Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Basically I just wanted to know if you could use a temp. gun in replacement of regular thermometers and gauges on the side of the reptile tank.

Also, which guns do you guys find to be the best?
-----
Innocent as a dove you will harm no one, but wise as a serpent no one will harm you. - Haug

>>Basically I just wanted to know if you could use a temp. gun in replacement of regular thermometers and gauges on the side of the reptile tank.
>>
>>Also, which guns do you guys find to be the best?
>>-----
>>Innocent as a dove you will harm no one, but wise as a serpent no one will harm you. - Haug

I think they are worth it and I have replaced most other thermometers with using them. Mostly I like that I can go through and check everyone and not own thirty in place ones and not wait for temps to adjust.
I also use them for several other things....from fish tank temps to the temp of the in floor heat at my kennel.

I got a Radio Shack one that I stumbled on and it was on sale.....like it, seems good and was at hand. Sale...$30
-----
Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

Yes...temp guns are worth every penny and more.

I was slow to join the tempgun gang but I'm glad I finally did.

I needed a longer than average reading length so I got the 412L IR, which I believe is made by Raytek. It can read temps from 4 ft away, and I've even taken accurate readings from as far away as 6ft. Well worth the money.

I still use indoor/outdoor thermometers in some setups, mostly because they also have hydrometers on 'em, too. Thermometers and gauges on the side of a reptile tank can give false readings. They should be mounted completely inside and not against the glass or walls of the cage.

Not to insult your intelligence, by any means, but the tempguns can't read temps through glass or most screen surfaces as it reads the surface temp of whatever the infrared light is shinning on. In other words, you still have to open the cage to get a reading.

In my monitor setups, the indoor/outdoor thermometers give me the ambient air temps and humdity level within the cage. The tempgun gives me the basking spot temps or any other particular surface area temp.

Have a good one!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

>>Basically I just wanted to know if you could use a temp. gun in replacement of regular thermometers and gauges on the side of the reptile tank.
>>
>>Also, which guns do you guys find to be the best?
>>-----

I use the PE-I. I have several of them, however I do want to upgrade one of these days... The PE-I is a reliable and inexpensive temp gun. Also VERY VERY durable. I have done some amazing things to mine and it keeps working just fine. I take them to education events, adoption events, use it when cooking, use it to check cage temps, to check animal temps, to check feeder temps. I have a few laying around, one in each reptile room. one in kitchen and one in travel kit.

Definitely WORTH it!
-----
Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

In my opinion Temp Guns are the best thing since sliced bread. Not only can you measure the temp of an enclosure at all locations, you can see the temp of the reptile also. I am somtimes surprised to see the Reptiles temp different then the temp of the heat source it is using. This tells me two things; if it is sitting in a cool spot and the temp is high i now that the Reptile was basking in the hot spot and had moved to cool down a bit. It has also showed me that cold-blooded Reps can generate a small increase in body temp on thier own. I use a Raytek Mini Temp gun with a laser. It cost me about 75.00 at Precision Tool. They have been around for a long time used for precise engine and machine temps. Remember to never point the laser at the animals eyes or any other animal or person, to prevent eye damage.

Wouldn't have a collection without one. The best diagnostic tool in the box. Mounted thermometers are worthless.
jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I know I'm grave digging here but I love them! I got mine for 20 bucks at an auto parts store with laser and it's within 1 degree . Half my Fluker's digital in cages died after 2 months of use...