How Accurate is the Temperature on the Infant Optics Baby Monitor?
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The temperature sensor of a baby monitor is one of the most important features of the machine. It allows you always to notice discrepancies in the physical wellbeing of your kid and allow you to act quickly in emergencies. For this reason, the temperature readings must be as accurate as possible.
The temperature sensor of the Infant Optics baby is good, but it’s not as accurate as standard thermometers. While this is expected, the results often differ by up to five to eight degrees, which is very significant.
However, many factors can affect the accuracy of the temperature readings of Infant Optics baby monitors. Avoiding these will give you the most accurate results, and the way to do this is explained in this piece. Also, we shall examine whether you need an extra thermometer with the baby monitor. Read on!
Accuracy of Infant Optics Baby Monitor Temperature Sensor
Ordinarily, a thermometer will be more accurate than a built-in temperature sensor like that on the camera unit of the Infant optics baby monitors. This is because the thermometer is a device made solely to measure the temperature, while baby monitors only have this feature as one—albeit important—part of their numerous functions.
Consequently, Infant Optics temperature sensors often differ in readings from standard thermometers by a few degrees. There is not much issue at the lower end of the disparity, like in differences of one to two degrees. However, the readings become borderline useless when the difference grows to above five degrees.
However, it is important to note that many factors could affect the accuracy of the Temperature readings of your Optics baby monitor. These will be discussed in the next section.
Factors Affecting Accuracy Of Infants Optics Baby Monitor Temperature Sensor
The temperature results are shown on the monitor unit of your Infant optics baby monitor often differ from the actual temperature by some degrees. However, many factors could cause the difference to grow larger than normal. Some of these are:
- Position of the sensor: Placing the camera unit of the baby monitor in spots or near spots that can increase or reduce the temperature can make the sensor’s accuracy seem way off. A typical example of this is how elevated the sensor is in the room. Because warm air rises and creates an increase in temperature with elevation, the monitor eventually displays an inaccurate result.
- Closeness to openings: Openings like Windows or doors affect the temperature near them. Consequently, placing the unit near any such opening will give an inaccurate result due to the heat transfer with the outside.
- Proximity to heat sources and air conditioning system: Bar openings, things like an air vent, walls, or fans also affect the readings or the monitor. This is especially relevant because most people mount the camera unit that contains the temperature sensor on the wall. Walls often absorb and release heat easily and can either be hotter or colder than the rest of the room. This affects the final readings and leads to inaccuracy.
- Lack of airflow around the camera unit: A choked surrounding is another factor that can affect the sensor’s accuracy. You should therefore ensure that the temperature sensor has enough space around it, rather than being surrounded.
However, avoiding all these isn’t a surefire way of getting very accurate results. This is because there have been many complaints that the Infant Optics baby monitor still has a disparity of a few degrees from readings from a standard thermometer.
Display of Temperature on the Monitor Unit
The temperature is displayed on the top of the monitor screen. It is often displayed in Celsius as default, but you can change the unit to Fahrenheit by pressing and holding the shortcut button for three seconds.
When the temperature is too high, the monitor shows HH. The monitor shows LL when it registers that the temperature is too cold for the baby. However, this feature isn’t very accurate, and the monitor can sometimes show either sign even when not needed.
Do You Need an Extra Thermometer for Your Baby?
As mentioned previously, the disparity between the temperature shown on the Infant Optics baby monitor and the actual temperature might vary by a few degrees. While some wouldn’t bother about this, many people hold accuracy very important. For such people, using the Infant Optics baby monitor alone wouldn’t be enough to monitor the temperature of their babies, and it would be excellent practice to invest in a separate thermometer.
Conclusion
Infant optics baby monitor temperature sensor isn’t accurate enough to give you the exact temperature readings needed. While temperature sensors like this aren’t expected to give laboratory-like results, it is disappointing that the results can be as far as almost ten degrees from the correct result.