I'm in the hunt for a small/pocket infrared thermometer, so use it in the kitchen. The idea is to check oil and beverages temperatures, and also things from the fridge/freezer. These are the best options that I've spotted so far:
1) Supercool 13517 - Pocket Infrared Thermometer with Laser Pointer:
- Laser pointer
- Range: -30 to 270 °C OR -22 to 518 °F
- Resolution: 1°C
- Response time: < 1 second
- Basic accuracy: +/- 2% OR +/- 2 °C OR +/- 4 °F
- Distance to spot size ratio: 6:1
- Emissivity: fixed at 0.95
- Powered by: 2xAAA batteries
- User selectable °C or °F
- Backlit LCD display
- Automatic data hold
- Low battery indication
- Made in China
* Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Supercool-Pocket-Infrared-Thermometer-Pointer/dp/B00F7RXX5A/
2) Sealey VS909 - Pocket Infrared Laser Digital Thermometer 9:1
- Detects energy emissions in the infrared spectrum and converts into a display of temperature
- Features a laser pointer, data hold and auto power off
- Temperature is displayed on an LCD back lit display for use in low light areas
- Temperature can be shown in either °C or °F
- Pocket sized design allows the thermometer to be on hand when needed by the user
- Powered by a single AA battery (supplied)
- Focal ratio: 9:1
- Temperature range: -33°C to 500°C OR -27°f to 932°F
- Accuracy: +/-2.0%
- Dimensions: 150mm length x 25mm Width x 30mm Thick
- Weight is listed at 0.138kg
- Seller claims: a quick test in the workshop showed a 2% difference in temperature at a distance of 400mm
* Official website:
http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?id=20&method=mViewProduct&productid=19787* Instruction manual PDF:
http://www.sealey.co.uk/pdfs/instructions/VS909.pdf* Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-VS909-Infrared-Digital-Thermometer/dp/B01M25FIA0
3) Amprobe IR-450
- Distance to Spot Ratio (D:S): 8:1 (calculated at 80% energy)
- Temperature Range: -30°C to 500°C (-22°F to 932°F)
- Accuracy at 23°C ±2°C, <80%RH: -30°C to 0°C (-22°F to 32°F): ±2°C (±4°F)
AND 1°C to 10°C (34°F to 50°F): ±1.5°C (±3°F)
AND 11°C to 100°C (52°F to 212°F): ±2°C(+/-4°F)
AND 41°C to 500°C (106°F to 932°F): ±1.5°C (±3°F) or ±1.5% of reading, whichever is greater. - Best Accuracy: ±2°F / ± 1°C
- Best Display Resolution: 0.5°F / 0.2°C
- Response Time: 500 ms
- Emissivity: 0.95
- Laser Wavelength: 630 nm to 670 nm
- Spectral Response: 6.5 ?m to 18 ?m
- Repeatability: ±1°C or ±0.5% of reading, whichever is greater.
- Display Hold: 10 seconds
- Operating Altitude: Up to 2000 meters
- Battery: One 1.5V AAA battery
- Battery Life: 20 hours (Alkaline typically)
- Storage Temperature: -40°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C) (without battery) ? 85% RH
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 100 x 20 x 29mm (3.94 x 0.79 x 1.14in)
- Weight Approximately: 50g (0.11lb)
- Safety Compliance: EN 61010-1, EN 60825-1
- EMC Compliance: EN 61326-1
- Certification: CE
- Laser Safety Info: 100% FDA Compliant
- Laser Safety Class: Class 2
* Official website:
http://www.amprobe.com/amprobe/usen/hvac-tools/infrared-thermometers/amp-ir-450-infrared-thermometer.htm?pid=74757* Datasheet PDF:
http://content.amprobe.com/DataSheets/IR-450%20Pocket%20Infrared%20Thermometer.pdf* Users manua PDFl:
http://content.amprobe.com/manualsA/IR-450_Manual.pdf
4) Fluke FoodPro and FoodPro Plus Food Safety Thermometers
Both have the following main features:
- Infrared temperature range from -30 to 200 ºC
- HACCP check lights for instant recognition of safe/unsafe temperatures
- LED target illumination highlights the entire measurement spot for accurate targeting
- Hand washable (IP54 sealed)
The differences between them are that the FoodPro Plus has also a physical probe to stick into the food, weighs a 50% more, is slightly bigger, can measure wider temperature range, has backlit display, better display resolution, has a timer, holds maximum displayed temperature and runs on 1x9V instead of 1xAA.
* Fluke products website:
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/vnen/thermometers/food-pro.htm?pid=56223
5) V&A VA6510
Features & specification:
- Single dot laser targeting
- Back light
- Ambient temperature(TAMB) measurement
- C/ F display selection
- Hold function
- Low battery indication
- Measurement range: -20?C ~ 270?C; - 4?F ~ 518?F
- TAMB measurement: 0?C ~ 50?C
- Resolution: 1?C
- Field of view: 6:1
- Typical Distance to Target: up to 1m
- Emissivity: 0.95
- Over range indication: "OL" or "- OL"
- Auto power off: 20s
* Product website:
http://www.mastech.com.cn/en/products/Environmental-testing-instrument/Infrared_thermometer/2015031637.html
6) NTE Electronics ECG DIT-205 Digital Infrared Thermometer, Fahrenheit/Centigrade Switchable, LCD Display, 0.1 Degree Resolution, 2% Accuracy
- Temperature Range: -27° to 428°F (-33° to 220°C)
- Accuracy: ±2% of reading or ±2°C
- 0.1° resolution for accurate readings
- Selectable temperature units F/C
- 1:1 Optics (distance-to-spot size ratio)
- Emissivity preset to 0.95
- LCD display
- Non-contact
- Does not use a laser beam
- Metal alloy case
- Lithium batteries (2 LR44 included typically provide for 180 hours of continuous operation)
- Low battery indication
- Automatic power OFF after 15 seconds
- RoHS Compliant
- 1 Year Warranty
- Durable pocket clip
* Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/DIT-205-Thermometer-Fahrenheit-Centigrade-Switchable/dp/B000S604XO* Website product:
http://www.nteinc.com/infrared-thermometer.php?a=31* Datasheed PDF from official website:
http://www.nteinc.com/ecgproducts/pdf/DIT205_web.pdf
7) Testo 103 - Food foldable thermometer (immersion and penetration only)
Temperature (NTC) and general technical data
- Measuring range: -30 to +220 °C
- Accuracy: ±0.5 °C (-30 to +99.9 °C) and ±1.0 % of mv (+100 to +220 °C)
- Resolution: 0.1 °C
- Reaction time: t99 = 10 s
- Dimensions: 189 x 35 x 19 mm (Probe folded out)
- Operating temperature: -20 to +60 °C
- Housing: ABS
- Protection class: IP55
- Length probe shaft: 75 mm
- Length probe shaft tip: 22 mm
- Diameter probe shaft: 3 mm
- Diameter probe shaft tip: 2.3 mm
- Switch on/off: With folding mechanism (approx. 30°) / Auto off after 60 mins.
- Standards: EN 13485
- Battery type: 2 lithium batteries (CR2032)
- Battery life: 300 h (typical)
- Display type: LCD
- Display size: one-line
- Display lighting: non-illuminated
- Storage temperature: -30 to +70 °C
- Weight: 49 g
* Official website:
https://www.testo.com/en/testo-103/p/0560-0103
8) Testo 104-IR - Food safety foldable thermometer (immersion and penetration + IR)
Temperature - NTC:
- Measuring range: -50 to +250 °C
- Accuracy: ±1 °C (-50.0 to -30.1 °C) and ±0.5 °C (-30.0 to +99.9 °C) and ±1 % of mv (Remaining Range)
- Resolution: 0.1 °C
Temperature - Infrared:
- Measuring range: -30 to +250 °C
- Accuracy: ±2.5 °C (-30 to -20.1 °C) and ±2.0 °C (-20 to -0.1 °C) and ±1.5 °C or ±1.5 % of mv (Remaining Range)
- Measuring rate: 0.5 s
- Infrared resolution: 0.1 °C
General technical data:
- Operating temperature: -20 to +50 °C
- Housing: ABS / TPE / PC, diecast zinc, stainless steel
- Protection class: IP65
- Laser spot: on / off
- Measurement value: Temperature °C / °F / °R
- Measurement mode: Hold or auto hold (immersion probe)
- Dimensions (probe folded out): 281 x 48 x 21 mm
- Dimensions (probe not folded out): 178 x 48 x 21 mm
- Standards: EN 13485
- Battery type: 2 AAA micro batteries
- Battery life: 10 h
- Display type: LCD
- Display size: one-line
- Display ligthing: illuminated
- Storage temperature: -30 to +50 °C
- Weight: 197 g (incl. batteries)
* Official website:
https://www.testo.com/en/testo-104-ir/p/0560-1040
9) Chinese and cheap infrared thermometers from eBay, banggood, dealextreme and similar.
Examples I've found have a Distance to spot size ratio of 1:1.
Ok so, which one do you think it's the recommended?
- The Sealey VS909 is the biggest by far, the NTE DIT-205 has long battery life however D:S is only 1:1 so I must be very close to the object.
- The Supercool 13517 looks small but not a very well known brand at least for me.
- I think the best bet is the Amprobe IR-450, although a review on the official website says that it's more than 20 degrees off. I think it may be because the user may be measuring a surface with low emissivity which does not correlate with the calibration. Tell me your thoughts.[/list]