26.6.2017

Omron - simply the best blood pressure monitors available at a sensible price to the consumer. And doctors. Because of course if you have been to GP for an MOT chances are you will see that he or she is using an Omron machine the same as you can buy here.And that's why I bought an Omron too. Not this one admittedly as it is a Vine review, but another one a few years back when facing the inevitability of more regular medicals for my seafarers and offshore work. As one gets older the frequency increases and as I suffer from 'white coat syndrome' each medical is a bit of an uphill struggle so I figured if I had the same test equipment and used it I would get used to the process. It worked up to a point,but most of all I had historical evidence to take with me using the same gear.Anyway, I like Omron and when a Vine review came up a year ago for the Omron M7 I took it and changed over to it as it was more modern and had a new recording App.And here I am again with the MIT5s to use and test. Which I have. And can compare with the M7 which I have used for a while.First thing is that it's black - which is a bit unusual for a medical device admittedly. I prefer the white look if I'm honest. The next thing to note is that it's reasonably small for a desktop blood pressure machine. Much smaller than the M7 although not exactly something you can leave in a small bag without being an inconvenience. However most I suspect will do as I do. Leave it on a table or desk and use it morning and evening before and after work.Accuracy is clinical level according to the blurb. And to be honest compared to my other Omron it's so close - allowing for the time it takes to change over the cuffs - that I'm positive it is as good as it has to be.The cuff. Now here is where there is a bit of a difference. The MIT5s comes with a soft cuff that feeds through a stainless flat ring which you pull tight and then Velcro down. The M7 has a preformed cuff that you wrap around your arm and then Velcro down. Both work well but the M7 is slightly easier to use by yourself. I'm a gym user and my biceps are around 18 1/2" which is fairly large. My wife is a small slim lady of 5'3" and arms to match but the cuff works for both of us fine.The MIT5s has the usual range of readings one would expect from a decent high end BP machine - systolic, diastolic, irregular heartbeat and a morning hypertension function. I did read up on morning hypertension and it seems that if you have a higher morning BP of around 20mmHg compared to the remainder of the day you have morning hypertension which apparently gives an increased chance of cardiac surprise and strokes. The MIT5s will compare your daily readings and let you know....Reading another review the reviewer states that this machine will take an average from readings taken over ten minutes. This is true but unlike other Omron machines it cannot be set up to automatically do three tests. You have to stop/start it yourself - which isn't the end of the world but with my M7 this is automatic and I find it quite useful.Anyway, the MIT5s can store 100 readings which is plenty and of course you can download to your smartphone or tablet using the App.....Which is easy to install and use. At least I found it so, although I appreciate that like all things computer and software related there is no guarantee that it is going to work smoothly for everyone.Regardless, for me the app is easy to use and works well. a simple button press to sync will download the information from you MIT5s onto your chosen device so you can stare in rapt amazement that a human being can still function with blood pressure higher than that of a giraffe...The other function that is well worth noting is the irregular heartbeat thing. When I got this there were a few family members around and we all had a go with my father in law getting a notification that he had an irregular heartbeat. So off he went for a check up at the doctors then the hospital and sure enough he did indeed have an irregular beat. Not dramatic and nothing that required immediate intervention but it was there. So it is pretty sensitive and it does work.Overall you can't go wrong with Omron. They make the best and BP monitors and if you are going to get anything then the one the local GP uses would be a good starting point.

30.5.2017

What’s good:Clear and consistent resultsErgonomically designedEasy to useWhat’s not so good:OMRON Connect software is clunkyNo Google Fit integrationNot much onus given to low blood pressurePricey - especially if you don’t really use the Bluetooth connectivityOMRON are my de facto standard brand of blood pressure monitors. There is a reason why you only ever see that brand of monitors in surgeries, as they just do the job effectively and clearly.This MIT5s is the top-of-the-tree of OMRON’s latest range of monitors, coming with a svelte and rather un-surgery-like shiny black plastic, but nevertheless consisting of the same sensible layout of controls that are easy to use.The pump is not overly noisy and goes about its business of taking measurements with little fuss. The standard supplied armband is a good size and accommodates my bicep (currently 15”) with relative security and doesn’t strain or partially come undone during the process like some others I have tried.As with a lot of BP monitors, there isn’t much onus placed on low blood pressure, there are only warning indicators for high blood pressure - which is fairly typical, although low pressure can come with its own set of health symptoms.The reason for this device being expensive though is in its connectivity, which I’m not sure really justifies quite the hike over the lesser MIT3 model. In adding bluetooth and the OMRON Connect software you can have the monitor transmit the recording to your compatible phone or tablet so that it can keep track of all your results over time. I’ve come across the OMRON Connect software before, and it’s no less clunky than it was before, with fairly slow responsiveness. What irks me a little more is that it is a bit of a ‘walled-garden’ app in that it is designed with other OMRON health devices in mind, but in doing so there is probably a needlessly large amount of bulk to the app that I will likely never use. I frequently use a Withings set of connected Bathroom scales and they also have such an app. It clogs up my phone somewhat.The other aspect that irks me is that with all of these apps that one uses for tracking health and fitness, including others such as gym activity tracking (Life Fitness for example), I like them to all integrate with my chosen health portal so I only ever really need to go to one place to see all my stats. As I’m not really a big Apple fan, my preference is the Google Fit system, and Withings and Life Fitness talk happily to that system so it keeps track of all my weight recordings and treadmill/cross-trainer activities at the gym. OMRON Connect however only seems to be compatible with Apple Healthkit, and I am yet to see any way to connect it to Google Fit. OMRON would do well to add this connectivity so that those who chose to just use one system can do so without feeling isolated or forced to use the OMRON app and then manually enter readings back into Google Fit.Anyway, rant over. Back on topic, for a price of c. £90 (at time of review) I think that this would only be worth paying if you are going to use those connected features. If you don’t then this would be a waste of money and the lesser MIT3 would be far more suitable - or even one of the older (and thusly cheaper) models in OMRON’s range which are still reliable and worth looking at.

28.6.2017

I've been measuring my blood pressure regularly, under doctor's request. Previously I'd been filling in a paper form, this meter makes it so easy to get the values recorded.Previously I used the M6 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/d89/Omron-Healthcare-Comfort-Upper-Blood-Pressure-Monitor/B00IIOI9QC/ref=sr_1_1?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1498682884&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=omron+blood+pressure+monitor&psc=1) which is VERY similar but without bluetooth, and different casing. They both give accurate, dependable readings. Both detect irregular heartbeat rhythm and check the arm-band is positioned correctly. The arm-band is very comfortable.If you have extremely high blood pressure then it's normal for it to feel quite a tight squeeze as it measures that pressure (think of it as a warning - that's the pressure in your arteries!)Bluetooth pairing was straightforward, after downloading the app. Small things impressed me - there's no need to set the date and time on the device, as that's picked up automatically when you pair it. You can pick up your readings easily from the app, even when the meter is switched off (and in its case). All it takes is a swipe down in the app, and a wait of about 30 seconds.You don't need to transfer the readings every time - I do it once a week. It's super that it sends all the stored data, not just the latest, across. And of course, if two people are monitoring their blood pressure, they can use their own smartphones and keep their own data, separately.The display has to be the clearest I've ever seen on a blood pressure meter.A small niggle is that there are only memories for two people (1 and 2) and the switch is a little hidden, on the side. You have to select this before you press the main button. For guest use (not ending up in your readings) you have to remember to press the button for three seconds to go into guest mode (the person symbols and time/date disappear). Only if there's two people regularly taking readings to you have to be careful to make sure the switch is in the right place. If more than two people in the family watching their blood pressure, it gets tricky for them to have to remember how to get into guest mode.The smartphone app is good, but not perfect. I haven't found a way of separating morning and daytime readings ("morning hypertension"). Maybe that will come as an update to the app. On the graph, for each day, it shows the highest and lowest readings recorded that day, regardless of how many measurements were taken. However, morning and evening ranges are viewable on the meter itself.There are other blood pressure meters - wrist and even finger based. There's a reason arm-band ones are used by doctors - they are the most dependable.If you're not interested in storing the readings on your smartphone, there's no need to pay the extra for this model. The M6 is perfect.Finally, it comes with a handy carry/storage case. It's just large enough for the manual (non-English pages removed), arm-band and meter on top.

31.5.2017

We have a number of Blood Pressure monitors in our home - because each member of the family needs to monitor their BP at home due to 'white coat hypertension' which sends our blood pressure soaring in a medical setting and produces consistently high readings which don't represent reality.Over the last 25 years since we started our BP monitoring, we have used a number of machines and some stand out as being superior in design and features right from unpacking their box. This Omron MIT5s model slips into easily this category.It is supplied with four Duracell AA batteries, a wipe-clean cuff designed to fit arms from 22-42cm and a very detailed,highly informative user manual which also provides information about hypertension and arrhythmia.Set up is especially simple if used in conjunction with the 'Omron Connect' app and doesn't even require the time or date to be set as this is obtained via Bluetooth from the linked smartphone. Alternatively the BP monitor can be set up manually taking a few seconds.Taking BP is as simple as wrapping the cuff around the supported upper arm at the same level as the heart and pressing 'Start' which inflates then deflates the cuff and takes a reading which is displayed on the especially bright and clear display. A quick drag down of the screen on the Omron phone app transfers the reading to the app where it is stored enabling trends to be monitored. Readings can also be stored on the phone with up to 80 held in memory for two users. A further 'guest' mode can be used by others using the machine for one-off monitoring rather than measuring trends over weeks or months.StrengthsVery high quality unitEspecially bright clear displayCan be used by two usersAlerts user to any irregular heartbeat patterns which should be discussed with a GPVery easy to useVery reliable appAccurateWeaknessesNone - We have been using this machine twice daily for nearly a month and found it consistently reliable, accurate and easy to use. The same also applies to the Android app which has also worked consistently.I would very highly recommend this BP monitor to anyone needing to monitor their BP, particularly white-coat hypertensives. A benefit of the Bluetooth app is that a phone can be taken along to a surgery for a GP to examine and provide treatment if necessary. For those with white coat hypertension only, then it can help guard against patients being erroneously treated for hypertension which exists only in a surgery setting, which I nearly ended up on unnecessary beta-blockers for.A very, very good product in terms of design, reliability, ease of use and accuracy. The best I've used and the one I will use from now on.

16.5.2017

Omron are absolutely the brand leaders for blood pressure monitors worldwide. We use Omron machines in my GP practice as they are known to be the best and most accurate commercial machines.The MIT5 is a super smart example from the Omron range. Clearly designed for the consumer sector judging by its sleek contours, very aesthetically pleasing colours and beautifully backlit display.The included cuff is a medium to large size and is very comfortable. It is padded and feels very secure and professional. It is quite easy to place it on oneself which is also an advantage.Pressing the illuminated start button starts it cooking and the cuff inflates to an intelligent level before deflating to take the reading.

24.5.2017

There is something extremely satisfying in unpacking an item that has obviously well designed, well engineered and well made.This blood pressure monitor from Omron fits that description exactly. It's weighty, it is particularly well made and for a functional piece of equipment it's an exceptionally great piece of design.The monitor is powered from 4 x 'AA' batteries, supplied, or via an optional AC adaptor which would be a necessity if it was being used in a clinical environment. The monitor displays all the usual information you would expect, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and heart rate along with useful indicators to show that the cuff is correctly fitted and that the heart rhythm

10.6.2017

I was delighted to be offered the Omron MIT5s Connect Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor to review.Ease of use is the first thing that springs to mind when referring to this Omron' Blood Pressure Monitor. The blood pressure cuff itself should fit most people who measure anywhere between 22cm and 42cm (around their upper arms), it is easy to put on and quite comfortable to wear.Please Note: This blood pressure monitor requires 4 x AA batteries (supplied) or an AC adapter power supply (NOT supplied).After putting on the cuff, simply press the start button and the devise automatically takes a reading … this BPM uses intellisense which thankfully avoids that tight feeling of pressure that you get in the doctor's office as the blood pressure cuff inflates on your arm.

18.5.2017

As I have a slight heart complaint I need to keep my blood pressure regularly checked so I have had three previous Blood Pressure cuffs the three all being wrist cuffs.Which I am led to believe are the most unreliable of the two types.....My opinions on the three were.#1...Good.#2....OK.#3....Appalling!Now this one is by far the best...As luck would have it the day after it was delivered I had an appointment with our GP's surgery nurse...so I took it along with me and asked her opinion on it.....She took one look at the box,grinned and said "Are you trying to do me out of a job? These are just about the best you can get,I haven't seen this model before but I would guess that it will be as good

23.5.2017

This updates the MIT5 for compatibility with the new Omron Connect app but otherwise seems identical.Here’s what we like:• Easy to use, with helpful cuff-wrapping guide• Accurate (against our Omron M10-IT which we checked with our doctor’s machine)• Consistent, showing similar results from readings taken a few minutes apart• 22-42 cm. cuff suitable for older children and all but the biggest of adults• Comprehensive feature set, e.g. Irregular Heartbeat Indicator• Remembers readings for each of two users, with weekly morning and evening averaging, plus averaging of three readings taken in 10 minutes• Interfaces via Bluetooth to the Omron Connect app,

27.11.2017

I had High blood pressure when I was pregnant and the doctor explained that this meant I was likely to get high blood pressure with age so this home testing kit is great to monitor my health.The unit itself is very sleek looking, well made and easy to operate and is supplied with a neat storage case. It also has Bluetooth connectivity and an app you can download to your phone so you can review your readings individually or by a graph over a period of time (stores up to 100 readings). According to the manual the accuracy is of a clinical level and it can record for two different users.The blood pressure cuff should fit most people who measure anywhere between 22cm and 42cm (around their upper arms),

18.2.2021

I've been using blood monitors for a number of years and had a faithful Omron comfort M5 for ages. This is a fantastic piece of kit and what I really love is the ability to take a bunch of readings and effortlessly load them to your app on Android or IOS. No more faffing about having to manually type in the readings and then you forget and have to remember what time you took the reading. So much hassle. This is effortless. I also noticed it has a powerful Bluetooth signal which means I can swipe my omron app on the phone upstairs and voila on the second swipe it records all the previous readings that haven't been uploaded since the last upload.

31.8.2017

This is a very impressive Blood Pressure Monitor, it takes readings with easy and it also alerts you to and irregular heart beat by lighting up the symbol on the screen, this is not something that is found on budget monitors. It can be used without the App, it will store readings for two users that can easily be recalled. I have the App (Omron Connect) on my HTC 10 phone and it works well, it was easy to connect the monitor to my phone and it syncs every time as it should, readings can then be viewed in a graph or as a list, the data can also be exported as a CSV file that can be opened in Excel and other spreadsheet programs, I think this is a great feature as it can then be printed and shown to a doctor.

24.8.2017

I've been using a Braun blood pressure monitor for the past three years after being diagnosed has having 'elevated' blood pressure, so was already in the routine of taking a several readings each week, and had something to compare this MIT5s to. HThis is a top end monitor; there are cheaper alternates available, so it's down to your personal preference what you chose. With the MIT5s you're getting the added bluetooth connectivity that will record the readings and send them to the Omron app on your device. The app is easy to use and the readings can be displayed individually or as a graph giving you a timeline comparison.The unit itself is very sleek looking,

22.5.2019

Great when set up with app and apple health app. I was a little apprehensive before buying and did a lot of research on which one to buy. I’m actually really impressed by this machine on it basic function and extra applications. I would recommend. I will take someone tech aware to set up if like me you don’t read the instructions first as you can easily turn off the Bluetooth function if you jump straight into pressing the pairing button too long. Other than that it was a quick and easy set up. After it’s set up it’s just like any other machine but the connect app or apple health will make it easy to track or keep a diary, without using scraps of paper. Also battery life is decent as I’ve used it a lot with the app,

23.5.2017

This is a fantastic blood pressure monitor. I previously and many moons ago, worked as a health care assistant and did wonder if this would work as well as monitors within hospitals. Well it does! As we are using it currently as an office blood pressure monitor, (we work in a stressful field) it quite literally ensured that urgent medical attention was sought for a colleague who had very high readings. The readings in the hospital were almost exactly the same! This ensured that this person received urgent medication and treatment.This is incredibly easy to set up, comfortable to use with the cuff being adjustable for larger/ smaller arms. The app enables you to track your readings over a period of time.

Omron MIT5 Connect - Reviews

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