Z1 Auto, how do you like it?

Does anyone have the new Z1 Auto yet and if so how do you like it?

I find it more comfortable to use than the original cpap version and Nitelog (Bluetooth to an iPhone only at this time) is much more useful than the original's HDM Data viewer for PC. I uses my original Z1 and now the Auto at least four out of seven nights during about 40 weeks a year of Monday-Fri traveling. I was diagnosed to move from the CPAP to an APAP this past summer and had been awaiting the release of the Auto version.

bill-e wrote:Does anyone have the new Z1 Auto yet and if so how do you like it?

I find it more comfortable to use than the original cpap version and Nitelog (Bluetooth to an iPhone only at this time) is much more useful than the original's HDM Data viewer for PC. I uses my original Z1 and now the Auto at least four out of seven nights during about 40 weeks a year of Monday-Fri traveling. I was diagnosed to move from the CPAP to an APAP this past summer and had been awaiting the release of the Auto version.

I have the straight cpap version, and I downloaded the 3rd relief algorithm, but I still just can't breath on the darn thing.........it fights me on both the inhale and the exhale, seems like it's "out-of-sync" with my breathing pattern.

So I have been very curious what the Auto version is like.............you say that it's more comfortable to use.........can you expand on that a little bit, how do you think it is more comfortable? I see that it still has the same three exhale relief settings that the straight cpap machine has.........too bad you can't simply turn off the exhale relief completely, I think it would work better for me if it didn't have any exhale relief. I am a big guy (6'2" 280#) with large lung capacity, I think the little Z1 just doesn't produce the volume of air I need to breath comfortably on it, even with the pressure cranked way up above my needs..........I've tried it with pressure up way high and it's still too difficult for me to get a good lung full of air!

I've been interested to hear from someone that has the Auto version.........let me know what you think.

I am a little upset with HDM, because they led us to believe that when they had the Auto Algorithm available they would make it so that we could download that into the original cpap machine...............so instead they come out with a different Auto machine and have no Auto Algorithm available for early adapters of the first machine.........kinda crappy way to do things in my book.

TangledHose,

I think one issue is that the Z1 does feel different than a bedside unit and I believe that is because of size, the Z1 has a tiny motor and blower spinning like crazy to make pressure. So even though a manometer will show it is putting out the same pressure as the larger unit, the "feel" of the air movement is different and takes some getting used to.

I'm convinced that those who really don't like it are using it only very occasionally and because of that each time they never become accustom to the difference in feel. I use my Z1's more than my bedside unit because I travel all the time.

Now as to the exhale relief, I think that it is a good suggestion to have an option to disable it but I could never use it that way. What I found when I was getting used to the Z1 original is that even with CPAP-3 I would feel like there was a lot of resistance to exhale at first but after a few minutes it seemed to "learn" my pattern and adjust for it. And when I would wake up in the middle of the night as I always do I would be hard pressed to feel anything, totally smooth transition.

When I first tried the Z1 Auto I was pretty unhappy with it because I felt the APAP-3 setting (which is the same algorithm as CPAP-3) offered a lot of resistance. That seemed to last for a few days and then magically it got better. I started experiencing maybe 10-20 breaths when I first turned it on before it would "learn" me and now it takes like 2 or 3 and it's in sync.

I can honestly say that other than the difference between my PR System One's heated humidifier vs the HME, I find the breathing experience just as comfortable as the PRS1...with the PRS1 having a slight edge. I am totally happy with the Z1 Auto.

What would I like to see changed? First I'd like the Z1 to remember me and not have to re-learn me every time I power it on. I'd like a larger battery as with my prescription of 14-20 I can only get about 5.5 hours on the battery. With my old setting of 11cm I could go all night with power to spare. I'm also awaiting the Android version of Nightlog so I can stop carrying around this stupid iPhone which I use only for the Z1A

But other than that I'm happy, feel free to ask more if I didn't answer your questions.

TangledHose wrote: I am a big guy (6'2" 280#) with large lung capacity, I think the little Z1 just doesn't produce the volume of air I need to breath comfortably on it, even with the pressure cranked way up above my needs..........I've tried it with pressure up way high and it's still too difficult for me to get a good lung full of air!

I remember having that feeling when I first got the original Z1, so much so that I purchased a manometer to check it....it was dead on. I think because I use it a lot I just got used to that and I do think it's related to the different air velocity used to create the pressure. We will have to ask HDM or maybe someone who understands air flow to comment on CFM vs pressure and how they relate.

But like I said, I can bounce between it and the PRS1 without missing a beat, they both feel about the same and comfortable to me.

bill-e wrote:TangledHose,

I think one issue is that the Z1 does feel different than a bedside unit and I believe that is because of size, the Z1 has a tiny motor and blower spinning like crazy to make pressure. So even though a manometer will show it is putting out the same pressure as the larger unit, the "feel" of the air movement is different and takes some getting used to.

I'm convinced that those who really don't like it are using it only very occasionally and because of that each time they never become accustom to the difference in feel. I use my Z1's more than my bedside unit because I travel all the time.

Now as to the exhale relief, I think that it is a good suggestion to have an option to disable it but I could never use it that way. What I found when I was getting used to the Z1 original is that even with CPAP-3 I would feel like there was a lot of resistance to exhale at first but after a few minutes it seemed to "learn" my pattern and adjust for it. And when I would wake up in the middle of the night as I always do I would be hard pressed to feel anything, totally smooth transition.

When I first tried the Z1 Auto I was pretty unhappy with it because I felt the APAP-3 setting (which is the same algorithm as CPAP-3) offered a lot of resistance. That seemed to last for a few days and then magically it got better. I started experiencing maybe 10-20 breaths when I first turned it on before it would "learn" me and now it takes like 2 or 3 and it's in sync.

I can honestly say that other than the difference between my PR System One's heated humidifier vs the HME, I find the breathing experience just as comfortable as the PRS1...with the PRS1 having a slight edge. I am totally happy with the Z1 Auto.

What would I like to see changed? First I'd like the Z1 to remember me and not have to re-learn me every time I power it on. I'd like a larger battery as with my prescription of 14-20 I can only get about 5.5 hours on the battery. With my old setting of 11cm I could go all night with power to spare. I'm also awaiting the Android version of Nightlog so I can stop carrying around this stupid iPhone which I use only for the Z1A

But other than that I'm happy, feel free to ask more if I didn't answer your questions.

Is the Z1 less loud at 7 than at 14? Does pressure variation make a difference in the sound level. Also I call CPAP.com and they mention that if you use it with a 22mm hose at 6ft it is much more quiet. Is this true? Thanks

Pesser wrote: Is the Z1 less loud at 7 than at 14? Does pressure variation make a difference in the sound level. Also I call CPAP.com and they mention that if you use it with a 22mm hose at 6ft it is much more quiet. Is this true? Thanks

No, pressure doesn't make any difference. Be patient a little longer, relief is on the way.

Edit: and yes, the 6' hose with flat insides is more quiet but I wouldn't say "much". It will reduce the noise in the hose that you hear if the hose gets hear your head considerably though...at least that was my experience.

Yeah, I get what you're saying. I have a Transcend Auto, and although it's not as smooth as my home machine it still is no problem for me to use it anytime I am traveling, so I classify myself as being able to use a wide variety of different machines including straight cpap (had older Transcend CPAP in the past). I really don't feel like I am sensitive to getting along with different machines - I've owned and used six different brands of machines over the years. The Z1 cpap is the first machine I've ever had a problem with, and it's really too bad because there are so many design features that I like about the little sucker. I love having the buttons on the machine so that I can change any of the settings I need to right from the machine, on the Transcend I have to hook it to a computer to change anything and that's a pain!

I do a lot of long distance motorcycle trips and the Z1 is a better shape and size to pack, have very little room to pack stuff on the motorcycle as you would imagine.

I will keep forcing myself to get used to the Z1, but I have come to the conclusion that although it can produce the pressure needed with its fast spinning motor, it can't produce the volume of air that my big, male lungs need to feel comfortable.

So I am assuming from your description that the exhale relief mode number 3 setting is what works best for you......I've tried all three and their literature indicates number three is best for large volume breathers, is that your most comfortable setting?

Guess I'll keep working with it and see if I can get over the hump, I did notice that if I forced mysel to breath slowly it started to sync up better with my breathing, but that was a conscious effort on my part and was very un-natural......I think the machine should adapt to the user rather than the other way around.

tangledHose, yes, I use Xpap-3. Like I said it takes a while to get it to sync. Not knowing how long you tried to use the Z1 I cant tell you if it will get better or not, but if your didn't try to sleep with it then it's possible that it never got a chance to get comfortable for you.

That's no excuse for the Z1, it should just work, but my experience has been that it takes a couple of days.

Presser,

I've used both diameter hoses and it doesn't make any difference. As stated above the little motor spins fast and it causes a lot of turbulence in the air flow, that's where all the noise comes from......it's kind of transmitted to your skull as a vibration. I always wear ear plugs, but what I have noticed with both of the small machines that the ear plugs make no difference to the user because the sound is a vibration being transmitted through your skull. Hard to explain, but the perceived noise level isn't coming through your ears.......I actually think there is less noticeable noise when I take my ear plugs out. But if I am tired enough I can fall asleep and continue to sleep through the noise.

Question re: the noise level- do you think it is any louder than a bipap? I find that the bipap is very noisy, but have adjusted to the noise level- I have been getting frustrated with traveling with my bipap (without my humidifier to make it more lightweight) and was wondering if I would be more comfortable with the Z1 auto (is the humidifier built in?)

Thanks

beautifuldreamer wrote:Question re: the noise level- do you think it is any louder than a bipap? I find that the bipap is very noisy, but have adjusted to the noise level- I have been getting frustrated with traveling with my bipap (without my humidifier to make it more lightweight) and was wondering if I would be more comfortable with the Z1 auto (is the humidifier built in?)

Thanks

Dreamer,

I have no experience with BiPAP so I don't know about the noise level on one of those machines, but if I were to try and quantify the increased noise level on the Z1 compared to either my S9 Auto, or Airsense Auto I'd have to say it's on a factor of three to for times louder. As I mentioned above the noise is not the machine itself, but all the noise created by the turbulent air coming through the hose adapter at the machine, then the hose, and finally the mask......its a little hard to describe. You hear each breath both inhale and exhale, each at a different tone so the change in tone is annoying as well, I'd say it's a little like a mechanical ventilator or Darth Vader kinda thing.

The Z1 does not have a humidifier.......what they do use is an HME device that fits between the hose and your mask. The HME supposedly uses the moisture in your exhaled breath and recirculates some of that moisture back to you as you breath. It's basically a sponge stuffed in a plastic tube. They are ineffective compared to a real humidifier, and in a dry climate I really can't feel any difference with or without using the HME. They cost around five bucks and are only rated for about one week of use, so expensive especially considering they really don't do much.

beautifuldreamer wrote:Question re: the noise level- do you think it is any louder than a bipap? I find that the bipap is very noisy, but have adjusted to the noise level- I have been getting frustrated with traveling with my bipap (without my humidifier to make it more lightweight) and was wondering if I would be more comfortable with the Z1 auto (is the humidifier built in?)

Thanks

The noise level will be resolved soon and then noise will be a non-issue with the Z1 line. Mine, using a flat inside hose, is just a tad more noisy than my PR System One which is very quiet.

bill-e wrote:The noise level will be resolved soon and then noise will be a non-issue with the Z1 line.

Yeah, knowing HDM I wouldn't "Hold Your Breath" waiting for that fix.

Thanks for the feedback-

the bipap noise, it's like I can hear 2 different levels of air (the inhalation and exhalation), while it is on. Some nights it seems louder than other nights.

I truly miss the humidifier while I am on travel. My throat feels very dry in the morning without it. The most recent trip I returned from I had a very bad dry cough, and using the pap made me cough more, so I slept mostly without my pap during the trip. Currently, I am still waiting to be completely over my cough before trying out the pap again.

I have 2 bipaps (one is new/unused and I have it for backup emergency purposes) - so I have been pondering - maybe I should sell the unused bipap and get a travel sized pap such as the Z1 or Transcend for my travels?

I think that there are lots of variables which will help you to decide whether you want a travel CPAP or not. Airline or car travel? Checked baggage or carry on. Camping/Hiking/Motorcycling or Hotel.

I would agree that if I checked my luggage so that my CPAP bag was one of only two carry ons then I might have stayed with my full size unit. But if you don't check bags then the CPAP bag as a third carry on is a real PITA.

Car Travel to a Hotel, sure, full size CPAP but if you're riding a bike or hiking and camping then the lesser size, weight and power requirement of a travel CPAP may be what is necessary.

And the fix is coming and it works.