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Review on 🌑️ Fluke Infrared Thermometer with Expansive Degree Range by James Eledge

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Excellent IR thermometer

I like the Fluke 561 single beam IR thermometer with type K thermocouple input. It has an adjustable emissivity and is based on the same core structure as more expensive IR thermometers Fluke 56X series. Its IR accuracy is +/- 1% compared to +/- 2% for most other single beam IR thermometers. One of the most important components of any IR thermometer is the IR lens and housing. The body of the Fluke 56X Series lens is solid metal, as opposed to plastic on most similar devices. Overall the 561 feels solid and I enjoy using it. Of course, the other key feature is that it's a Fluke trunk unit with a yellow Fluke body! I have to admit that I believe and admire Fluke's reputation for excellence. To sum up, Fluke products are 2/3 more expensive than most similar devices, but they are probably 50% better in terms of performance and durability. When I was young, I mainly shopped based on price. For example, I started with a very good Craftsman multimeter, which I knew was actually a rebuilt Fluke 15B originally intended for the non-US market. I later spent more on the Fluke 177 which, like the 561, is a mid-range device with a very high quality core. My first IR thermometer, a very nice instrument offered by Thermoworks, was moved elsewhere and made by the manufacturer of the Dwyer IR3 thermometer. By the way, I haven't found any other company that offers a product that compares to the high quality Thermapens thermometers. Like the Fluke 177 multimeter, I find my 561 IR thermometer to be of very high quality and feel confident using it.

Pros
  • good thing
Cons
  • I don't remember but there was something