Accurate calibration thermometer

[BigJohnny]

I have been using BRS long stem NIST traceable thermometer:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/traceable-long-stem-calibration-thermometer.html

Which states accuracy of +/- .5C (+/- .9 F)

It recently stopped working after being completely submerged for an hour or so, so I am in the market for a new one.

Brs sells another one by Hanna that is much cheaper and appears to have almost 2x better accuracy at +/- .5F, however it says they are either NIST traceable or calibrated to "internationally acceptable national physical standards". Which is quite confusing to me and I cant find anything about internationally acceptable national physical standards and if that is as good as NIST.

Anyone out there know? Would love to save some money and get the hanna instead, thanks!

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hi98509-checktemp-1-digital-thermometer-hanna-instruments.html

 

[Bryan68]

When they claim items are traceable to internationally acceptable national physical standards, that normally indicates that the item was calibrated outside the US. The metrological traceability does not feed back to NIST. The calibration will meet the stated tolerance and uncertainty. Biggest thing is how the test instrument will maintain that accuracy.

 

[BigJohnny]

When they claim items are traceable to internationally acceptable national physical standards, that normally indicates that the item was calibrated outside the US. The metrological traceability does not feed back to NIST. The calibration will meet the stated tolerance and uncertainty. Biggest thing is how the test instrument will maintain that accuracy.

Thank you. Any suggestions? My max is $100 but I'd like to spend as little as possible.

 

[Bryan68]

I can't help you with that, sorry. You could call the OEM and ask their recommended recalibration interval, that will give you a good idea how long they expect the instrument to maintain its stated accuracy.

 

[BigJohnny]

I can't help you with that, sorry. You could call the OEM and ask their recommended recalibration interval, that will give you a good idea how long they expect the instrument to maintain its stated accuracy.

Good idea. Thanks.

 

[Smo]

Why not get 3 or 4 cheap thermometers and average? IME it is not so important to be precise with temperature as it is to be consistent.

 

[BigJohnny]

Why not get 3 or 4 cheap thermometers and average? IME it is not so important to be precise with temperature as it is to be consistent.

If I average 3 or 4 likely inaccurate thermometers I wont automatically arrive at an accurate result. I prefer to use a certified accurate thermometer, although I have several temp probes and a couple cheap ones I check with as well sometimes. Thanks for the suggestion though.