Need help choosing machine. Have a Remstar M series

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
ractar28
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Need help choosing machine. Have a Remstar M series

Post by ractar28 » Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:55 am

Okay, it looks like I have some FSA money to burn before the end of the year. I've always wanted a second cpap (one for home that always stays where it is and one that's always in my suitcase).

I have an M-series with c-flex and a-flex. When I got it, I wanted everything I could get. I use c-flex, but a-flex is useless to me. It has the card to save data to. Unfortunately, it's at my girlfriend's house and I'm not there right now. So, I can't tell you the exact model. I know I set a range for the output, so I don't know if that helps narrow it down.

Seems cpap.com no longer carries the M series (I'm sure it's been discontinued by now).

There's really nothing I don't like about my M series. It's quiet, it works, etc. I miss not being able to read my card, so if there's a newer method out, I'd like to be able to interface with the machine to read my results.

Suggestions on a replacement model?

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Pugsy
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Re: Need help choosing machine. Have a Remstar M series

Post by Pugsy » Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:05 am

I am familiar with your current machine. I started cpap therapy 8 years ago with the same machine. It's the M series auto cpap machine...the AFlex gives it away. Only the auto (apap) models offered AFlex along with CFlex.

If you want to stay with the same brand and same algorithm this is the most current model that is the equivalent of what you are using now
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... chine.html
It is full data and has a SD card for data collection so using available software is much easier than what you have been doing.

Go here and request the provider/clinical manual for that machine so you can see what all it can do.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual

Now if you wish to change brands and algorithms this ResMed machine will do nicely.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... idair.html

For software options for either brand
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment
If your computer has a slot for the SD card you will need nothing else. If no SD card slot then all you need is a little cheap adapter/reader so that you can use one of the USB ports on your computer.
You will need new software because whatever you used in the past with the M series won't work now with any new machine.

ResMed and Respironics have different algorithms or how they go about doing their job. Most people probably would do well with either way of doing things but some people do end up preferring one brand over another when given a chance to actually compare the brands.
I have used both and lean towards the ResMed way of doing things but I used Respironics for years and actually still have a Respironics for backup.
So nothing wrong with them.

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ractar28
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Re: Need help choosing machine. Have a Remstar M series

Post by ractar28 » Mon Nov 13, 2017 12:09 pm

Thanks Pugsy. I needed a quick refresher.

So, what does the DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine give me for $639 that the PR System One REMStar 60 Series Pro CPAP Machine with Bluetooth for $400 doesn't? Can I read the current settings in my M-auto and see what the current output is (I know it's ranged, but doesn't it affix itself to a setting periodically)?

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Pugsy
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Re: Need help choosing machine. Have a Remstar M series

Post by Pugsy » Mon Nov 13, 2017 12:21 pm

The PR S1 Pro is a fixed pressure machine....doesn't offer auto (apap) adjusting pressures except on a very limited trial basis.
It's not the same machine as what you are using or the DreamStation Auto.
If you want to use a range of pressures all the time this machine will NOT do that for you.
ractar28 wrote:Can I read the current settings in my M-auto and see what the current output is (I know it's ranged, but doesn't it affix itself to a setting periodically)?
No, it doesn't affix itself to any setting. M Series machines didn't have that capability.
Now there is a mode of operation available on the newer machines that will do that (called OptiStart) but I don't like them because they use a 90% number as a guide and 90% numbers are too easily skewed and I don't feel that they are reliable enough to base pressure needs on.
Works fine for some people but not so great for others (I am one that 90% numbers doesn't work so great on so I have experience there).
A person can too easily end up using a lot more pressure all night than might really be needed.

If you want to save money...get this one if you are wanting auto adjusting pressures
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... tooth.html

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

ractar28
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Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:06 pm

Re: Need help choosing machine. Have a Remstar M series

Post by ractar28 » Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:00 pm

Pugsy wrote:
If you want to save money...get this one if you are wanting auto adjusting pressures
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... tooth.html
You sent me from a $639 machine to a $659 machine

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Pugsy
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Re: Need help choosing machine. Have a Remstar M series

Post by Pugsy » Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:14 pm

ractar28 wrote:You sent me from a $639 machine to a $659 machine
One you have to add the humidifier cost to it and the other the humidifier is included.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

ractar28
Posts: 222
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:06 pm

Re: Need help choosing machine. Have a Remstar M series

Post by ractar28 » Mon Nov 13, 2017 2:05 pm

Pugsy wrote:
One you have to add the humidifier cost to it and the other the humidifier is included.
Gotcha. I never use my humidifier. I'm one of the lucky ones.

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Pugsy
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Re: Need help choosing machine. Have a Remstar M series

Post by Pugsy » Mon Nov 13, 2017 2:14 pm

I would go without the machine before I would go without the humidifier but if your nose is happy then that's all that counts.

You might look around for a PR System One Auto CPAP either the 50 or 60 series if all you want is what your current machine will do and you wish to save some dollars.

If I had known ahead of time that you didn't use a humidifier then I could have tailored my response accordingly.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.