Temperature Gun vs Digital thermometer with probe

[Nihilist]

Looking at this Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun or some type of digital thermometer with a probe. Any advice on what to get? I am low on cash so trying to keep the prices low. Plus my basking spot is at the front of the tank so a probe might be difficult.

 

[syoung27]

In all honesty I don't have either, but a probe would most definitely be easier to use, and you should be able to find one pretty cheap at Wal mart or most hardware stores.

 

[HKzForDayz]

In all honesty I don't have either, but a probe would most definitely be easier to use, and you should be able to find one pretty cheap at Wal mart or most hardware stores.

How do you measure your temps Then?

I personally prefer the gun, but i keep both.

 

[syoung27]

I have specific dial guages from work I glued to each end, which do read quite accurate within 5°. I just use a cooking probe I have once in a while to check the basking spot.

 

[CooperDragon]

I use both. If I had to choose one I'd use the IR temp gun. I started with that and I like being able to get instant surface readings around the tank and outside as well. The probes are good for taking longer term measurements in a fixed spot.

 

[syoung27]

How much do the guns generally go for?
Can you get air temp with them as well or just surfaces?

 

[CooperDragon]

They range from cheap to expensive. The expensive ones aren't necessary. I usually suggest the Nubee one that was linked in the first post which is $14+shipping. ZooMed makes one that is available at pet stores but it's not any better IMO and costs around $25. They read surface temperatures rather than ambient temps but that's fine for lighting adjustments.

 

[syoung27]

Oh ok either is not bad at all. I was expecting over $50 forsure just from some of the IR cameras and such tools I have for work.
I haven't noticed the guns at petsmart. Although I hate being there so I usually just grab what I need and run. Lol

 

[CooperDragon]

No, they won't break the bank. You can get pretty cheap digital thermometers with probe attachments too. Usually under $10 but it's good to have two - one for the basking area and one for the cool side. Some of the temp guns can run several hundred dollars but they're overkill for use in this situation. That kind of money is much better spent on a UV Meter or a programmable dimming thermostat.

 

[HKzForDayz]

They range from cheap to expensive. The expensive ones aren't necessary. I usually suggest the Nubee one that was linked in the first post which is $14+shipping. ZooMed makes one that is available at pet stores but it's not any better IMO and costs around $25. They read surface temperatures rather than ambient temps but that's fine for lighting adjustments.

Temp guns will read both surface and air temp. It depends on the distance you hold it at , the farther away from the surface, the bigger the IR spread, the more ambient temp thats recorded.

To use a IR gun to take surface temp, you take measurement from directly in front of surface. For ambient, take temps at a distance from a surface.

 

[Nihilist]

Lots of great info here, thanks everybody for all the responses. I will start with the gun and a couple thermometers with probes later.

 

[HKzForDayz]

Lots of great info here, thanks everybody for all the responses. I will start with the gun and a couple thermometers with probes later.

Great idea, i like to have multiple things to test with. I personally have 2 temp guns and a digital probe, plus just an analog dual thermo on the cool side. I actually prefer the zoo med temp gun due to its size. Much easier to move around a terrarium with one in your hand