[TheForge] IR thermometers

[C&J Allcorn]

My 2 cents on IR thermometers...

I've got 2 Fluke IR's and 2 of some other brand sold by the local HVACR 
supply house.  None cheap.  All read different to some degree.

Compare the reading to a "known" reading and see how much difference and 
you get an "idea" of how close you are to "real temp".

They are much more useful when used for what they are designed for, 
measuring temp difference in air flow, etc. than hot steel.  Then
the actual temp is less useful than the # of degrees of temp 
differential between conditioned and ambient air.  They are quick and
easy to use, that's a big plus.

Look in your local pawn shops.  I frequently see them here in the local 
EZ Pawn, the kids in the Jr College's Air cond program get the
tools as part of a govt grant or some such and then drop out and pawn then.

James