Second Thermopro Temp Spike XR failed

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whistlepig

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
Dec 23, 2011
793
380
Preble County, OH
I really like this thermometer. Bought the first one from Amazon in October of 2024 and after one month it died. Push the power button on and nothing happened. Amazon replaced it with a new one hassle free. Now, less than three months later I was planning to use it for a smoke tomorrow. Tried to turn it on to check the battery tonight and it's dead. Yes, it's still under warranty but I am done with Thermopro. Although I am not a big fan of Bluetooth stuff I am ordering a Thermoworks RFX.
 
I have an Inkbird and it has been 100% reliable for about 4 years. I have bad hearing and the temps alarms on the Inkbird are too low for me to hear. Also programming the temps on the Inkbird sucks.
 
I really like this thermometer. Bought the first one from Amazon in October of 2024 and after one month it died. Push the power button on and nothing happened. Amazon replaced it with a new one hassle free. Now, less than three months later I was planning to use it for a smoke tomorrow. Tried to turn it on to check the battery tonight and it's dead. Yes, it's still under warranty but I am done with Thermopro. Although I am not a big fan of Bluetooth stuff I am ordering a Thermoworks RFX.
When I received my first TempSpike XR with the dedicated rf receiver and 1,000' rf booster both probes were dead and the receiver they are stored in but the booster was fully charged so pressing the receiver button it wouldn't turn on. Same with my second one. After charging the receiver and the two probes and the three battery indicators stopped scrolling all has been good since day one last year on both units. I haven't even needed the booster that lasts 40 hours, probes 30 hours and the receiver 3 months, being rf and not BT UHF shorter range but I plug it in monthly till the battery indicators stop scolling so it's ready to go anytime and same after every use since everything is rechargeable lith ion which is great. Put both probes in a couple oz of water in a small glass in the fridge and all four readings overnight are identical to find cooler warmer areas. We know that the ambient sensor is too close to meat to give accurate reading from meat heat sink conductivity and evaporative cooling but I set a lower range after smoking is under way for safety plus my other range dedicated probes like the RFX gateway probe. If it's under warranty, then get it. Just like RFX issue threads under warranty, then get it. Thermopro sends a card in all pkg to call them and they issue warranty through Amazon so you keep and use whatever as spares or you can go through Amazon. I guess it's weird that I have never had therm issues from any manufacturer. I have humidor hygrometers, instant read TP-19 rotating instant read, and these two XR spike units from Thermopro with zero half of them over years but go with Lith Ion when I can. I'd hate to have an alkaline battery for $2.00 fail at the anode end swelling and leaking to ruin $100.00 Thermapen One or RFX probe cradle. The Inkbird IRF-4S 4 probe has been great as well just not loud and lith ion rechargeable. The Inkbird IHT-1S has the same features, 90* rotating, 2 second read a second or so longer than the Thermapen One but rechargeable lith ion. Everything now with instant read has a calibration function, if you need it, sleeps and wakes when you touch it. I never close it till that day of cooking is done. Charge it evey 6 mos to a year depending on the battery indicator. I do like Electronic Temperature Intruments, LLC in Worthing, UK that manufactures the Thermapens over the years but not so much with Thermoworks that it has to be bought from otherwise no warranty. I've seen them in Ace Hardware, being local brick and mortar owned business but know these expensive therms would have no warranty, leaving ACE. I'm looking forward with great anticipation on one year+ reviews of the RFX or even after the warranty expires with numerous issues that started threads. I'd be on board with RFX in a couple of years if reviews here on SMF have had enough time for a valid reliable review. I'm nowhere close to to pulling the trigger for RFX. It's like waiting for a new restaurant to get their staff and menu down for some time before giving it a shot.
 
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I have the TempSpike Plus and zero issues,works insanely well.Done many smokes both long and short without a hitch other than my own mistakes.

If it's under warranty then contact ThermoPro directly as their customer service is outstanding.
I'm looking forward with great anticipation on one year+ reviews of the RFX or even after the warranty expires with numerous issues that started threads. I'd be on board with RFX in a couple of years if reviews here on SMF have had enough time for a valid reliable review. I'm nowhere close to to pulling the trigger for RFX.
Sponsor or not this is my issue with the RFX.Incredibly expensive with a gigantic thread of folks still having issues,their customer service is outstanding but they rolled out a product long before it was ready.
 
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It seems to me none of these wireless probes set ups are all that great. The Thermopro Tempspike XR is the only wireless probe that I have tried and after two failed units in just a very short period of use I'll not be going back to Thermopro. Reviews on the RFX not so good. Maybe the wireless probes aren't all that good of an idea. Should have the RFX next week. If it fails I will be going back to probes with wires.
 
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It seems to me none of these wireless probes set ups are all that great. The Thermopro Tempspike XR is the only wireless probe that I have tried and after two failed units in just a very short period of use I'll not be going back to Thermopro. Reviews on the RFX not so good. Maybe the wireless probes aren't all that good of an idea. Should have the RFX next week. If it fails I will be going back to probes with wires.
Fair enough with the order on the way and updated firmware and software from the factory being a few months later and not like the first panic attack threads from the new release here on SMF and endless tests by consumers to get Thermoworks involved here I believe Nov '24? I look forward to hearing about your experience. I'd still call Thermopro and get what you paid for through them, being under warranty.
 
It seems to me none of these wireless probes set ups are all that great.
I get it . Damn things will drive you nuts . Contact Thermo pro directly and tell them what's going on . I've never had to call them , but I would think they want to help you / make it right .
They can't do that if they don't have a chance . I get that too . Hate calling and dealing with this stuff .
This thread made me get mine out to check it . Mine is a TP960 .
I've had it since last June . Probably been 5 months since I've used it .
Out of the drawer , and it hooked right up .
Screenshot_20250224-075230_TempSpike.jpg
I have an Air probe 2 I bought before this one . I considered it worthless . Always dead , never stayed connected , if it even connected at all . Put it in the drawer and chalked it up to money lost .
See , I don't take my own advice .
Anyway after almost a year I found a video on it . Turned out the problem was user error .
I went through the set up again and it worked .
Pulled it out too , and it hooked right up .
Screenshot_20250224-075613_Tappecue.jpg
I think one thing is people wait until they have the meat in the smoker before they grab the therm . 50 / 50 chance on them not working or being dead .
I've started getting mine out and charging it when I don't need it .
 
Just got off the phone with ThermoPro and was told there was no fixing to my unit. They said I will receive a new replacement within 5 days @ no charge. I consider that good customer service. The RFX is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I have low expectations for both.
 
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Just got off the phone with ThermoPro and was told there was no fixing to my unit. They said I will receive a new replacement within 5 days @ no charge. I consider that good customer service. The RFX is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I have low expectations for both.
Everything maybe dead when you get it. Let us know if they have a charge in anything. Both mine were dead. May take 6 + hours to charge until all 3 battery bars stop scrolling.
 
Everything maybe dead when you get it. Let us know if they have a charge in anything. Both mine were dead. May take 6 + hours to charge until all 3 battery bars stop scrolling.
The first two I purchased took a charge and worked great and then shortly afterwards they just died. Nothing I tried would give me a screen. Earlier this week, when the second one died, I was on the phone with a ThermoPro tech trying to trouble shoot. He said the unit was bad and there was no fixing to it. My third ThermoPro replacement came in the mail today. Excellent customer service and quick response on ThermoPro's part. I haven't opened the box. I like the new RFX I received yesterday so much better and providing I don't have two RFX failures in 5 months like the Thermopro I am going to stay with the RFX.
 
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The first two I purchased took a charge and worked great and then shortly afterwards they just died. Nothing I tried would give me a screen. Earlier this week, when the second one died, I was on the phone with a ThermoPro tech trying to trouble shoot. He said the unit was bad and there was no fixing to it. My third ThermoPro replacement came in the mail today. Excellent customer service and quick response on ThermoPro's part. I haven't opened the box. I like the new RFX I received yesterday so much better and providing I don't have two RFX failures in 5 months like the Thermopro I am going to stay with the RFX.
Might as well hang on to what works if it's just the two probes and pitch what doesn't work. If a probe fails of the two paired to the receiver you just got after warranty, any other spare can be paired in the manual. Like you said, you'll stick with RFX but you have a spare to charge occasionally or a gift. My dad is 88 and I help him throughout the week and I have one at his house and one at mine 15 minutes away.
 
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