About Camilla...
The expert behind this independent review!
Dr Camilla Edwards, a peripatetic veterinary ultrasonographer in
Cambridge, founded FOVU First Opinion Veterinary Ultrasound in
2018 after earning her veterinary degree in 2006. Camilla's
veterinary ultrasound expertise is widely recognised through her
numerous lectures, ultrasound machine reviews, podcasts, online courses, and exclusive membership to help veterinary professionals master and confidently use ultrasound.
FOVU is a worldwide source of veterinary ultrasound expertise, with
a primary mission to educate, support, and empower veterinary
professionals in improving their ultrasound skills. FOVU’s goal is to
increase confidence in operating ultrasound machines and improve
scanning skills to diagnose patients effectively.
EPOC probes
Ballater
What the manufacturers say:
The latest evolution of clinical ultrasound is wireless connectivity.
The e-POC range probes offer convenience and enhanced ergonomics in clinical settings such as the outpatient clinic, operating theatre, ICU or ER
Our handheld wireless probes connect to smart devices such as phones or tablets through an inbuilt WIFI transmitter. The e-POC probes are perfect for work in rural and remote areas as they work independently of an internet connection.
We have a probe for every application.
PRICE:
Microconvex £3150 linear £3250
including 3 year warranty which includes free repairs, free software and software updates for the lifetime of the probe. No limited accounts. No hidden costs.
More about the manufacturer:
Leading specialists in providing 'point of care' untrasound technology to healthcare providers to deliver a safe, effective and enhanced patient experience.
Specifications
Standard Configurations
Excellent image resolution
Compatible with any Android or Apple phone and tablet, Windows system laptops
Intuitive, easy-to-use free software
Light and easy to handle
No subscription required
4-5 hour battery life in constant use
24-month guarantee
What do I think?
The Ballater EPOC probes present an intuitive user interface but have several design flaws that significantly hinder their overall usability. One of the most notable issues is the control mechanism for adjusting the depth and focal zone. Instead of allowing users to move settings up and down, the controls only cycle through the options. This design often results in users having to scroll through the settings multiple times to find the desired option, which can be particularly frustrating during time-sensitive procedures.
Another major drawback is the measurement function. The inability to see behind your finger when placing measurements makes accurate positioning challenging. Although Ballater has tried to mitigate this with a feature that allows the measurement marker to be moved up, down, left, and right, it does not fully resolve the issue and can still be cumbersome to use.
The image quality of the Ballater EPOC probes is subpar compared to most machines I have reviewed this year. The images are often not as clear, which can impact diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, the probe's connection is unreliable, leading to occasional hesitations in the image display, which can be particularly disruptive during scanning.
When saving an image or a cineloop, the process is slow, causing a significant delay before you can resume imaging. This inefficiency can be problematic in a busy clinical setting where time is of the essence. Furthermore, initial connection of the probe can be problematic and time-consuming.
The probe also tends to get hot after some use, which can be uncomfortable for both the operator and the patient. The battery life is disappointingly short, necessitating frequent recharges, which disrupts workflow.
In summary, despite some intuitive aspects, the Ballater EPOC probes fall short in many critical areas. The combination of poor image quality, unreliable connection, cumbersome controls, and short battery life significantly detracts from their utility. Given these issues, I would not recommend the Ballater EPOC probes.
My scores:
My 5-point scoring system ranges from 1 (the lowest) to 5 (the highest). A score of 1 implies significant issues, 2 signals below-average performance, 3 is satisfactory, 4 reflects above-average performance, and 5 represents exceptional quality or achievement. After assessing each category, the total score is converted into a percentage for the overall performance review.
Ease of settings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Image quality ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value for money ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Robustness ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Portability ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Not sure what machine is right for you?
When people talk to me about ultrasound machines, they are often overwhelmed by the choice and unsure about what machine is best for their practice.
In my experience, the most important factor that everyone is looking for is the best image quality for their budget.
To ease the overwhelm, I've designed a quiz that explores your needs and budget. By answering key questions below, you'll streamline your search and receive a tailored recommendation for the perfect machine that suits your practice.
