They work just fine, I've had one for years. I never tried your novel method, though.
I have a meat thermometer that works fine in the oven, it’s all metal and can be a little hard to read. It has a red hand, and I just insert it in the meat with the desired temperature “UP”. My daughter got that thing for my wife because she knew my wife has trouble reading the other one.
I’m sorry, but straining to read a small metal dial is a lot easier than removing and replacing a hot steaming 25# bird.