There are many types of infrared thermometers, and its difficult to designate which one is the best when they are used for a variety of reasons. You will find infrared thermometers in use in the construction industry, as well as in commercial kitchens, and medical settings and every one of them performs differently. The best way for you to determine which infrared thermometer is best for you is by giving you the rundown on each.
Table of Contents
Fresnel Lens
You will find Fresnel Lens thermometers in the food industry. Their narrow range covers both ends of the temperature spectrum. They are also inexpensive, which makes them the perfect solution for restaurant environments.
Mica thermometers are more versatile, but Fresnel lenses have their place.
- The Pros
- Affordable
- Laser guides
- Restaurant friendly and food safe
- The Cons
- Acclimation period required for temperature shifts
Mica Lens
Of all the infrared thermometers to choose from, the Mica lens is the most expensive. They are generally found in industrial settings. The reason for the steep cost is the complex mineral glass lens. The design also makes damage more likely than with other infrared thermometers.
- The Pros
- Highly accurate readings for extreme temperatures
- The ability to read temperature from greater distances
- Suitable for industrial settings
- The Cons
- Fragile
- Requires ten minutes to stabilise between temperature zones
No Lens
No lens infrared thermometers are ideal for use in colder environments. They are also small, easy to use and cheap. The design makes use of reflective material to funnel the infrared into a small area. It is this funnel design that negates the need for resting periods between temperature environments. They arent suitable for use in hot environments because they dont have lens protection. And as reliable and affordable as they are, you will need to be up close and personal with what you are trying to read a temperature for.
- The Pros
- Durable
- Easy to use
- Cheap
- Ideal for colder environments
- The Cons
- Not suitable for hotter temperatures
- Not capable of capturing temperatures from a distance
Final thoughts
There is a range of uses for infrared thermometers, from reading food or a persons internal temperatures to finding overloaded circuit breakers of faulty terminations. The first step to finding the right infrared thermometer is determining what you need it for. Before you invest, there are certain considerations to make - look at accuracy, emissivity, temperature range, backlit display, recording, design, read speed, and warranty.
Look at the temperature range of the object or objects you plan to read, which will help guide your decision. Mica is for the hottest range, Fresnel for hotter, and No lens for hot. Whereas No lens are ideal for colder jobs, Fresnel lenses are more suitable for food, and Mica lenses are ideal in industrial settings. Thermometers do break, and if you are spending big on a Mica lens, you will want to ensure it comes with a warranty.
