A better travel case for CPAP machines?

calusa wrote:

how are you measuring "tall" the PRS1 60 series is NOT 5.25" tall.

tall is from the little rubber feet on the bottom to the top of the unit. according to the manual, it's 4" tall. are you measuring it front to back?

My machine doesn't have rubber feet on the bottom (which I find odd).

The 5.25" measurement is from the table the machine sits on to the highest point on the swivelling output of the humidifier (with the hose removed). This isn't from the manual, it's an actual measurement of my machine.

Maybe I'm not describing my machine correctly -- I think its full name is: "System One 60 Series REMstar Auto with A-flex"

which is what those padded cases were designed for. prs1, they're all the same size.

While I have the APAP, I bought the Remstar Pro case for bipap from cpap.com. A lot better than the cheesy bag that came with the APAP. Nice roomy bag padded but not as much as I like. I use a printer with toner and cartridges come in a plastic bubble sleeve. I put that in the bag for extra padding on the side and bottom. Works great on airplanes.

I don't know if it's any good or not, but I've seen ads for the eZe CARRY ON LUGGAGE SYSTEM. It has a section at the top for CPAP.

I haven't looked too far into it as I have an S9 and as others have said, the case it came with is sufficient, but thought I'd mention this one since it did look interesting.

I appreciate all the suggestions that others have made!

For my purposes, the key feature is exceptional padding so that I'll have one less thing to worry about when navigating through airports and past TSA screeners, overworked gate agents, and inconsiderate passengers.

The other key feature for me is a “trolley sleeve” or whatever they call the ability to slide the travel case over the extension handles of a roller suitcase; that's a pretty common feature these days, but not universal.

I've decided to try a camera bag. There are many brands; LowePro seems well regarded by photographers and comes in many different sizes and styles. Their Magnum 200AW is extremely well-padded and about the right size for my System 60 machine; maybe a little larger than I'd have preferred. Officially it's a $200 item, but Amazon.com sells them for $150 and I found one on eBay for $50.

So far this case seems like a real winner for my purposes -- here are a couple of photos:

calusa wrote:

leaving the machine halves clipped together like that, you're just begging to have the connection between the halves broken due to stresses while jostling your way through everything.

that's why the official travel bag has separate compartments for the flow generator and the humidifier.

Thank you -- I wasn't aware of that!

I've been traveling with the two halves of the machine connected. Maybe I've just been lucky not to have damaged anything.

These camera cases come with a whole series of padded dividers that velcro to each other and to the inside of the case. I had moved all the dividers to the outer edge to provide extra padding for the CPAP machine. But knowing this weakness, now I'll rearrange them to create two separate compartments, one for each half of the machine.

calusa wrote:Thank you -- I wasn't aware of that!

I've been traveling with the two halves of the machine connected. Maybe I've just been lucky not to have damaged anything.

These camera cases come with a whole series of padded dividers that velcro to each other and to the inside of the case. I had moved all the dividers to the outer edge to provide extra padding for the CPAP machine. But knowing this weakness, now I'll rearrange them to create two separate compartments, one for each half of the machine.

I've got a few camera cases around here, though I've got cameras in 'em

I figure "why take the chance of having the clips that hold the halves together getting broken, or wearing from the stresses that might be placed on 'em".

the resmed case takes care of that by having two compartments for the machine, you take it apart, then put the two outside panels side by side with padding in between... so the clippy bits aren't poking up against the other half.

I definitely need to consider this. Not because I travel on planes a lot. I do not. I haven't been on a place since about 1991. When I was first diagnosed in 2006 they gave me a paper to take with me if I travel by plane but I have never used it. I guess I need to get a new one of those should I need to travel from my current sleep doctor.

Anyway, I have the PR1 System One as well as the case is the least substantial of the three CPAP machines that I currently own. My first thought it to see if either my PB Goodknight 420E or Resmed S8 Autoset Vantage cases might work for the PR1? The one I've seen that looks the best so far is one of the ones from amazon that is $89. (Not the briefcase model) For me, it would just be needed for the occasional hospital stay more than likely. I had several of those this year and I took my S8 each and every time. It has the best padding of all. One idea is just to set that thing for 12 pressure setting and turn the EPR on to 3 and hope for the best regarding comparable settings vs. my new machine. However, compliance is an issue while they bill me over the next 10 month period. I had met my out of pocket for this year but because of how they bill over 10 months 7 of those payments will happen during next year when my deductible won't be met. So, I will end up paying for the majority of that machine myself.

I have had a total of 4 sleep studies and 3 of them were this year. 1 was in 2006. If the tables were flipped and I hadn't already met my deductible I would've possibly skipped the sleep studies and just bought a new machine outright, although in this particular case, I'm getting the machine for $981 due to a contracted rate with my insurance. I guess that's a bit more than 50% of the price on cpap.com

I am enjoying the data capabilities and the improved sleep quality over my previous S8 APAP! I guess I'm one of those people who actually benefit more from a steady pressure rather than a range. Go figure! And yet I can re-auto titrate with my new machine and unless it breaks, don't even need my previous 2 machines at all. They're just working back-ups. The 420E doesn't even have exhale pressure relief at all so, to me, it's the 2nd choice, not the 1st choice after my new machine.

If one of my previous two cases works (most likely the 420E's rather than the Resmed S8 Auto) then I won't need to buy a new case at all. I'll just slip the older machine into the newest case and continue on as usual. But if not, I'm going to have to buy something.

Rastaman wrote: If one of my previous two cases works (most likely the 420E's rather than the Resmed S8 Auto) then I won't need to buy a new case at all. I'll just slip the older machine into the newest case and continue on as usual. But if not, I'm going to have to buy something.

I believe, not actually having seen it, that the PRS1 travel case that I linked earlier in the thread is probably more than enough for your needs, since it's designed to protect that unit.

calusa wrote:I've been traveling with the two halves of the machine connected. Maybe I've just been lucky not to have damaged anything.

I have traveled with my prs1 packed that way since the 50 series came on the market. I have not had a problem but I also do not check my cpap equipment with the airlines.

A few thoughts some readers may like...

I recently came across the old style hard case luggage in a thrift store which some may like - I didn't cuz it didn't have wheels which is one of my requirements for luggage.

A few weeks later I found a Pierre Cardin 20" swivel style which is a hard case for $20. It looks to be just a bit smaller than the one I am currently using.

.

palerider wrote:

Rastaman wrote: If one of my previous two cases works (most likely the 420E's rather than the Resmed S8 Auto) then I won't need to buy a new case at all. I'll just slip the older machine into the newest case and continue on as usual. But if not, I'm going to have to buy something.

I believe, not actually having seen it, that the PRS1 travel case that I linked earlier in the thread is probably more than enough for your needs, since it's designed to protect that unit.

Yeah, that first one you posted for $89 looks pretty good. And I'm not sure why the case over on amazon for $42 is getting such poor reviews but even it looks like a reasonable case.

Rastaman wrote:

palerider wrote:

Rastaman wrote: If one of my previous two cases works (most likely the 420E's rather than the Resmed S8 Auto) then I won't need to buy a new case at all. I'll just slip the older machine into the newest case and continue on as usual. But if not, I'm going to have to buy something.

I believe, not actually having seen it, that the PRS1 travel case that I linked earlier in the thread is probably more than enough for your needs, since it's designed to protect that unit.

Yeah, that first one you posted for $89 looks pretty good. And I'm not sure why the case over on amazon for $42 is getting such poor reviews but even it looks like a reasonable case.

the one on amazon for 42$ is the stock thin bag that comes with the machine.. no padding, except a tiny bit between where the power supply goes and the main compartment.

palerider wrote:

calusa wrote:

leaving the machine halves clipped together like that, you're just begging to have the connection between the halves broken due to stresses while jostling your way through everything.

that's why the official travel bag has separate compartments for the flow generator and the humidifier.

I believe that's true for the Resmed machines, but it's absolutely NOT true for the Philips-Respironics machine.

The OEM cases for both my M-Series and my PRS1 apaps are designed for the humidifier and blower to remain connected while in the carry-case. There's just one compartment for these components and they are safer when connected together. In fact, I suspect that long-term wear on the connection would result if you were to keep separating and reconnecting them during travel!.

That camera case seems to be way-larger than necessary for the xpap and components. I'd be looking for something smaller.

Also, placing the hose, mask and power supply on top of the apap in the case will be a problem when a TSA agent asks that the apap be removed for screening at the airport. It would be best to have the apap at the top of the bag so that the bag doesn't have to be completely emptied to get to it.

Hose_Head wrote:

palerider wrote:leaving the machine halves clipped together like that, you're just begging to have the connection between the halves broken due to stresses while jostling your way through everything.
that's why the official travel bag has separate compartments for the flow generator and the humidifier.

I believe that's true for the Resmed machines, but it's absolutely NOT true for the Philips-Respironics machine.

The OEM cases for both my M-Series and my PRS1 apaps are designed for the humidifier and blower to remain connected while in the carry-case. There's just one compartment for these components and they are safer when connected together. In fact, I suspect that long-term wear on the connection would result if you were to keep separating and reconnecting them during travel!.

if you look at the official prs1 travel case that cpap.com (and others) sells, the one that's got padding in it, you'll see that there are separate compartments for the blower, humidifer, and power supply.
to wit:

the cheezy oem case that comes with the prs1 is not a travel case, it's got no padding. also, the m-series connection was much more sturdy than the prs1 humidifier<>blower connection.

palerider wrote:

Hose_Head wrote:

palerider wrote:leaving the machine halves clipped together like that, you're just begging to have the connection between the halves broken due to stresses while jostling your way through everything.
that's why the official travel bag has separate compartments for the flow generator and the humidifier.

I believe that's true for the Resmed machines, but it's absolutely NOT true for the Philips-Respironics machine.

The OEM cases for both my M-Series and my PRS1 apaps are designed for the humidifier and blower to remain connected while in the carry-case. There's just one compartment for these components and they are safer when connected together. In fact, I suspect that long-term wear on the connection would result if you were to keep separating and reconnecting them during travel!.

if you look at the official prs1 travel case that cpap.com (and others) sells, the one that's got padding in it, you'll see that there are separate compartments for the blower, humidifer, and power supply.
to wit:

the cheezy oem case that comes with the prs1 is not a travel case, it's got no padding. also, the m-series connection was much more sturdy than the prs1 humidifier<>blower connection.

I have the official PRS1 travel case and it is a must have. Great padding and very good fit since it is designed for the machine. The laptop pocket is a great extra and completely removable if you don't need it. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a travel case.