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spo2 low accuracy

Ismail.Dakrory
over 3 years ago

Hi everyone,

I found Spo2 is way off, it's inaccurate at all comparing to other (LOT Cheaper) devices.

anyone have advice to gain more accurate results, or we have to wait for (most likely never) update that fix it from Garmin.

Thanks

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    It seems like I am the only one suffering this!!!

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Ismail.Dakrory

    I think everybody has this issue. It can give an indication, but the sensor is not trustworthy as a medical instrument.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    It's not low accuracy, but zero accuracy. I've done tons of comparisons with medical pulsoximeters, and the measurement on the VA4 might as well be a random number. On my Fitbit device, on the other hand, it is pretty much spot on, so it's not because it's impossible to measure it on the wrist. Bad sensor, bad algorithms is what I suppose.

    Garmin owners should get a partial refund in my opinion.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Ismail.Dakrory

    You're not alone, I had the issue with it too as it gave me very low SpO2 readings when I tried it, and if I had no pulseoximeter at home I'd be concerned with that.

    But I feel that with the latest firmware 5.80 they changed alghortims a bit, as at least now I don't get those weird 75% readings. I tried it just out of curiosity a few times and got readings correlation with my on finger pulseoximter more or less.

    But still, the only way to measure it reliably is to run it manually, turn off automatic measurements during the day because even light movements would mess up measurements, make sure that watch are sitting tightly on your hand, and don't move during the test.

    Still I wouldn't recommend relying on this particular sensor, at least not now.

    , can you tell something why SpO2 measurements are so unreliable and can we submit a request for improving it?

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to sensovision

    Thank you for your comments .  We certainly want this to be as accurate as possible for our customers and are always working on making improvements.  Please see https://www.garmin.com/en-US/legal/atdisclaimer/ for information to your question about the accuracy of these measurements for some users.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Garmin-Kevin

    Even the does not work, the maximum that marks me is 95, completely busted

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to LucaCast

    Same. I use it but only so I can compare nightly to see if anything changes dramatically. I know my spO2 isn’t actually 80% every night. It is simply inaccurate and completely unreliable as a measurement on its own. Disappointing, but -looking at sleep tracking and other tracking on these watches - unsurprising. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    SpO2 is nothing to mess around with.  And last night my V4 showed ridiculously low.  Advising someone their level averaged 89% and has dipped below 75% for a period of time should be cause for high-alarm and usually justifies a hospital stay. but for Garmin it's fully acceptable.  If you can't get your wrist-reading SpO2 right (+/- 2%) GARMIN, THEN DON'T OFFER IT!!!