I bought this product because I thought my refrigerator was not cold enough, and I saw the tech that previously came out using a lazer thermometer to gauge the temps inside. With this product, I was getting 50+ degrees in the fridge, while it was set to 33, so I used this as my basis for a service call, along with some spoiled milk. When the tech returned, he was getting ~35 on his lazer thermometer, while mine was still high 40s and 50s at the same time and in the same spot. Maybe I got a defective one, but this lazer thermometer is absolutely terrible.
UPDATE: Based on this review, Etekcity has sent me a replacement, no questions asked and no need to send back the defective one. That deserves a second star.
UPDATE: Turns out the thermometer is fine, the tech that came out had a defective one (a different brand, I asked). In fact, the temps that the new tech got from his wired thermometer were exactly the temps I was getting from this laser thermometer. 100% a five-star product!
This device is probably the best single purchase that I have made on Amazon in my three-plus years of Prime membership. It functions wonderfully as a distance thermometer, shining a tiny red dot on what I'm measuring and, based on comparison with a thermoscan camera at work, is pretty accurate across a range of temperatures from 0°F up to about 400°F.
But wait, there's more!
It also serves as an AWESOME CAT AND DOG TOY!
You already know that your pets are fascinated by that little red dot, and this thing DELIVERS!
The button that turns on the device has a very soft click, barely perceptible, so it won't distract your faithful (or in the case of cats) persistent companions. The dot is bright and consistent, unlike other laser pointers on the market, and, (safety first) can be turned off so that fluffy doesn't get to curious about the dot suddenly appearing on the side of a pot of boiling water on the stove.
It's powered by a 9V battery, and the manufacturer was kind enough to include one, but buy a pack, because you'll be using this thing on EVERYTHING!
Is the chicken done? Laser thermometer. How cool is the A/C running? Laser thermometer. Is your house's brick construction holding in a lot of heat in the evening? Laser thermometer. Engine block not getting coolant flow? Laser thermometer. Wildfire approaching? Run like hell. Wildfire a safe distance downwind? Laser thermometer*.
Buy this thing, and you'll have as much fun as we have at my house, I promise**.
*Probably won't reliably measure the temperature of flames at a safe enough distance, so don't get too close to fire.
**I'm not actually able to back this promise up, but I've had a blast with this thing. If you don't, you're probably just a boring person.
This thermometer really works, and the dual laser is worth the few extra dollars you'll spend for it. By using two lasers, you can not only aim the thermometer but also gauge the distance/spot size (imagine a circle sandwiched between the two laser dots) so you know exactly how much area you're averaging. (Documentation and a handy label on the unit recommend a distance of 14 inches for the best result). I tested against other thermometers and found this one to be very accurate. For less than $20 it feels like a much more expensive instrument because the details are "just right". Pull the trigger and there's a delay of just under a second while the device calibrates; then the lasers and backlight come on. The display shows the current spot temperature plus the maximum so far for that session. Buttons are in a good place; you can turn off the lasers or screen backlight if you don't need them (and those settings are remembered!), and the display holds for just the right amount of time after you release the trigger.
It's educational to just walk around your house and measure the temperature of ordinary things: a human's skin temperature runs around 87-90F, coffee from a single-pot brewer just over 140F. It's great that it's instantaneous and there's nothing to clean after each measurement. Once you know these temperatures you'd be able to spot issues (air conditioning not cold enough? Refrigerator at the right temperature? What temperature is "6" on the stove?.
Works great. Got it at 1/4 cost. I like to measure things, including temperatures. Vehicle engines, is an interesting thing to measure.
EDIT 10/3/17: In electronic circuits I play with, this laser temp measure tool works for troubleshooting temp sensitive electronic components on circuit boards, to determine if they are operating properly per designed circuit expectations of output parameters and are being kept within the window of working temperature coefficients as defined within manufacturer specifications for desired and stable output rather than thermal runnaway. Thermal problems are near impossible to measure until now and I'm not a fan of using my fingertip for obvious reasons. Works great to measure operating temps on output power transisters in amplifier circuits, inter alia, and allowed me to determine faulty power xstrs and resolve this bewildering thermal issue on an amazing and expensive music instrument amplifier which I have owned for years. One xstr was repaired by placing a larger heat sink under the one xstr to stabilize temp which cost me nothing but a few extra molecules of glucose to find & then cut and attach a chunk of aluminum & apply heat transfer gunk, the white goop. I might have overdriven its circuits a few times during my loudest years. It now operates properly and is like new! My Praise be great for this invaluable and fun tool.
I would recommend this tool.
Great gadget to tell surface temperature and monitor hot and cooler areas on cooking surfaces. Not sure how well it is calibrated. Seems a bit off when aimed at boiling water that should be 100C or 212F at sea level and standard pressure.
Smooth rubber finish may not be durable. Had many devices with this coating and eventually it becomes sticky and can't be cleaned. Let's see how long this one lasts.
Feature Product
- Better accuracy: The distance to spot ratio is 12: 1, meaning the laser grip 774 can accurately measure targets at greater distances compared to most other Thermometers; for best accuracy, the distance between the thermometer and object of measurement should approximately be 14. 17 inches (36cm)
- Target quicker: measure surface temperature ranging from -58℉ 716℉/ -50℃ 380℃, you can choose the unit from ℉/ ℃; response time: ≤500Ms; a built in laser gives you the precision to hone in on the exact space you want to measure
- Added functions: the LCD screen is backlit, also has an auto-off function to extend the battery life, and features a low battery indicator so you never accidentally run out of juice (battery included)
- Versatile design: infrared technology makes this thermometer handy to measure the surface temperature of various objects especially temperatures above boiling points and below freezing points; use it when you are cooking and barbequing, performing auto maintenance, doing home repairs, and a host of other tasks
- NOTE: The thermometer can't measure the internal temperature of an object; Temperature readings from this devices are inanimate objects, the measured temperature for humans or animals will not be correct; FDA, FCC, CE compliant; Class 2 laser, optical power 0.5-0.9mW; 1 year warranty (with the option to extend it by 1 extra year for free) by Etekcity
Description
NOTE1. The measuring surface is about 2cm below the infrared aiming point. 2. For best accuracy, the distance between the thermometer and object of measurement should approximately be 14. 17inches (36cm). Etekcity Laser grip 774 Thermometer guns have been used by major airports and security offices during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Laser Guided Aim with precision at whatever you wish to measure, thanks to the laser beam guidance feature. Even from a far distance, the laser provides a mark to ensure accuracy every time you make a measurement. Infrared Lens The Infrared lens inside the Laser grip 774 Thermometer provides temperature readings without the need to touch or come close to anything dangerously hot or cold. You'll be able to effortlessly measure high temperatures, hazardous and inaccessible objects, and even moving targets; such as hot engine parts, cooking surfaces, swimming pools, bath water, wine coolers, hot asphalt, electric bearings, and much more. Specifications Temperature Range: -50℃ ～ 380℃ (-58℉ ～ 716℉ )Accuracy: 2% or 2℃ Distance Spot Ratio: 12: 1Emissivity Adjustable: 0. 95(fixed)Response Time and Wavelength: Package Included 1 x Etekcity Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer1 x 9-Volt Battery1 x User's Manual2-year for free by Etekcity .
This is a handy little tool to have around the house, and should be in every home's toolbox. It's also worth the money for the entertainment value alone.
Use it as a cat toy! Startle your housemates! Recreate the James Bond opening sequence!
Oh yeah, you can take the temperature of things, too. Like a smartphone, I couldn't imagine what I'd use this thing for until I got one, and then I was using it for everything. Make your cooking recipies more accurate by using exact temperatures rather than "medium-high" heat. Confirm that you're not crazy - the floor in the bedroom really *is* warmer than the rest of the house. End those arguments with your girlfriend about how cold her hands are (use with caution).
The body is not heavy duty, but seems plenty durable for a household tool. There's a slightly textured feel to the body of it, eliminating the "cheap plastic" feel. It feels good in the hand. The display is easy to read and bright, with the option to turn off the backlight, turn off the laser, and toggle the read out between C and F.
*****UPDATE***** The manufacturer contacted me and sent me a new one, free of charge! I am up and soaping again with a now-functional temp device. Thanks Etekcity! Their customer support rep was very helpful in getting this resolved.
Original review:
This thermometer worked very well for about 7 months, then over a period of a few weeks, it started showing temps much higher than it should. All the way up to 124F for something at room temp in winter in CA. I'm going to have to contact the company since I bought it less than 1 year ago. Hopefully they will make this right.
This tool does exactly what you'd expect it to do. It feels sturdy and works dependably. I bought this to measure the temperature of the air coming out of the various vents in my home. It was great to be able to identify empirically the variation from vent to vent. No more holding my hand in front of each vent and guessing whether it feels colder/warmer than the others. In fact, the vents in the rooms in the edges of our house are significantly warmer than the vents in the center.
Later, I used it on my grill to measure the temperature of the meat I was grilling. I'm less confident that this is a meaningful measurement as it is measuring SURFACE temperature rather than internal temperature. However, it did help me to identify which pieces were in cold spots on the grill and were not cooking as fast. That was the key thing I liked about using it on the grill. It was less clear to me if it would be helpful in determining whether the meat was done cooking due to it measuring the outside temp only.
I absolutely love how fast this gives me the correct temperature of my aquariums. Doing water changes are so much faster. I don't have to wait 5-6 minutes for a thermometer to tell me the temperature of the tank water or the water I'm putting back in the tanks. One thermometer will say 78° and the other thermometer in the tank not 2' away will say 82°. You know with the heater right in the center of the tank is not going to have a 4° difference in temperature. With this Lazer you can aim at one end of the tank, get the temperature and then get the temperature at the other end. There might be a half a degree difference due to decor, water flow or a bubbler going. It takes seconds to get the correct temperatures instead of 10 minutes. It saves me so much time, I'll never be without this item again. I love it.
I actually bought this item in a suggested package with a "instant read" probe thermometer from a different manufacturer and seller. I really only needed the probe, but figured this laser thermometer would come in handy. The probe was a total let-down, taking well over 20 seconds to read a stable temp. This product, on the other hand... exceeded ALL expectations. I was even able to use it to take the surface temp of water I had warmed in the microwave. It is definitely 100% instant and accurate. I originally just thought I would use it to check the my old conventional oven thermometer that I was sure wasn't reading correct. I have since then used it to check for hotspots on my barbecue grill and stove-top cooking surfaces, as well as a/c in my car and house. On top of the expected playing with family members and pets. It was WELL worth the price. Now I just need to find a probe thermometer for internal temps that reads as fast as this one!!!
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