Pro Exotics Infrared Temp Guns have a million different uses. Some of the most popular uses include Food Service and Cooking, Horticulture, Automotive, Manufacturing, HVAC, Animal Care and Hobby.

For the RC hobby, three hot uses would be engine temps, tire temps, and track temps. In animal care, you can quickly and accurately read cage temps, basking temps, incubation temps and more. Of course there are a wide range of cooking and food service uses, including something as esoteric as proper temperature wine service!

Nothing gives you the immediate feedback and reliable accuracy of an Infrared temp gun, and the Pro Exotics Temp Guns are the smallest, handiest, most affordable guns available!

Check out our other uses page for more PE Temp Gun applications, or check out our Pro Exotics Reptile site to see how we use PE Temp Guns every single day with our animals!

Yes, our Temp Guns all shoot in both Fahrenheit and Celsius and it is easy to switch between the two. See the Pro Exotics Temp Gun specs page for more info.

Well you have really done it now!!

Actually, what has probably happened is your Emissivity setting has been knocked off a bit. It may have happened when you were whizzing through the Min/Max modes. It's an easy fix.

The Emissivity setting on PE-2 and PE-3 Temp Guns are adjustable to allow you to fine tune your gun to shoot objects with varying degrees of reflectivity. Unless you are Joe Scientist and have a REALLY GOOD reason to change your Emissivity, try not to screw with the setting. It should read "95E". If it doesn't, you will need to reset it to 95. Let's pickup some info from your PE Temp Gun operating instructions:

Model Zero Emissivity adjustment

PE-2 Emissivity adjustment

PE-3 Emissivity adjustment

(the PE-1 model Temp Gun has a non adjustable default setting of 95E)

The default E setting of 95E works for most applications.

The adjustable Emissivity setting for the PE-2 and PE-3 models allows you to “calibrate” the units to shoot proper temps in more esoteric circumstances. Unless you truly understand how and why adjusting the E setting works for your application, it is best to leave it set at the default of 95E. If it is accidentally misadjusted by your kids, your goofy buddy, or your cat, you most likely need to reset it back to 95E. You can find the steps on how to do that in your instructions, which are also available HERE .

But let's say you DO need to adjust the E setting for your application, perhaps you are shooting a highly polished metal surface like aluminum, you can find various E settings listed at these two links:

http://www.infrared-thermography.com/material.htm

http://www.electro-optical.com/bb_rad/emissivity/matlemisivty.htm

Check out the spec page for a nice easy Temp Gun comparison…

 The PE-1 is a great all purpose, entry-level unit. It reads to 428ºF.

The PE-2 adds a sighting laser, a tighter infrared cone (D:S is 6:1) and bumps temps to 662ºF.

The PE-3 adds a bunch of different features to the PE-2, but most significantly reads temps to 1000ºF with the infrared sensor, and up to 2500ºF with a Thermocouple probe. Nice!

If you need to shoot your object temperature from more than 18 inches or so, the PE-2 or PE-3 models would be the best choice. The PE-1 model is best used at close distances because of a wider infrared “cone”. For a bit more detail on D:S ratios, check out this FAQ here

The invisible Infrared sensor of the Temp Gun “shoots out” in a cone shape. The farther away you are from your target object, the larger the spot you will be measuring. The PE-1 unit has a Distance to Spot ratio (D:S) of 1:1, meaning at 1 inch away, you are measuring a spot that is 1 inch in diameter. At 1 foot, you are measuring a spot that is 1 foot in diameter.

The PE-2 and PE-3 units have MUCH TIGHTER CONES. The PE-3 D:S ratio is 8:1, meaning at 8 inches away, your spot is 1 inch. At 10 feet, you are measuring a spot that is a bit over 1 foot in diameter.

The PE-1 works great at shorter distances. In the RC world, measuring engine temps, the PE-1 at $25 works fantastic. The PE-1 also works great for many general use needs, like cooking and food temps, or basking temps for animal setups. If you need to measure from a bit further away (or a lot further away) then the PE-2 at $45 is a good choice. If you need to measure from a distance, and have high temperature reading needs, then the PE-3 at $75 is the unit for you!

All of the non-contact Temp Guns on the market use Infrared technology to get a reflected surface temperature from the desired object.

The infrared beam “shoots out” in a cone shape, narrowest right at the sensor of the Temp Gun, meaning the farther away you are, the wider the area you are temping out.

So the usable distance of a Temp Gun is largely dependent on the object you are shooting.

If you want to shoot engine head temps in an RC Car, you are trying to shoot an area about a quarter of an inch in diameter, right in at the glow plug. For such a tight reading, you want to be as close as possible.

If you are shooting the tire temps on a Stock Car, you have a much larger area, and you can be further away.

For road or track temperatures, you can shoot from a few feet away and get an accurate reading. Remember, the closer you are to your object, the smaller the area that you will be reading.

For our use in reptile breeding at Pro Exotics , I typically shoot cages and animals from 8-12 inches away.

With the PE-1 Temp Gun, anything over 2 ft is really too far, as you will be taking a wide angle “average” temperature of an area, as opposed to a particular spot or object.

Try the PE-2 at $45 for a 6:1 cone or the PE-3 at $100 for an 8:1 cone that can read accurate temps at a much further distance.

NOTE: The red laser that is available on some of our Temp Gun models DOES NOT measure temperature! It is a separate beam that simply serves as a pointing device. The surface temperatures are measured using an invisible infrared sensor. The red laser can shoot a very long distance, across the hall, across the building, across the street. The INFRARED sensor only shoots (effectively) a short to medium distance, depending on the model's D:S ratio. So while you can use a “laser gun” and see a red dot on the wall 50 feet away, you ARE NOT measuring the temperature of that far away wall, but rather a general average temperature of a large area (from 50 ft). No infrared temp gun is any good at measuring empty air ambient temperatures.

The red laser is offset from the Temp Gun's infrared sensor by one half inch. The laser runs PARALLEL to the center of the sensor. This means that from 3 inches away, the laser is one half inch from the center of the temperature measurement. From 20 feet away, the laser is STILL one half inch from the center of the temperature measurement.

This means that from a very close distance, say three inches or less, the laser IS NOT going to be at the dead center of your measurement, ya dig?

In the RC Hobby, measuring nitro engine temps, you are trying to measure a spot a quarter inch wide down inside the head of the engine. This is typically done by putting the Temp Gun (regardless of brand) directly over the top of the head. If you do it that way, your sighting laser will be cast one half inch off to the SIDE of the head, and not down the middle at all. THAT IS FINE. Your concern should be with the positioning of the INFRARED sensor at that close range, and not the goofy laser. If you do indeed shoot the red laser down into the head, you will actually be measuring a half inch away, probably down the side fins of your engine. Do you dig it now?

The sighting laser will ALWAYS be one half inch from the center of your measurement. For those insistent customers, I will custom build a parallelogram reflective mirror system, in a snap on configuration, that will compensate for this offset, so that regardless of distance, the laser is always spot on, dead center. The fee for this custom accessory is 5 million U.S. dollars, payable by certified funds two weeks before start of production. Better get in line for that add-on right now!

NOTE: The red laser that is available on some of our Temp Gun models DOES NOT measure temperature! It is a separate beam that simply serves as a pointing device. The surface temperatures are measured using an invisible infrared sensor. The red laser can shoot a very long distance, across the hall, across the building, across the street. The INFRARED sensor only shoots (effectively) a short to medium distance, depending on the model's D:S ratio. So while you can use a “laser gun” and see a red dot on the wall 50 feet away, you ARE NOT measuring the temperature of that far away wall, but rather a general average temperature of a large area (from 50 ft). No infrared temp gun is any good at measuring empty air ambient temperatures.

When temping out the engine of your Nitro car, you are looking for the highest current reading. That highest reading is typically going to come from your glow plug, and you can usually hit it from right over the top of your engine. Hold the "measure" button down on your PE Temp Gun, and pass it over the top of the engine. Get right up on the engine, so that you are just about touching the head. Holding down the button gives you continuous feedback, note the highest reading that you get, that is the number you are looking for.

With the PE-2 unit , you can shoot engine temps from a farther distance because of the tighter D:S ratio of 6:1. The PE-2 unit is good for cars with high riding bodies, or where the engine is buried down in there and tough to access. From a distance of 4 inches, the PE-2 will measure a spot just one half inch in diameter.

With a moderately warm Nitro engine, you are likely to see temps in the 180-210°F range. With a car that has been running hard for a while, you will start to see the engine creep north of 230 or 240°F. If you go much higher than that, you risk melting a hole in the earth's crust, or at least blowing your engine, so know your car's limitations! Get to know the parameters of your own car and engine to fully understand what will be the best operational temps for your individual situation, whether it be backyard bashing or serious racing.

As a note, also consider using the "Max" feature of the Pro Exotics Temp Gun. For the PE-1 and PE-2 models, hit the "measure" once to turn the gun on, and then hit the mode button twice to enter the "Max" mode. This way, as you hold down the measure button and pass over your engine, the PE Temp Gun will grab the HIGHEST reading and hold it until it sees something even hotter.

You must keep in mind that the laser is offset one half inch from the center of the infrared sensor, and runs PARALLEL to the sensor. This is an important detail for close measurement!

More information about measuring temps can be found here.

I am willing to bet it will! We have had absolutely terrific feedback on our PE Temp Guns, and I am confident that one of our models is well suited to your application.

Buy one of our PE Temp Guns, use it for 10 days, and if you are not completely satisfied, return it to us in like-new condition and we will refund your purchase price (shipping not included).

If you purposely break it, smash it, drown it, have your kid barf on it, drop it in your cement mixer, or an active volcano (among other avoidable tragedies) this offer is void, and you must abide by the terms of our regular one year warranty.

Yep. We sell metal cases for each of our Temp Gun models right here at our site, check those out here . If you want a truly indestructible case, try the Pelican Cases at www.thermoworks.com . They come with a lifetime guarantee, and lots of pretty colors!

There is a thermocouple jack (type K) on the side of the PE-3 Temp Gun, but the thermocouple itself is not included with the unit. That is because there are many MANY types of thermocouples, depending on your need and application.

One of the best sources for a wide variety of affordable thermocouples would be www.thermoworks.com.

Pro Exotics Temp Guns (all models) are warranted to be free from manufacturer's defects and screw ups for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase. Keep your receipt handy, we just might ask to see it : )

The PE Temp Guns are available to Hobby Shops, hardware stores and other outlets either through direct Pro Exotics orders, or through their regular distributors. If your shop doesn't carry the Pro Exotics Temp Gun, have them contact us at (303) 347-0500 or wholesale@tempgun.com for information on how they can carry the PE Temp Gun for their customers.

Beat Biters, Dope Style Takers…

Our original Temp Gun (retroactively named “Model Zero”) was a great unit. Unfortunately, a number of other companies thought so as well : )

We did not happen to own the tooling for the Model Zero Temp Gun, so other folks were able to call up the factory and have the same model run, with their own company label. Fine, but not cool for Pro Exotics : )

After selling a ton of Model Zero units in 2003 and early 2004, we decided to switch it up a bit and come out with a NEW model, the PE-1, and this time, we definitely own the tooling!

We repackaged the PE-1 in a more display friendly blister pack, and the design of the actual PE-1 body is more ergonomic to your hand. Making crazy moves and being aggressive with our marketing plan, we were also able to bring the retail price down from $35 each to just $25 each.

The PE-1 has the same great specs as the original Model Zero, so there is no compromise in temp readings or performance. It is an amazing Temp Gun value at $25!

Yes we do, check out these links to go the operating instructions

Model Zero

PE-1

PE-2

PE-3

Yes, for the PE-2 unit specifically, to maximize the size of the readout screen, it only holds three large digits up to 199°F, along with a smaller unit for tenths of a degree. At 200°F, it becomes two large digits, and one smaller digit, making up the full reading, i.e. 23 2 °F, for example. That should be read as “two hundred thirty two degrees Fahrenheit”. Ya dig?

You can buy PE Temp Guns and accessories right here at our site or give us a call at (303) 347-0500 to place your order by phone.

We accept Credit Cards here at the site shopping cart, Credit Cards by phone, Paypal through the internet, or you can mail in a money order to cover your purchase.

When mailing in a money order, be sure to include your name, shipping address, phone number, email address (important!), and a list of what you are ordering. We will give you a call as soon as we receive your payment, and we will set up shipping with you from there (typically same day).

If you have questions about availability, or need any clarification, feel free to call us at (303) 347-0500.

You can mail payments to our address here:

Pro Exotics
3911 Norwood Dr. unit C
Littleton CO 80125
USA

Yes we do : )

You can hit up our PayPal account at robyn@proexotics.com

We will email you with a confirmation as soon as we receive the payment, and we will get your order right on the way!

We ship the Pro Exotics Temp Guns by UPS ground. For a single PE Temp Gun ordered by phone, domestic shipping is typically $7.95. If you make your purchase from our online store, the cart will automatically calculate your shipping rate.

Yes, we can ship your PE Temp Gun outside of the United States. For worldwide orders please call or email for a shipping quote. All payments must be in u.s. funds. See our payment FAQ for the types of payments we accept.

As for the shipping company itself, we have been shipping with UPS for many years. They do a terrific job, they have reliable pick up and delivery, and they offer reasonable shipping rates.

I understand that different folks have different preferences, and I am sure that Fed Ex is a fine company, but we have a long standing relationship with UPS, and that is our preference.

US Mail is typically non trackable, and not nearly as dependable. Shipping packages all over the country, we need a reliable service with easily accessed tracking info, and UPS provides that for us. Out of thousands and thousands of packages shipped with UPS over the last decade, we have lost only a handful, they do a terrific job.

(For International shipments, we do use US Mail, typically Priority International or Express, as export shipping fees with other carriers are typically cost prohibitive.)

We get this question ALL THE TIME. And the answer must be NO. Please understand, we ship hundreds of export packages around the world. We cannot jeopardize the health of our very business by falsifying official documents or receipts (including marking items as "gifts" with low value). Falsifying these documents is illegal, and we simply cannot do it.

From another viewpoint, we must insist on being fair to all of our dealers as well. If we were to lowball an invoice for one dealer, and not another in the same country, that would create an unfair advantage. If you are retailing our Temp Guns, please consider all importing costs and fees in establishing a fair market price that works for you. And be assured that other dealers in your region are paying the same costs and fees that you are.

We would love to have your business. We hope that you can understand our position and integrity on this issue, thanks.