POLL - Do you like the Quattro FX? If not what is better?

[Jayjonbeach]

Thinking about buying this mask like many no doubt and looking for opinions. Read the Feedback thread, looking for direct comparisons now. Obviously only people that have tried the FX should answer, though another full mask poll would be interesting too but this is comparing the FX against all others. If anyone wants to add a poll below because I forgot some questions or left out some masks feel free, these are the only ones I am familiar with and know are "good" for full face.

If you chose the last answer, please post which full face mask you do like.

[dave01978]

Ive only been at this for 2 months now, and used the quattro for 1 month, and the fx for 1. Comparing the 2 I love it, tired a comfort gel, but did not like it so never used it overnight or anything to compare it to.

Advantages of fx, no more sore nose (quattro wasnt bad for first 2 weeks)

i am a side sleeper and find both are strapped down slightly tighter then need to be, but not super tight though-

[AJimen05]

I myself love the Quattro FX. I've used a total of 4 different masks since I started CPAP and was not able to find one that was comfortable/efficient enough until the FX came in. I used the mirage quattro since it had good reviews for being a FFM but I kept getting a sore spot on the bridge of my nose and forehead and found it a bit distracting at night. My DME recommended a week ago the FX which is fairly new and so far so good. No leaks, small enough, and you don't have to have it too tight to get the therapy you need at night. I can sleep on my side with it.

[avi123]

I myself am still looking for a full face mask. I have already tried:

1) Resmed nasal Mirage Soft Gell. I like the forehead support but being a nasal mask I have quite a few mouth leaks with it
2) Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit FF # 432. Does not have a forehead support causing it to dig into my nose. Cushion is clumsy. I like the chin support but to lock the headgear cleat is a nightmare. Plastic material of cleat is paper thin.
3) Quattro FF. Has a forehead support but the convoluted face seal configuration does not fit most faces. Causing it to leak
4) Quattro FX Does not have forehead support. It's a nightmare to remove the seal for cleaning. Flimsy overall.
5) Comfort Gel FF by Respironics. Going to try it next

[chunkyfrog]

I have an original Quattro; and trialed the Quattro FX.
Both have the 3 dimensional architecture problem which causes them to rock on my cheekbones,
forcing me to choose between horrible air leakage at the chin or into my eyes.
The Liberty, likewise, missed my chin by a good 1/4 inch, leaving a gap I can put a pinky through.
Resmed's designers apparently have used models with prominent chins or larger noses than mine.
My 'go-to' mask is the Respironics Comfort Gel full-face.
If I could get my yap under control, I'd use my Swift FX.
Now there is a comfy mask.

[jimnsc]

I myself am still looking for a full face mask.

I'm new and have been tossing about wanting to try the Quattro FX too but I can't stop looking at the Hybrid by Innomed. Users who like it really like it and those who don't really do not. It's a cheap mask but most deem it comfortable. The nice thing about it is it comes with three sizes of nose pillows and three different size mouth pieces. Sorry, from memory I can't remember what they are called but I guess you get he gist of what I'm trying to say.

In summary, I would appreciate your overall take on the mask, either from experience or an overall opinion of the reviews. Thanks.

[avi123]

I myself am still looking for a full face mask.

I'm new and have been tossing about wanting to try the Quattro FX too but I can't stop looking at the Hybrid by Innomed. Users who like it really like it and those who don't really do not. It's a cheap mask but most deem it comfortable. The nice thing about it is it comes with three sizes of nose pillows and three different size mouth pieces. Sorry, from memory I can't remember what they are called but I guess you get he gist of what I'm trying to say.

In summary, I would appreciate your overall take on the mask, either from experience or an overall opinion of the reviews. Thanks.

Reply:

I assume that you mean this one:

http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/RespCare-H ... YB500.aspx

Well, I don't like to have the head gear strap pull my nose upward. Also, any thing touching my nose makes me sneeze. So I need a solid massive mask to let me raise it off my face to let me sneeze comfortably. OR LET ME SNEEZE INTO IT which may sound disgusting!.

[Jayjonbeach]

Interesting, as of today apparently HALF of the people who have tried the FX like it, and the other half prefer something else, split right down the middle.

I guess I should have asked people to comment on why they did or didn't like it.

Only from looking I am mixed on it, it gives more room and overall consideration to the nose but I do notice a thing or two I am not sure I like as well.

My issues with the Mirage Quattro is only the room for a nose and the MARK it leaves on your nose in order to have it not leak.

The FX is supposed to be help these issues, it has more room and can be left looser on your face from my understanding alleviating some of the pressure it puts on bridge on nose. I will likely end up buying it, sure hope when leaving it looser it does not leak, it took me a good month of fiddling before I could get the MQ to not leak consistently

[Dazed & Confused]

I could not get the leaks under control

[Jayjonbeach]

I bought the FX about 2 weeks ago. I voted for great mask coming from the Mirage Quattro, its not perfect but good, I was good with the Mirage Quattro for 6 months, it took me a month to get leaks figured out but once I did they were gone for good. Biggest problem was red mark on nose due to having to keep the straps so tight to avoid leaks.

FX Pros - Less of a red mark on nose than Mirage and a little less tight on face possible
- No forehead piece anymore and sits a little lower on nose so more visability
- Once set at right tightness and cleaned nightly, no leaks

FX Cons - This is only a soso con, the seal is a little trickier to pop back into place after cleaning
- Could have still put a bit more room inside for someone's nose

I had NO leak issues right from night one, and overall when moving around and such during the night I have less little leaks than with the Mirage, probably due to no forehead piece for one. I bought a medium and the medium headgear is perfectly fine for me, got it adjusted night one and havent touched it since. It did seem like I was in between a large and medium mask and had to pick medium in the end, I wish it was just a touch bigger, maybe they should have made 4 sizes instead of 3. I think the air exhaust is just a touch louder however buts it pretty minor and after 2 weeks the wife and I don't notice it at all. Strap marks on face are about the same as Mirage, they are there but fade in about 30 minutes so not an issue for me(Mirage was about the same but the nose mark with Mirage took anywhere from 1 - 3 hours)

It took me a few nights to feel comfortable with the FX just due to it being different but I do like it more than Mirage and will not be going back to Mirage.

I am lucky to have insurance to cover masks and while I was at the store I tried the Hybrid. I thought I would hate the pillows but they actually werent so bad. The big thing here is NOT having a mask go over your nose at all, and if you're like me, this can be a good thing just due to an insanely itchy nose sometimes!!! I will likely buy this mask next just to have the trifecta and give it a go and see whihc comes out on top.

[JeffH]

This is the first FFM I've been successful with. I've tried the F&P 431, the Hybrid twice (had to make damn sure it didn't work...LOL) and the Quattro FX works great for me. I used nasal pillows for over 12 years and was dreading going to a FFM. Karen's mask liners make all the difference in the world. No longer any need to wash the cushion every day, I'm on day five of doing nothing other than keeping a pretty good shaved face going and strapping on the mask at bedtime.

If you are having trouble with a FFM, I strongly suggest that you try Padacheeks full face mask liners. They work.


JeffH

[BillH]

The FX for me, was an extremely unfomfortable mask. My Doc had me try a Flexi-Fit FF432 and so far, it has worked best of all. To be sure, there are issues with this mask:

The Good - It's comfortable. The seal is wide which feels better. It seems to be a lot more stable than anything I have used before. This in itself makes it a winner. The chin support is great. It has a forehead support which is not adjustable and doesn't seem to do a lot, but I really don't notice any issues with it.

The Bad - The head gear is somewhat complicated, two extra adjustments and requires careful fitting. The headgear cleat takes some getting used to. The plastic material is very thin, hopefully will last for the life of the mask. The sliding latch setup is harder to use.

I went from 17 to 58% on the 95%tile leak over a five night period to 3% with this mask, and am expecting even better results.

[bayourest]

I like the FX a lot. I preferred the ultra mirage to the mirage but the FX is most comfortable so far. If you are having nose bridge problems with the other FFM you should get either a nose bridge gel pad or a liner from padachheek. I never used the gel nose bridge pad again after I got the padacheek liner. They are available for the quattro fx too. At this point I cant imagine using a FFM without a padacheek liner. If you have leak problems with the quattro FX after you adjust it so that it seems right, try tightening up the bottom straps. that seems to work well.

[70sSanO]

For me FX is great. I've been using one for almost 2 months.

I came from a Ultra MIrage FF, and before that a Mirage Series 1 FF, (Go look in the history books for that one).

The Ultra Mirage worked well enough except it is really loud, compared to the FX, and I still have a couple on indents on my forehead from years of using the Ultra Mirage FF.

On the other side the FX headgear is a real piece of...

I tried to use the FX headgear, after years of using elastic straps, but it's design is so bad I can't even find words. Basically it pulls up and back instead of just back. This is the kiss of death for a FFM; especially one without a forehead support. For me it leaked into my eyes and the tighter I pulled the top straps the more the mask wants to ride up your nose... duh!

So I went back to using my elastic straps and I'm as happy as a pig in... a FX headger.

John

[JohnBFisher]

It's a good mask, but not great.

It's smaller than the older Quattro Full Face Mask. I need a large Quattro FX mask. I also need the large headgear. That's tiny in comparison.

But at the moment, the Quattro FX (at least for me) is better than any of the other full face masks that I have tried.