harbor freight laser thermometer?

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  • nando
    Moderator
    • Nov 2003
    • 34827

    #1

    harbor freight laser thermometer?

    http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=96451

    anyone use one? I had the opportunity to use a nice one this weekend and it was very helpful for setting tire pressures. just wondering if the el-cheapo harbor freight version is even worth thinking about. I'm not sure I reaaaly need it, but blindly setting pressures doesn't seem like the best idea ever. and it's only $40.

    also looking for a decent tire pressure gauge since my $5 one was stolen at an event a couple weeks ago. haha
    Build thread

    Bimmerlabs
  • SamE30e
    R3V Elite
    • Sep 2007
    • 4319

    #2
    I can't see it being that bad.

    I have a little one that fits in my pocket used for r/c cars. You can pick them up at a hobby store for about 20-30$ and they're pretty accurate.
    1985 325e 2.8 Turbo VEMS

    Comment

    • E30_fiend
      R3V OG
      • Apr 2006
      • 7348

      #3
      My boss bought one just for shits and it actually surprised me how well it worked. He downgraded from a Snap-On one to the harbor freight one and honestly he couldn't be happier. When he broke his 250 dollar Snap-On one, he about lost it. But if he broke this one, he could buy 5 more and still be ahead of the game.

      I say go for it. And as far as the tire pressure gauge, digital? Analog? Or was it an analog one with a long chuck on the end?



      Taylor
      Need a performance chip for you BMW? Shoot me a PM and I'll get you taken care of!!
      Taylor- Follow me on Instagram @e30_fiend


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      • Hallen
        E30 Enthusiast
        • Dec 2007
        • 1008

        #4
        As far as tire gauges go, I have one of these

        Longacre makes a good product and they aren't that expensive. It will be much more accurate than the typical bar gauge or digital gauge.
        1987 E30 325is
        1999 E46 323i
        RIP 1994 E32 740iL
        oo=[][]=oo

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        • Farbin Kaiber
          Lil' Puppet
          • Jul 2007
          • 29502

          #5




          I spent WAAYYY too much on this one.

          Go for the el-cheapo if it is accurate.

          Comment

          • Erick
            Official R3V Drifter
            • Oct 2003
            • 11169

            #6
            It's a great tool for track use. I use it a lot especially to check actual temperatures on the radiator/engine after a few runs.
            Erick Mahle | FullOpp Drift | YouTube
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            Originally posted by Mr. Anderson
            ...one of the most hardcore E30's around. :D

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            • nando
              Moderator
              • Nov 2003
              • 34827

              #7
              Originally posted by E30_fiend
              My boss bought one just for shits and it actually surprised me how well it worked. He downgraded from a Snap-On one to the harbor freight one and honestly he couldn't be happier. When he broke his 250 dollar Snap-On one, he about lost it. But if he broke this one, he could buy 5 more and still be ahead of the game.

              I say go for it. And as far as the tire pressure gauge, digital? Analog? Or was it an analog one with a long chuck on the end?



              Taylor
              it was digital. I wouldn't mind another digital gauge but most of them are crap - I bought a $10 digital gauge to replace my old $5 one, I couldn't believe how bad it was. it barely opens the valve, I could hardly get a reading at all, and you can't bleed any pressure with it.

              sounds like I'll be picking up the thermometer though.
              Build thread

              Bimmerlabs

              Comment

              • DynoTechMotorsports
                Advanced Member
                • Jun 2008
                • 116

                #8
                I have been using the harbor frieght one for like 3 years no problems and its pretty beat haha
                James Burger
                DynotechMotorsports

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                • DSP74
                  E30 Enthusiast
                  • Nov 2007
                  • 1121

                  #9
                  I've got a longacre pyrometer.....To check tire temps you need a needle probe pyro and you need to take temps right away.....

                  Longacre also makes really nice pressure gauges. And for $40 (I think-it's been a few years) you can buy a nice analog pressure guage and hard case....
                  Last edited by DSP74; 08-02-2008, 11:08 AM.
                  sigpic


                  88 325is

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                  • Joe318is
                    R3V OG
                    • Sep 2005
                    • 6451

                    #10
                    Originally posted by DSP74
                    I've got a longacre pyrometer.....To check tire temps you need a needle probe pyro and you need to take temps right away.....

                    Longacre also makes really nice pressure guages. And for $40 (I think-it's been a few years) you can buy a nice analog pressure guage and hard case....
                    thank god. if you had a laser thermo guage you may be tempted to point it at your eyes.

                    how much was the pyrometer?


                    Originally posted by vlad
                    Do you know anybody else who built that many bad ass E30s?

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                    • DSP74
                      E30 Enthusiast
                      • Nov 2007
                      • 1121

                      #11
                      good one.....

                      Hell man I don't know. My ex wife bought it for me. I guess there were a few good things about her.


                      edit: I 'think' you can get one for around $100
                      sigpic


                      88 325is

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                      • nando
                        Moderator
                        • Nov 2003
                        • 34827

                        #12
                        I actually got the longacre tire gauge. haven't ordered the pyrometer yet though.
                        Build thread

                        Bimmerlabs

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                        • DSP74
                          E30 Enthusiast
                          • Nov 2007
                          • 1121

                          #13
                          If you think you would use it yet this year, you could borrow the one I have and just send it back this winter.
                          sigpic


                          88 325is

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                          • Jean
                            Moderator
                            • Aug 2006
                            • 18228

                            #14
                            Originally posted by nando
                            I actually got the longacre tire gauge. haven't ordered the pyrometer yet though.
                            same. I think i'll give the harbor freight one a try first.
                            Mtech1 v8 build thread - https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=413205



                            OEM v8 manual chip or dme - https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho....php?p=4938827

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                            • TwoJ's
                              R3V Elite
                              • Oct 2005
                              • 4908

                              #15
                              Just out of curiousity, for all of you who say they're "pretty accurate", how do you know?

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