It is nice but not necessary to one with a laser beam.  You can pin point where you are getting your reading.  Harbor Freight has a couple inexpensive ones.  I had the laser one for $20 with my last van, and I have their $10 version now.  They work great.

--- On Sun, 7/3/11, A PETER MARSH <apetermarsh@MAC.COM> wrote:

> From: A PETER MARSH <apetermarsh@MAC.COM>
> Subject: Cheap infared gun
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Sunday, July 3, 2011, 9:36 AM
> Thanks for the lead.� I also had
> an older model that kinda worked then didn't so now it will
> be recycled in the big round filer.� Peter M
> 
> 
> > Lowes has a $40 infared gun for $10!� I always
> wanted one to check
> > the temp in and out of radiator. http://tinyurl.com/6jn8dok� I
> > ordered on-line, picked up at local store - not
> shipping. In-house
> > trials are good so far.���Even if it is
> fair, cheap enough to leave
> > in the Vanagon John
>