Using a Digital Infrared Thermometer on your Tires

I started running tire warmers during the early track season (March, April, May) and really appreciated the ability to maintain a relatively constant temperature (I think) and pressure over the course of the day even when the temperature ranged from the 40s to the 60s (F).

Has anybody experimented with using some of the cheaper Digital Infrared Thermometers on the market?
I noticed that the local big-box store stocks these units for $20 bucks, and if I can get a consistent measurement of the tires before and and after each session, it might help with managing tire performance.
Sam's Club
What concerns me is that the claimed accuracy is +/-4 lbs PSI, which is a pretty wide margin of error. I cannot comment on the consistency among numerous readings and I am not sure if +/-4 lbs PSI accuracy is a big deal or not as long as the measurement is consistent from one measure to the next. That is, it might be OK if it is off by a couple of degrees might if it is consistently off by a couple of degrees.

Thoughts? What do you use to monitor your tire temps?

Thanks in advance for your experience and insight.

In car racing probe types seem to be the choice, with a probe you at re measuring just below the surface rather than surface temps, also they are more consistent from my experience using infrared they seem to be little more irratic, may be picking up sunlight reading on top of the surface temp, just my experience

sean999r said:

In car racing probe types seem to be the choice, with a probe you at re measuring just below the surface rather than surface temps, also they are more consistent from my experience using infrared they seem to be little more irratic, may be picking up sunlight reading on top of the surface temp, just my experience

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Sounds like I should just spend the $20 on beer and forget about this tool.
Thanks for the insight.

At least you are using Tire Warmers on them at the track man!
Call it what you want, but my POV is whenever possible (Track or Racing) I ALWAYS used warmers and IMHO got longer life out of my track tires (limiting heat cycles) and whether it just be in my head or whatever, the piece of mind on using warmers gave me much more confidence than NOT using them.

Yes I know, some of the members running the Q3 rubber say they DONT need warmers or perhaps some other tires as well, but for those who do - I am sure you agree with me that you see longer wear out of them due to the heat cycle reduction and again, that confidence of being able to rip out of pits knowing they are already heated up to 175 at least. Do i hear a Yea or nay?

*Just filling up some time here as I wait for my new Garmin GPS to update all the new maps, and thought Id post a "personal" point of view on warmers since this thread is new. Also just posted up some questions on Ethanol Free Fuel too.

Gunny:
I absolutely loved using the warmers with the Q3s for all the reasons you note; however, when the air temp climbed into the high 90s, I opted out. I can't tell you if that was a good idea or not because my bike dumped its coolant during the second lap; but, what I read from the manufacturer is that it is fine to use them in cold temps, but perhaps not when it is warm out.
My next track weekend is in two weeks and if things stay as they are, the outside temperature is likely going to be over 100 F. If I run the Q3s, which have plenty of life on them, then I won't run the warmers for fear of them overheating.
Anyway, I am contemplating running some slicks or race DOT tires; however, the cost is an issue since I don't have a tire changer, my Q3s are still in great shape, I ride the street and the track, and paying someone to do it is stupid expensive ($90 to put them on and another $90 to change back to street tires).

On all my track bikes I use tire warmers (I've been using MotoD as of late and love them, have a set of digitals and dual temp models). With regard to pressures and temp they are pricey but I go with Longacre products because they are hyper accurate and last forever:

Longacre Digital Fill Gauge:
Longacre Digital Quick Fill Tire Pressure Gauge 53008

Longacre Pyrometer and Gauge:
Longacre Temp Compensated Tire Gauge 53050

I do not think a IR gun is a good idea as the outside caracas of the tire is not a true indication of its temperature, the pyrometer actually has a thin needle that gently presses against the caracas to get a much more accurate temp. The IR gun is great for measuring track surface temperatures though, just my $0.02