stmaxx25r

I was wondering what type/brand/price temp gun should I buy to help with the tuning of my T-maxx 2.5? I have seen them from $25-$250. Is having the laser sight good for this application? I would like to be able to measure the temp of the engine from about 4ft away. I don't want to be in danger of burning myself and I want it to be fairly accurate. I am currently looking at a MasterCool infrared temp gun with laser sight. I did some research on the different levels of range (distance to target vs. target diameter) and was wondering about what I would need for this hobby. Thanks in advance!

Beasley1

[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEMG5&P=ML]This [/link] is what I use. Works good and it is cheap.

Edit: It doesnt work from 4ft away but you just hold it up to it and take a reading. If you burn yourself your a fool.[sm=bananahead.gif]

stmaxx25r

LOL, thanks. I hope I am not a fool.... What is the range on that gauge? I looked on the link and it didn't mention it. I assume since you use it that it measures above 250 degrees F? Thanks again for the input.

6speednissan

It goes over 350, and lets leave it at that. [X(]

Beasley1

You hold the end of it against the top of your motor and press the button. That is how you get the most accurate reading, right off of the glow plug.

stmaxx25r

Ok, cool. That sounds like an easy enough thing to do. Thanks for the help. No need wasting money on a more expensive model since this one does the peak/hi/low functions that make tuning easier.

ajb1205

I bought the O'Donnell TGX1...it's backlit and has a stop watch. It seems to work great for me.

DaveG55

First, there's no way you are going to get an accurate reading from 4' away unless you are 4' straight up. You need to measure the engine temp at the glow plug and the only way to do that is shoot straight down. If you're that afraid of getting burnt, wear gloves/long sleeves/long pants, etc.
Second, don't tune by temp. You will only frustrate yourself. Learn to tune for performance and only use the temp gun for a quick, occasional check. You'll be a better tuner for it.

Oh, and the Duratrax is plenty accurate enough for this hobby. Now if your a 1:1 mechanic - well, you'ld already have a better guage anyway...

stmaxx25r

I am not that afraid of being burnt. I just didn't want to put my hand on the head to get a reading while holding the thermometer. I am a newbie and I saw that my head was smoking while my Uncle and I were tuning the truck. It stopped once we got it tuned but I want to make sure the engine isn't getting too hot. I cut airflow vents in the front windshield in front of the motor (3/4") and also in front of the cooling head on the back windshield. Thanks for the info.

stmaxx25r

How much did that cost?

stmaxx25r

how much did that one cost?

fox23

i have the Duratrax one, it seems to work pretty good. only $28 too.

Danker16

some fool paid 31$ +S&H off ebay for that flash point temp gauge

91litesho

I BOUGHT THE SAME ONE THE "DURATRAX" UNIT IS BASED OFF OF AT HARBOR FREIGHT FOR 9.99 WORKS WELL.

asianplayer

personally I dont like the idea of trusting my expensive powerplant to something that costs $30 or $10. I know your going to say, well its close enough, well i race and if you race you need it to be perfect. I have a raytek MT6 love it, it is very accurate on temperature and i can take a temp easly 8 feet away and it is at max 5 degrees off. I even did a comparison of the duratrax aginst my raytec and the duratrax was 10 degrees off. If your a newb then yes a duratrax will be fine, but if you want a good temp gun that will last a long time and is quality i suggest you get a quality name, besides a mt6 is only $60 shipped, so its not much difference in price if you take in to account how expensive this entire hobby is. Just my .02

Beasley1

You can take an accurate temp from 8ft away. Come on now. Lets be serious. How do you know its hitting the glow plug at 8ft?

stmaxx25r

'The MiniTemp MT6 unit features the popular single dot laser sighting system and the large temperature display provides current and maximum readings together while scanning, all in a conveniently sized handheld tool with a protective boot for added durability.'

'Distance to Spot Size (D:S) 10:1' D:S means how far away you are from the area you are measuring in relation to what size of an area you are measuring. 10:1= 10 ft away measures 1 ft of area. 10 inches away measures 1 inch area.

'Typical Distance to Target (Spot) Up to 2m (6ft)'

'Accuracy ±1.5%, or ±1.5°C (±3°F) whichever is greater'

Quotes from www.raytek-northamerica.com.

jkdv8

My Feedback: (1)

cant go wrong with raytek.

rustynutzz

I use dis one http://www.tempgun.com/graphics/new_...osecrop404.jpg works good. www.tempgun.com. $25

asianplayer

I wasent aiming at the glow plug itself obviously but i was comparing the temp of te side of the head from about 1 foot inches to about 8 feet