Fisher & Paykel Icon Premo Review

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Gekko
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Location: Sydney, Australia

Fisher & Paykel Icon Premo Review

Post by Gekko » Sun Jun 27, 2010 4:59 am

I've been on CPAP for about 3 months. I started on a rented Respironics machine and I had the usual problems with mask leak, dry mouth, etc. However, I seemed to resolve most of those problems and, feeling confident that the treatment was working, I decided that it was time to buy a machine. After doing a lot of research and talking to my CPAP supplier, I decided to go for the F&P Icon Premo model. I've now used it for 3 days. So far, here's my subjective opinion on the machine:

1. It is quiet. Probably a little quieter than the Respironics machine.
2. Everything (i.e. humidifier and power supply) is integrated, which is great - it's easy to move around, pack up, unpack, etc.
3. It feels very well put together. All removable parts and controls have a nice weighted feel , fit well and feel solid to the touch. The respironics machine felt like a cheap American car, whereas the F&P feels like a German car.
4. I don't know if it's all in my mind, but it seems to work "better" than the Respironics machine - I feel like I'm getting a better night's sleep.
5. Don't have the software, but the Smartstick is very easy to use (and allows you to load and play MP3's).
6. The clock/alarm function is useful. Sure, it's not revolutionary, but it's just nice to have it there.
7. The rotary dial interface (similar in some ways to an ipod interface) is very easy to use and intuitive.
8. The heated hose is excellent - no rain out.
9. It comes with plugs for all major countries/jurisdictions and a nice hard case - great for travelling.
9. The display lights up when a button is pressed, which is great at night when you need to fiddle around with settings, etc.

So, overall, from a useability point of view, it seems that F&P have put a lot of thought into little details that make the whole experience easier for the end user. I find it much easier to use and transport than the Respironics machine. In terms of performance, I can't find any real difference between Respironics and F&P (i.e they both seem to be just as good as each other - I'm not convinced that my subjective "feeling" translates into any real difference).

If anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer them

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Slinky
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Re: Fisher & Paykel Icon Premo Review

Post by Slinky » Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:01 pm

Thank you. I, for one, very much appreciate this review of the Premo. I have one question not related to the Premo, tho. WHICH Respironics PAP did you use? A pre-M Series (humidifier attaches on the front) or M Series (humidifier attaches on the side) or the new PR SystemOne Series (hose swivels off the top of the humidifier)???

I, for one, would like to see Respironics and Resmed get a real run for their money so to speak, some real competition in the xPAP market. They need it and to give their end-users more than the lip service we've been getting whilst they kowtow and suck up to the local DME providers in the USA.

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Gekko
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Re: Fisher & Paykel Icon Premo Review

Post by Gekko » Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:25 pm

It was the model where the humidifier attached to the side. It was a Series One A-Flex (although I had it in CPAP mode instead of APAP mode).

I was talking to my CPAP supplier and he was saying that F&P customer/supplier service is streets ahead of ResMed and Respironics. He told me that they were working hard to become a mainstream player in the market rather than a niche player. He said that as a supplier, he preferred to deal with F&P over any of the majors. Of course, this is in Australia, not the US. However, it does sound like F&P are making an effort to keep customers happy, both from a product design point of view and from a service point of view.

Guest

Re: Fisher & Paykel Icon Premo Review

Post by Guest » Wed Oct 10, 2012 9:56 pm

This Fisher and Paykel Icon CPAP product sucks. I have had one for a month and am returning it. This thing is broken by design.

1) The heater stays on unless you unplug it. So when you turn it off it does not turn off. What happens if there is no water in it? It makes it reek of burning plastic. Your choices are to turn the tempature down to 0 EVERY MORNING or to yank the plug out of the wall. I checked with the rep who confirmed this. Who came up with this disaster? Even if you turn it to 0 it still stays a little warm and consumes 5 watts just sitting there.

2) The design of the canister requires that you contaminate it with your fingers. That's right if you clean it you grab the disk in the center with your fingers to put it back. Where does the bacteria on your fingers go with condensation? That's right, into the water chamber. That means you have to clean this puppy constantly or risk chronic respiratory infections. The previous Fisher Paykel Sleepstyles where not like this. After cleaning the chamber you could handle and load it without contaminating it.

3) I am further suspicious of the small length of pipe that the hose plugs into. There does not seem to be an obvious way to take this off and clean it, which appears to be yet another source of infection.

4) A minor issue is the irritating non-responsiveness of the dial. Clicking this thing around it doesn't respond at first.

5) Okay they want to make this a sexy night table like deal and alarm clock. Instead of a USB charger they put that absurd memory stick that for only $20 you can change the wake to music. Come on! Put a USB port on it so I can charge my cellphone at night.

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archangle
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Re: Fisher & Paykel Icon Premo Review

Post by archangle » Thu Oct 11, 2012 7:24 am

I don't think it records airflow waveforms like the better Respironics and ResMed machines do. The airflow waveform is VERY important to seeing what's actually going on, how long the event is, how severe it is, etc. You can see the actual pattern of your breathing instead of just seeing when events happened.

It's also very hard for us peasants, errr.. patients to get software that will read the data for F&P machines.

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Re: Fisher & Paykel Icon Premo Review

Post by ShaneS » Mon Mar 30, 2015 5:51 pm

Sleepyhead is a nice little open source package that parses the data off of the machine.

hyperlexis
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Re: Fisher & Paykel Icon Premo Review

Post by hyperlexis » Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:18 pm

It's amazing how some of the machines have some great features exclusive to them, like a clock, while the others don't -- and yet the machines with some good features also lack in several others.

I'd like to know more about the F&Ps Exhalation pressure relief system which is markedly different than the others. Also I didn't know about the Icon humidifier heater not auto shutting off.

The Primo is the base model, no? The Icon Auto is their highest end autoset? For some reason they don't offer a bipap or more advanced version.

If someone took all the best features from each xPAP machine and built a new, more user friendly one, that would be awesome. Right now there are lots of machines that provide good clinical therapy, with some good added features, but from a consumer standpoint, all are severely lacking in some manner. I honestly think these engineers don't actually use the products. They say they extensively survey their consumers but come on, some of these omissions are so obvious, how could consumer testing not catch them. Hmmmm, lets build a bedside device with no clock radio, no USB connection, and is as big as a breadbox. And it makes noise. Or lets design one with a heater that runs on and on even without water inside.... Or lets put the display directly on top of the device so one cant actually see it while in bed... Or, lets run the hose straight out the back, with no swivel, which will cause the hose to twist and pull the unit off the nightstand, or eventually crack the hose from fatigue.... Brilliant!

I am available for hire in case anyone at ResMed or Respironics is listening, lol.....

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LSAT
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Re: Fisher & Paykel Icon Premo Review

Post by LSAT » Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:14 pm

You are replying to a 2012 post.

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