UNFORTUNATELY THE LAST USER HAS CHOSEN NOT TO RETURN THE MASK OR FORWARD IT ON (OR SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO HER THAT I AM UNAWARE OF), SO THERE IS NO LONGER A TEST-DRIVE. I'M SORRY!

Hi! Taking a page from Babette (well, directly stealing the idea actually), I am starting a mask trial for my Hybrid. Unlike Babette, though, it is not because I loved it and want to spread the love -- it didn't work for me unfortunately. But knowing that we all are different in our face shapes and preferences, I'd like to salvage something good out of my $127 and offer it up to those of you who have been considering the Hybrid but just aren't sure. Maybe it will keep you from making the same mistake. Maybe you'll decide it's well worth your investment.

One warning: The pillows come in pairs with a plastic piece joining them. I couldn't tolerate that middle piece so cut it. Some Hybrid owners will say to keep them together. That won't be possible for the trial. (See edit)

Second warning: One of the mouth pieces has been mutilated in the interest of experimentation, something some Hybrid users have advocated for making the mouth piece better fitting for some face shapes. That mouth piece is the small size. The medium and large are still intact. But still you will have all three sizes to try, though one is without the chin flap. (See edit)

EDIT: POTENTIAL GLITCH RESOLVED: I have just received a call from the wife of the first person I loaned the mask out to, and she tells me neither of them are smokers. So...although I hesitate to discriminate against smokers, until I can figure out a way around the dilemma, I am going to declare this a smoke-free mask trial at this point. But honestly, folks, I'm not sure I will stick with that as the idea is to help people decide whether they want to invest their money in this mask or not, and that should apply to all interested, so I'm thinking maybe if I have certain nasal pillows and certain mouthpieces available for smokers also, that might solve the problem as the "smoke breath" would only directly impact those pieces rather than the hard plastic frame.

EDIT 2: As seen below, Mellabella has kindly offered to send some of her extra pieces to allow all sizes now to experience a mouthpiece without chin flap removed and two sizes of nasal pillow users to see what they will feel like without the connector cut. If anyone reading this has extra pieces they'd like to donate so I can form a separate "smoker's" trial (I could just keep the pieces separately labeled in baggies), that would be great. Otherwise, I'll keep on thinking on it.

So if you are interested in the trial, please PM me with your email address so I can follow up with you further. All I will ask is that you pay the shipping cost to send it on to the next person in the trial after you've had a chance to try it out a week or so.

Peggy

This is a great idea....I hope folks will take you up on it.

I've had a terrible time with masks (7 different kinds in 2 years, 3 in the active rotation depending on mood, sinuses, mysterious other factors, etc.), but the Hybrid was one of the two keepers for me (the other is a Quattro, which I rotate with the Hybrid when it or I am feeling tempermental). So it's different for everyone, and I hope people will jump on the chance to try it for themselves.

In order to pay forward some kindness (I've had other cpaptalk.com members donate their castoffs to me in the past), I'd be happy to donate some Hybrid parts used just one night or two: a small mouth cushion (the medium has the chin flap cut off but you're welcome to that as well if you like) and the large and small nasal pillows (without the connector cut).

PM me for details.

pjwalman wrote:So if you are interested in the trial, please PM me with your email address so I can follow up with you further. Peggy

PM sent.

Thank you SO MUCH, Mellabella, for your generosity!! Your additions will give users a true feeling then for how the mask would come to them and how they could make some modifications!

I will PM you right now. Again, THANK YOU!!

Peggy

Just PM'ed you.

Get on board to sign up, folks....this is a great opportunity!

Okay, folks. Just heard from the lovely wife of my first loan-out user, and neither she nor her husband smoke, so the mask is smoke-free for those who were concerned.

I will edit my original post also but wanted to "bump" this for those who were watching and waiting for word on that smoking issue.

Peggy

Peggy.... YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so moved by your generosity. Particularly since you were one of my recent Nasal Aire Test Drivers and it didn't work out for you!!! That you are still willing to do this shows alot of good heart.

I sure hope you find the mask of your dreams soon!!!!

Huggers,
Babs

My extra Hybrid parts (from a smoke-free person, smoke- and pet-free household) are on their way out to you today....good luck with the test drive!!

Bump. Only one test-driver in line at this point and this was buried pretty deep down, so I'll bump it to see if there are any new forum users interested.

Peggy

Great idea, this test drive thing.

I thought I posted here last night, but I guess not -- can I be included in the test drive? This is a mask I'm really interested in, but I'm also a newbie so I don't know if I'm "vetted" enough yet to join.

You don't have to have any sort of "apnea seniority" to join the test-drive! I'm still a newbie myself, just neurotic enough about finding the perfect "dream mask" that I've purchased many and have the ability to offer a test-drive.

If you'll PM me with your full name, address, and phone number (PM meaning private message -- there's a link under this posting to click on), I'd be happy to add you to the test-drive. There are currently six people ahead of you, so it may be the first of the year before the Hybrid gets to you, but you are most welcome to join the list.

Peggy

Stacia123, don't let that stop ya. It's the best darn mask in the world. Don't miss out on a free try because it's an expensive mask. $120. to $150. online.
You do, however get a ton of mask stuff for your money. I think it's 36 size combinations if you separate the pillows!

Issac wrote:Stacia123, don't let that stop ya. It's the best darn mask in the world. Don't miss out on a free try because it's an expensive mask. $120. to $150. online.
You do, however get a ton of mask stuff for your money. I think it's 36 size combinations if you separate the pillows!

My opinion also.

Issac wrote:Stacia123, don't let that stop ya. It's the best darn mask in the world. Don't miss out on a free try because it's an expensive mask. $120. to $150. online.
You do, however get a ton of mask stuff for your money. I think it's 36 size combinations if you separate the pillows!

...and if you do like it, don't let the retail price scare you...I was able to buy this in the original sealed packaging (or maybe unused except for one cushion "momentarily used", I can't remember) at cpapauction.com for about $60-70, I believe.

It took awhile to break in, but I get a very flat leak line with it, though I've had to use the panty hose trick I've read about here (a loop of panty hose to loosely hold the base of the nasal pillows securely to the face).