Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Was wondering what the best one on the market is that gives the truest readings? Thanks!

Why do you need the "best"? The best is very expensive. Herps can thermoregulate, so perfect accuracy is not necessary.

Really, I would shoot for something in the $20-$30 range, or possible higher if you want a non-contact thermometer.

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Mark

Because there are alot of crappy devices being offered, and I was wondering if it was something I could get at a pet store or order.

Thanks

The Bean Farm. They have some nice models that are very reasonable.

The inexpensive pet store models that are in the $8-$14 range are not bad, but the response is slow. That is, you put the sensor in the cage, and it make take 10-20 seconds to get the final reading while the sensor and A/D conversion cycle catches up so to speak. This helps to preserve battery life I suppose.

The error in devices in this price range is not too significant. When it says something like plus/minus 2.5 deg over the range, it averages out usually to a fraction of a degree at any given reading, so no real problem.

Here is a link to a food service thermometer at around $170. This is not the expensive one either (I told you they get expensive..) These work fantastic if you seriously want to monitor temps.
www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=HH2146T&ttID=HH2146T&Nav=
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Mark

I use a $12 digital thermometer with a probe. It is an indoor/outdoor so you can cover both sides of the cage. They have them at Walmart.