Question for the engineering/science folks

[Sue E.]

While I absolutely have and use digital probe thermometers, I also use an IR gun. How accurate would a vesogy IR gun 9158f to measure a bearded dragon's temp if used at the recommended distance? IR gun has been accurately calibrated to my house temp and shows an emissivity value of 0.9 on the back of the beardie. His temp while basking 98.8f (basking surface from 98.5f to 101.5f depending on where he normally sits-he has the option to sit where it is warmer but prefers those temps). Temp shortly after moving from spot 97.7f, and after about half an hour or so 96.9). I dont believe I have the option with this model to adjust emissivity values manually-at least I havent seen any way to do so. I understand the emissivity can vary with his color changes, but is this pretty accurate for a snapshot of his current temp?

 

[xp29]

While I absolutely have and use digital probe thermometers, I also use an IR gun. How accurate would a vesogy IR gun 9158f to measure a bearded dragon's temp if used at the recommended distance? IR gun has been accurately calibrated to my house temp and shows an emissivity value of 0.9 on the back of the beardie. His temp while basking 98.8f (basking surface from 98.5f to 101.5f depending on where he normally sits-he has the option to sit where it is warmer but prefers those temps). Temp shortly after moving from spot 97.7f, and after about half an hour or so 96.9). I dont believe I have the option with this model to adjust emissivity values manually-at least I havent seen any way to do so. I understand the emissivity can vary with his color changes, but is this pretty accurate for a snapshot of his current temp?

@CooperDragon @Claudiusx @NickAVD are probably the best to ask

 

[NickAVD]

While I absolutely have and use digital probe thermometers, I also use an IR gun. How accurate would a vesogy IR gun 9158f to measure a bearded dragon's temp if used at the recommended distance? IR gun has been accurately calibrated to my house temp and shows an emissivity value of 0.9 on the back of the beardie. His temp while basking 98.8f (basking surface from 98.5f to 101.5f depending on where he normally sits-he has the option to sit where it is warmer but prefers those temps). Temp shortly after moving from spot 97.7f, and after about half an hour or so 96.9). I dont believe I have the option with this model to adjust emissivity values manually-at least I havent seen any way to do so. I understand the emissivity can vary with his color changes, but is this pretty accurate for a snapshot of his current temp?

I don't use an IR gun to measure the temperature on the back.
But once I tried to measure the temperature with a non-contact thermometer for people.
I got a temperature of 100-102F. But I didn't find any point in periodically doing such measurements.
I just try to keep the temperature in the basking zone around 105F.
Your dragon will choose the place where it will be comfortable. Today it will want to be in a cooler place, tomorrow - in a warmer place. You can only state these situations by measuring the temperature on its back.

 

[ChileanTaco]

I don't use an IR gun to measure the temperature on the back.

Same is for me I do not own one.

My approach is: I provide different temperature zones in a large enclosure nd e decides:

Your dragon will choose the place where it will be comfortable. Today it will want to be in a cooler place, tomorrow - in a warmer place.

 

[CooperDragon]

Skin emissivity (human) is around .985 according to https://www.transmetra.ch/images/tr.../pyrometrie-thermografie/emissivity_table.pdf
So if your temp gun is set to .9 emissivity then it's likely to have a slightly low reading against skin. It should be pretty close though, probably only a degree or two off. Most IR guns compensate for surfaces in this emissivity range. It may vary a little on reptile skin, but should be well within a reasonable range for measuring basking temps.

 

[Sue E.]

Skin emissivity (human) is around .985 according to https://www.transmetra.ch/images/tr.../pyrometrie-thermografie/emissivity_table.pdf
So if your temp gun is set to .9 emissivity then it's likely to have a slightly low reading against skin. It should be pretty close though, probably only a degree or two off. Most IR guns compensate for surfaces in this emissivity range. It may vary a little on reptile skin, but should be well within a reasonable range for measuring basking temps.

Thanks, this is the answer i was looking for. (Absolutely no offense to the other responders, who misunderstood what I meant!).Im not so much wondering what his temp is while basking, rather than when he is not basking, kind of curious as to what his tolerances are, and preferences of, temps at the spots he most favors when he is not basking. Kind of more an observation of his behavior than for making sure the temp is ideal at a particular spot...how fast he cools down when he chooses to.
Thanks to all responders though!

 

[Hazel_Basil10]

I have an IR gun but I use it to measure the water temperature in the axie tank i use probe thermometers to measure my girls tank

 

[NickAVD]

Thanks, this is the answer i was looking for. (Absolutely no offense to the other responders, who misunderstood what I meant!).Im not so much wondering what his temp is while basking, rather than when he is not basking, kind of curious as to what his tolerances are, and preferences of, temps at the spots he most favors when he is not basking. Kind of more an observation of his behavior than for making sure the temp is ideal at a particular spot...how fast he cools down when he chooses to.
Thanks to all responders though!

I get your idea. Our dragons are cold-blooded animals, so their temperature will be the same as the temperature of the place they choose.
Probably it is better to measure the temperature in their favorite places, where they like to rest outside the basking zone.
Although, if you want to measure the rate of change of the dragon's body temperature (its heat capacity), then using an IR gun makes sense.

 

[Sue E.]

I get your idea. Our dragons are cold-blooded animals, so their temperature will be the same as the temperature of the place they choose.
Probably it is better to measure the temperature in their favorite places, where they like to rest outside the basking zone.
Although, if you want to measure the rate of change of the dragon's body temperature (its heat capacity), then using an IR gun makes sense.

Yes, that is what is I wanted...to see how quickly he warms up/cools down in response to where he is. Not that Im going to follow him around all day with a laser pointed at his back lol, just wanted to get better understanding of his personal thermoregulation and maybe metabolic rate at various temps. I know if he sits at a spot long enough, he will be the same temp as the surface...but how long does it take to get him there. I just want to learn everything I can about this fascinating little guy.

 

[Sue E.]

I have an IR gun but I use it to measure the water temperature in the axie tank i use probe thermometers to measure my girls tank

Yes I use the probes too, although my IR gun gives me the same temps on his basking surface as the probe does once the probe gets up to full temp. Its more of a quick shot, also the scan feature is useful to measure the temp variation along the length of the enclosure. I dont really use the probes on a daily basis though, because I found the sweet spots of my basking surface. Its more to make sure my heat lamp is still functioning at optimal output when I check periodically. I wouldnt dare move things around in his tank, hed have a fit haha, so the basking spot stays pretty constant, as does the house temp. My uvb is only a month old, and I do use my solarmeter to check that. I do leave my thermometer/hygrometer probe in the tank because it doesnt look anything like a worm, but the other probes I keep next to, rather than in, the tank. (Just me lol, I watched a couple videos of beardies having swallowed probes removed at the vets...yikes! I know Im an overreactor).

 

[Hazel_Basil10]

Yes I use the probes too, although my IR gun gives me the same temps on his basking surface as the probe does once the probe gets up to full temp. Its more of a quick shot, also the scan feature is useful to measure the temp variation along the length of the enclosure. I dont really use the probes on a daily basis though, because I found the sweet spots of my basking surface. Its more to make sure my heat lamp is still functioning at optimal output when I check periodically. I wouldnt dare move things around in his tank, hed have a fit haha, so the basking spot stays pretty constant, as does the house temp. My uvb is only a month old, and I do use my solarmeter to check that. I do leave my thermometer/hygrometer probe in the tank because it doesnt look anything like a worm, but the other probes I keep next to, rather than in, the tank. (Just me lol, I watched a couple videos of beardies having swallowed probes removed at the vets...yikes! I know Im an overreactor).

Oh haha I have never seen those videos before xD

 

[Sue E.]

Oh haha I have never seen those videos before xD

They are really scary! One was right down in the beardies bellies on xray, just the wire sticking out! I would lose my mind...closest exotic vet is over 20 miles away.

 

[Hazel_Basil10]

They are really scary! One was right down in the beardies bellies on xray, just the wire sticking out! I would lose my mind...closest exotic vet is over 20 miles away.

I would've died from a heart attack ngl

 

[Rocky2022]

I shouldn't be here but I knew it would be an interesting question with intriguing responses.