Report on CMS50E Pulse Oximeter

[coconut]

This is an update. It seems that Echostore, the place selling the oximeter for about $200, (and the place I bought one from), offers a flawed version of the software. I cannot get it to print or show reports, even though it seems to be a version of the same program. So I can't recommend buying it from the $200 place, paying $250 and getting working software is the way to go, unless you have a friend with the software disk. So I give the device itself a 9 out of 10 so far, but the software I got through echostore (via download) is flawed.

dj

[coconut]

Well, I haven't yet gotten any answer from Echostore about the nonfunctional software, and - yow! - I see that for a return they charge a high 'restocking fee'.

Anyone who got the "good" software and would wish to help me get it working, would be appreciated. I have paid for the unit and the software, so am authorized to have it... I just don't have a functional version.

Thanks in advance for any help.

dj

[billbolton]

I cannot get it to print or show reports, even though it seems to be a version of the same program. So I can't recommend buying it from the $200 place, paying $250 and getting working software is the way to go, unless you have a friend with the software disk.

Give the small sample size of CM 50E users here so far, it is simply not possible to know whether its the software you downloaded or something in your overall PC application infrastructure environment that is causing your problems.

You may find you have the same problem with software off the CD, so just shooting from the hip on sources of supply is not a great idea!

Cheers,

Bill

[coconut]

Give the small sample size of CM 50E users here so far, it is simply not possible to know whether its the software you downloaded or something in your overall PC application infrastructure environment that is causing your problems.

You may find you have the same problem with software off the CD, so just shooting from the hip on sources of supply is not a great idea!

Absolutely true. Anyone reading this should just take me as one data point. However, I do represent a valid data point, Echostore has failed to respond so far, and if they DO respond in a helpful way I'll post the resolution as well. In the meanwhile, I'd like to help others avoid problems. My not recommending the nonfunctional software is a pretty easy call.

The software is definitely different versions. I don't have access to both versions. However, anyone who DOES have the CD version software could do a useful comparison by simply downloading the software from Echostore's website and doing a comparison review. I, and presumably others, would be interested in the outcome.

Again, so far it sounds to me like the software Willie got is what you'd want. I'll be interested in any other comments!

best.

[sparky2]

The software is definitely different versions. I don't have access to both versions. However, anyone who DOES have the CD version software could do a useful comparison by simply downloading the software from Echostore's website and doing a comparison review. I, and presumably others, would be interested in the outcome.

best.

Brilliant!

I would like to second that suggestion. I just tonight ordered mine from Echostore and downloaded the online software. I would like to know if I am going to have the same problem so I can start to find a solution.

TIA


Sparky2

[coconut]

Update!

I received a message this morning from Echostore that they got the newer software and updated it on their website. No coincidence, I imagine. Thus, as of this morning, they should have the newest software there for download. Sounds like good news; I won't have time to load it until I get home later today, but I'm enthused to (a) get a reply from them, and (b) that they have taken me seriously. Indeed, they apologized in their note that their reply to me took as long as it did.

So my estimate of Echostore has gone up already, and I expect that if they have indeed put up the new software version that it might be a good place to buy from.

So that's the up-to-the-minute report on Echostore and the seemingly-faulty software.

best

DJ

[BP]

Has anyone had the opportunity to calibrate this oximeter to another one known to give accurate data? Just want to make sure the numbers it is giving are correct.

Thanks,
BP

[coconut]

And in the continuing saga...

The echostore link now downloads the program version that Willie has, version .92, which has all the components he describes. And with the data I have previously downloaded, it prints the beautiful reports that he has uploaded.

Great, but....

At least in my case, there is a problem. The new software will not communicate with the oximeter. I have downloaded and re-installed it all four times, and the software continues to say "no device available". It also does not allow one to set the COM speed or port like the previous version did. There is a "menu" button but all it does is allow you to choose the language (english). There is a button with a wrench on it, but it does nothing when clicked. The "cogwheel" button is no longer there, as described in the photos on the Echostore website, though it seems to have been replaced by the "magnifying glass" button. Interestingly, the readme file refers to the gear button even though there is no such button visible to me.

So, there's the report... any comments, or suggestions?

best!

DJ

[Arizona-Willie]

did you remember to go into the menus and turn on USB?

Then run the software SPO1Review and click on the magnifying glass and at the top there are buttons for new or review. Click new. You can either enter your name and all that stuff or ignore it and click OK then go into the menu and turn on upload and it should begin uploading data into the program.

[coconut]

did you remember to go into the menus and turn on USB?

Then run the software SPO1Review and click on the magnifying glass and at the top there are buttons for new or review. Click new. You can either enter your name and all that stuff or ignore it and click OK then go into the menu and turn on upload and it should begin uploading data into the program.

Yep, I turned on USB; I assume you mean on the oximeter, there are no menus on the program I have even though there is a button on the bottom left which says it's a menu.

Yes, I did as you say, and in the software I have, as soon as I click on the magnifying glass an error window pops up noting that there is no device available. Proceeding past that, the fields for COM and SPEED settings are blank.

So either the software at Echostore for download is faulty, or it is a problem with my machine. In particular, I'm wondering if previously installing the faulty version of the software may have messed things up; uninstalling it did not go smoothly. It will be interesting to get a report from someone else who installs the V.92 software from an echostore download.

best - dj

[coconut]

OK, this can probably be my last post on this issue, but I'm glad to know about the community here and will check back.

First, I'll note that the initial software that Echostore had for download required a special USB driver to also be downloaded and installed, and in addition there was an additional "bridge driver" included in the ZIP file which had to be installed. None of that is in the new file, but Echostore still has the old instructions and driver download on their page. I've just un-installed all of that and I'd recommend to others not installing the extra USB driver in the first place unless you have that "only 23 minutes of data" problem they describe.

Still, "no device is available". So... when in doubt, wiggle the wires. And that's where it came together. The tiny socket on the oximeter where the wire plugs in was making sporadic contact. Turns out that on my unit, you need to push the plug in only halfway for the computer to "see" it. Once I fiddled with it that way, the computer suddenly "found new hardware" and it worked.

So... to sum up: I think the initial software on the Echostore site was flawed, because even when it had the data it wouldn't print. The new software seems fine. However, my unit has a balky connection to the USB cable; and since it's new, others may see that as well.

I am happy with the purchase now.

cheers

DJ

[WxMan]

I'm considering getting an oximeter myself so have read this post with interest.

I did some searching on the internet and discovered that Contec makes several other pulse oximeters besides the CMS-50E...two others which are also capable of downloading data. The CMS-50E appears to be a rather large fingertip device in appearance (however may be wrong in that regard) so I took interest in two other models...the CMS-60A is a wired device more similar to my experience with the sleep center...while the CMS-50F looks of particular interest to me in that the device on the finger is relatively small while the data storage device is actually worn on the wrist. Suspect that some users, particularly the restless sleepers (and I am one) who might be prone to dislodging the CMS-50E might find these of interest.

I found all of these pulse oximeters on one site at an excellent price...and, according to them, complete with software. First a disclaimer. I have never dealt with this company not do I have any knowledge in regard to how reputable they may be. I have no affiliation with them whatsoever. I could find no prohibitation of a link to a business in the forum FAQ so am posting the link for others who may be interested . However, if I have inadvertently violated any of the forum rules, I will certainly understand if the link is removed.

Here it is:
http://digitaldiscounters.net/category.sc?categoryId=5

[coconut]

Well, I'll weigh in on this, too... since others here helped me I'd like to help in return...

I think these other recording oximeters are a great discovery! If I'd seen this, I'd probably have gotten the wrist one. Certainly, they must use the same software.

the CMS-50A is a wired device more similar to my experience with the sleep center...while the CMS-50F looks of particular interest to me in that the device on the finger is relatively small while the data storage device is actually worn on the wrist. Suspect that some users, particularly the restless sleepers (and I am one) who might be prone to dislodging the CMS-50E might find these of interest.

The CMS-60A is nice in that it's a few bucks cheaper and that it uses AA batteries, which I like. It also has a large display. However, looks like it needs you to add an SD card to give it the memory to remember data, and the interface is RS-232 which I think is less-cool than USB. The finger clip looks about the same, just slightly smaller, than the entire cms50e.

The CMS-50F looks perfect - it's what I'd have bought had I known about it, and though it doesn't list many specs on this site, I'll bet it has the same circuitry as the 50e... why wouldn't it? Looks to have a very similar OLED display.

I haven't had any problem keeping the CMS-50E on my finger all night, but then I sleep propped up in a LaZBoy; when we did my wife with it last nite I figured she might wake up and scream and fling it into the wall, imagining a lizard biting her finger or something (if you knew her you'd know this is credible) so we put a sock on her hand to keep it from flying. She found it uncomfortable, I don't... any more than any pulseOx probe. Still, the wristwatch one looks like it would be less intrusive.

Great find, great prices. Finally... I wish these had been available a decade ago.

DJ

[Nodzy]

Bad news.... good news.

I just looked at the ConTec site. They have a sales page where they list the CMS-50E for $198.00... inclusive and direct from the OEM -- But less shipping, no doubt.

But they didn't list the CMS-50F wrist-worn model on that sales page.

http://www.contecmed.com/cart/product1. ... ter&Page=2


Nodzy

[WxMan]

The CMS-50F really appears to exist...but there's very little information on the actual specifications of the model. I'd certainly want to find out a few more details before I actually purchased one. However, the limited details available make it look tempting.

As already noted...Contec doesn't list it on its home site. However, its obviously an English version of a Chinese site. They do list all the other models so suspicion would be that it is a relatively new model and their site hasn't been updated to include it. Not suprising given they have a hard enough time getting the actual operating instructions in English.

Here's another site that gives specifications on the Contect oximeters. It does indeed list the CMS-50F so its real. However, no more details on it than are available on the Digital Discounters link.

http://hellasmed.co.uk/n/2007-12-14-c/o ... imeter.pdf