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QardioArm turn off time
The QarioArm has a very simple look. It is just a plastic rectangular box attached directly to the armband. It is not a fancy “Apple” look like the Withings BPM but is is clean and nice. The unit does not use Lithium rechargeable batteries. This is a plus in my book as when the Lithium battery is dead it cannot be replaced (I.e.: Withing BPM). I’d rather pay for alkaline batteries every 4 to 6 months than having to throw away the unit when the battery dies...
There is no ON/OFF button, or any other switch) and that can be a bit surprising at first. When you unwrap the armband the unit turns on automatically (there is a small magnet inside the armband activating an internal switch).
Once you have downloaded the QardioArm App (mine is on Android) you need to create an account. For the first use you need to be close to the unit and you will receive a pairing request. Accept it, and that’s it! The large START button was greyed but once connected by Bluetooth it turns green. Set your preference first: 1, 2 or 3 successive tests to average (I selected 3 for best results) and 15, 30 or 60 seconds between each test (I selected 30 seconds for best results). Once done, your phone will display the average of the tests done at that time.
There is no display on the unit so you must have your phone to use this system! The display is immediately active once connected which means you see the display in real time during the inflation/deflation process. Most other systems (like my previous connected OMRON 10) only display after the unit has finished the testing and starts transferring the data. Press the green start button and the process starts. The sound from the pump is relatively quiet.
The App is good but could be improved. It is definitely functional and it will surely get updated overtime.
There is an icon in the app to send the results to your Dr. But you can as well just enter your own email and you will be emailed the results so you can keep a copy before forwarding to your Dr.
There is no option to save on different accounts but there is a visitor mode which allows you to test someone else without having the data stored in YOUR account! However, there is an easy work around. My spouse has downloaded the app and has created a personal account. Then the phone was paired to the same QardioArm unit as me. That way we can both keep separate records of our measurement with only one unit.
The only caveat is that the 2nd paired phone should not be close to the unit at the same time as the primary phone otherwise the unit does not know which one to connect to. If the 2nd phone is several feet away, then it’s not a problem. If it is close, then it should turn Bluetooth momentarily off so it does not interfere with the primary phone. It is slightly inconvenient but not a deal breaker!
To turn off the unit you need to wrap the armband around. You will fee the magnet clinging in position. However the unit does NOT immediately turn off! It takes about 5 minutes before the Bluetooth is fully disconnected. This is shown by the green light which quickly flashes 3 times right after 5 minutes. Full power off is after 15-20 minutes if the armband is not wrapped around the unit properly. There is basically no power being used once the armband is wrapped in place as long as you don’t press the start button of course! I am not sure why they need that delay before full shutdown, probably to allow background transmission of data... but the battery drain during that period is very small so it does not affect significantly the battery life. Batteries are supposed to last 6 months but I just got the unit so I can’t verify that.
The most important part of a blood pressure monitor is accuracy of the measurements. The QardioArm accuracy is excellent as long as you follow the proper instructions for the armband positioning! The company has gone through extensive calibration validation (not very many blood personal use pressure monitors have). It is FDA cleared, European CE marked and Canadian CE marked.
I did multiple tests with the OMRON 10 (which had been verified accurate at a hospital setting with a professional equipment) and the results were always within 3 to 5mm/Hg, which is typical test/retest variation. So great accuracy!
The manual is fairly explicit, except for the OFF function which is just indicated as “the unit will turn off within a few minutes” without giving the number minutes to expect...
Overall I am extremely pleased with this purchase and I am retiring my OMRON 10 (which required a monthly subscription to allow sending a report to the owner or to the DR.) and replacing it with this unit which has excellent calibration and allows free sending of reports while being so small it easily fits in a briefcase and is designed to be taken on trips.
| Manufacturer | Qardio, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Place of Business | SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94104 US |
| Item model number | A101-CAW |
| Product Dimensions | 14 x 6.8 x 3.8 cm; 310 g |
| ASIN | B0734L2QQJ |
