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I was just wondering what they are exactly and how do they work? And would they be good for a ball python tank? I haven't heard them mentioned too much on here so I'm assuming they aren't good for a BP setup? Anyway, just curious because I'd like to try one if they are a good alternative to putting thermometers and probes all over the place in the tank. By the way, thanks to all of you for the advice you have given me over the past several days concerning Chopper (my BP's name).

Hey,
Mercury thermometers are the best, but spending 40 bucks on a mini temp gun was one of the best investments i have made so far related to reptile husbandry. They have them at pro exotics & i'm sure almost any reptile show. I got my at the reptile expo in white plains, ny. IMHO you can't go wrong purchasing one. I have a mercury thermometer in the middle of the room a foot of the floor & I use the temp gun to check the hot spots, the hide spots, water, & the animals themselves. Instead of puttin a mercury one on the hot spot & waiting for it to read you can get a pretty accurate reading in the push of a button. I have crossed checked mine according to the mercury one & it's almost perfect all the time. Also I am getting into breeding so I check hotspots & snake temps alot to make sure I'm doing things right.
Hope I helped you!

Later

So, can I just point it at any spot in the tank and it will just tell me what the temp is there? Can I point in through the glass to get a reading inside or would I have to take the top off and point the gun in the tank at something? They have them on sale at LLLReptile for $25 so I might just have to get one. Thanks

yes you can point it anywhere & get a reading. now personally insted of reading through the glass etc. i prefer to get like within an inch of the set area i want to check. like instead of check the hidespot on the outside I stick it in there or lift it a little. Once you get one you'll understand because you can click it in the exact same direction twice & come up with different temps. i believe it's just better to get up close... your glass could read 80 & your tank could be 84...so if you are going to zap for ambient temp I say either through the screen top or stick your hand in the tank & zap then. only 25 dollars? well dude if the shipping isn't up the butt or you were placing an order anyway dude you can't go wrong.

So, you think I can point it through the screen top and get an accurate reading or will it just reflect off of the screen? I'm only asking that because it would be nice to not have to slide the screen out and take the lamp off everytime I have to get a reading inside. If I have to do that then I will but if I don't then I obviously won't. Thanks.

So, can I just point it at any spot in the tank and it will just tell me what the temp is there? Can I point in through the glass to get a reading inside or would I have to take the top off and point the gun in the tank at something?

Yeah, you can't do it through the glass because it will reflect the "beam". I got mine through ProExotics, but if you toddle up to LLL, they'll be happy to show you how it works (nice staff!).

I used mine during the San Diego Wildfires while I was evacuated. The Red Cross had set up a pet area at the high school we were all sent to, and there were many people there with reptiles, but no heaters or anything. I used my handy-dandy gun to see that the herps were too cold.

Using my info, I was able to get the RC to mooch some heat mats out of the local PETCO and some dome lamps out of the Home Depot. Since the local merchants were already donating things like leashes & stuff, getting the extras for the herps was not a problem. PETCO, Home Depot, and the Red Cross rock! So does my temp gun!

FACT: Once you get one, you'll never go back to anything else for temperature assessment. I consider these to be a top priority for reptile husbandry equipment.

I got the proexotics temp gun - great investment. I still keep digital thermometers in my tanks to measure constant temps, etc. I use the temp gun to double check that they are accurate and to measure for warm/cool spots. My boyfriend even bought one to use on his quadrunners.
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Is what I thought until I bought mine. I got a Pro Exotics model. I have always had thermometers, but with the temp gun, you can measure your BPs temp when it sheds, eats, refuses, etc. . . there is a lot to be learned with temp guns. Now if they only measured humidity as well. . .

I forgot to mention I paid ONLY 35 bucks for mine. With a growing collection, that is super duper cheap for peace of mind that my snakes all have the proper cold/hot spots. Yeah, temp strips, temp/humidity gauges from g&e (target, walmart) are ok, but an infrared shows you the right temp right now. You can go from enclosure to enclosure and measure what is going on. You can compare two animals from either side of the room or from side by side. It's a great tool for figuring out what your "kids" need.

I would've paid at least 100 bucks for mine now that I've used one. Amd to think at first I thought it was BS! Crazy. One snake or ten, a small investment in a temp gun is worth it-- and first hand, I klnow Pro Exotics is a stand up, wonderful company. Try them first!!!
Pro Exotics tempgun site