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FLIR's moisture meter line is a family of handheld instruments for locating and quantifying moisture in wood and common building materials, ranging from a pocket-sized moisture pen to imaging models that combine moisture sensing with a built-in thermal camera. The premium models, the MR176 and MR160, feature IGM (Infrared Guided Measurement) powered by a built-in 80 × 60 FLIR Lepton thermal imaging sensor that visually guides the user to the precise spot where moisture may be hiding.
These meters are built for moisture inspection, remediation, and HVAC work, as well as general construction troubleshooting. Applications named across the line include identifying problems behind walls, under floorboards, and in ceilings; collecting and storing moisture data over time from multiple sites; finding and quantifying moisture content in wood and common building materials; and measuring temperature and relative humidity to assess environmental conditions on the job.
ValueTronics stocks and holds its own inventory in a 20,000-square-foot secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois, so the instruments we sell are on hand and ready to ship.
FLIR Systems, founded in 1978, was acquired by Teledyne Technologies in 2021. Its thermal imaging and test-and-measurement product lines now operate under the Teledyne FLIR brand.
FLIR's moisture meters are a single family of handheld inspection tools designed to identify and quantify moisture in wood and common building materials. The premium models bring IGM (Infrared Guided Measurement), pairing a built-in 80 × 60 thermal imaging sensor with the moisture meter so the user can visually guide themselves to the precise spot where moisture may be hiding before taking a reading.
The family ranges from a pocket-portable moisture pen to full-featured imaging meters, spanning pin, pinless, and combination sensing along with options such as Bluetooth/METERLiNK connectivity, a built-in 11-group material library, temperature and relative-humidity measurement, and compatibility with FLIR's full line of external moisture probes.
Each new model in the FLIR moisture meter family below is its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing. Compare the models in the table, then select the page for the specific new model that fits your inspection needs.
The MR176 is the line's premium imaging moisture meter. Beyond the shared IGM thermal guidance, it measures temperature and relative humidity through a field-replaceable sensor, offers a “lock image” setting to prevent extreme temperatures from interfering with images, and includes a Progressive Environmental Stability Indicator that signals when relative humidity readings have stabilized for accurate readings in diverse environmental conditions.
The models differ primarily in how they sense moisture and in what they add around that core. The MR40 is a two-pin, single-scale moisture pen with a built-in flashlight. The MR55 is a pin meter with Bluetooth and the 11-group material library, while the MR59 is a Bluetooth pinless meter with a ball-tip capacitance sensor that reads up to 100 mm (4 in) below the surface. The MR60 is a pin-and-pinless professional meter with a large-digit display and color bargraph, the material library, and storage for up to 10,000 screenshots and readings.
At the top of the line, the MR77 is a 5-in-1 meter combining pinless and pin moisture sensing, a temperature/relative humidity sensor, an IR thermometer, and Bluetooth METERLiNK. The MR160 and MR176 are the IGM imaging meters, each pairing pin and pinless moisture sensing with the 80 × 60 thermal camera; the MR176 additionally carries the field-replaceable temperature/relative humidity sensor. The comparison table below details the moisture ranges, display, storage, connectivity, and power for each model.
| Model | Measurement Type | Thermal Imaging (IR) | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR59 | Pinless | — | Bluetooth (BLE) |
| MR40 | Pin | — | — |
| MR55 | Pin | — | Bluetooth (BLE) |
| MR60 | Pin and pinless | — | — |
Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.
| Specification | MR40 | MR55 | MR59 | MR60 | MR77 | MR160 | MR176 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal Imaging | |||||||
| IR Resolution (IGM) | — | — | — | — | — | 80 × 60 | 80 × 60 |
| Field of View | — | — | — | — | — | 51° × 38° | 51° × 38° |
| Thermal Image Palettes | — | — | — | — | — | Iron, Rainbow, Ice, Gray | Iron, Rainbow, Ice, Gray |
| Display | |||||||
| Display | LCD with LED Backlight | LCD (no backlight) | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| Color QVGA Display | — | — | — | 2.3” 64K TFT graphic | — | 2.3” 64K TFT graphic | 2.3” 64K TFT graphic |
| Moisture Detection | |||||||
| Moisture Measurement | Pin | Pin | Pinless | Pin and pinless | Pin and pinless | Pin and pinless | Pin and pinless |
| Pin Moisture Range | 5% - 30% MC (±2% MC); 30% - 60% (reference only) | Wood groups (1-9): 7% - 30% MC (±2% MC); 30% - 99% (reference only). Construction material groups (10-11): 1 - 99% Group 10 (reference only); 1 - 35% Group 11 (reference only) | — | Wood groups (1-9): 7% - 30% MC (±1.5% MC); 30% - 100% (reference only). Construction material groups (10-11): 0 - 20% (reference only) | Wood groups (1-9): 7% - 30% MC (±1.5% MC); 30% - 100% (Reference Only) | Wood groups (1-9): 7% - 30% MC (±1.5% MC); 30% - 100% (reference only) | Wood groups (1-9): 7% - 30% MC (±1.5% MC); 30% - 100% (reference only) |
| Pinless Moisture Range | — | — | 0 to 100% relative | 0 to 100% relative | 0 to 99.9% relative | 0 to 100% relative | 0 to 100% relative |
| Relative Humidity | — | 0% - 20% (±5%); 20% - 80% (±3.5%); 80% - 100% (±5%) | — | — | 0% - 10% (±3%); 10% - 90% (±2.5%); 90% - 99% (±3%) | — | 10% - 90% (±2.5%) |
| Pinless Moisture Depth | — | — | Up to 100 mm (4 in) | Up to 19 mm (0.75 in) | Up to 19 mm (0.75 in) | Up to 19 mm (0.75 in) | Up to 19 mm (0.75 in) |
| Pin Moisture Material Types | Group 9 / building materials: plywood, drywall, and oriented strand board (OSB) | 9 wood groups, 2 construction material groups | — | 9 wood groups, 2 construction material groups | 9 wood groups | 9 wood groups | 9 wood groups |
| General | |||||||
| Laser Pointer | — | — | — | — | Yes, with IR temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Saved Image File Format | — | — | — | .BMP with values overlaid | — | .BMP with values overlaid | .BMP with values overlaid |
| .CSV Stored Data Format | — | — | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| Stored Image Capacity | — | — | — | 9999 images | 20 points internal storage | 9999 images | 9999 images |
| IR Temperature | — | — | — | — | -20 to 200°C (-4 to 392°F) | — | — |
| Connectivity | — | Bluetooth (BLE) | Bluetooth (BLE) | — | Bluetooth | — | — |
| Temperature/RH Sensor Calculations | — | — | — | — | Vapor Pressure, Relative Humidity, Temperature, GPP, Dew Point | — | Vapor Pressure, Relative Humidity, Temperature, GPP, Dew Point |
Important: FLIR recommends using the MR05 or MR06 to test moisture in concrete and building materials.
Important: For materials other than Group 9, download the MR40 Material Conversion Table (publication MR40-AN01) from FLIR (http://flir.custhelp.com/app/account/fl_download_manuals).
Important: The field-replaceable temperature / relative humidity sensor among the imaging models is available on the MR176 only.
Important: Pinless moisture depth penetration depends on the material under test.
Important: Equipment described herein may require US Government authorization for export purposes; diversion contrary to US law is prohibited.
Important: Probes and sensor accessories (e.g., MR01 Temp/RH sensor, MR05/MR06/MR07/MR08/MR09 probes, MR12 ball sensor) are listed as separate accessories and are not included with the base meters unless purchased as a kit.
Recommended pairing: the MR176 and MR160 imaging meters pair with the FLIR MR08 Hammer / Wall Cavity Probe, as configured in FLIR's Professional Imaging Moisture Kits.
This is a brand-new, factory-sealed unit, supplied exactly as it arrives from the manufacturer and backed by the full manufacturer warranty. For the exact configuration, available options, included accessories, or current lead time for your application, our Test Architects can confirm the details before you order.
ValueTronics supplies both new and used test and measurement equipment. New units ship factory-sealed, exactly as received from the manufacturer; every used unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house at our 20,000 sq ft secure facility in Elgin, Illinois before it ships. Our Test Architects can help you select the condition, calibration, and configuration that fit your application.
Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jun 22 - Jun 27
US$40
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