These would be very useful in geothermal well data loggers. The current technology uses 100 degree C parts inside a thermos container. I presume there are deep oil wells that can also use high temperature data loggers.
> I'm sure you could get the machine shop down the street to do the same thing if you put your mind to it.
Not really. I work with machine shops on a regular basis and they know the issue and don't want anything to do with something that could put them in a federal prison.
It's also worth noting that once a perp is arrested in a firearms-related crime, the firearms possession violations are the first to be plea-bargained away.
Similar experience with a heart issue. ECG, echocardiogram, nuclear stress test. No conclusive diagnosis. Angiogram while unconscious, well there it is, 3 clogged blood vessels, coronary bypass operation for you tomorrow.
That just underwent a 3-way heart bypass operation at an excellent hospital, there's no way short of an angiogram to detect that sort of heart disease.