infrared thermometer for measuring compost temperature?

Hi all,

Does anyone have any comments on using an infrared thermometer instead of a probe for monitoring compost temps? I'm in a rental in a city I'm leaving before too long and can't justify the cost of a probe (pricey in Australia) for my 20 by 20 foot garden. Not sure I fancy another DIY project to add to the long list either. Any comments appreciated...

The infra red thermometers would only measure the surface of the pile.
The probe thermometer is designed to take internal temperatures...at the hottest part of the pile.

I've heard good things about this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Compost-Thermometer-Composting-Fahrenheit-Temperature/dp/B00KXAGST4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446581929&sr=8-1&keywords=compost+pile+thermometer

I wonder how people managed to compost successfully in the days before instrumentation was an option? Dug a small hole and stuck their hand in it, I'm guessing.

Using the outdoor probe of a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer worked well for me and can be fairly cost effective.