On Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 3:37:50 PM UTC-8, John DeRosa OHM Ω
http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
Being a flat-lander I want to monitor my O2 blood saturation level during high altitude flights. I own one of the inexpensive OLED fingertip pulse oximeters ("Pulse OX") devices which works but for several annoying things;
1) It's finicky fingertip fitting makes it nearly impossible to keep properly aligned on my fingertip especially during flight.
2) It has an OLED display that is not have a bright enough to read during in direct sunlight (except maybe close under a rather dark cloud). I know that there are LCD versions that solve this problem but I still have #1 to contend with.
3) Making a reading falls into the push-a-button-to-start-a-reading-then-wait-a-long-time-and-keep-glancing-down-until-you-see-the-results-or-else-it-times-out category. Not very safe but I could live with it if the device was sunlight readable.
I trialed three models of a "wrist watch" type unit (about $30-$50). These solve #1. Failed for #2. Iffy for #3 as you still have to tap through some screens to start a reading.
I have been reading about the new Garmin Vivosmart 4 (https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/605739) which I had high hopes for. About $130.
1) Solved as it is on my wrist not floating around the cabin.
2) May be a problem as the screen is OLED and unsure if it will be sunlight readable. I would think that Garmin would have a leg up on this concern..
3) Reading the manual the O2 readings can be automated ("...during Auto Pulse Ox Sleep Tracking: Allows your device to record up to four hours of pulse oximeter readings while you sleep."). Otherwise you have to do some taping to get to the right screen and to start a reading. I was really excited about the vibrating alarm feature but it seems to only be for heart rate, not O2. Combining the alarm with O2 readings would have been a WIN.
I will research the Garmin smart watches that contain an oximeter. These are in the $250-$400 range.
Anyone else done other research?
Thanks, John DeRosa (OHM Ω)
I looked into the Vivosmart and the reviews were discouraging:
https://smile.amazon.com/product-rev...ews-filter-bar