How I lived without it, I'll never know.
Written: May 10 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Your kids will beg to have their temperatures taken. No fussy probe covers needed.
Cons: Your kids will beg to have their temperatures taken again.
The Bottom Line: The bottom line is...get this now.
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| mothra3's Full Review: Exergen Temporal Scanner Infrared Thermometer |
After nearly 5 years of using a regular digital thermometer on my children, I finally broke down and decided to try something better. At first, I thought that would be one of the Ear scanners, but when I went to the store to look for them, I found something that looked even better. This new temperature scanner actually measures the temperature of the child's forehead, meaning that you can check it while the child is sleeping, or if the child refuses to let you to take his temperature (which is generally always). This is golden. Anyone who has ever tried to take a grumpy child's temperature with a regular thermometer knows: It's like existing in one of the circles of hell. With this new thermometer, they actually line up to have their temperature taken. You think I'm joking, but I'm not.
This thermometer is about the same size as the ear scanners. However, instead of having an ear probe at the end (and needing a probe cover), there is a 1-inch-wide flattened cone, inside of which is the probe sensor lens. By gently sliding this probe across the child's forehead and into the hairline, you get a temperature reading that is supposed to be just as accurate as a rectal thermometer (eeeww), the “gold standard” of temperature readings.
So how does this eighth wonder of the world work?
The best way to get an accurate temperature reading is at the center of the heart, which happens be rather difficult to get at for the average layperson. Since the temporal artery is acceptably close to the heart, and is also close enough to the surface of the skin to allow for an accurate measurement, it is an ideal place to try and take a temperature reading. When you glide this sensor across your forehead while holding the scan button, it optically scans the infrared heat from the artery 1000 times per second. At the same time, it measures the temperature of the room. Its software then analyzes these two readings to get an accurate idea of how much the blood has cooled down between the time it left the heart and the time it has reached the skin. Pretty fancy, huh?
Sweaty child? They've thought of that too. Since sweat will affect the temperature reading, as well as getting the probe lens icky, you can place the sensor just behind the ear. They don't recommend that you do this for every reading, because the area behind the ear does not give nearly as accurate a reading as the forehead; however, in instances where the child is feverish, the artery behind the ear would be dilated and will most likely give you a more accurate temperature than a sweaty forehead.
Oh, and did I mention how easy it is to take a child's temperature? So easy, they think it's a game--they volunteer--they ask to have their temperature taken. You can take their temperature without waking them up. If you've never experienced this before, it's truly worth the price of admission.
Speaking of the price of admission...
I bought mine on sale for $39.95, which was $10 off the regular price. This is about the same price as the other ear scanners. However, besides being so easy to use, I felt there were three main benefits that put it head and shoulders above the others:
A) it uses a 9 volt battery instead of a lithium battery (cheaper and much more convenient),
B) you don't need ear probe covers for it, and
C) it came with a CD-ROM that includes a short training film on how to use the temperature sensor, so in case you have any doubt as to where to take the temperature, they have you covered.
So why are you here still reading this review? If you have kids, and you ever take their temperature, you need this thermometer. You can thank me later.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mothra3
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Location: oblivion, awaiting a heroic rescue
Reviews written: 48
Trusted by: 27 members
About Me:
Loss of mind now complete. I am, however, feeling much better...
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