Forum Discussion

mikeleblanc413's avatar
Dec 06, 2017

Are All Digital Thermometers Created Equal?

Looking for the best digital thermometer for the money...will be using on our Ford car and Dodge truck. Appreciate all comments!
  • In answer to the OP, I've never felt the need to check bearing temps and don't know if there is a temp that they normally run at. I assume that you are really looking for variations from what you find to be normal for your vehicles and accuracy is not too important.

    To wenglish, no, you would be measuring surface temps and what you want are ambient air temps, I don't think it would work.
  • 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).
  • 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
  • Yea...Mike...know what you mean...$400 is certainly WAY out of my league. Glad to know that they exist...I might when the lottery...if I every buy a ticket. Thanks for your input.
  • I guess it depends on how deep your pockets are! $400.00 is waaaaaaaay out my snack bracket for sure. I have several of the Lacrosse products and as long as you don't slam them onto the ground and then step on 'em (lost my balance, not drunk!) they stand up pretty well.

    Cheers!

    Mike
  • I like LaCrosse. I have 2 for the house and a 2 channel one ( outside air and fridge temp ) for the RV.

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