any reason to NOT purchase the Remstar M series auto??

[louie1961]

Hi there.. I am going to purchase a REMstar auto model, now I need to decide on the "old" model which has received much acclaim on these boards, or the newer M-series model. The big issue pushing me to the M-series is size, since I travel on an airplane 50 weeks a year. DME/insurance is not an issue here. I am paying for this with my healthcare savings account. Doc has already written the script and is on-board with the idea of the auto titrating machine. So I guess the big question is as I put in the subject heading. Is there any reason to go with the older version over the M-series?

Thanks for any points of view.

[fujiinator]

I have the M Plus and like its small size and the ease of refilling the humidifier. I have seen a post that another persons opinion was that the older model seemed more commercial grade and better built. The weight is the same between the two(or at least a wash) I have a Mirage FF mask and I cannot pack it in the bag of my M Plus and feel secure that it will not get broken. My padded case for the swift and hose will fit in the front pouch together on the M Plus. Also rainout on the M series seems rare as compared to the older one from what I have read. I run my on 5 all the time and I have not had it rainout yet.
It will come down to what you are comfortable with, each unit has pros and cons. The M is supposed to be a little louder, but even that sometimes seems to be subjective.

I like the looks and decided that I would trust in the reputation of Respironics in staying with a brand new product with no back history on how it will hold up. I have even seen where the C-Flex algorithm is the same between the units (I am not sure if this is correct or not).

Hope any of this will help.

[roadwarrior]

Boy this one has been beaten to a pulp. I even had someone get a bit offended when I simply informed the group that technologically they possess the SAME. It is ALL about the profile of the machine. I bet if you were to take real world measurments of both with the humidifiers attached the actual square inches would be closer then you could believe. One is wider and flatter (the M) and the other taller and thinner (the REMstar series). Both will keep you in compliance and both will give excellent results doing what they are suppposed to do. I don't feel the noise is much of an issue between them being equivalent (I also had a M+ for a few months before going with a REMstar Auto). The M was no issue to travel with. I didn't care for the bag which became considerably more pregnant when you put say a hose or accessory in the expandable area on top. In "real world" measurement I've found that when you take a M bag and load it with a hose expanding the top, it is darn near exactly the same size of a REMstar auto's bag including the humidifier, with hose, mask and other accesory in the bag as the REMstar's bag is just a tad bit thicker (not really wider). Indeed it is all about what trips your trigger or is what you want. Both work just fine. AS for the rainout issue, ANY CPAP will get it if the outside air temperture is considerably cooler than the humidifiers air temperture. Neither is MORE succeptable to it......it's all about the room temperture and humidity level. I'm in Utah and don't get rainout either. You could just flip a coin and not make a wrong decision. I am a Respironics kind of guy.....so it's all good........

[Ms Piggy]

Someone mentioned recently that the M has a big heavy plug, I forget why. but if weight is a factor for you this could add more to the whole unit, ask to see one, complete.

[louie1961]

Yes it does. I decided to take the plunge and ordered it yesterday from CPAP.com and received it today. The best way to sum it up is that if you use the humidifier, their isn't much of a size advantage to the M. But I knew that going in. The difference is that it is more square than rectangular, and the power supply is a separate brick that plugs into the wall, and the blower and humidifier plug into the brick. It only uses one wall plug though, so this seems to be more of a curiosity than anything. Overall weight is about the same as the old unit I had rented for a while. But I like it because it fits better in my luggage than the old model (with humidifier) and it also fits better than the Fisher Paykel POS my last DME forced me into. Overall, it is much quieter than the Fisher machine as well.

Does anyone have any advice on pressure ranges? I used 8 cm of water on the old CPAP. I am thinking 6-12 on the APAP. Sound about right?

[Goofproof]

"Cost", and a Proven product, well liked by owners. Jim

[Guest]

It's noisy.

[dazzlingmd]

It's noisy.

I'm a newbie to all of this and the only machine I've ever had is the M Pro, but it's super quiet to me. I haven't heard the old one, but I can't imagine how it could be significantly quieter than what I'm hearing.

[Guest]

Yes, get it.
Buy it on the Respironics name. Of course they will stand by it.
Also, it's made in the USA and not Australia haha

[louie1961]

I am so glad I got this machine. I had the "old" style REMstar auto as a rental, and this is no louder than that was, at my pressures.

But the sheer power of the smart card and software is AMAZING. my AHI last night was 3.2 with a pressure range of 6-12, and a 90% pressure of 9. With my old F&P machine set at 8, I could almost never get through the night. I think I now know why. Seems that about 2 1/2 to 3 hours into my night, I actually needed a pressure of 10 for a while. My thought is that is why I was waking and ripping off the mask with the old machine (straight CPAP)

Now I understand the "old" model remstar auto could do all of this too. But I am glad that the Mseries seems to be living up to the standard set by the "old" model while still being a better fit for my carry on luggage.