i do agree with that , i use both too, but a really good one might be as accurate for ambient temps but do u think its as accurate for a surface temp? The temp gun i have displays the ambient temp when ever it gos to stand by mode, not shur how accurate it is compared to a nice probe thermometer , would be nice to know, the probe thermometer i have for my hot spot i think is like 9 $ at petco its the yellow one made by zoo med that u see everywhere so not very good i guess, the acurite is more accurate according to the temp gun