$200 pulse oximeter for monitoring your oxygen saturation

I came across what looks like a really nifty pulse oximeter:

http://www.scantechmedical.com/spo_medical.htm

At $200US, there seems to be little excuse not to have one when flying
with oxygen. Has anyone used one, or have more information on it than at
this web site?

I think the Minolta Pulsox-3 is still the most desirable overall,
especially for winter wave flying where the pilot is wearing gloves, but
the cheapest I can find it is still $499US.
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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

I've not flown in wave, yet, but I would guess the
cockpit could get rather cold. The spec sheet for
this oximeter shows the operating range from 39 degrees
F to 109 degrees F.

Can cockpit temps drop lower than 39 F at oxygen altitudes?

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina USA

Ray, just a thought, but the warmth from your hand might keep it well
above that temperature... even though your fingers sometimes feel like
they are going to break off.

Ray Lovinggood wrote:

I've not flown in wave, yet, but I would guess the
cockpit could get rather cold. The spec sheet for
this oximeter shows the operating range from 39 degrees
F to 109 degrees F.

Can cockpit temps drop lower than 39 F at oxygen altitudes?

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina USA

Pulse oxymeters need warm fingers with a good blood flow to get a reading.
Clip on units like this require that you remove a glove to use it - not a
good idea in a wave. I'd pass.

I use a unit that has a sensor on a cord. The sensor and cord can go under
a glove. The display unit attaches to my arm with a Velcro strap. How cold
can it get in a wave? I've seen -55F.

Bill Daniels


"Larry Goddard" wrote in message
...
Ray, just a thought, but the warmth from your hand might keep it well
above that temperature... even though your fingers sometimes feel like
they are going to break off.

Ray Lovinggood wrote:

I've not flown in wave, yet, but I would guess the
cockpit could get rather cold. The spec sheet for
this oximeter shows the operating range from 39 degrees
F to 109 degrees F.

Can cockpit temps drop lower than 39 F at oxygen altitudes?

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina USA

Bill Daniels wrote:

Pulse oxymeters need warm fingers with a good blood flow to get a reading.
Clip on units like this require that you remove a glove to use it - not a
good idea in a wave. I'd pass.

I don't mind doing that occasionally, as I already stick a fingertip out
of my mitten to change the radio or poke the Ipaq.

I use a unit that has a sensor on a cord. The sensor and cord can go under
a glove. The display unit attaches to my arm with a Velcro strap.

Which unit are you using, and which unit do you wish you had? I've seen
the Minolta Pulsox-3, which looks ideal except for costing 2.5 times as
much.

How cold
can it get in a wave? I've seen -55F.

Not me. I like to stop around 0F, though I'll occasionally splurge and
go as high as -20F outside (it's warmer inside, of course). Even that
makes my feet cold and gets me worrying about the gel coat.


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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...

Which unit are you using, and which unit do you wish you had? I've seen
the Minolta Pulsox-3, which looks ideal except for costing 2.5 times as
much.

I've been using the Palco Labs "Aero" for the last 5 years and I wouldn't
change.

Bill Daniels

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
Bill Daniels wrote:

Pulse oxymeters need warm fingers with a good blood flow to get a
reading.
Clip on units like this require that you remove a glove to use it - not a
good idea in a wave. I'd pass.


I use a Nonin earlobe clip on a flylead connected to a panel mounted unit.
The sensor can be worn under a hat or balaclava so the sensor and my ears
stay warm. Less interference with controls and can 'fit and forget' for the
whole flight.

Ian

Ray Lovinggood wrote:
I've not flown in wave, yet, but I would guess the
cockpit could get rather cold. The spec sheet for
this oximeter shows the operating range from 39 degrees
F to 109 degrees F.

Can cockpit temps drop lower than 39 F at oxygen altitudes?

They can, and I've 10F or so inside when it's -20 outside. I'm sure it
will work at least 10 degrees below it's spec, or more, as is common for
electronic equipment. My Ipaq is rated to 32F, and it was working fine
in that 10F cockpit I mentioned, but you can't count on everything doing
that well. Thus the hope someone had experience with these.

Of course, most of my oxygen flying isn't in temperatures that cold, so
it would be useful the majority of the time.


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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

First off, let me say I think the Pulse oximiter can be a useful tool to
anyone who is flying at altitudes and using supplemental oxygen....I also
looked into these low cost Pulse Oximiters. What I am finding with more
checking is that some have popped up on the market that have been reported
as poor quality knock-offs, typically, made in China and may not be totally
accurate with their readings...Nonin, the company that produces the Finger
Pulse Oximiters that I do offer I have also been told has a lawsuit out on
one of these companies that is producing an exact knock-off in China and
even has the Nonin name on it....
just to note of caution..
tim
www.wingsandwheels.com

"Ray Lovinggood" wrote in message
...
I've not flown in wave, yet, but I would guess the
cockpit could get rather cold. The spec sheet for
this oximeter shows the operating range from 39 degrees
F to 109 degrees F.

Can cockpit temps drop lower than 39 F at oxygen altitudes?

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina USA

Tim Mara wrote:

First off, let me say I think the Pulse oximiter can be a useful tool to
anyone who is flying at altitudes and using supplemental oxygen....I also
looked into these low cost Pulse Oximiters. What I am finding with more
checking is that some have popped up on the market that have been reported
as poor quality knock-offs, typically, made in China and may not be totally
accurate with their readings...Nonin, the company that produces the Finger
Pulse Oximiters that I do offer I have also been told has a lawsuit out on
one of these companies that is producing an exact knock-off in China and
even has the Nonin name on it....
just to note of caution..

The one I mentioned is approved by the FDA and requires a prescription
to purchase. Counterfeits are a concern for any brand, as Tim points
out, so I would suggest buying your oximeter (Nonin or whatever brand)
from a well-known dealer, and not on eBay!

As far as the prescription is concerned, most of us can easily get one
from a physician friend, I think, or they might even be willing to
purchase it for you, as they can sometimes get a discount. The Nonin
units like Tim sells are not approved for medical use, which is why it
doesn't require a prescription.


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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA