What is the best thermometer?

[RyanLuvSnakez]

So, I been looking around for an accurate and reasonably priced thermometer on the internet. There are some that are good and bad. Almost all thermometers have a few bad reviews about how it does not read the temperature. So, my question is which thermometers you guys use or which brand is best. Also which thermometer do you guys prefer, analog or digital?

Thnxs for all replies

[PitOnTheProwl]

I think most are using the Acu-Rites from walmart

[j_h_smith]

A digital will be the best.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Obviously digital thermometer are more accurate than dial, personally I use a temp gun allows me to check temps in enclosure, temps of the snakes themselves and even my eggs.

[SlitherinSisters]

Temp guns are awesome! Besides that I always hear about acurites.

[bpandrew]

How much are you looking to spend? I know I'm new, but I do know thermometers. I check every thermometer I buy against some of my high $ thermometers from work.

[kitedemon]

The best but impractical are mecury glass ones. Digitals are all over the board, check the specs most are accurate to 2ºF some 2ºC (4 degrees off), the better ones are much more accurate but do not expect to get one for less that 50$ and for truely accurate over 600$. IR guns are not much better many are 2ºc plus minus and the very good ones are 1 degree. Most believe a analogue guages are junk this simply isn't true. The ones sold by reptile companies are but the best hygrometers I have found yet that are a reasonable price are a calibratable by western. I checked 5 and all five (salt calibration test) are exactly the same the digital exo terra is 27% low. I work with instruments every day and have a handful of good accurate thermometres to check with the most accurate I have found yet that are easily affordable are LC types they generally are all with in 0.5 degrees.

Don't take my word on any of this just check the specs, they will tell you the calibration tolerence +/- it is ok to be off, some are good some bad you just never know.

I have tested a Rzilla, 5 exoterras hygrometer/ thermometer, thermometer and just hygrometers they are were poor, Coral life, a cheap acurite and a fisher cheap one which was the best but it is also 90$

My advise is buy a decient one check the specs and figure the range up and down and keep the whole range in the acceptable zone.

[saber2th]

A lot of people and I use the Acu-Rite from Walmart. They are only $12.00 and you can mod them so both the IN and OUT temps. and the humidity sensor are on leads and can be placed in two different tubs or both in the same tub, one on the hot spot and one on the cool side and the humidity sensor in there with the thermometer out of the tub. You can find the modification post in the DIY section.

Here's the thermometer.



And here is a pict. of one I modified.

[kitedemon]

The acurite 00891 I think that is the same as the pictured one is better than some but I personally would not say it is really accurate with 1ºC up or down error (2ºF) is about the same as every other theremometer I'd nor bother and buy a cheaper dual probe one that is just as inaccurate and make sure you plan for the range it could be.

[steveboos]

Yeah i use that model Accurite and the other square model that is $8.00 at Wal-Mart.