Customer Reviews

Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer with Silver Ion Antimicrobial Head

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

I'm an ER nurse and we use Exergen's temporal artery thermometers in our ER. They are much more accurate than underarm or in the ear, although the gold standard is a rectal temperature, which can be upsetting to children.
I actually wrote my Master's research paper on these thermometers, and here are a few tips in order to use them accurately:
1. run the thermometer from forehead (above the eye) all the way into the hairline. DO NOT LIFT the thermometer at all!!!
2. repeat this 2 more times
3. take the HIGHEST of the 3 readings. It is always important to take the HIGHEST as it is most accurate. There is a chance it didn't read right on the artery so it wouldn't be as high, which is why it is best to do 3 readings.
4. clean the head of the thermometer with a Q-tip and some alcohol occasionally to help it read accurately.
5. If your child is sweaty, the sweat dries off quickly and cools their skin temperature, so it isn't as accurate! In this case, it is better to run the thermometer over their carotid artery on their neck- off to the side of the voicebox. Run the thermometer side to side, and not up and down.
If you follow all of these steps, this thermometer is quick, easy and very accurate. I highly recommend it over any other form of temperature taking for young children.

I wanted to try this becauce it is what they use at the doctor's office and it seems so easy and accurate. Aside from the fact that all of the other options just do not make sense--I don't want to use a rectal therm for my toddler, he will not tolerate a therm in the mouth or under the arm, and the ear therms don't seem accurate.
This is insanely easy to use. There is just one button! I tend to take two readings to assure an accurate reading, and my only gripe is that there is no "reset" button to use between readings. The only option is to turn it off and then on again, which I worry is depleting the battery, but it's not a huge deal. I also like the idea of the antimicrobial head so that I don't have to clean it with alcohol. Overall, the best option I have found for a squirmy toddler, as well as the whole family.

This has been a fabulous product. I guess it is that time of year, but our kids have been sick a lot and we've had the chance to use it several times already. It is soooo much easier to use than any of the other types of thermometers! The kids don't kick and scream, in fact, they think it is kind of a fun way to check their temperature. It only takes about 3 seconds to read someone's temperature. It seems to be very accurate (based on the fact that it reads very close to 98.6 degrees when someone doesn't have a fever).

The unit looks and feels like it is well-made. I consider it one of the best investments we have ever made and I would definitely buy it again if I had it to do all over.

I work as a home health nurse. The thermometer is super efficient and easy to use, but it won't read if it is cold. Once it warms up, it reads just fine. The often leave my nursing bag in the car, and my stuff gets cold for the night. If I warm up the sensor with my finger, I can often get it to read. It is definitely more accurate than other methods of taking a temperature.

The easiest product yet to get an accurate temperature! I've compared many and tested several, plus talked with the 'experts' in the field of medicine and this has, by far exceeded the relative ease of use and reliability of the other thermometers out there. Simple to use. Nothing required in the mouth or ear, just a quick swipe to the forehead and you're done. The temperature displays in a clear, digital format. I recommend this product!

The easiest product to use, but does not give an accurate temperature! I've compared the Temporal Scanner to two digital thermometers (which give the same reading), and the Temporal Scanner is always off by a few degrees.

Interestingly, if you take your own temperature a few times quickly, the readings are usually off +/- .2 degrees between readings (a good thing). If you wait a minute to take your temperature again, the readings are now off +/- 1.0 degrees (a bad thing).

One reason for these varied readings is because you may be sweating. The manufacturer does warn that the Temporal Scanner doesn't really work if you sweat. Keep in mind that most people with fevers sweat. So what is a sweating person to do? In this case, the instructions tell you to scan below your ear to get a reading (which ear they do not say). At this point, you will discover that your under the ear temperature varies significantly with all the other readings you have taken. So which one is accurate?

The Temporal Scanner is also very touchy. You have to run the scanner across your forehead EXACTLY the same way or your readings will be very different. Unless you are perfect, this is a challenging task. To make matters worse, taking readings on another person even more difficult.

I too have talked to "experts" in the field of medicine, and they will admit that the Temporal Scanners are only approximations, and not as accurate as the old standby digital thermometers. Also, keep in mind that these same experts have much better Temporal Scanners than the one I'm reviewing here.

Bottom line: skip the Temporal Scanner if an accurate reading matters to you.

this thing gives a fast reading and quick. a little advice, do it twice (it takes like five seconds). if you lift it off the skin or press the button before you touch the skin it can mess up the reading. it is worth it to be sure. a little bummed that there isn't a shutoff for the beeping. maybe my kid is just to light of a sleeper but she wakes up every time i check her. other than that it works amazing. wish i had got one sooner.

We love this thermometer. It is very easy to use. Just press the button as you lightly press it against the center of the forehead and draw it across the forehead to the temple. It instantly gives you the person's temperature. The reading window has a back-light for easy reading. It has a simple plastic cap to cover the head during storage. The only improvement that would make it perfect for me would be to have it speak the temperature so blind and visually impaired people could use it alone.

EDIT: I was mistaken when stating it had a backlight in the reading window. It does have a small 'on' light but it doesn't provide enough light to read the measurement by.

Remember:
1. Make contact above your child's eye
2. then press the button
3. Slide across to the hairline
4. then release the button
5. & finally lift the thermometer off your child (make sure that you are not pressing the button once you lift)
6. Do it all again 2 more times
7. Believe the highest reading

Keep the thermometer in the room you will be using it most. Temperature changes from room to room affect accuracy of reading.
If you must change rooms- by all means take 3 temps immediately- believe the highest temp reading. BUT take the temp again 20 minutes later to confirm.
If you think one of your children may not be feeling well, move the thermometer over to their room before you go to bed- that way you know that room temp changes is not a factor.
Good Luck

Seeing similar devices in hospitals and doctor's offices and having children at home I wanted to have a device that was accurate. I took mine to the doctor's office and double checked my readings, as I took my son's temp, against the nurses' readings. Each time they were exactly the same. Bravo, I am very pleased. It does take some practice in the "wand" waving, but practice does make perfect.