Suggestions for Oximeter

[cpap626]

Does anyone have any good suggestions for a wearable and affordable oximeter. I was recently diagnosed with mild SA and want to see if I can do things to get my o2 level back to an acceptable rate without a cpap. I saw that some of them could be hooked up to sleepy head software but another one i saw which is the BodiMetrics O2 Vibe Sleep & Fitness Monitor which would vibrate to wake me up if my 02 went below an certain level, but it looks like that cannot be viewed on a computer. Would a vibrating one work better to make my change my position? I don't know if I can post links to the products here but these are the models I was looking at.

CMS 50D+ Blue Finger Pulse Oximeter with USB and Software $32.00
(has batteries in finger sensor and may be a little heavy, no alarm function)

Contec CMS50F Wrist-worn Pulse Oximeter with Software $90
(works with sleepyhead and has software to view on computer, only has a sound alarm and no vibrate feature)

BodiMetrics O2 Vibe Sleep & Fitness Monitor $144
(smallest and lightest one, poor battery life, but finger sensor wraps around thumb making it more comfortable, also has a vibrate feature, but no computer export feature only smartphone feature).

does anyone else have any suggestions? I am glad I have been made aware of my condition, I really have not accepted it yet, but at least I can take steps to work on it.

Thanks again for all your support!

[rcobourn]

I'm thinking that having the oximeter data without other CPAP data to associate with it would be of little value. If you have a partner, the vibration option is a must (that sounds more salacious than intended). Finally, when I had my sleep study, the discomfort of the oximeter was a big part of why I basically didn't sleep for most of the night. I'd go for the comfortable model with vibration. Good luck.

[cpap626]

Thanks for the reply! I do like the smaller o2 sensor on the 02 vibe, but I am afraid that not seeing the data on a computer would be a huge disadvantage. I do agree with you, the worst part of the sleep study was the finger gripping sensor it made me sweat like crazy and was way too tight. I am just thinking if I can get a hold of my 02 levels it would be helpful. I was wondering what most people are using, if they use one at all:)

[USMCVet]

Cms50d plus does have audible alarm function. Not most comfortable thing to wear.

[cpap626]

I think I am going to try the O2 Vibe. One of the warehouse retailers has them on sale for $145 with a very generous return policy if it does not work for me. It will be more comfortable but with less data. I know it will not show apnea events but at least I can get a ballpark of when my 02 is going down, that way i can find the perfect bed angle or sleeping position that may make it better. Heck I may even record myself sleeping and see what I am doing when it happens....is that too creepy? I much rather confirm what is going on with me than have some rt just looking at a graph decide if it was junk, monument or wake. I actually find it very interesting on what my body is doing rather than heaving a doctor just say, where this....

This board is awesome!

[deficit]

Historically I've been using the Contec CMS50F wrist-worn oximeter, but in the past month I've been trying the O2Vibe. If anyone cares, these are my thoughts about the O2Vibe:

Pros:

-- The O2Vibe thumb-sensor is very nice, in particular how it wraps below the first knuckle. For me, it reliably stays on the entire night and is barely noticeable. (The Contec finger sensor fits pretty snug, but sometimes I knock it off my finger in the middle of the night).

-- The O2Vibe wrist-module is very lightweight and much less clunky than the Contec.

-- The actual SpO2 readings from the O2Vibe appears to be on-par with the Contec. I haven't noticed much difference between the two.

-- The O2Vibe also has a basic pedometer/step-tracker for people interested in that when they are awake.

Cons:

-- To view the O2Vibe data/charts, there is only Android or iPhone software. No Windows PC or Mac support. (In the morning, the user brings the wrist-module nearby their phone, and the wrist-module uploads the data via Bluetooth to the app, which is then used for viewing the graphs.).

-- There is also an optional "Cloud Sync", which uploads your data from the phone to a Bodimetrics web site. If the sync works (sometimes it is unreliable), you can download your data in a CSV file format to your PC, but the actual SpO2 values are in a binary BLOB format -- not something the average user could use.

-- No audible alarm, only vibrator alarm. (The vibrator is pretty strong though -- it wakes me up, but it might not wake up everyone..).

-- This isn't a "Con", but the O2Vibe's wrist display is pretty minimalist. It's not a large animated color display like the Contec that shows your heart beating in real time, etc. For me this doesn't matter because I'm sleeping, not watching it. The O2Vibe's display is simple white-on-black text that shows the SpO2 values updating.

Overall:

I like the O2Vibe hardware a lot better than the Contec. The O2Vibe is much less intrusive and is a breeze to sleep with. Unfortunately, the lack of any way to integrate with Sleepyhead is a bummer.

Further Steps / Info:

The O2Vibe app viewer for the data works fine, but my interest is getting the data into Sleepyhead. There are a few options, but any would require work to implement.

-- Create a Windows/Mac software that uses Bluetooth to directly communicate with the O2Vibe device to read the data. Of course, the PC/Mac would need to be Bluetooth-capable. On my Android phone, I enabled Bluetooth debugging-mode, and I can see the packets being exchanged, and the actual SpO2 values in the packets, so it doesn't seem to be impossible.

-- For Android users, the O2Vibe app stores the data in a SQLite database on the phone. (I am not sure how it is stored on iPhone.). I used a SQLite viewer to inspect the data, and the SpO2 values are, yet again, in a raw binary BLOB format similar as the Cloud format.

-- Once the data is obtained, either via Bluetooth or SQLite -- somehow get that data into Sleepyhead.

If I get motivated, I may work on some of the above, to see how far I can get. I also wrote a basic sleep-position tracking software for Android that is Sommnopose-compatible and imports into Sleepyhead successfully. It is really neat to correlate apnea events with body position.

Cheers!

[Tonawanda]

I'm thinking that having the oximeter data without other CPAP data to associate with it would be of little value. If you have a partner, the vibration option is a must (that sounds more salacious than intended). Finally, when I had my sleep study, the discomfort of the oximeter was a big part of why I basically didn't sleep for most of the night. I'd go for the comfortable model with vibration. Good luck.

I got on this topic to get some info on a oximeter, disappointed that there wasn't more info but, your post was entertaining.
"If you have a partner, the vibration option is a must (that sounds more salacious than intended)."

[Tonawanda]

Historically I've been using the Contec CMS50F wrist-worn oximeter, but in the past month I've been trying the O2Vibe. If anyone cares, these are my thoughts about the O2Vibe:

Pros:

-- The O2Vibe thumb-sensor is very nice, in particular how it wraps below the first knuckle. For me, it reliably stays on the entire night and is barely noticeable. (The Contec finger sensor fits pretty snug, but sometimes I knock it off my finger in the middle of the night).

-- The O2Vibe wrist-module is very lightweight and much less clunky than the Contec.

-- The actual SpO2 readings from the O2Vibe appears to be on-par with the Contec. I haven't noticed much difference between the two.

-- The O2Vibe also has a basic pedometer/step-tracker for people interested in that when they are awake.

Cons:

-- To view the O2Vibe data/charts, there is only Android or iPhone software. No Windows PC or Mac support. (In the morning, the user brings the wrist-module nearby their phone, and the wrist-module uploads the data via Bluetooth to the app, which is then used for viewing the graphs.).

-- There is also an optional "Cloud Sync", which uploads your data from the phone to a Bodimetrics web site. If the sync works (sometimes it is unreliable), you can download your data in a CSV file format to your PC, but the actual SpO2 values are in a binary BLOB format -- not something the average user could use.

-- No audible alarm, only vibrator alarm. (The vibrator is pretty strong though -- it wakes me up, but it might not wake up everyone..).

-- This isn't a "Con", but the O2Vibe's wrist display is pretty minimalist. It's not a large animated color display like the Contec that shows your heart beating in real time, etc. For me this doesn't matter because I'm sleeping, not watching it. The O2Vibe's display is simple white-on-black text that shows the SpO2 values updating.

Overall:

I like the O2Vibe hardware a lot better than the Contec. The O2Vibe is much less intrusive and is a breeze to sleep with. Unfortunately, the lack of any way to integrate with Sleepyhead is a bummer.

Further Steps / Info:

The O2Vibe app viewer for the data works fine, but my interest is getting the data into Sleepyhead. There are a few options, but any would require work to implement.

-- Create a Windows/Mac software that uses Bluetooth to directly communicate with the O2Vibe device to read the data. Of course, the PC/Mac would need to be Bluetooth-capable. On my Android phone, I enabled Bluetooth debugging-mode, and I can see the packets being exchanged, and the actual SpO2 values in the packets, so it doesn't seem to be impossible.

-- For Android users, the O2Vibe app stores the data in a SQLite database on the phone. (I am not sure how it is stored on iPhone.). I used a SQLite viewer to inspect the data, and the SpO2 values are, yet again, in a raw binary BLOB format similar as the Cloud format.

-- Once the data is obtained, either via Bluetooth or SQLite -- somehow get that data into Sleepyhead.

If I get motivated, I may work on some of the above, to see how far I can get. I also wrote a basic sleep-position tracking software for Android that is Sommnopose-compatible and imports into Sleepyhead successfully. It is really neat to correlate apnea events with body position.

Cheers!

Nice Review!

"I also wrote a basic sleep-position tracking software for Android that is Sommnopose-compatible and imports into Sleepyhead successfully. It is really neat to correlate apnea events with body position."

I don't know what Sommnopose means, but I would be very interested in your software!!

[deficit]

Tonawanda,

Somnopose is a cool iPhone app that uses the phone's sensors to record body position, but there is no Android version. (I only have an Android phone.) Sleepyhead has an import function for the Somnopose data, which is a plain-text CSV file with the Inclination and Orientation values. For my case... I became interested in tracking my sleeping positions, but I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on an iPhone, so I used it as an excuse to learn how to make a basic Android app, my newbie first one LOL. Turns out the Android SDK makes it really easy to get the phone's rotation data, so anyone with basic programming ability could make a similar app. My version is little more than a "Hello World" project, but it records the data and saves it the same format as Somnopose/Sleepyhead will accept. It's really neat to see the body positions alongside all the other Sleepyhead data. I don't know anything about publishing apps to the app store, but if there is interest then perhaps I could try putting it out as a free app on the google store for android, with a lot of disclaimers probably LOL.

Cheers!

[JimW159]

... in the past month I've been trying the O2Vibe.

I, too have been using the O2Vibe for about the same period (got it from Costco online @ $145). My experiences have mirrored yours for the most part, especially the comfort element. Your opinion of some of the short comings mirror mine, too. I have had occaision to speak with people at Bodimetrics regarding the lack of any way of bringing data into SH so it could be correlated with CPAP data - no joy. We did however, find a somewhat lower cost mechanism for using the iOS app without an iPhone: the iTouch running iOS 11 handles it well. It still leaves the problem getting information into a more usable form, though. In addition, I have yet to find a way of doing a screen grab of the waveform from the app if I wanted to send it to someone for comment. One positive thing coming out of this is that I have noticed something that illustrates the real need to control leakage in that all the desats reported from the O2Vibe correlate very closely with the leak rate shown in SH. This is to be expected, I know, but the degree to which the leak affects O2 level is astonishing. I have told the folks at Bodimetrics about SH and how impactful it could be to develop a means of bringing the data from their unit into it. They said they would explore the possibility - whether or not they have the resources or willingness to do it remains to be seen. However, when I broached the subject of the iTouch being compatible, they contacted their engineering section immediately and came back with a positive report within a half an hour - to me that speaks volumes about their willingness. They also asked be about prior versions of iTouch, but I could offer no useful information. The problem I find myself with now is whether or not the lack of easy correlation is a deal killer - I would prefer it not to be, but I really don't need another project or failed experiment.

[james@salbu.com]

Historically I've been using the Contec CMS50F wrist-worn oximeter, but in the past month I've been trying the O2Vibe. If anyone cares, these are my thoughts about the O2Vibe:

Pros:

-- The O2Vibe thumb-sensor is very nice, in particular how it wraps below the first knuckle. For me, it reliably stays on the entire night and is barely noticeable. (The Contec finger sensor fits pretty snug, but sometimes I knock it off my finger in the middle of the night).

-- The O2Vibe wrist-module is very lightweight and much less clunky than the Contec.

-- The actual SpO2 readings from the O2Vibe appears to be on-par with the Contec. I haven't noticed much difference between the two.

-- The O2Vibe also has a basic pedometer/step-tracker for people interested in that when they are awake.

Cons:

-- To view the O2Vibe data/charts, there is only Android or iPhone software. No Windows PC or Mac support. (In the morning, the user brings the wrist-module nearby their phone, and the wrist-module uploads the data via Bluetooth to the app, which is then used for viewing the graphs.).

-- There is also an optional "Cloud Sync", which uploads your data from the phone to a Bodimetrics web site. If the sync works (sometimes it is unreliable), you can download your data in a CSV file format to your PC, but the actual SpO2 values are in a binary BLOB format -- not something the average user could use.

-- No audible alarm, only vibrator alarm. (The vibrator is pretty strong though -- it wakes me up, but it might not wake up everyone..).

-- This isn't a "Con", but the O2Vibe's wrist display is pretty minimalist. It's not a large animated color display like the Contec that shows your heart beating in real time, etc. For me this doesn't matter because I'm sleeping, not watching it. The O2Vibe's display is simple white-on-black text that shows the SpO2 values updating.

Overall:

I like the O2Vibe hardware a lot better than the Contec. The O2Vibe is much less intrusive and is a breeze to sleep with. Unfortunately, the lack of any way to integrate with Sleepyhead is a bummer.

Further Steps / Info:

The O2Vibe app viewer for the data works fine, but my interest is getting the data into Sleepyhead. There are a few options, but any would require work to implement.

-- Create a Windows/Mac software that uses Bluetooth to directly communicate with the O2Vibe device to read the data. Of course, the PC/Mac would need to be Bluetooth-capable. On my Android phone, I enabled Bluetooth debugging-mode, and I can see the packets being exchanged, and the actual SpO2 values in the packets, so it doesn't seem to be impossible.

-- For Android users, the O2Vibe app stores the data in a SQLite database on the phone. (I am not sure how it is stored on iPhone.). I used a SQLite viewer to inspect the data, and the SpO2 values are, yet again, in a raw binary BLOB format similar as the Cloud format.

-- Once the data is obtained, either via Bluetooth or SQLite -- somehow get that data into Sleepyhead.

If I get motivated, I may work on some of the above, to see how far I can get. I also wrote a basic sleep-position tracking software for Android that is Sommnopose-compatible and imports into Sleepyhead successfully. It is really neat to correlate apnea events with body position.

Cheers!

Hi Deficit,

Very useful and informative post. Thank you.

I have been in contact the hardware manufacturer of the O2VIbe Viatom with a company MTS that is providing another version of the O2vibe. The MTS version can export CSV as well. Is this any different to the Bodimetrics CSV data? I have attached the information provided and sample file. I use Sleepyhead as well and find it extremely useful to import and analyse my CPAP data. Currently I am using a snoreo2 oximeter that a cheaper version of the O2vibe hardware with no display or cloud support or ability to export CSV data but uses a very similar App to display data in Android. So currently I am doing screenshots of my snoreo2 Data and doing visual comparisons with sleepyhead graphs to correlate. Not very efficient. Any thoughts or advice? I am trying to figure out which version of the Oximeter to buy next. I really like the hardware and basic functionality of the hardware. Integration with Sleepy head is my primary interest at this point.



Cheers.

[score69]

I use the Lookee Sleep Monitor:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DV ... UTF8&psc=1

It has the thumb sensor, similar as far as Android and Apple phone only. Also has the vibration alert that you can set intensity and SPO2 level you want it to trigger at.

No, I can't export the data to pull it into Sleepyhead. However, it's still been a great tool.

I used it for two nights without my CPAP to get a baseline. Was able to see all of my desats, how low they went, average SPO2, etc. Was actually pretty scary. It will also flag movement during the night and of course HR.

Then I began monitoring my SPO2 with my CPAP as well and can see that the issues are pretty much eliminated. I'm down to probably only one desat/night and it's not below 90%.

I have a sister I'm 99% sure has sleep apnea, she's in denial. Going to have her wear it for a few nights when visiting over the holidays. Maybe that will be enough to get her to the Dr if her results are similar to mine.

If you don't need one that exports data for Sleepyhead, this is a great little device.

[Stom]

Thanks for all the detailed info on the O2 Vibe.

The same basic device comes paired with Moyeah APAPs, complete with APAP, wireless pulse ox, and nasal cushion mask, for a total of under $500. I had thought that the pulse ox integrated with the APAPs data recording, but upon reviewing the current website marketing, that might not be the case. Regardless, if these folks can offer **all of that** for under $500, ResMed ought to be able to offer just their integrated pulse ox for less than the **$900** extra they currently charge.

My Vivosmart 4 fitness tracker has a built-in pulse ox that can record for 4 hours at night during sleep, but it only takes one reading every minute, and I'd need a real recording pulse oximeter to determine if it is accurate or not. So the O2 Vibe is interesting to me. Moyeah sells their identical looking wireless pulse ox on their website for $109.

[james@salbu.com]

I use the Lookee Sleep Monitor:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DV ... UTF8&psc=1

It has the thumb sensor, similar as far as Android and Apple phone only. Also has the vibration alert that you can set intensity and SPO2 level you want it to trigger at.

No, I can't export the data to pull it into Sleepyhead. However, it's still been a great tool.

I used it for two nights without my CPAP to get a baseline. Was able to see all of my desats, how low they went, average SPO2, etc. Was actually pretty scary. It will also flag movement during the night and of course HR.

Then I began monitoring my SPO2 with my CPAP as well and can see that the issues are pretty much eliminated. I'm down to probably only one desat/night and it's not below 90%.

I have a sister I'm 99% sure has sleep apnea, she's in denial. Going to have her wear it for a few nights when visiting over the holidays. Maybe that will be enough to get her to the Dr if her results are similar to mine.

If you don't need one that exports data for Sleepyhead, this is a great little device.

Yes I have exactly the same unit and the same experience. My before and after CPAP (My first day of CPAP) attached shows the same dramatic change you report. Great little unit but simply no way to import data into Sleepy Head. Now looking for options to import. So far only CSV but not for the Lookee Sleep Monitor unfortunately. It is available via a cable for the OWC version and via the cloud using Bodimetrics version. So those are options I am exploring to allow me to graph the data using graphing programs on my PC. But still hoping for some way to import into sleepyhead. Otherwise the Contec option appears the only choice. I prefer the the SnoreO2 hardware to the Contec hardware for all the reasons pointed out yourself and others above.

[2324Ace]

I have used both. pre-cpap i found O2 to be useful. But 2 killers for me:

1) The thumb monitor is made of rubber and in all the pics of the device they do not show you that its held around your thumb by a very flimsy thin piece of rubber that broke in 2 weeks. so then it doesnt work well and risks it coming off your thumb when you sleep......and so you have to tape or velcro or other solution......poor design for $150-$200 item

2) No ability to extract raw data to sleepyhead. I use Contec CMS50I. Bought from some ebay retailer in China which was a bit of a pain and took 2 weeks to show up but satisfied with the product and no flimsy rubber tether to break.

pre-cpap O2 Vibe output pre-cpap just for yucks:

pre cpap .jpg (279.94 KiB) Viewed 3191 times