Customer Reviews

Omron HEM-650 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor with APS (Advanced Positioning Sensor)

5 star:		(232)
4 star:		(88)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(26)
1 star:		(59)

 

 

I was looking for a device that would be easy for my 88 year-old mother to use on her own. She was told to monitor her blood pressure, but can't use the public style because they are set to test the left arm. Because of prior surgery, her left arm can't be used. So, when looking for the wrist type, this monitor had all the qualities I was looking for. When we received it and showed Mom how to use it, she found it easy to use and easy to read because the screen uses large print. She doesn't have to write anything down. She takes it to her doctor and he can read back through the last 90 days (one reading per day). Because she has an occasional problem with ventricular tachycardia, the monitor also lets her know if the heart is beating irregularly with a simple picture. The cuff beeps when you have it positioned properly for inflation. This isn't a function that is useful for Mom, because she is hard of hearing. But, fortunately, the beep isn't really necessary because positioning is easy for everyone--fingertips on your shoulder. I have recommended this monitor to everyone. I am a dental hygienist and frequently have to monitor blood pressure readings on my patients. I bought one for use at my office. It is quite accurate according to my patients. So I've found nothing negative about this product.

I need to take my blood pressure at least a couple of times a day. I have been using the OMRON 773-AC Omron HEM-773-AC Blood Pressure Monitor which is a full-size, table top system, with an upper-arm cuff. It works fine, but is large to pack on a trip.

I got this wrist unit to travel with, and it's amazing. First, the results agree to within a point or two with the big unit (which in turn agrees well with measurements at the doctor's office). So, it's consistently accurate.

Second, it's cool to use - at least for gadget freaks. You fasten it to your wrist, turn it on, and it starts beeping. Holding the elbow of the arm with the device on it with the opposite hand, you start raising your wrist toward your heart. As you near the right location, the beeping gets faster, and when you are right on, the machine starts running. You just hold it there for a bit until it stops running, and you're done. Works every time.

It's actually easier to take BP with this machine than with the big one, so you give up nothing by going to the small system.

Third, it's nice and small - easy to pack away in a suitcase.

My only gripe is that the memory holds only one set of readings, and my wife and I both use it - it's handy to have two memories, as the big system does. But we can separate by values, and it all works out.

It's always good to see technology applied successfully, and OMRON seems to have done it in this case. It's a winner.

I have a Microlife desktop model that I bought at Costco. The OMRON and the desktop are usually within a few points Systolic and Diastolic and on mark for pulse. The OMRON locks up when you try to use it for more than a couple of readings in short succession. Also, it seems to give inordinately low readings at times. It is very sensitive to positioning relative to heart level but I think it also is VERY sensitive to wrist positioning. The Beep to help in positioning is almost inaudible unless you are in a very quiet space. Good product for mobility but I would also have am arm cuff model to check accuracy.

I have the large Omron HEM-780 but wanted a smaller unit I could cary with me to work and on travel. When the HEM-650 arrived, I checked the first several readings I made against the HEM-780. The two units are very consistent. I found the HEM-650 as easy to use as the HEM-780 but much more portable.

I've owned an Omron BP wrist-style BP monitor for some time, and it's easy to use and reasonably accurate. This newer model, however, reads 12-15 points low for both systolic and diastolic (compared to my physician's office reading with a standard BP cuff), which seems reassuring but produces a false sense of security. I bought another locally, to see if the problem was just with this one device, but it read the same. Accuracy is Job #1 for a BP monitor, and this one doesn't do the job. I returned the HEM-650 and bought an Omron HEM-711AC, an inflatable-cuff model, and it's right on. It runs on either batteries or an AC adapter. The accuracy is most important, so I'm staying with this model.

The Ormon HEM-650 was able to detect an irregular heart beat when I was taking my blood pressure reading. I went to the doctors and found out I was having a heart attack. It was money well spent.

I recieved my new unit in Novemeber of 2006. My last unit a upper arm Wallgeen brand, was very incorrect and showed extremely high readings. I tested that unit with my doctor and my unit showed 204/120 when actually was 140/90. So far I am very happy with this unit, though everything I have read says not to go with a wrist bp monitoring, as I have diabetes and hypertension. I enjoy the ease of this unit and so far accuracy wise, it seems in line with my doctors office. A little pricey but so far seems worth it. My Wallgreen unit was camparably priced with the Omron, but if it does not give accurate results it is worthless.

Almost a year now and my unit works perfectly. Readings are right on with my doctors office. Recommended my sister in law to purchase this same model. She has been very delighted with hers and Amazon delivered ahead of projected delivery date.

*New update ! After just over a year this monitor will no longer function

I contacted Omron customer service and just got a prepared response of activities I already tried. I was directed to send in to a repair facility at my shipping cost both there and back with possible charges for repairing.

This Omron customer service is unacceptable. I regret giving this purchase a excellant rating in my prior review. I even recommended to family to purchase which they bought 2 of these, theirs are still working but under a year old.

Amazon.com is truly a remarkable company. While Omron just blew me off as I pleaded for their help, Amazon who had no obligation came thru and replaced my defective unit. This was over a year from my purchase. Now that is a company you want to do business with for the long term. Amazon.com " Thank You "

My husband and I both have high blood pressure. We have one of the old style testers. It was a pain to use. So I reviewed many different wrist testers. I spent quite a lot of time researching, including Amazon reviews. The one that stood out was this Omron-650. We are very pleased with it. It is very accurate and so easy to use. It won't even take your blood pressure if you don't have it on right or if you are not in the right position. The readings have been right on with the doctor's office.

I was recently diagnosed with hypertension. A friend suggested I get a BP monitor so that I wasn't relying on the often dirty and uncalibrated free monitors at the drug store. This monitor was extremely easy to use -- so much so that I actually enjoy taking and tracking my blood pressure. All you do is strap the monitor on your wrist according to the diagram sewn on the strap, hold your wrist up by your heart and wait for it to finish. It's that easy!

I am really glad I chose this model. I don't think there is any other that could be more accurate or more comfortable than mine has been for me. I've used other OMRON models for 15 years and was always satisfied but the memory and averaging features in this one (although I don't use them often)have been a big help for me when I go to the doctor and I want to show him my blood pressure readings over the past week or two. The history shows date and time of day for every reading.

When I go to the doctor's office my blood pressure goes way up and I don't think he really believed me when I told him that it normally is not that high. When I showed him my readings (from the cuff's memory) for the 48 hours prior to going to his office (including two readings earlier in that day) he was surprised. This resulted in his lowering the dosage of my medicine which lowered the bad side effects I was having. My doctor had me take my bp with the OMRON cuff while sitting in his office. Without him knowing my results he then tested me with his cuff on my other arm and the two readings were close to identical.

I also like the feature which requires me to have my arm held in the correct position before the cuff will inflate. It only took me a few tries before it became totally natural and I could place my arm in the right position without even thinking about it.

If I had to pick something about it I would like to see improved it would be that it is hard for me to remember which buttons to push and what order to push them in when I want to read my bp history stored in its memory.

Can't remember but I think I've had my cuff for more than three months now.