# Recommend an infrared temperature sensor **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 2, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709 "2009-07-02T16:07:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/1 "2009-07-02T16:07:20Z")
My non-lesbian partner, Mr. Horseshoe, has been wanting an infrared temperature gun for a looong time. They look like fun and reasonably useful gadgets, and, well, what my baby wants, my baby gets. (Don’t tell him I said that.😉 ) So I think for once in my damn life I’m going to get a jump on Christmas. Would anyone like to recommend an brand or model? Any advice about features I should be sure are included … or stupid frills I can ignore? The office where I’m working recently had the a/c die on us - in Texas, in July, and one of the ladies here is 8 3/4 months pregnant … you better bet they got the service guys to come quick! I chatted with one of the a/c guys when he was going around pointing his infrared gun at all the vents, and he recommended the kind he uses, which is a \*\*Fluke \*\*brand. Not a name to exactly inspire confidence in its accuracy, but whatever. :dubious: I’d appreciate any advice or suggestions! Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/2 "2009-07-02T18:54:23Z")
Fluke is THE name in electronic meters. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/3 "2009-07-02T20:54:18Z")
Ah - that’s why most internet searches lead back to them. Do you own one? (Or … your brother-in-law or someone?) ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/4 "2009-07-03T01:41:11Z")
A Fluke is a good meter. But more expensive. If he is using it professionally then a Fluke would be a good choice, if just for fun there are many around. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/5 "2009-07-03T03:17:25Z")
We’ve been happy with a couple of [Thermoworks](http://www.thermoworks.com/products/ir/index.html) sensors in our lab. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/6 "2009-07-03T05:21:55Z")
I have no need for a Fluke of my own, but I have used several at work nd in school, and bought one or two for laboratories. ---
**Author:** ![sharding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@sharding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sharding)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/7 "2009-07-03T08:09:25Z")
I have a [Mastercool 52224-A](http://www.mastercool.com/pages/infrared_thermometers.html) and I like it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/8 "2009-07-03T12:20:59Z")
You should check out Omega, a company that sells many temperature measurement devices as well as other measurement devices and heating and temperature control devices. I think they make their own thermocouples and perhaps assemble RTDs and other items. They probably rebrand meters and other complicated items from other makers. But without a doubt they have the widest range of products, and certainly have \<$100 to \>$1000 infrared pyrometers. IIRC you can also buy some of these from [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com), with the advantage that you can see reviews from other buyers. BTW, if a device measures temperature by being at that temperature, it is called a thermometer, but if it measures temperature over there while it is sitting over here at room temperature sensing radiation, it is called a pyrometer. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/9 "2009-07-03T13:31:51Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > A Fluke is a good meter. But more expensive. If he is using it professionally then a Fluke would be a good choice, if just for fun there are many around. Agree. [Here](http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7662) is a non-Fluke unit for $34. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/10 "2009-07-04T04:17:44Z")
I have a Fluke and a UEI. Both work well. As you’d imagine, the Fluke is more expensive. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/11 "2009-07-06T16:35:36Z")
As a mechanic, a non-contact thermometer is invaluable, and of course I have an expensive one, but I also have a cheaper one from Harbor Freight. [http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=thermometer](http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=thermometer) If his needs point to the fun/gadget end of the scale, 13 bucks will do ya. If his desire is more professional and includes the wish for a laser, 25 bucks will suffice. The pistol grip one also has a back-lit display, so he can gather important data in low-light situations. You need not wonder what the temperature of your toes under the covers is again. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-an-infrared-temperature-sensor/501709/12 "2009-07-06T17:56:33Z")
Consider the temperature range. For example, to see how hot the coals are in a charcoal grill requires something that can read over 500 degrees F. A laser aimer is an often included feature. Personally I find it useless, but you want to consider if he would need or want it. It can be handy to switch from F to C scales. Having a readily accessible switch for this is nice (I had one infrared gun that required opening up the battery case to make the switch - it was a real pain). Batteries might last longer if it’s possible to switch the display backlight on and off.