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Reviews
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Date of last review
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1
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8635
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Wed May 16, 2007
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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$89.00
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10.0
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Description:
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The MiniTemp MT6 is the ideal introduction to noncontact thermometers for technicians new to infrared. The MiniTemp MT6 unit features the popular single dot laser sighting system and the large temperature display provides current and maximum readings together while scanning, all in a conveniently sized handheld tool with a protective boot for added durability.
MiniTemp MT2 and MiniTemp MT4 provide great ways to solve common temperature measurement problems, and are small enough to fit in your pocket! The popular MiniTemp MT4 also includes single dot laser sighting to assist with aiming.
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Keywords:
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raytek mt4 minitemp it infrared thermometer
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Technical Writer for Internet & Print Media
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Hib Halverson
Technical Writer for Internet & Print Media
Registered: January 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2437
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Review Date: Wed May 16, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $89.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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The MiniTemp MT4 is Raytek’s best value. It can measure up to 500°F, has a laser sight and costs $89.
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Cons:
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Electronics make our Corvette service work more interesting, productive, entertaining and easier. In my toolbox, I have a Vetronix Mastertech scan tester; a digital voltmeter, a digital circuit tester and a digital brake fluid tester, all three from Mac Tools; a Spicer Angle Master digital driveshaft angle checker, Radio Shack digital calculator and, to keep notes on service or tuning changes, a Handspring Visor PDA.
Another valuable digital assistant in my rollaway is the Raytek "Autopro" noncontacting, infrared, digital thermometer. By sensing radiated infrared (IR) energy, an IR thermometer can quickly and conveniently measure the temperature of just about anything on a Vette, including hot, hazardous, or hard-to-reach surfaces, without touching the object.
The Raytek Corporation has marketed these devices to consumers and the automotive service trade since the mid-’90s. Of interest to Corvette DIYs are the consumer-oriented, MT "Mini-Temp" series and Raytek’s newest unit, the professional grade, Autopro.
A Raytek IR thermometer is elegant in its simplicity. Point it generally towards what you want to measure, pull the trigger to turn on the sensor and the laser sight, put the laser point on the spot to be measured, then read the temperature on the rear-facing display.
There are many uses for a Raytek. Have an engine with a hard-to-find misfire? Point the tool at each exhaust port. If you find one that’s significantly cooler than the others, that’s your cylinder with the miss. You can check fuel distribution the same way, only you look for more subtile temperatures differences. Got one port that’s a little hotter than all the others? That’s a clue that cylinder is running a bit lean. How about a catalytic convertor whose operation is suspect? By measuring the inlet and outlet temperatures, you can determine if the cat is working or not.
 The Autopro being used to check the output temperature of a catalytic converter. When a cat is working right, there should be a significant difference between inlet and outlet temperature.
You can assess the condition of universal or constant velocity joints with an IR thermometer. Drive the car for a while, then park and measure the temperature of the u-joints or CVs. If you have a joint that’s running at a noticeably higher temperature than the others, that’s a clue that joint may have a problem.
Got a Corvette that doesn’t cool well under load but the cooling system seems to check-out ok? While the engine is running, point the Autopro at different areas of the radiator. A partial blockage of some tubes will appear much cooler than surrounding tubes. If the gauge shows hot but the engine exhibits no symptoms of overheating. Measure the water outlet or the temperature sensor to verify the gauge’s accuracy.
 An Autopro can be used to check coolant temperature. The reading here was within 3 degrees of what the IP’s digital readout showed.
You can measure brake temperatures and, with the help of an assistant, even do it while the car is moving. You can measure tire temperatures to determine how inflation pressure is affecting the tires footprint on the road. You can use a IR thermometer to acquire test data relating to alignment or to help balance a race car chassis.
In the late 1990s, I began using Raytek’s breakthrough "Raynger ST3" (now discontinued), the company’s first reasonably-priced, consumer product, in automotive service work. Since then, I’ve also used a MiniTemp MT4 and an ST30.
Until late 2002, Raytek marketed it’s general purpose ST series to advanced automotive DIYs and the service trade, however, in several years of selling these tools to the automotive market, sales volume grew to the point where an automotive-specific product was justified. The Autopro combines many of the core features of the ST series with specialized enhancements such as a dual-beam laser sight designed to make IR thermometer use more convenient in the automotive environment. A white LED which comes on when the trigger is pulled to illuminate the measuring area. Bright orange trim to make the Autopro easy to find on a crowded work bench. A removable magnet that attaches to the bottom of the handle such that you can stick the device on the side of your tool box or to a metal work bench when it’s not in use. All of these features plus the accuracy and quality I’ve come to expect from Raytek products have made the Autopro a favorite of mine. I’ve used it for a wide variety of Corvette service tasks, some of which are listed above.
The MiniTemp is a smaller, less expensive and slightly less-capable IR Thermometer. While I’ve used a MiniTemp for some automotive tasks, I’ve also used it for "mission critical," nonautomotive purposes like verifying the beer in my cooler is adequately chilled or measuring the temperature of a steak on the barbecue out back of the shop.
A MiniTemp works well for around-the-house tasks such as spot-checking or troubleshooting heating and air conditioning systems, testing doors and windows for drafts or heat loss, checking soil temperatures in gardens and greenhouses and verification of the operation of water heaters, stoves and other appliances. The MiniTemp MT4 is Raytek’s best value. It can measure up to 500°F, has a laser sight and costs $99.
Functionally, Autopro is a better choice for automotive use with its wider temperature range (-25°F to 999°F), increased measurement accuracy and other automotive-specific features listed above. The Autopro comes with a wrist lanyard, a comprehensive instruction manual and is packed in a tough, plastic carrying case. Admittedly, the Autopro’s higher price ($199) may dissuade some people, but it was my clear favorite for automotive work. That earns the Autopro a permanent spot amongst the digital aids that make my Corvette life easier.
All Raytek IR thermometers carry a one-year warranty. For more information, contact the Raytek Corporation, Box 1820, Santa Cruz CA 95061-1820 Tel: 800-866-5478. Email: portable@raytek.com Web: www.raytek.com
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Hib Halverson
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;)
Registered: January 2001
Location: Southern California