Exergen Temporal Scanner Infrared Thermometer Review

I have used a LOT of different thermometers in a household with three daughters who used to have frequent sinus infections and a husband who really likes data, if you know what I mean. 

Comparing Different Types of Thermometers: 

Rectal temperatures are the most accurate, but they involve quite a bit of effort, particularly if I am checking high fevers frequently, which is what we did this past February/March when the flu wreaked havoc in our house. Older rectal thermometers in the home may contain mercury, which is no longer recommended due to safety reasons.

Axillary temperatures are easier, but sometimes it is difficult to keep a little one entertained while holding a thermometer under her arm for what seems like an eternity, and axillary thermometers are not particularly accurate.

Tympanic (ear) thermometers tend to have problems with accuracy. We had a tympanic thermometer that tended to have technical difficulties more often than not, and it had probe covers that were supposed to be replaced after each use. We finally just threw that thermometer away. At one time, we used temporal thermometers where I work as a nurse on a cancer unit, but we went back to oral thermometers because of accuracy issues.

Oral thermometers are not appropriate for infants and younger children because they cannot safely and correctly hold a thermometer under their tongue. Older oral thermometers may contain mercury, which is not recommended due to safety reasons.

I had noticed that our pediatrician's office has been using temporal thermometers for the past couple of years, so I decided to purchase this Exergen Temporal Thermometer Model TAT-2000C at Wal-Mart for about $35.00. Now, that's a pretty steep price on a thermometer, but I finally sucked in my cheeks, closed my eyes, held my breath and paid the money with the hope that we were at least getting a superior product that would be useful for years to come. According to some research studies, temporal thermometers seem to be more accurate in detecting fevers than typanic thermometers and are not influenced by chewing gum, eating, drinking, etc., which can affect readings on oral thermometers.

Temporal Thermometer Size and Look: 

This thermometer is hands-down the best thermometer I have used in our home. It is large enough to find in a drawer but small enough to fit in it (7 X 1.75 X 1.25 in.) and weighs 4.5 oz with the battery installed. The directions are printed right on the thermometer along with an 800 phone number and website.

It has a clear plastic cover that one must remove if you intend to actually take the temperature of a person who appears sick, hot, or just wants to play doctor. It would be nice if the cover stayed attached to the thermometer in some way because items such as this often disappear at our house.

Checking a Temporal Temperature: 

A temporal thermometer is a nice choice because you may safely use it with someone of any age. It does not require any added costs for probe covers, which is nice as well.

Place the probe on the center of the forehead, push and hold the button in and slide across the forehead into the hairline. If the person is sweating, scan the forehead as described above and then place the thermometer probe on the neck under the ear lobe while still keeping the button pressed. (Sweating causes extra cooling of the skin and can result in lower temperature readings.) Next, release the button and read the temperature.

The thermometer will beep and flash a red light as it scans, so it might wake your little one up if you are trying to be slick and do this during nap time. It will beep really quickly at first and then slow down when the thermometer does not detect any higher temperatures. The response time is listed at 0.04 second. We've come a long way in thermometers over the years!

The Display: 

The temperature will display for 30 seconds and then automatically shut off. This thermometer allows you to take another temperature reading immediately. It is set for Fahrenheit, but it can be set for Celsius if you wish. According to the pamphlet, this thermometer will record temperatures as low as 60 degrees and as high as 107.6 degrees. We were having fevers hovering around 105 degrees due to the flu, so I will personally attest to seeing readings up to 104.9 degrees on ours.

Information in the Pamphlet: 

The pamphlet gives additional information such as safety information, how to use the thermometer, how to clean the thermometer, how to change the battery (9-volt), normal temperature ranges for various types of thermometers, display messages, and product specifications.

The thermometer has a one year warranty.

My Viewpoint:

I plan to use this Exergen Temporal Thermometer for years--I always try to get my money's worth out of a product! The Exergen Temporal thermometer has been a big help to me in that I can now take temperatures quickly and accurately, and it is well-tolerated by everyone in my household. My suggestion for a change in this thermometer would be to have a recall button and/or a light on the display. If you are checking a temperature in the middle of the night, you cannot see the temperature display in the dark. It might take me more than 30 seconds to get to a part of the house where I can turn on a light, but the display becomes blank after 30 seconds. Overall, I think this thermometer was a great choice for us and I hope that you find some information found here to be helpful to you if you are planning to buy a thermometer.