Airfit F20 Thoughts

I've had the new F20 for a little over 6 weeks now, figured I could provide some thoughts/observations on my experience so far for anyone who is considering purchasing this mask.

I've been a nasal mask user for over 10 years, and a few months ago I started mysteriously dropping my mouth open on a regular basis. I've always had a full face mask of some sort as a backup for when I have a cold, but I've never been able to tolerate any of them very well. I don't like a lot of "stuff" contacting my face, and I don't like things up by my eyes. I've also had a lot of issues with getting FFMs to seal, many tend to leak when I lay on my back unless I have them super tight.

The F20 is far superior to any other FFM I've tried. Only the mask cushion contacts the face, there is no forehead support, and the frame doesn't contact my face at all.

Pros:
- Lightweight (for a FFM) and very comfortable
- VERY quiet! My wife absolutely loves this aspect. The diffuser on this mask is the best I've ever experienced. Vast improvement over the F10.
- Excellent seal, but I find that I get the best seal when the mask is clean. If I go more than 2 nights between cleaning I can get some leaks. I'm a very active sleeper, and you can push and tug on this mask in all directions and it seldom leaks.
- Very easy on the bridge of the nose. There is nothing hard at the bridge, and the cushion really inflates so there are no hard pressure points anywhere.
- Excellent field of vision
- Quick disconnect is very easy to manipulate at night, and the bi-directional swivel works very well. It is the next best thing to the Dreamwear nasal mask which puts the hose connection on the top of your head.
- I love the magnetic clips, that was my favorite feature of the N10 (which never worked for me because of the loud diffuser). I don't even have to think about it when I put the mask on...just get them close and they pop right into place. They are the coolest feature on a mask that I've ever seen.
- Easy to take apart for cleaning, much improved from the F10.

Cons:
- Headgear isn't as soft/smooth or finished as nicely as the F10 headgear, and it isn't as stretchy. It has kind of "sharp" edges and rough seams...though I am getting used to it. The design and dimensions of the headgear is the same as the F10 and I tried using that headgear with it. It worked, though I got more leaks with it. The design of the cushion and the amount of flex it has must need a less stretchy headgear. Your experience may vary.
- I wish the clips and frame had the slit for the headgear straps so they could be taken off for cleaning without messing with the adjustment. This isn't a very big deal though because I only wash the headgear and frame once a week.
- Different cushion sizes aren't available separately yet. I'm right on the bubble between medium and large according to the sizing gauge, but the large was way too big for me, so I had to order an entirely new mask. Luckily CPAP.com has great return insurance.
- Some parts of the cushion are smooth (glossy) and other parts are the "matte" type finish. I definitely prefer a matte type finish on my mask cushions, but I'm guessing this was a design decision that helps the mask stay in place better. I'm getting used to it, so I'm okay with that.

I think this is probably the best FFM out there right now, and is a definite must-try for those that have to go to a FFM from a nasal, or for those that have problems with the bridge of their nose getting irritated.

A problem I had with a different full face mask is when it would do the inhale/exhale thing, unless I had it on very tight, the mask would modulate on my face which would awaken me.

Does it move around when adjusted to a comfortable level?

JimP wrote:A problem I had with a different full face mask is when it would do the inhale/exhale thing, unless I had it on very tight, the mask would modulate on my face which would awaken me.

Does it move around when adjusted to a comfortable level?

Once in awhile (maybe 4 times total) it will slide up and/or my mouth will open up enough that my bottom lip will come out from under the mask during the night, but otherwise it doesn't move around at all. I've had to mess with the adjustment off and on, but I seem to have it dialed in now and it doesn't need to be very tight at all. No noticeable modulation though from breathing which I have experienced with other masks as well.

garagelogician wrote:I've had the new F20 for a little over 6 weeks now, figured I could provide some thoughts/observations on my experience so far for anyone who is considering purchasing this mask.

I've been a nasal mask user for over 10 years, and a few months ago I started mysteriously dropping my mouth open on a regular basis. I've always had a full face mask of some sort as a backup for when I have a cold, but I've never been able to tolerate any of them very well. I don't like a lot of "stuff" contacting my face, and I don't like things up by my eyes. I've also had a lot of issues with getting FFMs to seal, many tend to leak when I lay on my back unless I have them super tight.

The F20 is far superior to any other FFM I've tried. Only the mask cushion contacts the face, there is no forehead support, and the frame doesn't contact my face at all.

Pros:
- Lightweight (for a FFM) and very comfortable
- VERY quiet! My wife absolutely loves this aspect. The diffuser on this mask is the best I've ever experienced. Vast improvement over the F10.
- Excellent seal, but I find that I get the best seal when the mask is clean. If I go more than 2 nights between cleaning I can get some leaks. I'm a very active sleeper, and you can push and tug on this mask in all directions and it seldom leaks.
- Very easy on the bridge of the nose. There is nothing hard at the bridge, and the cushion really inflates so there are no hard pressure points anywhere.
- Excellent field of vision
- Quick disconnect is very easy to manipulate at night, and the bi-directional swivel works very well. It is the next best thing to the Dreamwear nasal mask which puts the hose connection on the top of your head.
- I love the magnetic clips, that was my favorite feature of the N10 (which never worked for me because of the loud diffuser). I don't even have to think about it when I put the mask on...just get them close and they pop right into place. They are the coolest feature on a mask that I've ever seen.
- Easy to take apart for cleaning, much improved from the F10.

Cons:
- Headgear isn't as soft/smooth or finished as nicely as the F10 headgear, and it isn't as stretchy. It has kind of "sharp" edges and rough seams...though I am getting used to it. The design and dimensions of the headgear is the same as the F10 and I tried using that headgear with it. It worked, though I got more leaks with it. The design of the cushion and the amount of flex it has must need a less stretchy headgear. Your experience may vary.
- I wish the clips and frame had the slit for the headgear straps so they could be taken off for cleaning without messing with the adjustment. This isn't a very big deal though because I only wash the headgear and frame once a week.
- Different cushion sizes aren't available separately yet. I'm right on the bubble between medium and large according to the sizing gauge, but the large was way too big for me, so I had to order an entirely new mask. Luckily CPAP.com has great return insurance.
- Some parts of the cushion are smooth (glossy) and other parts are the "matte" type finish. I definitely prefer a matte type finish on my mask cushions, but I'm guessing this was a design decision that helps the mask stay in place better. I'm getting used to it, so I'm okay with that.

I think this is probably the best FFM out there right now, and is a definite must-try for those that have to go to a FFM from a nasal, or for those that have problems with the bridge of their nose getting irritated.

The cushions on the F20 are interchangeable. The mask frame will accommodate all size cushions. I tried the F20 in Med.and it was too narrow. My DME is ordering me a LG Cushion to try. Meanwhile, I think I still like my Quattro better.

LSAT wrote:The cushions on the F20 are interchangeable. The mask frame will accommodate all size cushions. I tried the F20 in Med.and it was too narrow. My DME is ordering me a LG Cushion to try. Meanwhile, I think I still like my Quattro better.

I know. I purchased my mask when it was first released from CPAP.com, which at the time did not have the different size cushions available separately. I see that they do now offer them individually.

I got one of the F20 mask from another member of the forum, and have found they run on the small side. I have always used a small sized mask with other full face masks I have tried. The small in the F20 is too small for me, It barely comes to the bottom of my lips and I keep getting leaks around my mouth. I have a medium cushion coming in the next few days and am looking forward to trying it again.

I just ordered one as a backup to my P10.

CPAP has actually helped a LOT with my nasal congestion, but it still occasionally happens.

I'm also hoping I can talk my wife into trying it (or another FFM) to deal with her open mouth leaks that sound like 747 moving up the tarmac.

Just ordered the F20 today, I cant wait to try it. I haven't had a new(different) mask in 2-3 years, maybe longer. Until I read this about the New Airfit F20, then I got excited. If it doesn't work for me then I'm a Mirage quattro user for life