Cheap digital laser thermometers?

[MrSchaeferPants]

Anyone have experience with the el cheapo ones? I'm seeing two levels of el cheapo, $50 from stores, and approx $20 ebay ones. I don't care to be accurate to the degree, but for it to work, to last, not break within a year, and not be off by 50+ degrees.

I've used super nice ones, so I'm not sure what would cause a cheap one to be crap. Would the temp be off significantly, distance to target, break within a year

 

[BADB0Y]

Anyone have experience with the el cheapo ones? I'm seeing two levels of el cheapo, $50 from stores, and approx $20 ebay ones. I don't care to be accurate to the degree, but for it to work, to last, not break within a year, and not be off by 50+ degrees.

I've used super nice ones, so I'm not sure what would cause a cheap one to be crap. Would the temp be off significantly, distance to target, break within a year

Before upgrading to my Milwaukee M12 one I use now, I ran the one from Craftsman that (when in sale) runs $20-30. I think regular price is $40-50. It worked great for a long time. Still does as a back up.

 

[K85 Octane]

I've got the little yellow one from Harbor Freight. Wait for a sale and it's even cheaper. Seems to work good enough for checking exhaust temps, my mouth, water neck, random different colored things sitting in the sun, and various bugs that fly into my garage.

 

[dhcomp]

The Raytek one was recommended to me by Ryoken, i think.

Its about $50. It rocks. We use the same ones at work a lot.

I wouldn't go cheaper than that. If the difference it $20 from the HF variety, it'll be worth the premium.

 

[ryoken]

Raytek are like the original makers of the IR guns... we beat the snot out of mine at work... but I'm sure most work fine...

 

[sweetk30]

reyek x3 here for years I have had one wih no problems . still original battery .

 

[4X4HIGH]

I have a Fluke (think it's the 62 mini) and it works perfect. Some have certain featrues you may or may not need or want which will make the price vary so keep an eye on what features it offers and if you actually need those features.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

I'll check out those Rayteks. Don't need any special features. Might keep looking at cheapos as well.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Raytek used here also. Use it for the bus on everything when I am on the road. Found a trailer bearing going bad before it became an issue.

 

[woodchk502]

I use an Extech weekly, not real expensive and pretty consistent readings.
Edit: sorry about the rotated pic. Can never remember how to hold my iPhone.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Is that a cutting head of some kind?

 

[woodchk502]

Is that a cutting head of some kind?

Yeah. 6" ISCAR mill. Posting a few pics of the machine running over on the "shop pics for rdn2blazer" post