Are All Digital Thermometers Created Equal?

Mike LeClair wrote:
Good catch 2oldman! In re reading the op's query methinks that I am on the wrong rail with my reply. So, OP, you are asking about a digital point and shoot infrared thermometer? To check tire, wheel bearing and other vehicle type temps? The prices do vary wildly on these. The one that I use retails at $100.00 and I got it on sale for about $30.00 IIRC. I think the adage "you get what you pay for" rings quite true. Tons of vendors on Amazon and EBay for these devices. I use ours mainly for wheel bearing and hub temp measurements as well as hunting for seal and gasket leaks in the RV (looking fort cool spots).

Cheers!

Mike

Would a device like this be useful for calibrating a thermometer used for measuring room temperature or outside temperature?

I have a bunch of temperature sensors as part of my home automation system, and the software allows you to adjust the reported temperature (to correct for inaccuracies in the sensor). I'm wondering if I aimed a digital point and shoot infrared thermometer at the sensor (or something in the vicinity of the sensor), would that give an accurate reading that I could use for calibration? (assuming the digital point and shoot infrared thermometer is reasonably accurate, of course).