temperature gun recommendations?

[vistajpdf]

Hi there,

My Jackson's chameleon has begun opening his mouth lately and spending more time on the bottom of his cage. He has been eating and drinking as usual. I do not believe he is showing aggression by this mouth opening.

I checked the digital thermometer and realize it has to be broken. When I turn off the heat lamp, he closes his mouth. So, right now it is off. Room temperature is around 73 and he is by a window (we are in Ft. Laud.) so he doesn't have a high temp basking spot when the light is off, but I will turn it on after feeding for a little while.

Since I have 3 different chameleon species, several geckos, tortoises, skinks, etc. that all need monitoring of temps and humidity and it seems as though most guages are not giving me accurate readings, I've decided to invest in temp gun. I know this won't help me with humidity, but rather than buy a bunch of more thermometers, it seems like the better option. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,
Dana

 

[babyjoe]

it was handy for me im a mechanic so i bought a high accuracy laser thermometer from snap on.i use it for my enclosure and work ha.i suppose the best place to look is amazon or something like that where you can see ratings and reviews

 

[Carlton]

Hi there,

My Jackson's chameleon has begun opening his mouth lately and spending more time on the bottom of his cage. He has been eating and drinking as usual. I do not believe he is showing aggression by this mouth opening.

I checked the digital thermometer and realize it has to be broken. When I turn off the heat lamp, he closes his mouth. So, right now it is off. Room temperature is around 73 and he is by a window (we are in Ft. Laud.) so he doesn't have a high temp basking spot when the light is off, but I will turn it on after feeding for a little while.

Since I have 3 different chameleon species, several geckos, tortoises, skinks, etc. that all need monitoring of temps and humidity and it seems as though most guages are not giving me accurate readings, I've decided to invest in temp gun. I know this won't help me with humidity, but rather than buy a bunch of more thermometers, it seems like the better option. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,
Dana

You can get temp guns that have the accuracy and range you need from several herp supply vendors...tempgun.com (one of ProExotics' websites), probably LLL Reptile, HerpSupplies.com.

 

[stalincat]

or any temperature gun from ebay for that matter=)

 

[carol5208]

I don't know if you have Harbor Freight Tools by you but my husband got me one there for like $30. Seems pretty accurate to me. you can order online. I bought the one on the left http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=temp+gun

 

[crocky]

I use the harbor freight one too. Seems pretty accurate to me as well. It may be off a degree or two comparing it against three digital probes but could also be the probes are off. But one or two degrees does not bother me too much.
On another note, I noticed Waldo doing that today too then realized his temp was pretty high in the cage. I dimmed it down but realized the sun was shining right in on the cage and I am sure that had a lot to do with it. Just made me remember with warmer weather and sun changing to check all my basking spots for my guys.

 

[mrfixit01]

I've been using the SainSonic SS5380 for a year now. It's pretty accurate. Just add about 3 degrees if shooting through screen wire. Less than $20 on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0081CSFUQ/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Let us know which one you decide on and how it works for you.

 

[vistajpdf]

Thanks everyone. I ordered the Harbor Freight one before seeing the last post. I'm sure it will be fine. I am in Ft. Lauderdale and our temps are getting pretty hot outside. Jack is near a window, although there is some foliage outside the window that shields some of the sun's rays. Still, after a mild few weeks, temps are climbing again. I try to keep the thermostat for that part of the house at 73 as i have a chinchilla in that part (other room), but I'm sure it's higher at the window.

Dana