best oximeter?

I'd like to choose an oximeter from those currently on the market. Of course, it must have memory to record a full night's sleep and display all saturation results below 90% for a 6-8 hour period.

User reviews I have found online are inconclusive as some buyers report that they are junk while others rave...

I realize that some of you who have good oximeters may own models that are no longer available, but I thought it was worth a shot...

Thanks for any and all responses.

Good question RandyJ, I've been wondering the same as I'd like to get an oximeter myself. I'll also be interested in the answers. I saw quite a few at Amazon at some pretty reasonable prices, but I'd be willing to spend more for a good one if the cheaper ones are junk.

I'm purchased the Pulse Oximeter CMS50. I've had no issues with it. Very user friendly.
I mostly use it randomly at night before going to bed. I've not kept it on while I sleep.

Starlette

You have to be careful which of the CMS-50s you buy. Not all CMS-50 models are recording oximeters. I have one of the early model CMS-50D+ which is a recording oximeter - but - the CMS-50D is NOT a recording oximeter. The difference is that + (plus) after the D. Others have a CMS-50E and CMS-50F but I'm not going to swear I have the names right to guarantee they are recording oximeters. So wait for others w/those models to jump in and advise you.

The SPO 7500 is a good recording wrist oximeter. More expensive than the ConTec CMS-50D+ and you need to be sure that the seller is including the software w/it. Some do, some don't last I knew.

Nonin makes some GREAT oximeters, but not all are recording, and I'm pretty sure the software is extra and is expensive and the Nonin oximeter itself is not cheap. Just darn good.

All of those above are FDA approved for sale in the USA.

Thank you Slinky for pointing the "+" out.

Starlette

Contec makes hospital grade stuff, and they make a few "cheap" clip on recording oximeters as well. The CMS-50 line, The D+ model and the CMS-50E look about the same but the D+ runs on a AAA battery and the E includes a lithium rechargeable. The also make the CMS-50EW (wireless) and one with Blue-tooth included. The D+ and cheaper E include a USB cable to connect up to your PC and download the results. The others can send the data (real time?) wirelessly to your PC.

A user review of the CMS-50E is here:

viewtopic/t28525/Report-on-CMS50E-Pulse-Oximeter.html

Lots more mention of it elsewhere on the boards as well.

Whatever you buy, take it in to your sleep doc on you next visit and ask them to let you compare it to their equipment. Most a 2% accurate in the 70-99 range.

They also make strap on watch type and others, in case you can't go all night with the clip on in place. They cost more, of course.

I have a Contec CMS 50F, the wrist model. I really like it. It is comfortable and stays on my finger all night. I download via usb and it gives a good report, specifically showing the number of desats <88% which was what I was monitoring. Very easy to use. It also recharges via the usb so I don't have to download and then do another step to charge it up. I did have a problem with one early on but it was replaced under warranty. No problems since. I also have a backup - same model. I ordered it on ebay and it came from China. Slow delivery (10-14 days I think) but it was exactly the same as one I ordered from US supplier and much cheaper.

dwynne wrote:The D+ and cheaper E include a USB cable to connect up to your PC and download the results. The others can send the data (real time?) wirelessly to your PC.

The CMS-50D+ will also record real time data with correct time stamps if you connect it to the PC with the USB cable while wearing it. Of course, this means you have to be sleeping next to the computer and you have another wire in the bed with you.

When using the CMS-50D+ live via USB, it doesn't seem to drain the batteries, or at least not much. It won't work without the batteries, though, even on USB.

Built in rechargeable lithium batteries have the disadvantage that some of them tend to die unexpectedly after you've used them for a while and you can't use your device any more. With the models that use replaceable AAA batteries, I can use rechargeable batteries and change them when they leak. I DO have to use a separate charger, though.

I find wireless gadgets to be a source of frustration. It seems you have to tinker a lot to get them to work, then, all of a sudden, something changes and no workee. I have NOT tried any of the Contec wireless devices.

The CMS-50D is a clip on device, not a wrist strap device, so it's harder to use overnight. In fact, I think the manual says not to leave it on overnight. I clip it on my thumb and it seems to work fine. Some people can do clip on overnight, some have problems with it.

I'm not sure I would call it "the best," but it works OK for me and is less expensive than many of the other devices.

If you are worried about the fingerclip staying on all night just put a clean sock over the hand w/the fingerclip on. Works like a charm, fingerclip stays firmly attached and recording.

Thank you all for the great feedback!!

Slinky wrote:If you are worried about the fingerclip staying on all night just put a clean sock over the hand w/the fingerclip on. Works like a charm, fingerclip stays firmly attached and recording.

I thought that is why they made tape?

The sock works better for me. Easier, faster and neater. We all have socks that have lost their mate. Usually one of our favorite pairs of sock.

Slinky wrote:The sock works better for me. Easier, faster and neater. We all have socks that have lost their mate. Usually one of our favorite pairs of sock.

Slinky: which sock do you use.... the left or the right???

Have any of you folks heard about a doctor writing a prescription for renting a oxymeter? I hate to buy one, and I only want to use it for a few nights to see if I have any oxygen issues.

Sheriff

I should try the sock method!

I have a CS-50E and have found it to work very well. The software is nothing to write home about, but it works quite well and shows you they data over time, so looks aren't the most important thing here =)

I use a little "tape harness" made from several strips of tape attached to the device and (loosely) my finger, that holds it on all night without being uncomfortable. I use flexible fabric medical tape (you can get it in your local drugstore/chemist's).

The oximeters that the local DME providers "rent" out usually only have a battery life of 24, possibly 48, hours if I remember correctly. Short term anyway, not good for 2-3 nights. Once you turn it off the data has to be downloaded before it is turned on again.

But, yes, your doctor can prescribe an overnight oximetry so that the local DME provider will "rent" you an oximeter overnight.

Talk to your doctor about it and see if he can come up w/a solution for 2-3 nights of oximetry.