When deciding which HeartMath software to use on your PC or Mac, it is important to understand how these programs interact with your computer’s filing system and your session data.
1. Redundancy and Software Conflict
The emWave Pro software is designed to be the “all-in-one” solution for HeartMath desktop users. It contains every feature available in the emWave2 software, plus professional-grade tools like multi-user support and advanced power spectrum analysis. Installing the emWave2 software alongside Pro is redundant and offers no additional benefit.
2. The Shared Database Issue
Both emWave Pro and the emWave2 software save their session data, user profiles, and history to the same default folder location on your hard drive.
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Data Corruption: If both programs are installed, they may attempt to access or write to the database file at the same time, or with different version protocols, which can result in the loss of your training history.
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Launch Errors: You may encounter “Database in Use” or “File Access Denied” errors if you attempt to switch between the two programs.
3. Using the emWave2 Handheld with emWave Pro
If your goal is to use the emWave2 handheld device, you do not need the emWave2 software. The emWave Pro software is fully compatible with the handheld unit. You can:
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Connect the emWave2 handheld via USB.
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Sync your handheld sessions directly into your emWave Pro database.
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Charge the device and manage device settings (like volume and challenge levels) through the emWave Pro interface.
4. Best Practices for Installation
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If you are upgrading: If you currently have the emWave2 software and have purchased emWave Pro, it is best to uninstall the emWave2 software first. Your existing session data is typically preserved in the shared folder and will be automatically recognized when you install and open emWave Pro for the first time.
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If you already have Pro: Simply connect your emWave2 handheld device and use the emWave Pro software to manage it. There is no need to download the emWave2-specific installer.