Giving up stem thermometers to check temp rise and drop forever

[hvac5646]

...so I have been researching and found a Fluke dual port differential reading thermometer for over four hundred dollars...but made in China.
That was the deal breaker.

I want a good thermometer that does not need to be calibrated every time I use it.

Curious as to what other techs are buying?

[jpsmith1cm]

I've got 2 Fluke 52s that are about 17-18 years old.

I'm not fond of them anymore as I doubt K-type probes more and more daily.

I'm looking seriously at Cooper dual-input thermometers lately.

[hvacrmedic]

http://www.cooper-atkins.com/Products/Thermistors/

I have the SHR77A. High accuracy, never needs to be calibrated. Solid instrument. Probe storage could use improvement, but once you get a routine down you can manage to get them in there and get it closed without much hassle. I bought an extra pipe strap so I could check SH and SC simultaneously. The Cooper pipe straps are more accurate than any temperature clamps that I've tried.

[hvac5646]

Good advice. Cooper was one of the brands at the forefront of my list.

Thanks

[Nytefog]

I like Cooper products as well. I have a few of their stick thermometer. i keep one in my pen pocket for taking quick temp measurements. Cooper products are used alot in testing food preperation and saftey/code enforcement testing to make sure that chinese cat meat is stored at the to correct temp. I too have Fluke 52 with k-type thermocouples which i do not like as much anymore since i've been exposed to thermistor accuracy.

I keep My Fluke 52 in my Combustion analyzer case for checking temp rise, but i wish they had thermistor sensors. I'm more interested in accuracy more then speed. I like the tool just not the sensors. I may have to get a cooper setup. I wouldn't mind having another Cooper product period.

WHAT THERMOMETER (TYPE, Brand<model) WOULD YOU USED TO DOUBLE CHECK A THERMOSTATS ACCURACY?

[hvacrmedic]

I like Cooper products as well. I have a few of their stick thermometer. i keep one in my pen pocket for taking quick temp measurements. Cooper products are used alot in testing food preperation and saftey/code enforcement testing to make sure that chinese cat meat is stored at the to correct temp. I too have Fluke 52 with k-type thermocouples which i do not like as much anymore since i've been exposed to thermistor accuracy.

I keep My Fluke 52 in my Combustion analyzer case for checking temp rise, but i wish they had thermistor sensors. I'm more interested in accuracy more then speed. I like the tool just not the sensors. I may have to get a cooper setup. I wouldn't mind having another Cooper product period.

WHAT THERMOMETER (TYPE, Brand<model) WOULD YOU USED TO DOUBLE CHECK A THERMOSTATS ACCURACY?

I use my IR for checking t-stats. I move the laser spot around until the reading on the IR matches the reading on the t-stat, then say "See there, your t-stat is accurate".

[beenthere]

Cooper SH66A.

[5thRoot]

Does anyone else make a dual probe thermistor style meter that is worth anything except Cooper. My boss has one and I agree that its great, but the design is horrible. I am looking for something smaller and more friendly to use. Is there even anything like that out there?

[Nytefog]

The fluke 52 isn't a bad meter if you can get thermistor temp probes for it so it would be more accurate. I am in search for thermistor sensors for it as well. Even with the k-type the Fluke 52 is still a very high quality product.

My next purchase is a coope sch77. If you can afford it, its way better just to buy the better product. Just the fact that i can prevent you from making a mistake on a serivce call will pay for its self and then some....Nothing more embrassing then having to go on a follow up call...at least of you a competent tech that takes pride in their work.

[itsiceman]

Does anyone else make a dual probe thermistor style meter that is worth anything except Cooper. My boss has one and I agree that its great, but the design is horrible. I am looking for something smaller and more friendly to use. Is there even anything like that out there?

OP don't want to hear about it but you could use a Digi-Cool AK-900 for a dual thermometer. I saw some UEi thermistor thermometers too.

[jpsmith1cm]

The fluke 52 isn't a bad meter if you can get thermistor temp probes for it so it would be more accurate. I am in search for thermistor sensors for it as well. Even with the k-type the Fluke 52 is still a very high quality product.

My next purchase is a coope sch77. If you can afford it, its way better just to buy the better product. Just the fact that i can prevent you from making a mistake on a serivce call will pay for its self and then some....Nothing more embrassing then having to go on a follow up call...at least of you a competent tech that takes pride in their work.

I don't think that you're going to find thermistor type sensors for a thermocouple thermometer.

[fitzyfitta]

http://www.cooper-atkins.com/Products/Thermistors/

I have the SHR77A. High accuracy, never needs to be calibrated. Solid instrument. Probe storage could use improvement, but once you get a routine down you can manage to get them in there and get it closed without much hassle. I bought an extra pipe strap so I could check SH and SC simultaneously. The Cooper pipe straps are more accurate than any temperature clamps that I've tried.

X2...

[ryan1088]

I've had an SH66A and now have an SRH77A and it is a solid tool. Dropped, stepped on, and very accurate. Great options of accessories.

If you aren't in any hurry, watch eBay. I bought my 66 for 50 bucks and the 77 for 125.

[hvac5646]

I had to make some compromises to get the differential thermometer I wanted.
http://www.ueitest.com/sites/default...es/dt304-1.jpg
My priorities were:

1. Size
2. Country of origin
3. Ease of use
4. Accuracy
5. cost

Final decision is the UEI DTM 304. Four K-type inputs.
NIST Calibration Certificate.
Self explanatory operation.
Fits easily in one hand.
Temp off set, back light, big screen and numeral.
Made in Korea.
Less than $175 shipped.