There are a number of things to take into account when selecting emergency pagers, including system compatibility, range, battery life, and design. People who need a pager for work may be provided with one by an employer. Some employers offer a range of options, while others prefer to stick with a single model. When selecting a pager, it is advisable to make sure it can be returned if it turns out to be unsuitable for the intended use.
Usually, a paging system can send signals to any pager and there shouldn't be a system conflict. However, some systems use special codes or transmission methods and a pager not designed to work with the system can display errors or incomplete messages. People may want to ask about pager models to avoid to make sure they don't end up with incompatible emergency pagers.
Battery life can be an important consideration for people who may not always have ready access to a charger and need to wear a pager at all times. Additionally, pager range is a consideration, especially in remote areas. Some emergency pagers don't work in rural regions because of hills, heavy trees, and other problems. People concerned about getting signals may want to ask colleagues who live in similar settings about pagers they like to use.
Features on emergency pagers are another thing to consider. Some vibrate and have visual alerts for people who are hearing impaired. Others may sound and can read out messages and phone numbers for people with visual impairments and people who don't have time to look down at the pager to read the display. Configurable options for settings like movie theaters are also an option on some models, allowing people to go out while on call without attracting attention.
People may also want to think about how an emergency pager attaches; for ease of wear, it may clip or loop over a belt. Weight can become a problem for people wearing multiple pagers or other gear along with their pagers, and sometimes electronic devices can conflict with each other, creating feedback and garbling messages. People for whom this is a concern may want to consult an electronics store to get advice on which products can be worn safely together.
Aesthetic concerns can also be an issue with emergency pagers. Many models are small and very discreet and may be preferred for ease of wear and the minimal attention they attract. People concerned about color can choose between a range of colors, as well as colorful protective sleeves.