Before I begin I would like to thank Dittoe
PR for contacting me and Q3I
for sending the ThermoHawk 200 for testing and review. My first
impression of the product was that it would be a handy tool for case
modders to locate hot spots and determine their fan placement, when
building custom scratch built cases it would be a serious plus just
knowing the temps of the components inside. This tool can do
that, the ThermoHawk 200 is an infra-red non-contact digital
thermometer in an attractive brushed aluminum housing with an attached
key chain.
The
ThermoHawk 200 retails for $49.99 and is available online
at thinkgeek.com it is
also available at select CompUSA stores until August 26th. Below
is a front and back product shot showing the retail packaging, specs
and information for the ThermoHawk 200 are clearly detailed on both
sides.
Product specs for the ThermoHawk
200 are as follows...
| Measurement
Range................... |
-33 to 110 C (-27 to
230 F) |
| Operating
Range......................... |
0 to 50 C (32 to 122
F) |
| Accuracy................................... |
+/- 2.5% (2.5
C) |
| Resolution................................. |
0.2 C (0.5 F) |
| Response
Time........................... |
1 Second |
| Distant to Spot
Ratio (D:S)........... |
1:1 |
| Emissivity................................... |
0.95 Fixed |
| Dimension.................................. |
0.50 x 5 Inches |
| Wave
Length............................... |
5 um - 14 um |
| Weight....................................... |
1.6 Ounces |
| Power........................................ |
Two LR44 Batteries |
Put on the Brakes:
Ok, review time out. As
luck would have it the day before the ThermoHawk 200 arrived for
review there was a Harbor Freight Tools ad in my mail box, I like
Harbor Freight because they have affordably priced tools that work
fine for budget modders on a tight dime, the item in the bottom right
corner of their sales flyer both caught my eye and also got me
thinking...
A Cen-Tech non-contact pocket
thermometer on sale at $9.99 looked like a total bargain (if it works)
and the 20% off coupon only served to seal it... I was driving to
Harbor Freight to claim my $8 thermometer. I did not initially
intend for this review to be a head to head deal, but since both
products are so similar I thought an apples to apples comparison
seemed wholly appropriate... throw them both into the ring and see
what happens.
Another First Impression:
Enter the underdog, I got back
from Harbor Freight with the lowly $8 (after coupon) Cen-Tech
non-contact infrared thermometer, the packaging is not nearly as
attractive as the ThermoHawk but it does state that it can also
perform as a clock and a stopwatch (worthless bonus features IMO), the
product specs and information are listed on back.
| Measurement
Range...................... |
-33 to 110 C (-27 to 230 F) |
| Operating
Range........................... |
-10 to +50 C (14 to +122 F) |
| Accuracy..................................... |
+/- 2% (4 F) |
| Resolution................................... |
0.1 C/F |
| Distant to Spot
Ratio (D:S)............. |
1:1 |
| Emissivity..................................... |
0.95 Fixed |
| Battery
Life................................... |
40 Hours Continuous Use |
| Battery......................................... |
One CR2032 Lithium Cell Battery |
Below is a comparative picture
showing the ThermoHawk 200 next to the Cen-Tech IR thermometer,
entirely different designs for what is relatively the same product...
touch gloves gentlemen and come out thermometer-ing.
At the bell (if package
specifications are to be believed) this round would have to go to the
underdog, judging entirely by the printed product specs the Cen-Tech
takes it with a listed .5% better accuracy and 0.1 higher resolution
than the ThermoHawk 200 and other specs listed being equal... both
sets of product specifications are listed above if you care for a
round one replay.
Next
Page: ThermoHawk vs. Cen-Tech Round 2
