Decent IR thermometer?

[adc]

Does anybody have a recommendation for a decent IR termometer/pyrometer? Don't want to spend a lot, but need something that goes to 1300-1400 minimum.

I'm going for a track day at Summit Main in April and want to measure the effectiveness of my DIY brake cooling ducts.

[1MORELAP]

As you wait for a better answer, please see what Longacre and OG Racing have.

[BimmerM]

Originally Posted by adc

Does anybody have a recommendation for a decent IR termometer/pyrometer? Don't want to spend a lot, but need something that goes to 1300-1400 minimum.

I'm going for a track day at Summit Main in April and want to measure the effectiveness of my DIY brake cooling ducts.

I know the Fluke 68 Infrared Thermometer goes up to 1400. However this thing is expensive. Not sure what else is out there.

[rzm3]

i have this:

http://www.generaltools.com/Products...r__IRT206.aspx

[adc]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

i have this:

http://www.generaltools.com/Products...r__IRT206.aspx

Doesn't go high enough. My HF cheapo unit goes to 932F and it's not sufficient.

I was looking at this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1A5040E5PZKPK

With a $25 gift card it should become quite inexpensive, and goes to 1472F. I think the pads are rated to around the same temps, so if my brakes get hotter than that I'll know through some other side effects.

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by adc

Doesn't go high enough. My HF cheapo unit goes to 932F and it's not sufficient.

I was looking at this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1A5040E5PZKPK

With a $25 gift card it should become quite inexpensive, and goes to 1472F. I think the pads are rated to around the same temps, so if my brakes get hotter than that I'll know through some other side effects.

If your brakes are that hot when you come into the pits you'll have a fire to deal with, so don't worry about having a thermometer that goes that high.

I got one from Sears that goes to 1400 degrees and it works fine. You can also get rotor paint and caliper strips, which frankly would be more reliable because they measure what's going on while you're driving.

[rzm3]

Originally Posted by JAJ

If your brakes are that hot when you come into the pits you'll have a fire to deal with, so don't worry about having a thermometer that goes that high.

+1 They'd at least be glowing at the temperature your mentioned.

[adc]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

+1 They'd at least be glowing at the temperature your mentioned.

Just read that steel begins to glow faintly after approx. 750F - but to be visible in the daylight the temp is closer to 950F.

I definitely didn't see glowing rotors (this was after a cooldown lap) so perhaps chalk it up to a lousy instrument.

I'll get the Sears unit, now I'm really curious.


Any tips on measuring rotor temps? Perhaps average 3 readings from inner/middle/outer portion of the rotor? Tips about aiming? (Perpendicular, angle etc.).