accuracy of temp gun and accurite?

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

i have a little problem which can solve the big temp problem im having. i cleaned raydens tank yesterday while he ate(separate tank). i was checking the temps on the glass where the uth is. my accurite says 90f and the ir temp gun is saying 81f. i set the accurites side by side and both were saying the same temp. what should i do?

[skaplan86]

you might try moving the temp gun closer to the spot that you are measuring. The further the distance away you measure temp, the lower the accuracy.

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

i have done that and nothing.

[Jsh]

Not sure if this will help but ill try. The acurite measures ambient air temperatures while the temp gun measures surface temperatures. The temp gun should be used to measure the temp of the animal,heat source ect..The temp gun wont give you an ambient air temp that will match what your accurate reads. I think the glass will be colder than what the acurite reads being placed next to the glass. I have been doing a little temp gun research but I still wonder if I will also have this problem when the temp gun arrives. Please don't take what I wrote to the bank! I could be 100% wrong and I hope someone else can post to clear up your situation. --Josh

[Exotic Ectotherms]

Not sure if this will help but ill try. The acurite measures ambient air temperatures while the temp gun measures surface temperatures. The temp gun should be used to measure the temp of the animal,heat source ect..The temp gun wont give you an ambient air temp that will match what your accurate reads. I think the glass will be colder than what the acurite reads being placed next to the glass. I have been doing a little temp gun research but I still wonder if I will also have this problem when the temp gun arrives. Please don't take what I wrote to the bank! I could be 100% wrong and I hope someone else can post to clear up your situation. --Josh

I think what you said is spot on. I notice a big discrepancy when I point the temp gun on the animal through the glass. It has been as much as 12 degrees cooler than when I put the beam directly on the animal, not through glass. I think it may have something to do with how the light is refracted through the glass, but I am no scientist so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I would trust the Acu-Rite in the OP's situation simply due to the fact that he is measuring through the glass.

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

i set the probe on the glass where the uth is. when the accurite gets to the correct temp i point the temp gun right next to the probe the gun shows 10degrees colder. the temp gun is about an inch away. so basically what you guys are telling me is that the gun will read cooler because its glass? i know the temp gun will not measured correctly if i point it at aluminum tape. will this be the same thing?

[Jsh]

i set the probe on the glass where the uth is. when the accurite gets to the correct temp i point the temp gun right next to the probe the gun shows 10degrees colder. the temp gun is about an inch away. so basically what you guys are telling me is that the gun will read cooler because its glass? i know the temp gun will not measured correctly if i point it at aluminum tape. will this be the same thing?

I'm just not sure. What temp does the substrate above the UTH read on the temp gun? I wasn't aware of inaccurate readings on aluminum tape but it seems like the same principles would apply to glass. I just don't want to give inaccurate information to somebody on these forums when there are people on here with far more knowledge and experience than I. I'm trying though. --Josh

[m00kfu]

Reflective surfaces don't give a good read for most temp guns.

Also, when you try to read through the glass, you're getting a reading off the glass -- not the animal.

[Exotic Ectotherms]

i set the probe on the glass where the uth is. when the accurite gets to the correct temp i point the temp gun right next to the probe the gun shows 10degrees colder. the temp gun is about an inch away. so basically what you guys are telling me is that the gun will read cooler because its glass? i know the temp gun will not measured correctly if i point it at aluminum tape. will this be the same thing?

I got this info from: http://www.transcat.com/technical-re...rm_Theory.html

Do not take temperature measurements through glass: Glass has very distinctive reflection and transmission properties that do not allow accurate infrared temperature readings. Infrared thermometers are not recommended for use in measuring shiny or polished metal surfaces (stainless steel, aluminum, etc.).

This should answer all questions.

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

you guys have been great. very helpfull info. now i can relax and enjoy the hobby. thanks