temp probe for liquids and a IR built in to it. Not sure of the specs (I bought it cheap but unused from a pawn shop) and it works for the few things I want to measure temp of (metal halide lighting ballast housings, radiator hoses, couple of other things).

As I noted, range and "focus" are the important factors, along with temp range (hi to low).

Charles

 

[Slip_Kid]

I use this on for work, works pretty well.

Fluke 62 Mini Infrared Thermometer

http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-62-Mini-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B000MX5Y9C

 

[doug.j]

I have a Raytech MT6. I think it goes to 1000F. I've used it to find misfiring cylinders by measuring header temps near the port.

 

[TopFuel]

Fluke 62 Mini Infrared Thermometer

http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-62-Mini-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B000MX5Y9C

Ditto. Works great. Use it for checking wheel bearings, drum brakes, engines, etc. Very handy.

 

[Longbob]

Ditto. Works great. Use it for checking wheel bearings, drum brakes, engines, etc. Very handy.

I carry one that is similar when I drive long distances especially towing. The FIRST thing that I do when I get out of the truck is do a walk around and shoot all the tires and wheel bearings. Then I lean under the truck to shoot the rear end. Ever so often, I will also shoot the brakes to see if one seems to be grabbing more than the others. I haven't found one to be the case so I don't do this all that often.

I am looking for significant differences in temperature between the tires and bearings. Something along the lines of 20 degrees so I can take preventative measures if needed.

 

[Zrexxer]

I have the Raytech and I love it. Like Longbob, I use it to check bearings and tires on all of my trailers, which don't get used every day so I want to make sure I haven't got a dragging brake or a dry bearing. I've even used it at the girlfriend's house to find an air conditioner register in the vaulted ceiling that apparently wasn't getting any airflow and was considerably warmer than the others.

 

[bushhawg73]

I have been looking at the Raytech MT6. I want it for general mechanical use. Things like posted above such as radiators, wheel bearings, brakes and such. Nothing fancy. Thanks for the input. I found the Raytek MT6 for 50.00 plus shipping online.

 

[jethro29]

i have a raytech,it works great and it's uses are almost unlimited.i would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Stephenw]

I review a Harbor Freight model here...

http://www.shopngarage.com/forum/index.php?topic=79.0

 

[engineer2]

Raytek (the correct spelling) was bought by Fluke in 2002. Raytek makes all the Fluke units. All the consumer stuff is made in China to keep costs low, and some of the engineering is/was done by their highly-regarded Berlin optics group. They are well-designed products.

Keep in mind that IR won't give accurate readings on shiny aluminum.

 

[wreckercologist]

I've got an older Raytek I've used for over 11 years. I don't recall the model # but it goes up to about 800 degrees. Only issue I've seen with it is it will give screwy #'s when the battery is low. It's been a great temp gun so far (it'll probably die the next time I use it now that I've gone and bragged about it).

 

[wellstig1]

I've had this one for a couple of years and love it. Has an led up front to light up the area you are checking. The magnetic base is handy too. The dual lasers up front also help to get a pinpoint on what you are checking.

http://www.raytek.com/Raytek/en-r0/...es/AutoProST25-AutomotiveHandheld/Default.htm

 

[Coach James]

I used a C-man recently that worked fine. Naturally I can't find it on their website now.

My brother in law is an environmental engineer and he uses one from HF with no complaints.

Coach

 

[dan76]

I have a HF unit (model number unknown) bought on sale at 14.99 as well as a C-man unit bought for about the same price during a Christmas sale. Both units read within tenths of one another. I carry the HF unit in the toolbox for bearing/brake temp checks during long trips. It sure beats using the wet finger technique. It's also useful for installed T-stat testing.....I can tell just about the exact temp the thermostat fully opens.

Get one....it's a useful tool.