Choosing a suitable penlight for work is vital to obtain optimal lighting and precision for eye, ear, and throat assessments. There are several significant determinants to examine when picking a suitable penlight for work.
It includes the penlight’s construction, illumination, features, and price.
Each factor influences the device’s performance and availability based on your budget.
As a result, it’s essential to consider these factors to ensure you purchase an appropriate penlight for your situation.
The following section breaks down each component to help you make an informed buying decision.
Construction
A penlight’s casing significantly affects its durability, weight, bulkiness, and grip.
Low-cost penlights comprise plastic material to reduce cost and increase availability to various medical professionals.
A well-constructed low-cost penlight is durable enough to provide performance for a decent period.
However, the materials will eventually wear out and have a higher risk of damage from drops and heavy use.
Conversely, penlights comprised of premium metals and high-grade aluminum alloys provide a lightweight, thin, and durable casing.
It allows the device to deliver long-term performance over numerous years.
Moreover, it’s less likely to break if dropped or during heavy usage.
Penlight Casings:
- Plastic
- Metal (various casings)
- Stainless steel
- High-grade aluminum alloy
It’s important to mention that a penlight’s construction influences its price, with high-grade components costing extra money.
As a result, penlights comprised of premium metals and aluminum alloys will be priced higher than plastic models.
However, it also provides better long-term performance, saving you money over time because it’s less likely to be replaced.
Illumination
Penlights offer various illumination levels depending on the model.
Standard penlights provide a soft, warm light to perform eye assessments.
Although these penlights work well on eye exams, they don’t provide sufficient illumination for nose, ear, and throat examinations. Therefore, penlights that offer brighter white lights deliver better illumination tests.
Some penlights feature interchangeable light housings or brightness variability settings for adequate illumination.
In addition, some brands sell penlights in a package of two, with each pen providing different illumination levels.
It allows medical professionals to switch between devices to perform various assessments quickly.
Besides that, there are premium penlight models that offer high-performance brightness variability.
Essentially, these penlights offer brightness ranging from low light (eye examinations) to high-power (flashlight) settings.
These devices work exceptionally well for EMS who operate outdoors and require extra lighting for dark settings.
Features
Standard penlights offer basic functionality with soft, warm LED illumination for eye assessments.
However, some models offer extra features for those who require more power or versatility.
Some features include brightness variability, beamwidth variability, interchangeable bulbs, low-power start, and USB charging.
Penlight Features:
- Brightness variability
- Beamwidth
- Interchangeable bulb housings
- The low-power default start
- USB charging
The most important factors to consider when determining the best penlights include durability and illumination quality.
Most other factors depend on personal preference and don’t dramatically impact performance.
Price
A penlight’s price varies from 5$ – $30 depending on its technology, build quality, features, and brand.
However, most individuals will pay between 10$ – 20$ for a regular penlight.
An expensive penlight will offer a standard soft light for eye assessments and comprise plastics or low-cost metals.
Conversely, high-end penlights feature high-quality bulbs with variable illumination. They also comprise premium materials like alloys, high-grade aluminum, and features such as a rechargeable battery.
The most important factors when picking a reliable penlight are its light/illumination quality and durability.
As a result, you must consider lighting and construction first when selecting the most suitable penlights for work.
Types of Penlights
Penlights provide outstanding support for assessing/monitoring patients with a stethoscope, pulse oximeter, or devices.
That said, several types of penlights accommodate different use cases. It includes disposable, reusable, mid-range, and high-end penlights.
Disposable penlights are the least expensive because they comprise cheap plastics and lower-end bulbs.
These devices are perfect for healthcare facilities with large staff sizes requiring penlights. It gives them an accessible tool when they forget to carry their respective penlight.
Nevertheless, the quality is relatively low compared to mid-range and high-end devices. Reusable penlights also have limited performance.
However, they utilize a replaceable battery compartment to enable healthcare workers to replace them when needed.
These penlights are ideal for those who perform basic assessments and don’t require high-end illumination to detect potential health problems.
Mid-range penlights offer better bulbs with brighter illumination and better color accuracy.
They also comprise more durable materials like sturdy plastics or metals. For most healthcare workers, a mid-range penlight is perfectly suitable for daily work.
Lastly, high-end penlights feature premium construction, variable brightness/light bandwidth, and low power mode.
Most healthcare workers do not require a high-end device to perform standard assessments. However, it’s fantastic for those who want the best device on the market.
Hopefully, this article has helped you make a more informed buying decision regarding health-focused penlights.
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