Most Important CPAP Feature/Attribute

Howdy cpaptalkers,

We're always looking to understand what you want and bring it to you. Today we are wondering what is, in your eyes, the most important CPAP feature/quality/attribute.

With the recent Sleep Apnea buzz, the introduction of the PB 420 series and the growing visability of the internet, upstart CPAP manufacturers are entering the market and targeting end users. They seem to be settling on an attribute they think users find most important and making a CPAP that is excellent in that area.

We are hoping to be able to wade through the muck of new entries and find the stuff that meets demand. However, to do that we need to understand what that demand is.

The poll represents what we believe to be primary qualities given our heavy interactions with users on this board as well as on the phone. If we've missed options or you have stronger opinions than the poll allows you to express, please do post your comments.

Thanks! We'll be reading!

Johnny

Johnny,

I voted "none of these", but given the choice would have voted "all of these". I touched on this in my review of the REMstar Auto with C-flex. In todays market the "one" thing that a cpap needs to be is "all thing to all people." The closer a machine comes to this mark, the better advantage it has over otherw in the market. A machine that can acheive this goal will be able to maximize it's supporters and minimize it's detractors. This combination will create a level of unchallenged support that facilitates sales to a skeptical market. I think this is the reason for the success in the recent past of several new interfaces. They needed to excel at all levels and a few of them have. Back to the cpap topic, my guess is, this is the approach Aeiomed is taking. I think, if and when it is released, their new machine platform, in an auto format, with battery operablility and portable size is going to be a force to contend with. We'll see...

Thanks for the topic (and the muck reference )

I don't think it will be possible to come up with just one "best" answer. For me, all of the items you listed as single selections were important...and darn near equally important.

As far as the "upstart" companies, don't forget the principle of our free market economy. The companies that make the good XPAPs will stay in business (even though they may take an initial hit on folks trying the "latest and greatest") and the ones that don't have the superior products will, eventually, fall by the way due to lack of business, complaints (and with this forum, for example, we ALL know what the good products are and what the bad ones are!!), refunds, returns, etc.

All I can say is "This therapy WORKS!!" But ya gotta have the right equipment, dependable equipment, at the right price, with the features that you as an individual need.

Too wear a mask all night, one must be able to breath comfortably everything else is secondary,,,,,,

The RAMP....!!!!

Alright, I'm a little dependent on that button, for sure.
Can't help it, though. My 18 high pressure is one tough monster to deal with. It wakes me up (or at least SOMETHING wakes me up), and once awake, I just gotta hit that ramp button. Otherwise, I feel like I'm breathing into a strong wind tunnel. Hopefully I'll get used to this thing, but until then, it's the RAMP, the RAMP, the RAMP...!!!!! God, help me!


Linda

I think that if Aeiomed can make a battery powered auto with integrated heated humidifer, add a cflex like feature and round it off with a good software package, they will dominate the field.

They already seem to have the best nasal mask and that is a lot to say. (Respironics makes great machines, lousy masks )

Hi Linda:
That is a high number? No wonder you are uncomfortable.
I was quoted at about 12-14 from my study. I demanded an autopap, and got it. My ''low'' is 5, and my high is set for 14. I average around 9-11 lately, and have the software, so obviously didn't need the higher number to maintain my sanity!

LDuyer wrote:The RAMP....!!!!

Alright, I'm a little dependent on that button, for sure.
Can't help it, though. My 18 high pressure is one tough monster to deal with. It wakes me up (or at least SOMETHING wakes me up), and once awake, I just gotta hit that ramp button. Otherwise, I feel like I'm breathing into a strong wind tunnel. Hopefully I'll get used to this thing, but until then, it's the RAMP, the RAMP, the RAMP...!!!!! God, help me!


Linda

AS far as a machine goes, they are all simple and very reliable, so quietness would be the most important attribute there to me, but there are 2 other contributing factors that in my opinion are far more important than the machine. First and foremost is a comfortable mask. Without that therapy is unbearable. The second most important feature is heated humidification. It keeps you breathing!!

For me it is for sure, no doubt about it the breathability. And for me that translates to Remstar Auto w C-Flex. Could not do any other machine.

It is the most comfortable along with my Activa until I get the Aura

Reliability and long life. If it doesn't work or is undependable, you won't be getting any treatment - good or bad.

I am about to have my sixth night on my cpap. Have throw the mask a few times which my RT told me today was normal - lol. The RT was much better at showing me how to use and wear all of the gear than the RT at the sleep study (Sleep study RT had head strap so tight I thought I was in a vise. Ended up telling her I did not want it on at all). I now can wear all the gear at MY comfort level.

Sound was also very important to me because I am caregiver for 88-year old mother - need to be able to hear her if she needs me. Guess it will take me some time but I will hang in there with all the support from this forum.

Thanks so much to all of ya'll.

All of the things in the poll are important, and I agree with most of the other things mentioned by posters. I voted for the quality of the software - simply because that was such a unique must for me, as I was embarking on this without a sleep study or a doctor's oversight.

I voted for ease of travel, although I agree, all are important. I'm flying one place or another nearly every other weekend, so small and lightweight are very important for me or I wouldn't be able to comply on these trips. Some are only a few days and others are 4-5. Now if someone would come up with a rechargeable battery base for an APAP that is also lightweight I'd be in business for loooong air flights. If Aeiomed can make a battery integrated CPAP see this as something on the horizon.....I hope.

As someone without medical insurance (quite common in the UK) but unwilling to wait many months to get diagnosed & treated by the NHS, I vote for affordability. Even through our good friend cpap.com and other on-line suppliers, the cost of the equipment is crazy.

All of the other factors important, but breathability has to be next on the list.

Janelle, your wish of a compact battery operated cpap should be available sometime this year! I agree that this machine will be much sought after.