Oximeters: Junk or Not?

There are a ton of posts on oximeters. I just cant get past all of the customer reviews on Amazon and similar sites referring to major issues with durability, some issues with accuracy, and no customer support when things go wrong. Though I see many cp-talk users are using them and finding them at least acceptable. I hesitate to purchase products that have quality issues and am a bit stuck as to how to proceed. Would appreciate insights on products that may be more reliable and durable, and would also like to know how the oximeters are helping people to improve their therapy. Many thanks for any insights.

I use the Wellue O2 ring, I'm on my 2nd. The first still works but the display doesn't work anymore. I used it for 6 or 7 years off and on. The second one I've had for a few months and use it every night. These are pretty basic, they don't give you a lot of mumbo jumbo analysis, but you can see a graph on a PC (phone graphs are useless) so the details are there, and it will tell you the number of O2 drops > 3% and > 4%. But the real value is the import into OSCAR to see the details next to the machine data. I like the O2 ring because its minimal, no wires and its a finger sensor is much more accurate than wrist sensing. Its really easy to import into OSCAR if you don't mind using USB. I'm satisfied that its accurate as long as its properly fitted.

I've got thin white skin so I'm ideal for using O2 rings. My wife has Raynaud's and it's more difficult to get reliable readings. I find that you have to choose a finger where it's tight as you can deal with. I purchased the child O2 for her, she wears it on her pinkie and it works fine. She couldn't use the adult one, it was too loose even on her thumb.

I've also had several static finger clips, I purchased a few of them at the beginning of the pandemic and gave them to family. They all work and are pretty accurate. But a static finger clips aren't useful for sleep. You don't have to spend much on these.

My advice is to get an pulse oxy that's on the OSCAR support list. Use search on this site to find out how many people have difficulties importing data etc. Most of those are pretty tried and true.

If you don't have sleep apnea or use a machine the criteria would be totally different. I think you get into Apple or Oura at that point if you want something that has both accurate readings and offers useful data interpretation. I've tried a few less expensive watches, and a sleep ring, none of them gave useful information, they didn't agree with my O2 or Resmed machine and their sleep analysis was witch doctor worthy. The real danger here lies in devices that give lots of bad advice.....