Temperature Gun Use?

[Lady Bullseye]

I got a Pro Exotics PE-2 Temp gun, (has the laser) and the included literature says it only takes the temp of surfaces. This is correct as I tested it, by testing my coffee mug (hot), and the glass of my still empty viv, then trying to test the cup thru the glass of the viv. It registered the cooler glass temp, not the higher mug temp.
So, when the viv is planted and I want to take readings at various levels, I'm guessing that I would take the reading off a leaf or other surface that the frog could be on if they were in that area of the viv? Since it won't measure the air.
Just occurred to me and I thought I'd check.

I do have another temp one that will do air, so that is fine too.

[Philsuma]

You are correct Lisa. Surfaces only....but that's very good for our purposes. Better than ambient / air readings IMO.

That little "gun" is awesome. I love mine. I took it to Costa Rica and back. Works really well.

Highly recommend for our hobby.

[Lady Bullseye]

Thanks Phil,

I got it because i saw that you mentioned it was a useful gadget actually. I didn't know about them before seeing your post. I figure I'll learn from the veterans, rather than mistakes I make.

Next topic of study, lighting.

[Philsuma]

Some other uses:

You can take the temp gun into work and zap things.

You can use the red dot to drive the frogs crazy...they will actually chase it.

You can take it out the any Civil War battlefield and hunt for cold spots ( hock: GHOSTS hock: ) with it.

Myriad of uses !

[Lady Bullseye]

I lol reading this, cause I've already been playing with it. Tested the wood stove, my FF cultures - the media and the empty space, my spring culture, water, charcoal & air space. Windows, doors. Kid's foreheads (yes, I made sure they closed their eyes ) roflol. I'm an incurable gadget person... :roll:

[mordoria]

I love my temp gun. I measure everything. I use it when I fry. I use it when I make waffles. Its great. Oh, I also use it on my frogs. I just aim into the nooks and it give me readings. Dont try and read the glass. There is usually a difference fron the outside to the inside of the glass. Its cool to see the micro climate that develops in certain areas of the viv.

[Rusty_Shackleford]

I agree 110%, I love my temp gun. I rely on it more than the various zoo med/exoo-terra/zilla temp probes I have. I've used it a lot this winter as I just moved into my house this past fall and I wasn't sure what my frog room would be like in the winter. I ended up moving my P. vittatus away from the heater to keep them cooler. I'll move their viv nearer the A/C when it's time to turn it on. I would say a temp gun is on the top 10 list of must have gadgets.

[Philsuma]

Buy temp guns people...they are only @ 30-40 bucks .

[ChrisK]

Which ones are the best?

[Philsuma]

I really like my "Pro Exotics 2' with the red laser light. Gotta have the red laser to pinpoint stuff.

http://www.proexotics.com/store/home.php?cat=248

[fishguyturnedfrog]

Temp guns are great. I have one from when I used to work as a mechanic. Diagnosing cooling system problems, a/c problems and clogged catalytic converters were the main use for that field. Wish I knew I could get one for $30-$40 before I spent $180 off the Snap-on truck. What a ripoff!

[thedude]

I got the PE-1 a few years ago and it's great. My favorite part is checking out different sections of my vivs. Even in tanks that are only 18 gals you can find a wide margin of temps from top to bottom. Usually this time of year the top is around 80F and the bottom is 72F with every temp in between. Definitely a must have.

[J Teezy]

reptilebasics.com carries a few different ones. I just ordered the $50 model after being recommended to me

[JJuchems]

I have a PE-1 I use at school and home for tank and it works great. The Craftsman model at Sears is just as good as the PE-2 but the same price as the PE-1. Radio Shack had a model similar to the PE-1 for $10, but discontued it in stores for lack of sales. It was a great model. I would check you local store. I have used all the models above and found no signifact difference in there effectiveness.

I would also consider purchasing one for energy effecency. I use mine to find window and doors that need new caulk or seals.

[J Teezy]

the $50 one from reptilebasics is nice. Only thing i wish it had was a min temp, but the next one up has that if you really want it.

[BluePumilio]

I got a temp gun with laser at Harbor Freight for $20.00. The non-laser ones are regularly on sale for $10.00.

http://www.harborfreight.com/infrared-th...93984.html

[pnwbare]

When measuring shiny surfaces, such as aluminum and stainless steel, the reflectivity of the surface will skew the reading of an IR thermometer unless you accommodate for it. Place a small piece of masking tape on the metal surface and measure the taped area.
I found this out at work one day checking engine temps on crome engine covers. I know the engine was hot and I was getting cool temps off it. when I figured it out, it was reflecting it on to the pavement around me and that was the exact temp I was getting when I pointed at the pavement.
I have one at home too they are very good to have.

[jeffr]

I also use it when receivng frogs or bugs to check the box temps

[Philsuma]

Temperature gun ? So easy to find and buy -several good brands and for only @ $20.00 or so, EVERYONE should have one.

Temp gun is just as important, maybe more so, than most humidity gauges. Very good to have.

[zonz540]

My company uses Raytek Minitemps, so there are always one or two laying around somewhere. I've always liked how convenient they are compared to a probe.
When all of my exo terra probes began failing (humidity kills them slowly), I picked up a a gun for myself and was surprised at how inaccurate the probes were.
My frogs had been too hot and too cold for years, all while I thought things were just fine. I won't ever use a generic probe again.