intelliPAP users - I need your input ASAP

I go and get my machine today at 2pm (hence the ASAP part) and was planning on getting an S9 autoset. But I travel a lot and that is a bigger machine (have to have humidifier as I'm a mouth breather and have dry mouth pre CPAP). I was looking at travel sized machines to get as a backup but found the intelliPAP and it seems seem pretty good for both home and travel. I would get the CPAP plus or Auto.

It's quiet like the S9, has data (doesn't look as easy to get but doable) but its much smaller with the humidifier then the S9 with humidifier.

I would ultimately get 2, one for home and one for travel/back-up and I like that it would be the same machine.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

Several members here use the new Intellipap Auto and just love it. Can't think of anyone that has had bad things to say about it.

The new SleepyHead software written by one of our forum members is now compatible with the Intellipap. Not sure what comes with the Intellipap for means of transmitting the data from the machine to a SD card to be used by SleepyHead. You can find information on SleepyHead in my signature.
Might want to check out the Smart Link Module and any other accessories needed to get the data.
I don't use this machine so can't give you more specifics. Sorry.

I saw that the new Sleepyhead software worked this machine as well. I looked into (a little) the Smart Link data report...it looks like you plug in a certain code and your data transfers. The reports looked helpful from what I can tell.

The intelliPAP (Plus and Auto) also have the easy breath for exhale...that was another must.

It so much less cost then the S9 so you wonder about quality but it's well rated and has a 3 yr warrenty (2 yr on S9)

Decisions, decisions......

I have the Intellipap auto and am about to complete one year's treatment with it. I like it for a lot of reasons and have zero regrets. If you can afford it I'd add the software when I made my purchase. It's small, it's inexpensive (compared to the S9), it's quiet and easy to learn to operate. Oh yeah, it has a three year warranty in lieu of the usual two year. There are several forum members here that are very knowledgeable with the unit (not me) and even a DeVilbiss Rep. also. Between them they could field any of your questions. Comes with a super nice canvas carrying case for travel. Hope this helps some.

It's 10:55 here now and I have probably missed you - sorry. You won't go wrong with either choice (IMHO)

Jim

I have also had my Intellipap for a year. I've used it for traveling, but now keep it at my wife's place, so it's waiting for me when I'm there (we live separately - careers/kids/elderly parents that need tending to). When you get yours, make sure you spend some time playing with the settings, especially the I-rounding and E-rounding. Factory settings are a little harsh, but the Intellipap is VERY customizable.

Great info...wish I had stumbled across this machine a day ore two ago so I would have time for more input.

Slartybartfest - which machine is your favorite? I see you have an S9 listed too. Anything you miss on the intelliPAP vs the S9?

It's a tossup. The S9's software is excellent. However with the advent of Sleepyhead, maybe that's no longer an issue. The Intellipap is everything the S9 is, minus the advantage of ResScan software and the ClimateLine heated hose that automatically maintains 80% relative humidity. However I've never had hose rainout so long as I route the hose under the covers with me in bed.

I bought both machines out of pocket and don't deal with any DME or any of that nonsense. I talk directly with my sleep doc and show him the data from the machine and the CMS50e pulse oximeter. If I were to do so again, today, I'd buy the Intellipap and save the money.

If you get the Intellipap and you find that the hose is sort of stiff, you can use the Slimline hose for the Resmed machines, just set up the Intellipap for a 10' long hose to compensate for the increased resistance due the the smaller hose cross-section. But DeVilbiss might have addressed the hose issue by now.

Here's some light reading. Good article that explains the nuts and bolts of how the Intellipap works:

http://www.devilbisshealthcare.com/file ... T-2089.pdf

I have the intellipap auto for back up/travel. I like it as much as my PRSys 1 Auto, I leave it set up in my sewing room for naps . I don't fool with softwear for it, but I understand Sleepy Head works. I find it quiet, I like the rounding/ flex. Can't tell a lot of difference in feel as compared to my SYS 1. I am happy with it and it would work fine as a primary machine for me. Kathy

Well my insurance only goes through Apria and they don't offer the intelliPAP

So I got the S9 autoset. I'll take it on my short trip this spring and see how that goes. If its a pain to take and or a pain when I return home late at night...I'll get an intelliPAP at CPAP.com on my own for future trips and as a back-up.

I have traveled with my M series machine which is larger than the S9 machines but not by a whole lot and I found it really wasn't that much of an issue. I have to have my humidifier too..no way would I do with out it.

You may want to have a back up machine later just for peace of mind and you can always get an Intellipap at that time from an online source. For back up or travel there is no real critical need for data so no need to go for the smart link module thing. There is always the smart codes available on the LCD screen.

You can also keep an eye out on secondwindcpap.com for a low hours Intellipap machine.

I don't travel much but I find it more convenient to have the backup machine ready to go in its travel case and I only have to unhook the hose and stick it in the bag. I bring the same hose because I have a heated hose. If I didn't, I would just keep a spare hose and mask in the travel bag. While not a huge deal to take apart..just one less thing to have to remember to do and maybe forget something important...like the power cord or something.

The intellipap requires an extra module to record data.

Am I correct that the Intellipap doesn't record flow waveforms onto the data card? That's a big drawback to me. Waveforms are a really good tool to drill down deeper if you have problems.

archangle wrote:The intellipap requires an extra module to record data.

Am I correct that the Intellipap doesn't record flow waveforms onto the data card? That's a big drawback to me. Waveforms are a really good tool to drill down deeper if you have problems.

Without the module you can still get data via the website and the smartcodes.

archangle wrote:The intellipap requires an extra module to record data.

Am I correct that the Intellipap doesn't record flow waveforms onto the data card? That's a big drawback to me. Waveforms are a really good tool to drill down deeper if you have problems.

The flow waveform, total leaks and pressure is accessible by the serial port.. I haven't had a chance to verify this is available without the SmartLink module.. I'll check next time I can stand to boot the windows box..

It would mean it needs to be plugged into a (preferably lightweight) PC running all night to get at it.. Their serial software in the version that came with mine is rather buggy.. But I hope to have this capability added to SleepyHead soon (I only intend on adding support for the data reading stuff)

Like the F&P Icon, the event data is not stored with high sync accuracy, so flow waveform event overlays would not likely be possible. (without reflagging)

It doesn't have a typical pressure pulse or ripple feedback algorithm, so it doesn't detect "Clear Airway" events, and can ramp the pressure up like a freight train where other machines would hold back.. In my case, I haven't necesarrily found this to be a bad thing, but I wouldn't like to see this behaviour with someone with true central apneas..

In it's defense, it does however offer the means to adjust what is considered as an apnea/hypopnea, which is very cool.
It's algorithms are consistant and rather well documented.

This is also one of the rare machines where a CPAP company bothers to provide Firmware updates..

I think the Intellipap Auto is a great choice as a backup machine..

Once my brain is semi solid non squishy again, I'll have another go at extracting the flow data to compare it properly..

I'm sensing this machine is a very good platform.. but the still firmware needs a little work though..

It really needs to log smart flex, ramp, etc.. settings for each individual session rather than overwriting 2 crummy text files each time settings are changed. On top of this, to be a fantastic machine, is really MUST gain the capability to store it's flow waveform to SD.

One more gripe, 9600 baud serial port transfer rate is a bit silly, I pretty much can type faster than that.. there is simply not high enough bandwidth for data resolution..

And they have all this wasted space in their firmware taken up by crufty SmartCode.. Perfect sacrifice if they need the extra space to make it genuinely awesome.

Well, that's my 2 cents..

I definitely would like to get one for travel and back-up.

jmcanzo wrote:

archangle wrote:The intellipap requires an extra module to record data.

Am I correct that the Intellipap doesn't record flow waveforms onto the data card? That's a big drawback to me. Waveforms are a really good tool to drill down deeper if you have problems.

Without the module you can still get data via the website and the smartcodes.

You get a few numbers like AHI, event counts, hours, pressure, but there's only one number per night.

It's useful information, but it's a bit like comparing a numerical blood pressure reading once a day to an EKG.