Braun Thermoscan 5 Irt6020 Baby/adult Professional Digital Ear Thermometer 4520

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I’m a chemotherapy patient, and have to keep a very close eye on my temperature every day. If it goes up or down significantly I have to go to hospital immediately – infections can be fatal. It’s vital that I have a way of taking my own temperature accurately and reliably at home. The IRT6020 fits the bill nicely.I made the mistake of buying the ‘little brother’ of this thermometer – the Braun IRT 3020EE Thermoscan Compact Ear Thermometer from Amazon a month ago. I found it was giving quite low measurements, so took it with me to chemotherapy yesterday. A senior NHS nurse tested my IRT 3020 against the almost identical Braun Thermoscan thermometer that the NHS use (looks practically identical, but sits on a pod – every hospital seems to use the same one). She took my temperature five times with the NHS thermometer, and the readings only varied by 0.1 degree. She took it five times with my IRT 3020, and the readings varied by 0.6 of a degree… and varied between a 1 and 1.6 degrees LOWER than the NHS thermometer.Having read the Braun marketing schpiel for this thermometer, it would appear that it ‘pre-heats’ the measuring tip, to prevent the coolness of the plastic distorting the readings. First impressions would seem to indicate that what sounds like a gimmick actually works! I took delivery of this tonight, and I’m incredibly pleased and relieved to say that my first five readings only varied by 0.1 degree, and gave the same reading as I had at hospital yesterday. Tested against my IRT 3020, it’s up to a degree higher. Needless to say I’ll be posting a slightly more negative review for my previous thermometer!The IRT6020 is significantly larger than the 3020, but still fits comfortably in the hand. I am male, but have pretty small hands (I’ll never make it as a concert pianist!). It has TWO buttons, so if you’re easily confused, stop reading now. Press the power button to turn on. Wait a minute. Put it in your ear. Press the green button. Temperature read!In order to put the protective plastic lid on the 6020, you have to remove the thin plastic hygiene cap, which covers the measuring tip and keeps it (relatively) sterile. There’s an ‘eject’ clip on the front, which flicks the ‘used’ hygiene cap off for disposal after use, but do you NEED to use a new cap every time? Should you buy 200 of the little fellers? Will you die if you use one twice?The answer is, quite simply put, “no”. In a hospital environment, where the same thermometer is being used for potentially dozens of different people (e.g. on a ward), then YES definitely dispose of the cap and replace for the next person. I have to take my temperature twice a day; more if I feel unwell. I’d get through a pack of caps in a week. I know I don’t have an infection (or I’d be in hospital!), and my ears are pretty clean. I’ve been using the same cap for a fortnight, and it’s spotless. I suppose you could wash them or, better still, use an alcohol wipe to sterilise them, but if they’re not dirty then why not keep using them?Some reviewers have claimed that Braun are trying to scam them into buying more caps. In my opinion they’re promoting good hygiene practice, but ultimately leaving the decision in the consumer’s hands.The bottom line – it’s an excellent thermometer: easy to use, accurate, consistent, fast, and reliable. I would strongly recommend it to parents of small children, or those with serious medical conditions. PLEASE don’t buy the IRT3020 – spend the extra £3 and buy this!