Temp guns, folks...why don't YOU have one???

I'm not posting this to sell temp guns. I don't sell temp guns. What I can't understand is why more keepers aren't using them?

Good Raytek M4 Mini-Temp guns can be found on Ebay for around $40. Point and shoot & know any temperature in your cage/rack/incubator/snake room in mere seconds. What about that is so difficult?

Don't just rely on your digital in/out thermo w/probe...become familiar with husbandry tools like a temp gun. Grab that puppy and go shoot all your snakes on a daily basis...with that kind of interaction, you're bound to notice more about the various behaviors of your snakes, and exactly what they're doing at different temperatures, to boot.

Just my $.02...

K~

I have a PE1 and a Harbor Freight version and I agree that they are handy tools.

I agree with you, Kara. Temp gun came in very handy when setting up the tank for my new ATB. Now that he's in it, I can know what temps he tends to lean toward on his own. Comes in very handy, and I think everyone should own one.
I see your $.02 and raise you my $.02;)

Probably because most people don't want to have to open their enclosures to get a temp reading. It's easier to set up a probed thermometer that you can glance at without disturbing the snake. That, and the 'higher' price of temp guns, would be my guess as to why more owners don't have/use them.

I do have one and try to use it every time I open the cages to change water or do a general check, tho. :)

well said,and there addicting.i use my raytek for checking when the grill is hot enough to put the meat on,when food in the microwave is warm and a million other things.have fun !

I have looked at every temp gun out there, but have always managed to spend the $40 on something else. I really don't think I would use it that often, although I would like one to reference when it comes to my different temp devices, so I will get one eventually, but it is not a priority (since I got laid off).

I had a temp gun from harbor freight and broke it now I have a pe1 coming in the mail. it sucks relying on those accurites, ill be glad when it gets here.

Guilty - and knew exactly who posted this thread! :P

I got the personal one on one lecture on taking my husbandry "to the next level". One that I badly needed too!

Yes Ma'am - off to go get my temp gun now! :oops:

I got a temp gun off Reptilebasics for $25... and it works fine. My Acu-rites on the other hand seem to break a lot. Especially when my snakes knock them over and splash them with their water bowl. :rolleyes:

Just curious, do you think surface temps to be more important than ambient temps? I am finding that ambient temps are less reliable.

I have one. :)
It comes in handy for keeping track of the temps in the racks and the degrees of difference in the tubs.

I had one, then got another one as a gift.
So, I mailed one of them to a herper in need :banana:

they're great tools and will surprise you with info sometimes.

I've been looking for one around stores, I hate shipping

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by twh

well said,and there addicting.i use my raytek for checking when the grill is hot enough to put the meat on,when food in the microwave is warm and a million other things.have fun !

---

So I'm not the only one who uses it for cooking! :) I always use it for my oven, frying, any that I need a temp for lol. ;)

I've used mine to check the barrel temps on guns and to check to see if one of my brakes was dragging on my Jeep. :D

reptilebasics.com has the one for 25 bucks as some one else stated.. they are fast on shipping and great to deal with. it has a 12:1 ratio so you can be 1 foot away and get on spot temps and even 2-3 feet and get the correct temps guided by laser.

i use it for EVERYTHING. including cooking :)

I bought mine from Pro-Exotics about a yr ago, use it all the time.

Guilty, I knew it was coming though, I heard it from a friend who got in trouble ;)

I don't have one.. I have two! :P I have the PE1.. it's great, I love it.

I do!
I got a deal on it too- I guess RBI was out of the cheap one that I bought, so they sent me the better one instead.
Those are good guys over there

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

So I'm not the only one who uses it for cooking! :) I always use it for my oven, frying, any that I need a temp for lol. ;)

---

how well does it work for ambient temps though
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't wanted to use it for that kind of stuff

We have one as Rick had bought one for use on working on RC car engines...seriously handy...

I have two of them.
I have the less expensive one from RBI that I use to exercise my dog when I'm busy with school work- he loves chasing after that little red dot!!! I have the 412L from RBI that I use in all my racks and cages to get spot on readings. I am in each tub and cage several times on most days and find it very easy to check temps and really be certain that the temp readings I'm getting are accurate. After all, I've paid for all my snakes- why cut corners on this part of husbandry when it is easy and inexpensive to care fore the temps correctly? I reckon since I purchased t'stats, I must care about whether they burn and/or freeze......
I only use my accurites to glance at ambient temps and humidity levels.

I've got one. I dont' like that you have to open the tank/tub/rack and take the temp quick or you don't get accurate readings.
Other than that I like it a lot.

I also have digital temp gauges in my tanks. For my tubs I just use the temp gun.

Mine doesn't put out a red light though. So, I can't use it as mammal entertainment. :)

I have one picked up a few years ago. I dont use it to much. Only when I drop temps for breeding and raise them back up. Other than that my temps stay pretty much at where I set them. I do check every once in a while or if Im setting up a new rack. Or the incubator when I first start that up and get it dialed in.

Someone told me that if you use them for extreme temps alot it will throw it off and decrease your accuracy when using it for checking tub temps. Is this true, false, true only for some models?? I was just wondering because I really would like to use mine for taking the temps of water on the stove to see how close it is to boiling or to see when the george foreman is ready to go.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Corrupter

Someone told me that if you use them for extreme temps alot it will throw it off and decrease your accuracy when using it for checking tub temps. Is this true, false, true only for some models?? I was just wondering because I really would like to use mine for taking the temps of water on the stove to see how close it is to boiling or to see when the george foreman is ready to go.

---

As long as it is within the range of your gun it will not throw it off!

I have two also. I have an expensive Fluke that came with an ISO certificate of calibration and has a spot to plug a thermalcouple into so I can take double readings to varify accuracy occasionally. I also have a cheap Harbor freight model that is generally 5 degrees lower than the actual temp.

It's on my list. I'm actually phoning around today to local hobby shops here in Toledo to see if I can pick you up that way. If not, we'll be ordering one next week.

Any comment on the differences good or bad between the Raytek and the PE series temp guns?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Corrupter

Someone told me that if you use them for extreme temps alot it will throw it off and decrease your accuracy when using it for checking tub temps. Is this true, false, true only for some models?? I was just wondering because I really would like to use mine for taking the temps of water on the stove to see how close it is to boiling or to see when the george foreman is ready to go.

---

the raytek MT-4 reads tempts between 0-525 degrees (F).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by soy.lor.n

how well does it work for ambient temps though
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't wanted to use it for that kind of stuff

---

Just surface temps :)

I actually dont have one yet.. There have been several instances when ive said "lets just get one while were here" and never do it. I do plan on picking one up soon though now that were getting our third rack soon (should be this weekend).

We have a couple - they were neat little toys to play around with when we first got them - now they just sit collecting dust. I think the last time we used them was to measure the temp of the blacktop last summer on a really hot day. :rolleyes:

Perhaps it's because I have a small collection - that I don't find them a really a necessity - they came in handy when setting up the racks but since then - not so much - I'm pretty good at reading the snakes - and if I want to tell the temp of the snake or enclosure I stick my hand in and feel it. ;)

There has been about six times when I was about to buy one, but had to spend the $$ on something else:rolleyes: After I pay off my black pastel im going to buy one right away with some other stuff I need.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tosha_Mc

....and if I want to tell the temp of the snake or enclosure I stick my hand in and feel it. ;)

---

You can't be serious :O

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KLG

I'm not posting this to sell temp guns. I don't sell temp guns. What I can't understand is why more keepers aren't using them?

Good Raytek M4 Mini-Temp guns can be found on Ebay for around $40. Point and shoot & know any temperature in your cage/rack/incubator/snake room in mere seconds. What about that is so difficult?

Don't just rely on your digital in/out thermo w/probe...become familiar with husbandry tools like a temp gun. Grab that puppy and go shoot all your snakes on a daily basis...with that kind of interaction, you're bound to notice more about the various behaviors of your snakes, and exactly what they're doing at different temperatures, to boot.

Just my $.02...

K~

---

You may not sell them, but I hear you're getting a check from Robyn at Pro Exotics Kara.;):)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by starmom

You can't be serious :O

---

People never notice the icons. Why do we use them at all?

Look closely starmomma for the little wink at the end of Tosha's post.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chainsaw

You may not sell them, but I hear you're getting a check from Robyn at Pro Exotics Kara.;):)

---

Nice try Neil. ;) Good to see you around!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chainsaw

People never notice the icons. Why do we use them at all?

Look closely starmomma for the little wink at the end of Tosha's post.

---

I did notice the little wink. I'm glad to know she can read her snakes- just wondering what she uses to read the temps......

I use a meat thermometer.. Just shove it up their- oh wait..

Yes, I have a temp gun(one of the Harbor Freight models) and use it fairly regularly. I hope to get a nice Raytek or something similar one of these days.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

I use a meat thermometer.. Just shove it up their- oh wait.....

---

:rofl::rofl:

wat i dont understand is why you make it seem everybody needs one of these 40 dollar thermometers that dont show you humidity.maybe if you have several tubs or watever id think about getting one but i would still depend on the accurite for humidity so i see no need for one of these things.overkill if i ever seen it.just cuz you have the money to blow on a temp gun doesnt mean everyone else has to have one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Butters420

wat i dont understand is why you make it seem everybody needs one of these 40 dollar thermometers that dont show you humidity.maybe if you have several tubs or watever id think about getting one but i would still depend on the accurite for humidity so i see no need for one of these things.overkill if i ever seen it.just cuz you have the money to blow on a temp gun doesnt mean everyone else has to have one.

---

Since we're throwing opinions around right now, here's my own:
Temp guns are not overkill.
This is a tool that is best used with anyone using flex watt and plastic tubs.
This tool will give you an accurate reading of the temps.
An Acurite unit is not overly accurate.
You need an accurate reading so that you do not burn your snake or burn your tub.
A lot of places that sell rack systems state that all warranties, etc., are void unless you measure temps with a temp gun.
Lots of people don't use them. Lots of people do.
The people who do use them will more likely than not never have a burned snake and will never have a snake that is too cold.
The same probability does not exist with keepers who don't use them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Butters420

wat i dont understand is why you make it seem everybody needs one of these 40 dollar thermometers that dont show you humidity.maybe if you have several tubs or watever id think about getting one but i would still depend on the accurite for humidity so i see no need for one of these things.overkill if i ever seen it.just cuz you have the money to blow on a temp gun doesnt mean everyone else has to have one.

---

:) My primary point was that a temp gun makes a great husbandry tool, and there's a variety of them available in a range of prices. Some folks aren't aware of that, hence this was just a bit of a "take notice." Certainly a discerning individual could do a bit of research & see what's out there in terms of budget-conscious choices...

I would hardly say I have $40 to "blow" on anything, but then again I don't believe in frivolously spending money. Just like most folks, I work hard for what I earn. I do, however, choose my husbandry tools carefully, considering there are 250+ snakes in my direct care at any given time, not to mention the thousands of animals at our facility. For me it is a priority to be able to check any temperature, anywhere at any time, and know precisely what it is, period.

Hygrometers are another story entirely. I've salt-tested several "Accurites" and found them all to be off, anywhere from 5% - 30%. I do not take any of the low-end hygrometers at face value, and for the most part do not trust a hygrometer that isn't NIST certified, but that's just personal preference. Humidity is something I choose to do by feel, just like some folks like to do temperature by feel. If my snakes are thriving & shedding well in their enclosures w/o the cage being bone dry or dripping wet, for me, that's sufficient. If I think a cage needs more moisture, I'll spray that animal down or soak it as necessary.

So, Kara, I can't tell the humidity by feel.
I live in a place that is terminally dry- about 25% humidity all year round. Ugh. Even 40% humidity feels like a sauna to me!!
Do you have a recommendation for a hygrometer for the RBI racks and RBI cages?

I've got three of them and use them all the time. However, a lot of people misuse them. All of the temp guns I have are rated at a 1:1 ratio. That means that I'm measuring the temp of a a surface that is 1 inch in diameter when I'm holding the temp gun 1 inch away from it. I'm measuring the surface of an area 12 inches in diameter when I'm holding the temp gun 12 inches away from it. It doesn't do much good trying to read the temperature of an area from more then a foot to a foot and a half away as you really can't get an accurate temperature reading over a surface area that large. I've also seen people try to measure the temps of their hot spot through the glass of the cage. This won't work as you'll only succeed in measuring the temp of the surface of the glass. Still, if you take these things into consideration, it's still a very useful tool and I wouldn't be without mine.

Mark

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Butters420

wat i dont understand is why you make it seem everybody needs one of these 40 dollar thermometers that dont show you humidity.maybe if you have several tubs or watever id think about getting one but i would still depend on the accurite for humidity so i see no need for one of these things.overkill if i ever seen it.just cuz you have the money to blow on a temp gun doesnt mean everyone else has to have one.

---

You can build a small dog house, but a stake in the ground, put a chain on the stake to the dogs collar and feed/water regularly and a dog will survive. Or you can build a fence around your property for running space, let the dog stay in the house sleep on the bed with you, cuddle up on the couch while watching TV (even though it is wearing out your couch), feed it top of the line dog food with occasional table scraps, and make sure it has a full water dish even though it will insist the toilet water is better.

Which one is costing more?

Which one is the pet and which is the animal? (OK we are leaving the actual human being out of this question!)

I got the PE-2 I think it is and I freakin' love that thing. Instead of it taking me 10 minutes to read my temps. I got it down to about 4 seconds. I stand by it for sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Butters420

wat i dont understand is why you make it seem everybody needs one of these 40 dollar thermometers that dont show you humidity.maybe if you have several tubs or watever id think about getting one but i would still depend on the accurite for humidity so i see no need for one of these things.overkill if i ever seen it.just cuz you have the money to blow on a temp gun doesnt mean everyone else has to have one.

---

If you have a Harbor Freight near you, you can buy one for as low as $12.95 when they are on sale. You can always get a PE1 for $25. They are nice to have but you are right, they aren't necessary. Lots of people feel that it is necessary to have a proportional thermostat when you can actually get by with a rheostat if you have to. You just get what you can to get by with and hopefully over time you accumulate better stuff. The nicer stuff is nicer to have but not mandatory by any means. It is nicer to have a brand new car but a 10 year old car will get you around all the same. :D

I have one and use it several times during the week! For my snakes for my rats, and the snake food. Works great!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by starmom

You can't be serious :O

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by starmom

I did notice the little wink. I'm glad to know she can read her snakes- just wondering what she uses to read the temps......

---

Well.... why your comment then? If you saw it, there was no need for your comment. Clearly she is not "serious"....that's why she winked. Although.....I do that a lot.:rofl:


I understand though. Sometimes(always) it's hard for females to admit when they are wrong.;)


ps. Notice the wink.:P:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KLG

Nice try Neil. ;) Good to see you around!

---

Who?:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chainsaw

Who?:)

---

LOL...what are you, an owl?