I have a cheapie (like $20 with laser) from Harbor Freight that has always worked pretty well for me except on galvanized metal (flu pipe) where it read the surface reflected from the galv. Probably other shiny metals would do the same thing. So I stuck a piece of tape on the pipe and read that.
Scott -----Original Message----- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Fmiser Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 18:04 To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] IR temp meter > archer wrote: > P.S. What's a brand/source for an infrared thermometer? > Flukes are available for around $100 but I seem to remember a > discussion about cheaper ones that also worked well. The good ones have the option to change the emissivity setting. I have a cheap one, a Raytech minitemp that is preset to 0.95 emissivity only. That means if what I'm pointing it at is not flat black (to IR), the reading could be off. A laser guide point can be helpful. Mine does not have that feature - but I'm usually looking for either the warmest or the coldest temp so I just move it around until I see a peak or dip. Mine can switch from F to C with a slide switch next to the battery. Oh, distance to spot ratio is another variable. Many of the small ones are like 4:1 - which means if you want to measure a small spot you have to get the thermometer close. My Raytech is 10:1, which is pretty decent in my experience. -- Philip _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
