
Diagnostic sets are essential for any practice, or even for an individual vet/vet nurse on the road. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what you need. The decision tree above guides you through the sets available, whilst the guide below will expand on the head and handle options and other key considerations for choosing the right set for your practice.
Do I need my set to be rechargeable?
Non-rechargeable sets are a great option if you're looking for a cheaper set to get started. With no mains charging required, these sets are the most portable of all. Just replace the batteries when they run out. Rechargeable sets will be more cost-effective in the long run (if this suits your practice's needs) since you will not have to purchase replacement batteries.
Where will the equipment be used?
Portable zip-up cases are great for when you need to take your diagnostic equipment outside of your practice. They are also great for use inside the practice if they are used in different consult rooms and moved around a lot.
In practice situations where ear and eye examinations will always be conducted in the same room, more permanent sets can be installed. Wall-mounted sets free up worktop space and are wired so you will never have to worry about battery limitations or whether a handle has gone missing, since it must be placed back in the holder after use.
A desk mount provides a more flexible option for in-practice use. The base is plugged into a wall and placed on a worktop, so it can be moved and plugged into another room if necessary. It serves as a base for not only keeping the handles in one place but also continuously charging them when not in use. You can also move around your patient more freely with this non-wired option.
Which handle is best for me?
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Handle Type |
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Lithium-Ion Handle – rechargeable with a long battery life, great for out on the road thanks to its USB charging port, or use in practice, where they can be charged in the docking station when not in use.
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Standard Battery Handle – will need standard shop-bought batteries replaced, great for out on the road.
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Laryngoscope Lithium-Ion Handle
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Pocket Size Handle – The Opticlar Pocket handle is a miniature battery handle perfect for your own personal set to use wherever you are.
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Which head do I need for my procedure?
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Head Type |
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Ophthalmoscope – for eye examinations
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Operating Otoscope – perfect for easily retrieving foreign bodies (such as grass seed) from the ear.
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LED Slit Otoscope – The perfect blend of Operating and Pneumatic Otoscopes, making it ideal for Veterinary use. Great for examining the inner ear and diagnosing ear infections, tumours or detecting foreign objects, the slit beam allows for a better focus and depth perception, improving the visibility of the tympanic membrane and surrounding structures. The Slit Otoscope also allows for faster inspections due to its precise beam. Meaning reduced stress for the patient.
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LED Varioscope – An advanced diagnostic device for examination of eyes, ears and nasal cavities. The ‘vario’ refers to variable magnification. Switching between zoom intensities can help with a more detailed diagnosis. The magnifying lens can easily be moved out of the way to allow for foreign body retrieval without switching equipment.
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Now that you have considered where your equipment will be used and which handles and heads work best for you, here are the sets available to you…
Desk Set Options
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Desk Set with Ophthalmoscope & Operating Otoscope
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Desk Set with Ophthalmoscope & Varioscope Otoscope Includes:
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Desk Set with Slit Otoscope & Ophthalmoscope Includes:
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Multiple configurations available: Twin pod with 2 x handles & 3 x metal specula Twin pod with 2 x handles & 15 x plastic specula Single pod with 1 x handle & 3 metal specula |
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Miller Prep Room Set – Miller Laryngoscope & LED Vet Slit Otoscope Includes:
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Macintosh Prep Room Set – Macintosh Laryngoscope & LED Vet Slit Otoscope Includes:
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All desk sets include a twin or single charging pod, supplied as standard with 3-pin UK plug and a generous 3m lead.
Portable Case Sets – battery powered
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Ophthalmoscope & Slit Otoscope Case Set
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With Metal Specula With Plastic Specula |
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Ophthalmoscope & Operating Otoscope Case Set Includes:
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Includes:
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Pocket Set – Mini Pro Ophthalmoscope & Slit otoscope. Very portable with 100 hours of run time. Includes:
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Wall Set (fixed) Options
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Wall Diagnostic Set with Ophthalmoscope & Slit Otoscope Includes:
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Please give our experts a call if you would like a different wall set configuration. |
Specula
As well as the standard different size specula options, we also offer the below specula for specific patients or applications:
- Materials – Choose between 3 materials, standard plastic specula, metal specula's that are autoclavable and bite resistant, and Matt black metal, perfect for eliminating glare.
- Feline Specula – The perfect sizes for feline ears – 32mm x 3.0mm / 32mm x 4.0mm / 32mm x 5.0mm
- Stenotic Ear – 70mm x 5.0 - A long length and small diameter makes it perfect for stenotic ear examinations.
- Open Gutters – Ideal for rabbit intubation and seed removal
- Open Gutter, closed tip – the end of the specula is sealed, preventing tissue injuries.
- Female Catheterisation speculum – 85mm x 9.0mm with cut out.
You can browse all our accessory options online, but if you can’t find what you are looking for, give our experts a call!
Choosing the right diagnostic set is an important investment for any veterinary practice or professional. With such a variety of handle types, head attachments and mounting types available, it's important to consider how and where the equipment will be used to ensure the best fit for your needs. By understanding the benefits of each piece of equipment, such as slit otoscopes for enhanced visibility or rechargeable handles for cost efficiency and ease of use, you can choose a diagnostic set that enhances both practice efficiency and patient care.
For further guidance, our team of equipment experts are always happy to help. You can give them a call on 01622 834300. If you can't find the right set configuration online, give us a call, we can create other configurations based on your practice needs.
We also still supply Welch Allyn accessories for any existing sets you may have, and all Opticlar heads will fit on Welch Allyn handles.