Hans Rudolph mask, Interested in a test drive?

I was wondering if anyone on this list has used the Hans Rudolph masks. What did you think of it? I was blessed with a donation of a medium mask but it was just a hair too big. I was wondering if I should do one of those mask try-out deals here or maybe not because I live in a house with a smoker and cats. That could be a big problem for some folks. I should donate this to a person like myself who doesn't have insurance and has a very limited income and would have to pay full price for one, but they can't afford a new mask and they need one. But again, I live with a smoker and cats! I just tried this mask on for a few minutes and realized that a medium is too big for me. I'm hoping the small will fit me. The company is sweet enough to send me a small and told me to pass this other mask along. What would be the best way to do it? Remember, it's a medium but it runs big, and it has a chin piece that goes below your chin and holds it in place. And, if you have a thing about something laying on your forehead, this mask doesn't have a forehead thing... You might want to check out their website to see how you feel about it first. http://rudolphkc.com/detail.php?pid=144 I love this mask but it is just too big right up at the top of the nose. Hans Rudolph is a great company. They just don't seem to get enough press. Neither my sleep clinic or the DME had them, and I thought that a bit odd. I'd like to do some advertising for them since they donated the masks to me. I should pay them back somehow for their kindness.

So, is there anyone out there that would give me some suggestions on how to get this mask to the right person that needs one? Or should I use this as one of those mask try-out deals? It's only been here for 2 days, so I don't think it smells like smoke yet. But then, since I live here I can't tell. It never went near the smoker of the house. My cats have sniffed it, so if you have an allergy, I'd say not to try it. But these masks can even be cleaned in a dishwasher, so I'd bet you can get the cat out of it. I don't know what to do with it! What does everyone think? I have to say that I don't have the money to send it out, I'd guess I'd have to ask for shipping up front if I put it up for that mask try out deal. I'm sorry, I'm just poor! I'll let you guys and gals decide what to do and how I should pass this mask on. Okay?! Or maybe someone else would want to handle this for me? Since I don't drive it's pretty hard for me to be punctual at getting things sent out. Maybe someone else who likes to do the mask try-outs would want to just handle it? (hopefully someone likes to do these things!) I don't know what to do, that's why I'm asking for help and your ideas. What do you expect from a newbie, anyway? I also thought a trade might be a good deal since I don't have insurance I'll most likely use the same mask for the rest of my life. So maybe I should ask for someone to trade something like a Quattro full face mask in medium since my DME didn't have one I could try. But that would be defeating the purpose of getting that Hans Rudolph mask out there, wouldn't it? I will eventually need to replace my mask... oh well, like I said before, I'll see what all you people say first!

Karla

pm sent

I looked at cpap.com, and it appears that an awful large percentage of people who bought it, then returned it. (although I'd like to find a mask without a forehead anchor)

I read a lot of those comments too. It seems to me that most people are buying the mask that is the size they normally take. I was repeatedly told by the company rep that the Hans Rudolph mask runs big, but I fell into the medium size range on their sizing gauge, and I thought for sure I was a medium in their mask, but what do you know, the medium was just too big. Just a hair too big, but too big is too big in masks! I wish more people would be interested in testing out the mask, but for some reason no one (except you two that commented here) seem to be interested at all. The mask I have is a medium, but compared to other masks it is a large. When you hold it in your hand you can tell they run large. It is just massive compared to the Ultra Mirage full face and the Comfort Gel full face mask- both in medium. People should really take that as gospel. The Hans Rudolph mask runs big. And even a little big will give you leaks. If the people that bought the mask from cpap.com could have just exchanged the mask for a smaller size I think they would have been happy with the outcome. I feel sorry for the person that left the comment that they didn't buy the insurance and they were stuck with a mask that was too large for their face. I think maybe cpap.com should put up a large notice to buy a size smaller than what you normally wear because I think that is the quick fix for all this trouble people are having. I wish that person would have put their mask up here on cpaptalk.com for a test drive or trade. I think they could have found a taker, or trader.

When my new mask in small arrives at my house I will contact the people who have PMed me about the mask. I want to compare the two side by side first. I hope that's fine with everyone. I promise I'll get back to you! Thanks for being interested. It seems not very many people are. That's sad, it's a great mask. I was hoping to find a new Hans Rudolph recruit instead of replacing someone's old Hans Rudolph mask. Or giving the mask to someone that doesn't have any insurance to replace their mask. Maybe I'm being too picky, I don't know. I'll have to think about it some more. Maybe change my Subject heading line to something more appropriate.

Karla

Billy6 wrote:I looked at cpap.com, and it appears that an awful large percentage of people who bought it, then returned it. (although I'd like to find a mask without a forehead anchor)

Look carefully, Billy. There is a very good reason for the forehead brace! There is simply no way to get mask stability without it.

"Look carefully, Billy. There is a very good reason for the forehead brace! There is simply no way to get mask stability without it."


I just wore the small Hans Rudolph mask last night and it stayed in place perfectly. There is no forehead gizmo, but the Hans Rudolph mask goes under your chin instead. I didn't have any problem at all with this mask. I could even wear my glasses with it, unlike those masks with the forehead brace. I guess if the mask is designed right then you don't need the forehead brace at all. I could sleep on my sides and back with no problem and I didn't have to remove the mask to put on my glasses to go to the bathroom. All I had to do is detach the hose with a snap gizmo and put my glasses on. I didn't have to unhook everything and readjust everything like I had to do with the Ultra Mirage and the Comfort Gel FF mask. If you have to wear glasses and a full face mask, I think the Hans Rudolph works great. The whole problem is that people get the wrong size. I did at first. The medium was too big at the bridge of the nose. But the small fits great and was wonderful to sleep in.
Billy, the mask stability comes from the chin piece. No other mask is built with the chin piece except the Hans Rudolph mask. If you are like me and the forehead brace bothers you PLEASE give the HR FF mask a try. Just remember that they run big.

I have had the V1 and V2 version of this mask (over 5 years on both) and absolutely love it. My AHI has been consistently under 1.5.

My previous mask was the Ultra Mirage FFM and it was literally a pain wearing it.

Karla1958 wrote:No other mask is built with the chin piece except the Hans Rudolph mask.

Not true at all... the Hybrid Mask has a chin piece.

The Flexfit 431, Flexfit 432 and also the Forma have chin pieces as well. They are all full face masks.

Ok, I was wrong about the chin piece. I haven't heard of these other masks. Someday maybe I'll get a chance to try them. But right now I'm pretty happy with the Hans Rudolph mask.

If you are getting a good fit and good results with the Hans Rudolph then you should continue to use it. Don't be concerned about other masks for now. As long as this one works well for you, that's great.

Remember though, what works for one may not work for others, when it comes to masks. Everyone is very individual when it comes to masks for many reasons. Like you, people find one that fits well, feels okay and dosen't leak much and they go with that.

Some people find that right mask immediately. For some, it takes a long time and a lot of masks. People who like or need a full face mask and have not found a good one yet, will read your comments on the Hans Rudolph. That's good. They may try it. For those who have found the mask(s) that work well for them, they will not be trying another one right now.