Are all ir thermometers created equal?

[Paladin]

I have a Craftsman ir thermometer that up until recently I was happy with but now I'm getting some (very) erroneous readings in cold temps. Now I'm looking for another one just in case this is really going bad on me. Good to have a spare in the bus toolbox anyway.
I've seen many different brands of these and most look identical, are they the same? I saw Harbor Freight has one that looks just like my Craftsman.

-Dave

[H3Jim]

When is the last time you changed the battery?  I just had to change mine after a year or two.

There is a wide variety of the IR thermometers in price and performance.

[Paladin]

A few months maybe. It seems to work inside well enough but the readings are all over the place and way off outside now. Never used to be.

I was reading the very cold engine block of the bus and it said 80 degrees. I don't think so!
Snow was 63 degrees. Inside is fine, it's like me and hates the cold now.

[niles500]

Paladin - if you use it on metal you have to put a piece of tape on the metal as there are differences in emissivity of different materials -HTH

[H3Jim]

I'd try changing the battery anyway, just to see if it makes a difference.  Lots of possibilities of what can happen to the battery.  Just like with an old Harley, the first thing you'd always do is change the plugs, no matter what, and much of the time, that would fix it.

[Don4107]

Sounds like a good activity for a rally.  Everyone grab their guns and compare things from a bowl of ice to a hot engine.

Don 4107

[Sojourner]

About battery...In cold weather, lithium battery is best for very cold.
However you can have other factor in regard to error reading....moist film or fog on len's surface and moisture in electronic unit itself due humidity in storage area.

Still a problem...take it back to Sears, let them exchange it.

I have IR for over 6 years and still working.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry