MicroLife BP A3 PC

Disappointing documentation, software, local service – The MicroLife A3 PC blood pressure monitor has "MAM Technology". This enables the user to select the MAM mode in which the device takes 3 readings and averages these to calculate a more accurate BP reading and this feature was the reason for my purchase. It appears to function properly. The A3 PC is well packaged, comes with a nylon case and is compact, compared to other devices.

There is, in the user instructions, a suggestion that the machine should be checked and/or recalibrated every two years to ensure accuracy. Great idea, however there is no Australian agency or service centre listed in the documentation, the nearest I could find listed being in Taiwan. The box advertises a 2 year warranty whilst the documentation and the website refer to different warranty periods but it's all moot, given that there is no apparent paper or online registration process and no listed Australian service centre. I suspect we MicroLife owners are likely to have problems in the case of faulty devices.

Other brands of monitors usually have software that in some way enables an interface between computers or smartphones and I naively expected that this device, being new, would provide at least a basic level of interface. Unfortunately, the only mechanism offered with the A3 PC, is an app for Windows 7, 8 and 10. No Mac OS, no bluetooth, no smartphone connections of any kind. A bit more basic that I anticipated.

In summary, I feel I have unwittingly purchased outdated technology, sacrificed connectivity and local customer service for the dubious value to be found in the automatic "averaging" capacity of this monitor and I would counsel careful examination of any MicroLife devices before purchase.