Thermometer style

Classic glass or modern digital, which do you prefer?

For me, the modern digital thermometers just don't do it. They are quick and efficient, but just can't replace those old-fashioned glass instruments that require you to lie exposed for 5 minutes.

I also prefer an old fashioned glass style.

For me,nothing beats the glass mercury rectal thermometer.The blunt bulb and cold glass send me over the edge.I have several thermometers in my collection.The digital can't match class for that wonderful sensation I crave.

Glass

Glass, old fashion, of course!

Prefer the glass ones, but any one will do if you catch my drift here!!

I prefer glass thermometer, but I like the other too. I had a thermometer who is very thin and long, I love to use this one ...

Sure must be glass. I tried the digital one and cant get the sensation I want. So Glass Folks

Definitely glass. nice and cold as it slides in and they take more time to leave you there lying helpless on an exam table

Glass Thermometer.

There the best.

Absolutely glass, it requires more time :😃

Glass, an RT with a digital thermometer is akin to a '55 Chevy with an automatic transmission.

I prefer the modern glass ones, I find when the electric ones beep I want to take the thermomter out with the modern they can be in you for 10 minutes there's no beep

Classic mercury filled glass. Brings back memories.

Definitely prefer glass.

The geratherm isn't too bad with plenty of lube. I like the larger size.

Classic glass, most definitely!

Glass is classic. Takes longer, leaving you vulnerable longer...my choice for sure from either end (pun intended).

A glass one, no question...

By the way, I acquired a terrific one recently that is not nearly as big as a candy thermometer, but is still quite a bit thicker and about 2-3 inches longer than a standard glass one. It is triangular in shape and has a permanent cap on the end so that it can't get lost where it isn't supposed to. If anyone want the details about it as to price and brand, etc. I'd be happy to help 😃

Prismatic mercury glass-thermometer... 😜

I love the glass rectal thermometers best i trust them more .but i do own a digital one as well

I guess I'm the wierd one. I prefer a Vicks digital thermometer, my eyes aren't all that good and a glass thermometer is hard to read. I have 2 thermometers, one for oral and one for rectal. The beauty of the digital thermometer is that it is fast; I can drop my drawers, insert the thermometer, wait about 15 seconds, pull it out and read it. I did that while writing this post and it read 98.1.

Last March, I took my rectal temperature frequently for several days and plotted it on a chart to see what it looked like, low in the morning and higher in the late afternoon and evening. I even woke up during the night and got up to take my temperature. I couldn't have done this study with a glass thermometer.

I own a glass rectal thermometer. It has a triangular section so it is very uncomfortable when it is used through the anal sphincter.

I believe the answer is written in the type itself... Glass So, in play I prefer Glass in my ass. 😁

Glass thermometers are much better. I have read in some of our medical journals of studies that concluded the thermocouples in digital thermometers change, leading to somewhat inaccurate readings. Even though the old mercury thermometers are getting hard to find, the new Geratherm glass thermometers look very promising. They come in oral, rectal, and basal versions I have used both mercury and geratherm thermometers at the hospital and the accuracy is almost exact in both. The new geratherm thermometers are also inexpensive like the mercury ones once were. A novel feature in the new Geratherm thermometers is that they have narrow insert able tips about 1.5" long. This is a safety measure to prevent over insertion when taking a temperature. At the hospital we usually use a Welch-Allyn digital thermometer with an oral or rectal probe. I've known these to be off by as much as 1.5 degrees.

Glass is the only way to go.

Digital. Glass scares me because of the mercury risk. I know its not very likely to get mercury poisoning from the thermometer but I would rather not take that chance if I don't have to D:.

The glass one of course! 😁

How far can the tympanic ones be off nurse? I have heard they can be quite inaccurate (albeit fast).

Those can be off signifigantly, as much as 2 degrees in some cases. The problem with tympanic thermometers is there are so many factors that can curb or spike readings. If an individual has been in a cold or hot environment for a certain period of time the temperature inside the ear canal can be affected. Also, a situation I have often noticed is the cases in which patients show up at the ER with ear infections or earaches. An ear infection can cause a reading to be much higher than the fever the patient may or may not have. The infrared sensors in these thermometers often vary in accuracy. So this is why its best to get an oral or rectal reading for true accuracy. With these two methods you don't have the interference of accute infections or climate.