DreamStation Go - First Impressions

I have been using the Dreamstation Go model which is optimized for travel. I need a packable CPAP and the Transcend is just too noisy for me. Here are some of my impressions:

1) Size is terrific. If you get the optional battery it does get 50% longer but still decent.
2) I found no issues using the small hose it comes with. You can use standard hoses but I would wonder why. No need for hose adapter like the Transcend has.
3) The control interface is pretty easy to figure out. Has the full range of PR features.
4) Just having a power cord without any other AC needs is great.
5) Unit runs nearly as quiet as my System One. This is very important to me.
6) Am not testing Bluetooth at all - I like sd cards; but it may appeal in future.
7) Provides typical PR metrics like AHI, leak but not as much info as sleepyhead does.
Rubber strips on the bottom do keep it in place. The Transcend always moved - often onto the floor.
9) I thought the battery was pretty large but it is rated for 2 nights at full charge for a pressure of 10. I have not
10) The battery fits into the main unit and extends it.
11) The Auto function works just fine and behaves just like my System One. I range from 18 to 10 with most of the time at 12.
12) It IS pricey.
13) The transcend device is slightly smaller but there are a lot of pieces to keep track of. Weight is pretty much the same until you add the GO battery. Transcend is a bit lighter with everything.

I really do like this device. It appears well made and has all the technology one could ask for right now. The small hose did concern me regarding air delivery but that did not cause any problems. It is a good length and will pack easier than a standard hose. So besides the mask all you need is the hose, unit and power cord. No little pieces to worry about. The battery is situational and I won't always need to bring it. Otherwise it does exactly what I want and I'll use Sleepyhead to track my usage as well. It is obvious that PR had clear design goals in engineering the Go and I have no complaints at this point.

Nicely done Phillips.

Humidity not an issue for you?

It was interesting to me to see the two newer travel machines side by side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJY7U7TSO4A

(Apologies to Johnny for competitor's video)

I miss a humidifier sometimes but I have done fine without them. It does get dry on planes and in hotel rooms but reducing carry on bulk is worth it to me anyways. YMMV.

Flyoverguy wrote:I have been using the Dreamstation Go model which is optimized for travel. I need a packable CPAP and the Transcend is just too noisy for me. Here are some of my impressions:

1) Size is terrific. If you get the optional battery it does get 50% longer but still decent.
2) I found no issues using the small hose it comes with. You can use standard hoses but I would wonder why. No need for hose adapter like the Transcend has.
3) The control interface is pretty easy to figure out. Has the full range of PR features.
4) Just having a power cord without any other AC needs is great.
5) Unit runs nearly as quiet as my System One. This is very important to me.
6) Am not testing Bluetooth at all - I like sd cards; but it may appeal in future.
7) Provides typical PR metrics like AHI, leak but not as much info as sleepyhead does.
Rubber strips on the bottom do keep it in place. The Transcend always moved - often onto the floor.
9) I thought the battery was pretty large but it is rated for 2 nights at full charge for a pressure of 10. I have not
10) The battery fits into the main unit and extends it.
11) The Auto function works just fine and behaves just like my System One. I range from 18 to 10 with most of the time at 12.
12) It IS pricey.
13) The transcend device is slightly smaller but there are a lot of pieces to keep track of. Weight is pretty much the same until you add the GO battery. Transcend is a bit lighter with everything.

I really do like this device. It appears well made and has all the technology one could ask for right now. The small hose did concern me regarding air delivery but that did not cause any problems. It is a good length and will pack easier than a standard hose. So besides the mask all you need is the hose, unit and power cord. No little pieces to worry about. The battery is situational and I won't always need to bring it. Otherwise it does exactly what I want and I'll use Sleepyhead to track my usage as well. It is obvious that PR had clear design goals in engineering the Go and I have no complaints at this point.

Nicely done Phillips.

Do you use the blue tooth technology to send your data ? Sounds much safer than letting a doc check occasionally, especially seeing the software used that gives "fake AHI scores" (Bless the man who wrote the Sleepy Head software, probably saved my life and others, too, along with the helpers on this website!)

Flyoverguy wrote:I have been using the Dreamstation Go model which is optimized for travel. I need a packable CPAP and the Transcend is just too noisy for me. Here are some of my impressions:

1) Size is terrific. If you get the optional battery it does get 50% longer but still decent.
2) I found no issues using the small hose it comes with. You can use standard hoses but I would wonder why. No need for hose adapter like the Transcend has.
3) The control interface is pretty easy to figure out. Has the full range of PR features.
4) Just having a power cord without any other AC needs is great.
5) Unit runs nearly as quiet as my System One. This is very important to me.
6) Am not testing Bluetooth at all - I like sd cards; but it may appeal in future.
7) Provides typical PR metrics like AHI, leak but not as much info as sleepyhead does.
Rubber strips on the bottom do keep it in place. The Transcend always moved - often onto the floor.
9) I thought the battery was pretty large but it is rated for 2 nights at full charge for a pressure of 10. I have not
10) The battery fits into the main unit and extends it.
11) The Auto function works just fine and behaves just like my System One. I range from 18 to 10 with most of the time at 12.
12) It IS pricey.
13) The transcend device is slightly smaller but there are a lot of pieces to keep track of. Weight is pretty much the same until you add the GO battery. Transcend is a bit lighter with everything.

I really do like this device. It appears well made and has all the technology one could ask for right now. The small hose did concern me regarding air delivery but that did not cause any problems. It is a good length and will pack easier than a standard hose. So besides the mask all you need is the hose, unit and power cord. No little pieces to worry about. The battery is situational and I won't always need to bring it. Otherwise it does exactly what I want and I'll use Sleepyhead to track my usage as well. It is obvious that PR had clear design goals in engineering the Go and I have no complaints at this point.

Nicely done Phillips.

Excellent review, Flyoverguy.

I wonder if the blue tooth technology sends your data using the same software as most doctors who check the SD card? Sounds much safer than letting a doc check occasionally, especially with misleading AHI scores (Bless the man who wrote the Sleepy Head software, probably saved my life and others, too, along with the helpers on this website).

I agree 100% with Flyoverguy's assessment of the Dreamstation GO. I have had mine for a couple of nights and find it works well. The biggest downside is the lack of humidification. But as often as I use it, I can get buy without the humidifier. Although, when one is available I will probably opt for one. The kind of humidifier that fits in line with your hose doesn't do it for me.

Interestingly enough, I tried using the Dreamweaver mask (both pillows and nasal) and found it very noisy. I was surprised as I had been using the Dreamweaver (both types) with my main Respironics machine with some success. It was always a little noisy, but not enough to stop me from using the mask. But it just seems to be magnified when used with the Dreamstation Go. I thought maybe changing to a larger hose might help, but it didn't. But I then put the small hose back on the machine and tried the Airfit P10 (probably my favorite mask) and it was QUIET. The machine wasn't any louder than my larger System 1 machine.

All in all, it's a keeper as far as I am concerned. I am going to try it again with a brand new Dreamweaver mask and see if makes a difference.

Thanks for your analysis Flyoverguy!

I do use sleepyhead to get more information than the device or doctor will give me. I am not keen on running another app on my phone and putting that info there. I'll keep it on my PC so bluetooth is just not that important. Using a sd card is fine by me.

I am not required to send my info into the the doctor via bluetooth or other method. My treatment only needs a yearly check and I take care of the rest so a sd card works well for me.

Flyoverguy wrote:I do use sleepyhead to get more information than the device or doctor will give me. I am not keen on running another app on my phone and putting that info there. I'll keep it on my PC so bluetooth is just not that important. Using a sd card is fine by me.

I am not required to send my info into the the doctor via bluetooth or other method. My treatment only needs a yearly check and I take care of the rest so a sd card works well for me.

+1

That's how I manage. Also, once my therapy was optimized, I began looking at the data in Sleepyhead only every two or three weeks. If the machine display shows a low AHI and leak level in the morning, there is no need to examine further.

I am ready to buy the Dreamstation Go with Battery. Since our host does not have it available for sale, WHERE did you purchase yours from? Thanks.

Also, how do you unlock the clinical menu, I want to be able to change my own pressure settings.

I got mine from CPAPshop.com. They are in NJ I think and shipped promptly. I did not want to wait.

As for the unlock - I got the document from Apneaboard.com. Send them an email and you get instructions. They have the documents for most devices and are a good resource.

thanks.

I know my opinions can tend to be, uh, nonstandard, but from my point of view if I were willing to go humidifier-free, my S9 (or S8, for that matter) sans humidifier is small enough and convenient enough to rival many dedicated "travel" machines for my purposes. However, for comfort reasons, no humidifier is a deal-breaker for me, especially when travelling.

But hey, just me.

I don't believe in a one size fits all world. Everyone is different so having choice is good.

Whatever make you wake up in the morning feeling good is the correct approach for you.