Infrared or Laser thermometer and tachometer ?

melida

melida

Member
Apr 1, 2009
897
Istanbul-TURKEY
Boat Info
Sea Ray 2007 375 DA
Sea Ray 2005 315 DA Sold
Engines
2xYANMAR 6LPA-STP 315 HP V-drives, 4kw Onan gen, radar, gps, autopilot, bow&stern thrusters, sat tv
I was searching the net for a cheap but reliable hand held/non contact thermometer and tachometer to be certain of my engine's rpm and temps of exhaust elbow, tstat, after-cooler, heat exchanger and oil cooler and even shooting from a close boat while underway/planing to measure the outdrive/upper leg temp.

I saw that "laser" products are so cheap such as temp guns around from 15-16 $ and tachos around 18-19$ whereas the infrareds are around 80 to 300 or more $.

Is it worth to buy the expensive infrareds or cheaper lasers will serve my needs ? Since I'm not a marine surveyor, just an interested amateur boater who keeps an eye on the five boats of our family.

What are your thoughts and recommendations ?
If it's not a problem to the forum rules any brand recommendations ?

TIA
 
I do not think laser is taking temperature, infrared is doing. Laser is just to aim at the target you want to know the temperature of...:smt017
 
Don't overspend on these things. The links you posted are the exact once I bought. The temp gun survived the boat sinking. The tach did not, but the tach was in a lower drawer and got wetter. They are cheap enough that they are almost disposable. I still have the temp gun on the "new" boat and it's now 6 years old.

And, as stated above, the laser is just an aiming device. The infrared sensor is what gives you your temperature reading.
 
rondds said:
Don't overspend on these things. The links you posted are the exact once I bought. The temp gun survived the boat sinking. The tach did not, but the tach was in a lower drawer and got wetter. They are cheap enough that they are almost disposable. I still have the temp gun on the "new" boat and it's now 6 years old.

And, as stated above, the laser is just an aiming device. The infrared sensor is what gives you your temperature reading.
Click to expand...

Ron thanks for the great info.

I'm also reluctant to spend couple or more $100s on these things even I like to play with electronic tools.

I'll buy these aforementioned tools, and save the money for a cold one if you ever visit where I live which we boat year round.

Also read your tragedy thread, so sorry for your loss.
 
Ah forgot to ask?
Did you also bought the reflective tapes separately or there is at least one in the package ?
 
Reflective tape comes with the tach.
 
Pietro said:
I had the chance of comparing a very cheap one with an expensive professional Fluke .... temperature difference was really little, so as stated by rondos do not overspend on these!
Click to expand...

Thanks Pietro,
It's good to know a real life experience rather than being doubtful about the el cheapos if it will measure correctly.
 
rondds said:
Reflective tape comes with the tach.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ron.
I ordered the tools in the links that I posted previously to a good friend of mine in LA who will come to visit us next week will bring them, then I'll post my measurements and impressions about them.
 
The main difference between the el cheapo and the higher priced thermometers is the distance/spot ratio. I use mine to single out electrical connections often from a distance. From 15-20' I'm looking at a 3 or 4 inch reading. The cheaper ones are looking at 15-20 inches. None of that makes a difference standing in an engine room pointing it at a big hunk of metal.
 
Reread your post and noticed I had missed the measuring from a neighboring boat part. That's the one you won't get with the cheap one. You'll be measuring the average of something about the size of a beach ball.
 
tdgard said:
The main difference between the el cheapo and the higher priced thermometers is the distance/spot ratio. I use mine to single out electrical connections often from a distance. From 15-20' I'm looking at a 3 or 4 inch reading. The cheaper ones are looking at 15-20 inches. None of that makes a difference standing in an engine room pointing it at a big hunk of metal.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

My main purpose is to check the coolers and exchangers while in engine room before and after of a trip.

In the product description mentioned that it has a spot ratio of 12:1, so will it measure or measure accurately from the cockpit at the point where hatch opens (to measure while underway) ?
 
tdgard said:
Reread your post and noticed I had missed the measuring from a neighboring boat part. That's the one you won't get with the cheap one. You'll be measuring the average of something about the size of a beach ball.
Click to expand...

So it seems impossible, but could be done lying on the swim platform :grin:.
 
tdgard said:
Wasn't going to suggest it-but the thought had crossed my mind.
Click to expand...

A few years ago I did it to record the drive/trim/spray position for being sure what's the position of them while underway, not recommending it as a safe and wise thing though.
 
I have the temp gun. Got it from Harbor Freight for about 9 bucks. I use it for the same thing you do. It works fine. I can lean over the gunwales and measure the exhaust water temps. They are within a degree of sticking a stick thermometer in the water.
 
dpmulvey said:
I have the temp gun. Got it from Harbor Freight for about 9 bucks. I use it for the same thing you do. It works fine. I can lean over the gunwales and measure the exhaust water temps. They are within a degree of sticking a stick thermometer in the water.
Click to expand...

Thanks David.
How is goin' on since we last mailed ?
Have you got my last mail ? It's been long tough.
 
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