Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I figgured you guy's/gal's would know if there are any 100% accurate thermometer to use in incubators. I bought three new ones to compare the readings and they all very two or more degrees. I have one that is twenty years old with wireless remotes that I call God to judge the others but I cant get them anymore. It was from Radio Shack. The ones they have now are from China and ....well you know. I'm about to have a heart attack from worrying about the inaccurate crap I have bought.I'd be pulling my hair out but I did that last year! The little ones that came with the hoverbator chicken incubator are working the best but you need microvishion to see them and I need wireless SOOOO what do the champs use Kelly, Kevin, Bob,Jay and the rest of you Snakegoddest with Python DNA that need 100% ACCURATE! Vic Morgan

Vic,
The most consistently accurate thermometer is an NIST certified mercury thermometer. These are absolutely accurate to within one-tenth of a degree C. However, they run about $200 to $300 and are large and not easy to use. Their main use is in checking the accuracy of your other thermometers. Your next best bet would be an accurate probe type and it sounds like these would be easier to use with your setup. I have listed some options below from the absolute best money can buy, then in descending order by price and accuracy:

http://vwrlabshop.com/vwr-digital-thermometers/p/0013417/

http://vwrlabshop.com/vwr-digital-thermometer-hand-held/p/0013418/

http://vwrlabshop.com/vwr-monitoring-thermometer/p/0013421/

I personally have a bunch of these mercury thermometers below (total immersion -20 to 110 C) and then I also have an NIST certified that I use to periodically check all the others. When I check them, they typically read well within 0.5 C of the NIST certified reading.

http://vwrlabshop.com/vwr-general-purpose-laboratory-thermometers-dual-scale/p/0013363/

Temperature measurement inaccuracy is a big problem, and is compounded by the many cheap thermometers that are easily available today.

Kelly

Kelly, Thanks a bunch for taking the time to list them. At least now I have something to go by. There are a zillion out there now but who knows whats trash and what works now days. We know that 1 or 2 degrees makes the difference in sex, a kinked up animal or worst of all the "what the hell did I do wrong feeling" bottled up all year until you have another chanch. Its not rocket Science but damn close from our point of view. Even though I do tortoises now I started off with snakes. You never forget your first Burmese Python hatching, in fact you never recover from it. It burnes the drive to breed Reptiles into your soul. Come by anytime. Vic

Thanks much Vic, if I'm ever in your area I'll definitely let you know. Thanks again and take care,

Kelly