A five star rating isn't enough! Worth every penny! (Braun 4520 Thermoscan Ear Thermometer)

Member Name: scoutingbargains

Product:	Braun 4520 Thermoscan Ear Thermometer
Date:	17/11/08 (203 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Accurate, quick and painless

Disadvantages: The price maybe

I knew pretty much as soon as I could think straight after the birth of my son that I wanted to be prepared for any illnesses. Everybody warned me how temperatures can creep up on babies and how difficult it is for them to control their core temperature. I knew I wanted a decent thermometer and did my own research into the different 'tympanic' thermometers available.

I chose the Braun because it's a name that I trust as it's been around for years;

It has a memory store of the last ten temperatures taken (very useful when your're stressed and can't quite think straight!)

It's hygienic as it comes with disposable probe covers that you slot the actual thermometer into and they are very easy to apply. The thing that I liked about needing to use the probe covers is that you simply change the probe cover to use it on multiple people without the risk of cross infection and the spare probe covers are stored in the casing so they are on hand all of the time.

When you turn the thermometer on it automatically warms the probe so the core temperature of the patient is more accurate as if you were to insert a cold probe into the ear canal it cools it before it has chance to take the reading.

The temperature is taken by infra red technology so it's gentle to use and can take the temperature in about three seconds. You take the temperature by pressing the button where your thumb naturally lies when the thermometer is in place and it will beep when the temperature has been taken.

It is ergonomically designed, very easy & comfortable to handle.


I have found this thermometer to be extremley accurate and of great benefit when my son was ill recently. He has a virus with a fever of 40 degrees, if it had gone much over 40 degrees I would have needed to get him to the hospital pretty quickly due to the risk of convulsions. I was very glad that I was able to take an accurate body temperature as I was able to monitor him very closely.

I firmly believe that every household should invest in one of these. Although the initial outlay is in the region of £40, you can often find deals on these and I got mine for £30. But cost aside, i'm still so thankful that I ignored my husband and bought it when I did as if I hadn't of had it I wouldn't of had a suitable method of monitoring his core temperature.

I've seen nurses on hospital wards using these thermometers and there is talk of my Vet Practice buying one in for the wriggly animals who understandibly don't want to hang around for the old fashioned thermometers!

~~~~~~~~~~~~UPDATE~~~~~~~~~~~~

After 11 months of buying it I noticed that it kept throwing out low readings. I changed the batteries but it kept happening. I took it back to Boots where I had bought it from and they exchanged it for another one. Make sure you keep hold of the paperwork etc if you buy one. I'd hate for you to end up chucking it in the bin.

This hasn't put me off the thermometer by the way, I still fully recommend it and use it frequentley.

Summary: Every parent should have one!