Best temperature gun?

[awkwardpossum]

Long time, no post. I'm back with another question, but hopefully a simple one:

What kind of temperature gun do you guys personally recommend? I'm in the market. I already have one of the little zoo med pocket-sized sensors, but I find that it's incredibly inaccurate most of the time (with the temperatures wobbling several degrees in either direction), and with winter looming I want to make sure I'm well equipped for keeping Dog's tank levels correct.

Amazon links would be helpful. There's a lot on the marketplace but I want to make sure I really get something worth the price tag this time, instead of going for the cheapest option.

 

[CooperDragon]

You can get VERY sophisticated and accurate with the temp guns but for most purposes it's overkill. I'm sure there are some very accurate guns at a fair price point out there but I'd rather get a "good enough" temp gun and put money I'd spend on a super high end one into a good UV meter. I've used this one for years and it's served me well without breaking the bank at all. http://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-contact-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B00CVHIJDK

I''ve also used a Rosewill gun without issue but those aren't available anymore. I'm sure others can report their experiences with different models as well.

 

[Megalania]

Long time, no post. I'm back with another question, but hopefully a simple one:

What kind of temperature gun do you guys personally recommend? I'm in the market. I already have one of the little zoo med pocket-sized sensors, but I find that it's incredibly inaccurate most of the time (with the temperatures wobbling several degrees in either direction), and with winter looming I want to make sure I'm well equipped for keeping Dog's tank levels correct.

Amazon links would be helpful. There's a lot on the marketplace but I want to make sure I really get something worth the price tag this time, instead of going for the cheapest option.

IMO If you're going to spend more for a higher grade temp gun you're better off buying a "Visual Infrared Thermometer",which combines a temp gun with an infrared FLIR type camera because it will show the whole picture of temp ranges and areas with one shot,instead of taking a bunch of readings(of the entire basking area for example).They used to cost in the thousands but now they're getting reasonable,even for a top brand like Fluke: http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-FLK-VT04A-Visual-Thermometer-PyroBlen/dp/B00JJQ3H7E

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures

 

[awkwardpossum]

Man I posted this topic and then life threw me a curve ball and I'm only just getting around to checking again. Sorry about that.

BUT. Awesome, thank you both! I'll look into these options... my little point and click zoo-med thing just isn't doing it.

 

[Taterbug]

If you still shopping for one...one like Cooper linked should be fine. I have a etekcity and a ryobi, they both work well. One thing to consider is the "D:S ratio"... IR guns read the average temp in a 'cone' out from the front and some have a wider cone which means they are less accurate. The one linked has a ratio is 12:1 so at 12" your measuring a 1" circle.

Thermal cameras are really neat and a useful tool, but for the money I'd get a solarmeter first.