Duratrax FlashPoint Instruction Manual

Instruction Manual

The DuraTrax®FlashPoint™Temperature Gauge is a
non-contact infrared thermometer. Specifically
designed for use with R/C engines, batteries, motors,
sealing irons and heat guns, simply aim the
temperature gauge at the target and press the
measurement button to quickly and easily display the
surface temperature! The distance to target ratio is
1:1, and therefore the temperature gauge should be
positioned as close to the target as possible.

Temperature Range: -27 to +428 degrees F

[-33 to +220°C]

Display Resolution: 0.1°F or C (switchable)
Response Time: 1 second
Infrared Accuracy: +/- 2% of reading
Field of View: 1:1 optics ratio
Emissivity: 0.95 default - adjustable

0.01 to

1 emissivity

Battery Life: 40 hours continuous use

(auto power off after 15
seconds)

Battery Type: CR2032 lithium primary

(not rechargeable)

Display Type: custom LCD
Dimensions: 0.7 x 1.5 x 2.7"

[18 x 37 x 68mm]

Weight: 1.13 oz. including battery [32g]

• Push-button start

• Extremely small and lightweight, for easy
portability anywhere.

• Reads temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit (F)
or Celsius (C).

• Very wide temperature range of -27 to +428
degrees F [-33 to +220°C].

• Large, custom designed LCD for easy viewing and
a built-in battery power indicator.

• Fast 1 second response time.

• Highly accurate to within +/-2% of reading.

• Easy push-button control of setup and measurement.

• Includes a 15 second auto-off timer to prevent
accidental draining of battery.

• Common non-rechargeable lithium battery included.

• Handy wrist-strap included.

• Electromagnetic / Radio Frequency

Interference:

Readings may be affected if the unit is operated
within a radio frequency electromagnetic field
strength of approximately 3 volts per meter, but
the performance of the instrument will not be
permanently affected. Keep this gauge at least 6
inches away from R/C transmitters to avoid radio
frequency interference.

• Avoid keeping the temperature gauge too close
for long periods of time to objects that

continuously
generate high heat (like a hot plate), which can
cause overheating of the temperature gauge.

• Do not allow water or moisture to come in contact
with the gauge.

• Do not replace the battery with one other than a
“CR2032 lithium” non-rechargeable battery.

Sometimes it is easier to accurately measure the
temperature of an object by physically attaching a
thermometer or thermocouple to it. However, it can
often be difficult or inconvenient to do so.
Sometimes, it is only necessary to see the large
heat patterns of an object, rather than measuring
a temperature at a very precise location on the
device. In these cases, measuring an object’s heat
radiation with an infrared temperature gauge is a
good solution.

To get started using the FlashPoint Infrared
Temperature Gauge, first press the large
“MEASURE” button. The first display will show the
unit of measure of “°F” for fahrenheit or “°C” for
celsius. Follow these steps to change the unit of
measure, to adjust other settings, or to begin
measuring temperatures:

SETTING ADJUSTMENTS & TAKING

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS

SPECIAL FEATURES

SPECIFICATIONS

®

FlashPoint™Infrared

Temperature Gauge

Note: FlashPoint will automatically shut off if a
command has not been given within approximately
15 seconds. This feature protects the on-board
battery from accidentally becoming drained (this
option can be disabled as described in point #4
below). To re-start, simply press the “MEASURE”
button again.

1. FAHRENHEIT OR CELSIUS: Proceed as
follows only to change the “°F” or “°C” unit of
measure that is shown on screen (if the unit of
measure is o.k., skip to the next step). First, turn
on the gauge by pressing the “MEASURE” button,
then press the “MODE” button four times. The “°C”
or “°F” symbol will flash. Simply press the
“MEASURE” button, and the unit of measure
shown on screen will change.

2. MEASURING TEMPERATURES: There are two
ways to immediately begin measuring
temperatures. Point the sensor located on the top
end of the gauge directly at the object to be
measured, and do one of the following:
a. Press the “MEASURE” button once for an

instantaneous temperature reading to be
shown on-screen.

b. Press and hold the “MEASURE” button to read

temperatures continually. The temperature on­screen will be updated every 1 second or so
while the button is being held. Letting go of the
button will cause the last reading to remain
on-screen.

3. STORING MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM
TEMPERATURES: FlashPoint can temporarily

store minimum or maximum temperatures. Turn
the unit on by pressing the “MEASURE” button.
Then, press the “MODE” button once for the
minimum function or twice for maximum. The
appropriate “MIN” or “MAX” icon will flash in the
top of the screen. Then press the “MEASURE”
button to confirm the selected mode.
a. Minimum temperatures: point the sensor to the

object being measured, and press and HOLD
the “MEASURE” button and FlashPoint will
display and hold the coolest or “MIN”
temperature that is observed while the button
is being held.

b. Maximum temperatures. Point the sensor to

the object being measured, and press and
HOLD the “MEASURE” button and FlashPoint
will display and hold the hottest or “MAX”
temperature that is observed while the button
is being held.

c. Note: FlashPoint will only store the minimum

or maximum temperatures respectively until
the unit is powered off. FlashPoint will reset all
data at this time.

4. TIMER LOCKOUT MODE: FlashPoint’s 15
second automatic shut-off timer can be disabled
allowing the temperature gauge to function
continuously for up to 60 minutes if desired. This
extended operation function is called the LOCK
MODE, and is particularly useful for continuous
monitoring of temperatures. To activate the lock
mode, press the “MEASURE” button to turn the

gauge on. Then, press the “MODE” button three
times whereby the “LOCK” icon will flash. Then,
press the “MEASURE” button to enable the “LOCK”
mode. FlashPoint will continuously display and
update temperatures for up to 60 minutes, or until
the “MEASURE” button is pressed again which
disables the “LOCK” mode.

Note: Using the “LOCK” mode will cause the on­board battery to drain more quickly.

5. MEASURING TIPS: For the most accurate

measurements, follow these tips when using the
FlashPoint temperature gauge:

a. Make sure the gauge’s sensor is as close to the

object as possible, preferably within 1 inch, so
that the infrared sensor’s field of view is fully
focused on the object. Attempting to read
temperatures with the gauge further away from
the object will result in less accurate readings.

b. Always point the sensor directly at the object

being measured. Try not to have the gauge
tilted at a different angle in relation to the
object being measured.

c. It may be a good idea to re-measure the

temperature of an object at a slightly different
location on the object, to reconfirm the
accuracy of the reading.

d. Try to avoid allowing sunlight or other artificial

light from beaming in-between the gauge and
object being measured, as heat from such light
could skew actual readings. For the same reason,
also try to prevent wind from blowing in-between
the gauge and object being measured.

e. Generally, higher air or ambient temperatures

lend to more accurate readings. Cold ambient
temperatures can result in inaccurate
readings. Ambient or air temperature refers to
the area around the infrared temperature
gauge, the higher the temperature the more
accurate the reading, the lower the
temperature the less accurate the readings.

The FlashPoint can be used to measure
temperature on various types of R/C equipment
such as engines, heat guns, motors, battery packs,
battery chargers, and sealing irons. Manufacturers
specify an operating temperature at which each

APPLICATIONS FOR R/C USAGE

2