Temp gun Vs. Onboard Temp guage

[robriguez]

I'm currently using a Venom Onboard temp guage. But I'm wondering if there is an advantage to using a temp gun instead.

Which do you guys prefer??

 

[Nitroaddict]

i have been using a raytek temp gun for quite some time, and really like it. when i bought it i was unaware of the onboard variety. i have often wondered - how accurate are they? my temp gun is accurate to 1/10 of a degree - and checked it on a permanent heat source

 

[robriguez]

I've compared the temp reading from the onboard to the temp reading I took with one of the guys temo guns we last went bashing with and it was exactly the same but there was no accuracy statement on the package of the onboard when I bought it.

 

[Nitroaddict]

how much did u pay? are they durable enough to take the rigors of racing? I've still been thinking of getting one, somone wants to buy my temp gun

 

[kwong2001]

i'll buy your temp gun if the price is right

 

[imnotsure]

i have a venom gage they don't cost but 30 bucks they hold up good. the only prob i've found is were to mount it on the truck.

 

[robriguez]

The Venom one was $35 at my LHS. I wrapped the leed around the head (below the coolling fins) and used a zip tie to keep it tight. Originally I used some really good plasitc velcro (you can't use the fabric kind) but once I decided to keep it I ended up using some really sticky double sided servo tape (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX9056&P=7) and stuck it to the top of my radio box. I've crashed once and flipped over sideways a couple times (gotta love foam tires) and its held in place jut fine.

As to the accuracy after being banged around a bit... dont know... seems ok.

Only thing is that you either have to mount it near a hole in the body so you can see the display or leave a small peice of the body unpainted otherwise you'll have to remove the body to read the temp.

 

[Nitroaddict]

i paid 95.00 it is the good one with the IR light beam u can see, like a laser pointer. id sell it for 50.00

 

[LarryA]

The advatage to the gun or other infrared are that you can take a temperature reading any place you want too. You could even get the temp of a clutch bell or anything else as long as you can get the aim to it (even the track or parking lot surface). I have an old MIP gauge and it works ok but is hard to see mounted inside the car body and mine was old enough that they had not yet included a power button. I had to solder my own switch to it or the battery was dead in a few hours. I'm going to look at the inexspensive Radio Shack infrared. At $30 it might be fine. I don't need to worry about 1/10 degree accuracy, as long as it is close within a few degrees it would be good enough. I have to get there and take a look at it (assuming they even have the thing in the store).

 

[imnotsure]

this is were i put mine you can see it through the back window.

 

[Nitroaddict]

jeez ! that thing has more metal than the termenator! nice truck, imnotsure!

the gauge looks huge! this would be going on my NTC3, i dont know if it would fit, looks heavy, is it?

 

[imnotsure]

i thought it was till i got my picco,the temp gage is no bigger than 2 inx 1in

 

[robriguez]

it only weighs a few ounces. I have an LD3 and it fits on the receiver box without a prob.

 

[M@xximillion]

Remember this, when you put the temp gun onboard it becomes another piece that can break, also you should take reading from the plug, not the fins and outer wall of the cylinder. I got The RS 39$ one, works great.

 

[imnotsure]

are you saying to put the wire around the plug i know that the picco has a coating on the motor that helps with cooling. but i dont know if it works.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

I thought the onboard temp gauges were calibrated to run under the bottom fin of the head? I find mine to be very close to my IR one on my TC3. I am looking at picking up the Craftsmen one (has the red beam too!) for 45$ at Sears this week for Craftsmen club members. :bling:

 

[M@xximillion]

Originally posted by imnotsure
are you saying to put the wire around the plug i know that the picco has a coating on the motor that helps with cooling. but i dont know if it works.

If you could, yes, but I don't think they were designed to do that.
Heat radiates outward, the further you get from the source the cooler it seems.

 

[imnotsure]

just my opinion sence the picco has coating on motor that reflect heat would it be better to put it on the head.

 

[TINY_MAXX]

I don't see why you would want that on your truck.Just more electronics to mingle with.....I just use my good ol' Raytek Handheld.Works like a charm.:bling:

 

[imnotsure]

yeah but does your good 'ole raytek tell you your peak temp. after each run? that's the only reason i got the venom temp. gauge. it tells you what you high and low temp is after every run. one way to keep on top of it. if you use the raytek, you have to point it at it every time and just hope you caught it at it's high point every time. don't get me wrong, i wouldn't mind having one, but the on boards seem the one to get. i think the raytek would be more accurate.