Over at Amazon, I came across a price drop for the Extech IRT25 infrared thermometer, bringing it to under $10.
While no-name IR thermometers have been this inexpensive, I don’t think I have seen a brand-name temp gun priced this low before.
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What’s it for? Non-contact temperature measurements.
The Extech IRT25 has a temperature measurement range of -4° to 700°F, and a 12:1 distance to spot size ratio. Additional features include a built-in laser pointer, programable high/low alarm alerts, and a white-backlit LCD display. There’s also a max/min data hold memory.
The IRT25 is powered by (2) AA batteries, included.
The product description says that the emissivity is adjustable, but I can’t find any reference on Extech’s site to confirm this. Inexpensive IR thermometers don’t typically offer this. An adjustable emissivity can be useful for calibrating the device to different materials being tested.
Its accuracy is said to be ±2% of reading or ±3.6°F/2°C.
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It’s an “add-on” item, meaning you can only buy it as part of a $25+ order.
At this price, I ordered one for testing. It arrived yesterday, but it’ll take some time for me to run some comparison tests. But at $10, it seems like a low-risk gamble.
Actually, searching a little on Amazon, I can’t even find a no-name IR thermometer for under $10. They seem to hover at the $12-15 price range.
Tyler
Just clicked the link now. It’s no longer listed as an Add-On. I wonder if they will be changing it back again soon.
David Zeller
It’s just a regular $9.95 item now. That’s better.
Vards Uzvards
Over time its price fluctuates, between $5.65 and $22 or so.
David Zeller
I don’t know; it seems like a hot deal, but I’m a little tepid on it. I admit it would be cool to have name brand one though. I wonder how this measures up compared to the others; is it really better, or just a warmed over rebrand?
David
Patty Cake
Very Punny!
Hilton
Thanks, just ordered it.
David Zeller
Me, too.
Koko The Talking Ape
Me three. I got it when it was still an Add-on, but buying $25 worth of stuff isn’t difficult.
Jason
No this is pretty common deal on these. And that temp range is limited imo at 700.
https://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Optical-Temperature-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B00FD5PKT8/ maxes at around 1000f
https://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-contact-Thermometer-Adjustable/dp/B00JCIDXA0 maxes around 1300f
Got the top one a few times over the years for 25~ and the second one hits 10 bucks all the time so does the dual laser like I use.
Tom Thomas
It has jumped to $10.28, not Add on. I ordered one.
Thom
Just ordered one… St that price I can’t go wrong
Thom
Went to order another one for my son and see it is now $17.99
Dan
Same thing, just read this and went to buy it but it’s $17.99 ?
Jim Felt
I barely use the John Fluke version I already own but when I actually do it’s very useful indeed.
$10!?
I think I’ll buy this one as a gift for a couple of nerdy colleagues.
David C.
These cheap IR guns are great for diagnosing insulating issues around the house. I go around and try to find cold spots in windows, doors, outlets, and ect.
I have this model that I got for $9 from Amazon warehouse and do not like it as much as this other model I already had for years (not sure why I needed a back up but it was $9)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00837ZGRY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These are also good for measuring your air supply vents to see if certain vents aren’t cold enough or need more insulation.
satch
Already back up in price. Just missed it evidently. $18 now.
John
It’s back up to $18 now, but if you look it up on camelcamelcamel, you can see that it usually drops back down pretty quickly.
https://camelcamelcamel.com/Extech-IRT25-Infrared-Thermometer-12/product/B06WVBBZ36
John T Sullivan
The price never dropped for Amazon Business customers, and I forgot to switch accounts when I clicked the link this morning. Too late now, as it’s back up to $17.99 for both accounts. Bummer– I would have grabbed one for each tow vehicle (they’re great for checking the health of hubs & axles on long drives).
FirmFoundations
Tried to order it this afternoon and the price had already gone back up.
Brian M
I have a couple of Flukes and honestly, I don’t really see the need for anything too fancy. Get one just above the bottom of the barrel and you’ll be fine. The only thing wrong with the super cheap is that they’re a lot less sturdy. Extech/Craftsman (Craftsman rebrands a lot of Extech’s instruments) or any other one with a bit thicker plastic than the HF one is fine. The Flukes have better lasers and one has two lasers which is nice but the cheap ones are just as accurate (as long as you’re comparing 12:1, 10:1 or 8:1).
This one at 12:1 at $20 is a good buy but I’d watch it, the price on this has gone under $9 several times this year.
jayne
I ordered one and am very excited about it I’m going to put it in my backpack and measure temps everywhere I go…
Michaelhammer
It is fun to measure temperatures everywhere you go. I use mine mostly for cooking to see if the pan is hot enough. Definitely a fun toy.
Chris
Now if only they came out with a $10 thermal imager ?
Mike
Bought one back in Oct., never left the house, stopped working after 2 months. Junk.
rick
I got one about 20 years ago, and I think I paid 15. (not this brand). It works fine. Laser accuracy could be a little better, but its not actually off. The accuracy of the reading changes the further you go, and it becomes a wider area.
Its good for point work, but it does not really replace a thermal camera for efficiency, or for true “cold spot” work finding missing insulation.