Best humidifier construction

I've been using a ResMed Autoset Spirit II S8 for 5 years and am thinking of getting another machine myself.

One problem with the current machine is that I have broken the humidifier chamber twice. I just hate the way the plastic is constructed and I have to be really careful when I open it to clean it.

The machine I like the look of is the Fisher & Paykel Icon, but what are the humidifiers like on other ResMed and Respironics machines that most people have? I'm also interested in having a heated tube. Does anyone understand my problem with the (old?) H5i and can say which other machines are easier for clumsy people to use?

Zeppa wrote:. Does anyone understand my problem with the (old?) H5i and can say which other machines are easier for clumsy people to use?

I think you'd be quite pleased with the h5i that's on the resmed s9 line,

I think the resmed s8's used the h4i, I've never messed with one, but from the pics I've seen, the s9 series is much more robust.

My new machine has the easiest to use chamber, although someone recently was having difficulty removing theirs.
(Possibly due to having the lid cockeyed) --a problem I have not encountered.
I do not remove the lid to wash the tank--it's not necessary.

The Respironics system 1 has been good to me. It's easy to get in and out, and has a solid feel as well as being reasonably obvious when all is inserted correctly. From what I've read, the prs1 is also more forgiving of a little overfilling, and is sealed from water traveling back into the machine. Someone correct if that's misinformation please. I have no firsthand on anything but my prs1.

PRS1 is not as "solid" as Resmed S9's humidifier chamber. And the lid on the humidifier is "flimsy" and can break easily if you tried to close it when the water chamber is not correctly inserted. And the lid doesn't have a reassuring "thud" as a trunklid of a German sedan.

It is a bit forgiving for the water level going a bit above the line. But if it goes too much above, it can backflush towards the blower and can potentially cause major damage.

Also, who designed the water chamber in it? I fail to understand the "need" and "reason" for every nook and cranny in it.

All rants aside with the humidifier construction, I am happy with my PRS1 60 series auto with heated humidifier and heated tube. Also, the spare parts are cheaper for PRS1 than Resmed. And in the larger scheme of things, the blower unit and its algorithm is more important than the humidifier chamber.

IMHO, You should either get a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her with heated tube
OR
a PRS1 60 series Auto (model # 560TS).

Really? A GERMAN SEDAN TRUNK LID??? geez. It's reasonably strong. I'm reasonably coordinated with a touch of klutz. They're FINE.

Tatooed Lady wrote:Really? A GERMAN SEDAN TRUNK LID??? geez. It's reasonably strong. I'm reasonably coordinated with a touch of klutz. They're FINE.

Never been in one, but we had an Audi once. Pretty solid--up until an engine mount broke.
After that it sounded like Pac Man going down the road.
Not very reassuring, and a lot of giggles.

Lok...I had an Old smile that sounded like a UFO when running. And I recall it being a two person job to start...One had to prop open the butterfly and make sure the pen didn't get sucked into the engine.


But really...don't compare xPAP machines to car parts or kumquats or whatever. That fuzzies up an issue that seems to be fairly user preference. Some swear by one brand, some by another...As long as you don't hear stories about machines all but disintegrating in the middle of the night, you're probably ok.

Thanks for all the comments.

Yes, it is the H4i. Does anyone know if it's OK that the s8 is programmed for the H3i? The settings have just been changed for me at a hospital and I wasn't happy with all of them.

It's probably true, I don't need to take the humidifier apart. I fill it with water and vinegar and I sometimes scrub over the metal floor if it still feels like it has scale on it.

I t looks as if I can get (be given) an S9 with humidifier but without heated hose, and I could buy a heated hose with a separate plug. So thanks, palerider, for the heads-up on that humidifier.

The biggest problem is finding someone who knows more than one machine. The Airsense apparently costs not much less than the FP Icon I think, but it is certainly popular. I see the price on one UK site, with varying additional costs for various periods of Airview. Is that Airview essential? Can you read the results yourself or are you dependent on ResMed? Can you turn this Autoramp off? It seems odd to have a machine designed especially for women.

Zeppa wrote: I t looks as if I can get (be given) an S9 with humidifier but without heated hose, and I could buy a heated hose with a separate plug. So thanks, palerider, for the heads-up on that humidifier.

you don't need a separate plug or anything else besides the resmed heated hose for both the s9 line, and the airsense 10 line, they're all heated hose ready.

Zeppa wrote: The biggest problem is finding someone who knows more than one machine. The Airsense apparently costs not much less than the FP Icon I think, but it is certainly popular. I see the price on one UK site, with varying additional costs for various periods of Airview. Is that Airview essential? Can you read the results yourself or are you dependent on ResMed? Can you turn this Autoramp off? It seems odd to have a machine designed especially for women.

airview is *not* necessary, it's a very limited summary service that saves you having to look at the machine for the same data. all the good data is on the SD card, and you can use SleepyHead software to show you everything it has.

autoramp is an option. use it if you want to, don't if you don't.

the logic is that women have a bit different needs than men, and so they created some features that are tailor made, so they say. however, some of the features in the 'for her' model would be nice for everybody. like the auto adjusting minimum pressure.

Thanks. This is an argument for letting the hospital give me the s9 and myself getting the appropriate heated hose to go with it.

Zeppa wrote:Thanks. This is an argument for letting the hospital give me the s9 and myself getting the appropriate heated hose to go with it.

just do your best to keep them from giving you an s9 escape anything, or an as10 'cpap' model. those don't have useful data.

Right. When the hospital tested me they lent me an S9 for three nights. It was the right one, not the Escape one, but if I take this route I will watch out for it. Thanks again.