Mike Moran's Review: Hoffman Labs BreatheX CPAP Machine
BreatheX Overview
BreatheX CPAP Images
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Links To BreatheX Content
Product Page: BreatheX CPAP Machine
Product Page: BreatheX CPAP and HC150 Heated Humidifier
Brand Home Page: Breathex.com
User Reviews By: Rested Gal,
Mike Moran,
Wading Thru The Muck,
Newversleeps
cpaptalk Interview: BreatheX CPAP Machine
Mike Moran's BreatheX Review
BreatheX Road Test
Of course when I got the chance to test drive one of these puppies I couldn't wait. A portable CPAP that I could wear anywhere is something I have been waiting for. While visions of wearing it to work and to PTA meetings danced in my head, the look of horror on my wife's face soon pooped that particular party. So I was left with testing it out for more legitimate circumstances. Not as much fun but more informative for the folks reading this review.
Curb Appeal
Its gentle flowing curves will definitely turn heads and make all your fellow passengers wishing they had one parked around their necks. Get real folks, it's a CPAP! There is really no way to make it attractive, though Hoffman Labs did their best to not make it look like a CPAP. It looks like a travel pillow on steroids and surprisingly it is just as comfortable as those pillows. It is nicely wrapped in memory foam and had a grey velour cover that was very soft to the touch.
The first indicator that this unit was made for travel is the carrying bag. It is simple nylon with no padding required because the unit itself is fully padded. However, because of the padding it is moved from the compact category to full size sedan. It is roughly the same size and weight as my Resmed S7 CPAP. Accessories include an 8 inch hose and 21 inch hose that cover about every mask configuration I could come up with. Besides the Auto and integrated heated humidifier I am sure Hoffman Labs is working on, might I suggest a built in massage function or an MP3 player. (I know, stick with the driving and leave the designing to us).
The Dashboard
The BreatheX has a simple three button control panel that is easy to use and even easier to understand. The face has three LEDs that show the status of the battery charge on start up and can be accessed while it is charging by simply pushing the on button. There is also an indicator on the plug-in charger that turns from Amber to Green to show you it is charging and when charging is complete. Three green lights and you know you got a full tank and are ready to ride.
When you turn the unit on the messages scroll through on the display showing you the latest firmware version, pressure compliance hours and what options have been selected. This is a basic CPAP so the options are limited to a 15 minute Ramp and an altitude option if you are over 3,000 feet in elevation. The button combinations to switch these options on and off were very easy. The on and off button has a raised square around it which makes it very easy to find when the unit is around your neck or fumbling for it in the dark.
Yes it is true that you cannot run the unit while it is charging and I did try to. I have a feeling this was done to keep the weight down on the unit and avoid overheating. But after all this is a cordless portable unit and I don't recall many cordless phones that have this function either. The quick charge function (which really works), and the easily accessible battery pack really make this capability unnecessary.
The Road Tests
I only had a few days to evaluate my "CPAP To Go" so I tried to simulate as much reality as I could in that short time. The tests broke down into three phases "Road Warrior", "Couch Potato" and "Samsonite Gorilla Destruction". All three geared towards determining if I could live with the unit and whether or not it could survive living with me.
Road Warrior
For the first test I packed up my BreatheX in my carry on to see how well it fit. The first thing I noticed was all the extra room it gave me because I could leave my 15 foot surge suppressor extension cord at home. No more tripping over the cords in the hotel room while trying to connect to that one outlet they conveniently placed behind the dresser. I then drove around the block a few times and checked into the Moran Inn. Luckily for me they had just had a recent vacancy and had one room left.
With unit fully charged I attached the 21 inch hose and my Activa mask and set it up for the night. For the first night I looped it around my pillow like they show in the pictures which allowed me to have the hose behind my head just like it is when it is running through the scrunchy on my wall. So far just like home. I masked up and flipped it on. I had is set with the ramp on so my Activa was doing its octopus boog-a-loo but it soon settled down. Now you must know I have been using a heated humidified APAP for quite some time so the biggest adjustment was just getting used to a CPAP again. Surprisingly the air flow wasn't as cold as it was with my other CPAP. There was no sensation of burning like I previously had with my un-humidified CPAP. I think this was due to the shorter hose and from the unit being enclosed.
The BreatheX itself is very quiet but the overall operation is not silent. Being around the pillow it sent a humming sound through it. Nothing major but definitely noticeable. The other noise is the air itself. With the unit being so close and the shorter hose the rushing sound of the air was amplified by the mask against my face. This was much more noticeable by me than my wife. In both cases the sound was constant so it was easy to get used to.
I woke up the next morning feeling generally pretty much as I do when on my APAP except for a dryer mouth and little bit of tiredness that I attribute to adjusting to different equipment. Packed up my little grey pumper and headed off to work. The day went well with no lingering drowsiness. Getting ready for bed that night I realized that the chocolate mint was missing from my pillow and that I had forgotten to recharge the unit. So I plugged in the charger and went downstairs to complain to the management. Less than an hour later, all three LEDs were giving me the green light to start back on the road to slumber.
To lessen the bed hum I tried an alternate configuration for the unit. I placed the control end on the nightstand and the pump end behind my pillow between the mattress and the wall. It not only eliminated the humming but also allowed my pillow to sit flat - from portable to Stealth CPAP, with one easy adjustment. I drove ramp-less that night and after getting re-used to breathing against pressure of 11 was soon asleep. It ran through the night with no pit stops and I was alert and raring to go in the morning.
The third night I decided to try the around the neck method of attachment. To do this with the Activa I removed all hoses from the BreatheX and attached it using the Activa's short hose. I then wrapped it around my neck and attached the two ends with the Velcro strap sewn to the unit. It did make me feel a little like Mr. Ed but I soon got used to the weight of it against me. I am a side sleeper, so how I can move from side to side is very important. I fully expected to hate how this configuration, but again was surprised. The unit moved when I did, so there was none of the usual mask pulling I had come to ignore. I don't know if it was the designer's intention but the additional neck support provided by the unit was a great plus.
The final night I switched to my Comfort Lite 2 which worked just as well with the unit. Since this is an over the head attachment, unlike my Activa which can be used any way, I could not figure out how to use the wrap around neck method without a hose slapping in my face. So I reverted back to the stealth mode and had another good night.
Couch Potato
I would love to say that my desire to own a portable CPAP is for the noble cause of being alert while on travel. So that I can go into the battles of commerce well rested and be triumphant in slaying any corporate windmills I may encounter. Not that I am bursting any bubbles, but the reality is I wanted this unit more for home than the road. I just plain miss taking a nap in my recliner.
For the past year I have developed a fear of naps. Sure after being on therapy the need for naps has definitely diminished, but it would be nice to take one ever so often. The problem was without a CPAP handy every time I took a nap, I felt more miserable waking up than the pleasure of taking it was worth. If I started to doze off I felt compelled to leave the most comfortable seat in my house and actually be productive or anything to avoid the headaches. The wife loved it but I felt a simple pleasure was lost from my life.
The BreatheX gave me back my recliner. I had the first good nap in months with it. I can't wait for summer when I get my hammock back too. For this alone I would get the unit.
Samsonite Gorilla Destruction
I guess I should blame the cat for this one. I had the unit balanced precariously on my APAP and it obviously disturbed her decorator's sense of style so she rearranged it onto the floor. Unlike my APAP there was no plastic to crack and it ran like a champ right after. While I did restrain myself from full "Myth Busters" mode by dropping it off a ten story building, I couldn't resist taking my testing a little farther. So I packed the unit into my carry on with 5 extra pairs of clean underwear, (my wife's mandatory accident insurance requirement), and kicked it down the stairs a few times. It took a kicking and kept on ticking. This test let me know that I could check the CPAP if I had to and not be overly anxious about luggage handling.
Overall Results
The BreatheX CPAP does what it is designed for. It is a travel worthy portable that provides basic therapy without a lot of fuss or bother. While I would not take it on long trips because I would miss the comfort of my APAP and humidifier, I can see taking it on shorter trips where luggage space is at a premium. Where this unit will shine is in my backyard on my hammock and as I am being radiated by my big screen. I strongly endorse re-naming this to "The Lazy Hosehead's CPAP". I am looking forward to taking this unit on vacation this summer. We are doing a big road trip and it will be nice to actually get some rest while the wife is driving.
I can't wait to see what these guys dream up next. Well I am off to a business presentation. Don't tell my wife, but I snuck it out the house before she got up this morning.