110 of 113 people found the following review helpful:
Truly amazing - speed,conv. and accuracy
Bought this couple of weeks back consequent to my son developing high fever and which fluctuated considerably. This caused the Red Cross $9.00 digital thermometer useless as it takes approx. a minute (under armpits) to record temparature. Our doctor advised us to buy Braun based ear thermometer.
First off - there are quite a models available. After taking to doctor...
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
works well...but....
easy to use, however, screen does not light up so when you take temperature in the middle of the night (which if you have kids is all the time), you still need to turn on a light to read - a major shortcoming in my opinion
This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
Bought this couple of weeks back consequent to my son developing high fever and which fluctuated considerably. This caused the Red Cross $9.00 digital thermometer useless as it takes approx. a minute (under armpits) to record temparature. Our doctor advised us to buy Braun based ear thermometer.
First off - there are quite a models available. After taking to doctor and doing research - the 2 new models are IRT 4520 and IRT 4020. These are EXACT copies (all functionality) like their PRO 4000 versions! The ExacTemp feature has a pre-heated tip which is more comfortable for the ear. The older models (PRO 3000) is about $80, but uses lithium batteries and I don't think has pre-heated tip.
Has a "sort of" battery meter. Starts to show - that battery's low, flashing means - will effect results. (Very good)
Usage: Switch on, place tip (with tip cover, without cover, doesn't work), push START and WITHIN TWO SECONDS you get the temperature. Slightly hold the ear in order to place the tip INTO THE EAR HOLE to get best INTERNAL EAR CANAL reading. The readings are stored for access later - total 8 memory readings. Auto shut-off: 60 sec.
The storage is into a white canister type case, which has HORIZONTAL standing (not good - as VERTICAL standing would have been better or if provided ALSO - good).
The given 21 nos. of lens caps are very little. Thankfully, the whole package of lens caps goes INSIDE the thermometer case, storing them together. I have put a Clorex cloth inside the case and into which I push the thermometer, this disinfects my cap and keeps the thermometer disinfected. (Just remember to change the cloth occasionally)
Size-wise it's a bit thick and thus slightly problematic to carry along but due to it's accuracy/etc. worth the hassle.
The ejector is very useful. Just press it and the lens cap is THROWN forward. Be careful, it's literally EJECTED out. (Point towards garbage can - I hit my wife's nose...;)
Note: If you get covers for the PRO 4xxx series - you can use it with IRT 4520. That's very good. The batteries are regular AA series and last a bit. The IRT 4020 has 1 extra feature - has a protective plastic cap covering the disposable lens caps. That's actually very useful. So, if you get 4520 and 4020 at approx. the same price, I would opt for 4020.
There are some calibrations possible, but advice you NOT to do so. If you keep pressing the I/O button even after OFF, then you can switch between Celcius/Farenheit settings. You can set the optimal temperature of the tip, define ambient room temp, etc - Keep i/o button pressed, after OFF starts to FLASH, there will be loud beep - immediately release the I/O button. Then keep pressing (short presses) of the I/O to switch.
Note: ALTHOUGH NOT STATED, IT'S ADVISABLE to have the thermometer calibrated professionally *KAZ, in US* annually.
Weight - about 8 oz.
Any diff. between ExacTemp and non-Exac?
Yes - the pre-heated tip.
Any diff. btw the Professional (+$200) and this?
NONE in functionality, the PRO's just more heavy duty, with anti-theft features, base-station, etc. (all sold as accessories)
Any diff. btw this and the "Compact" one?
Yes - this has ExacTemp, has Memory functions, overall - quicker.
Does the PRO series lens cover fit?
Yes
Difference with IRT 4520 and IRT 4020?
IRT 4020 has a protective cover ON top of lens cover. IRT 4020 - difficult to buy. Pro 4xxx series REPLICATES IRT 4520, not IRT 4020.
How accurate?
Very accurate. I compared with mercury-based prof. thermometers.
Usage tips?
Use the SAME ear (you'll notice each ear records diff. temp)
Hold the ear slightly up, push gently the tip INSIDE and press "Start"
Can I use it "orally", rectum, arm-pits?
I don't think so, it's gonna be difficult, the tip's designed for ears. Although stated possible - can't imagine how.
Any features I would have liked?
Yes, the following:
(a) Memory feature has the date/time included
(b) The memory feature has the LEFT ear and RIGHT ear set. (i.e. 2*8 memory locations, at least)
(c) Ability to switch off the BEEP
(d) A 2nd. display where the "Start" button is to see the temp. immediately (priority - low)
(e) More thin - the overall product
(f) Lens covers are very costly
(g) The case should be able to STAND, not lying down only
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This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
easy to use, however, screen does not light up so when you take temperature in the middle of the night (which if you have kids is all the time), you still need to turn on a light to read - a major shortcoming in my opinion
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This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
I am sure I am not the first parent who has had to try and keep a struggling child steady while waiting 2+ minutes for the thermometer to register a reading. In this regard, the Braun ThermoScan is ideal. It takes an accurate ear reading in just a few seconds! The probe also does not feel cold to the touch, so my child actually seems to like having her temperature taken. The only drawback so far is that the LCD panel is not back-lit. It is impossible to see the reading in the semi-darkness, and one has to go to a light source to check the measurement. Otherwise, a great product.
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This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
We have a store-brand ear thermometer and it works okay for an adult, but this Braun is much more comfortable which translates into a much more pleasant baby (who is already grumpy enough when sick). I also prefer the type of ear inserts this Braun uses over the stretchy plastic kind as they are faster and easier to attach and discard (just personal preference). An important factor for us was our pediatric doctor's (and his nurse's) recommendation. This is the one that they use.
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This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
While this thermometer may not be *perfect* in terms of accuracy, it definitely does the job in that it gives mom and dad a pretty good ballpark temperature. I was initially reluctant to buy this because I had always heard negative feedback concerning ear thermometers, but I went ahead and picked one up at my local Costco, and boy am I glad I did. I bought it when my first child was an infant. She's now 4 years old, and we also have a second child who is now 1 year old. This thermometer is wonderful for our little ones because it's so fast and lets me know almost instantly whether or not they have a fever, and if so, about how high (or low) it is. It's super easy to use, it doesn't hurt the little ones' ears, and it doesn't eat through batteries.
Not only do we love it here at home, but so does my neighbor. She frequently asks to borrow it for her own two kids (who are much older than mine!). It's nice that I'm able to pop on an unused probe when she borrows it, and before she returns it, she simply discards it and I can then put on a new one.
It's great!
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This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
This is our first digital ear thermometer and the only question that comes to mind is why didn't we get one sooner? The directions are very understandable and we were able to use the thermometer right away. Compared to taking your temperature with the old style thermometers, this is a breeze. It literally takes a couple of seconds to take your temperature. The only concern that we have is how difficult it is going to be to get new tips. It probably would be a good idea to buy an additional supply early on so you don't have to hunt for them when you need to use the thermometer. Also, the digital screen is very readable.
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This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
We recently purchased this ear thermometer after reading a number of positive reviews online. The cost initially gave us pause, but since this product will be primarily used on our small children quality, accuracy and reliability were important considerations and outweighed the cost factor. Our last two ear thermometers were unreliable and didn't last long. We've used this product reliably for a couple months now and are quite satisfied.
What recently sold us though was a recent Emergency Room visit to the Fairfax INOVA Children's Hospital which is a fantastic children's hospitals in Northern Virginia (our baby is now OK). While there we were surprised to see the doctors and nurses all using this same product. This is a state of the art hospital where they spare no expense, and they were using this ear thermometer. Their units are used constantly and if this product can stand up to that type of abuse, I'm sure it will work for us for years to come.
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This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
I ordered the Braun Thermoscan Earm Thermometer in preparation for our new baby. Then, my husband, 8 yr.-old, and I all got the flu. This thermometer was so handy. The thermometer works so quickly and easily that I could take temperatures while my family slept. My son has autism and is especially sensitive to things like having his temperature taken, and he did not balk once with this tool. Overall, this is my favorite thermometer that I have used since becoming a mom. I am very happy with the purchase.
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This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
After researching on what type, brand & model of thermometer to buy I decided on the Braun IRT 4520. The price on Amazon was $69.00. I always compare Amazon's prices to prices elsewhere and in my experience Amazon is not always comparable or cheaper. I checked online at Walgreens and Wallmart and neither had this product, did a web search and found that Target had this same product for $38.79 online and was also available in the store. Went to my local Target ,first time in a Target, and they had it for $38.79, come on Amazon the $30.21 difference is 44%.
I read the 2 & 3 star reviews and temp will vary from ear to ear, time of day and what you have been doing prior to taking temp. Also normal temp will vary from person to person, you have to establish your own baseline when you are healthy.
I took my temp 4 times in a 1 hour period and all were with-in 0.2 degrees, same for my wife, her normal temp was a little different than mine.
This is an excellent product and recommend you buy it, just not on Amazon, shop around.
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This review is from: Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology (Health and Beauty)
My wife and I love this product, but have to wait a bit longer before we can use it on our son. Out pediatrician told us to wait until after we were 1yr old to start to use this type of thermometer so for his first birthday he unwrapped one of these (we figured he'd be as excited as we were!) Unfortunately our son has smaller ear canals than this thermometer will accurately read so we consistently get low readings (92-95F) when we try to use it. My wife and I have used it on ourselves and get normal readings so we think it works... We'll try again at 18months.
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