pro and cons of top three apap with software

ejdischer · Post by **ejdischer** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:32 pm

Well, when you're talking about 2lbs as opposed to 4lbs, it's twice the weight. And not to be a wuss, but when I'm walking through airports, down to baggage claim, over to the rental desk, out to the lot, if they don't bus you there, it can be a pain. Now, that being said, I've been on APAP for a month and have flown on 6 flights(3 roundtrip for those of you scoring at home), and I've had no complaints. I have had zero issues with the humidifier, nor have I had data gap problems. So maybe those were initial release issues.

The tank does NOT occupy less real estate. Again, I've had them side by side. If we're talking length and width it's 8.5"Lx5"Wx3.5"H to 9.5Lx6.7Wx4.7

Also, isn't Respironics phasing out the tank? When Apria finally got me my setup, they told me it was good that I asked for the M-Series because the Remstars were going to be phased out and most DMEs would start carrying the M exclusively.

And since we're getting silly here, the other pro of the M series is that it's sleeker and much cooler looking. So if you care about whose table you sit at in the cafeteria, you'll get an M-series.

ALSO, the M-series housing is a smooth black material. It doesn't have all the little notches that the Tank has. So if you'd like to customize it with stickers, you can.

EJD

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:35 pm

Yeah, the M is better looking, if ya like the looks of an Oreck air-filter or a Sylvania clock radio.

C

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:41 pm

The tank does NOT occupy less real estate. Again, I've had them side by side. If we're talking length and width it's 8.5"Lx5"Wx3.5"H to 9.5Lx6.7Wx4.7

I take it that you listed the Tank first (since it IS less wide). By my calculations, that means that the Tank occupies 42.5 sq. inches versus 63.32 for the "M"agic. Therefore, the Tank occupies 1/3 LESS real estate than does the M. Q.E.D.

Chuck

ejdischer · Post by **ejdischer** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 5:28 pm

Actually, I listed the M first. I'm guessing the width listed is without the humidifier.

I really dig the look of the M. It's pretty sleek and to me it doesn't look like a piece of medical equipment. But that's just me.

EJD

wrassleswithhose · Post by **wrassleswithhose** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 7:54 pm

Thankyou all for the info. CollegeGirl, for clarifying the machine and Chuck, you nailed the software. I have a question on the Encore pro data management 1.6i, Will it work on a windows xp home version?? it cpap.com states xp professionall required on the product info ?
....Next does the Resmed vantage only have the led display on the unit rather than downloadable info?
...thanks again

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 8:33 pm

If you have the software and reader the Vantage offers more info than just that info available on the LED screen.

One of the "screens" from the AutoScan 5.7 software for the data capable Resmed's (including the Vantage) can be seen in the post by Carlossm the title of which I've already forgotten but something, help interpreting software graph, or something similar.

betty303 · Post by **betty303** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 8:36 pm

I am renting a RemStar Auto C-Flex tank for a home study (at least I THINK that is what I have - I have been reading all these comparison comments and my head is whirling - so I may be confused at this point!!

The DME brought it out to my house to set it up 3 nights ago. The humidifier (the RemStar sit on top of it and the tank is in front of the machine and is a separate piece from the machine - right?) was taken out of a sealed bag (at least the tank was, so I am assuming it is new) and it LEAKS a lot. I have to fill it back up at least once a night, and a large doubled over towel is soaked in the morning.

Even when I yard down on the clear plastic container as hard as I can, it eases back up off the metal bottom. Looks to me like the bottom is just a smidgen too big for a snug fit - manufacture flaw.

Has anyone experienced leaks in the tank - most of what I have read is for the M-series?

Maybe leaks is not a distinquishing factor between the two.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:42 pm

CollegeGirl wrote:

If you haven't tried any form of exhale relief yet, however, I highly suggest it. It not only makes exhaling much more comfortable, but it helps eliminate/prevent aerophagia (swallowing air) as well.

Not so, CollegeGirl. Exhalation relief, while a blessing for some, is a curse for others in that it can actually trigger swallowing air. This has been talked about many times on this forum. Do a search for threads that mention "breath-stacking."

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:53 pm

betty303 wrote:I am renting a RemStar Auto C-Flex tank for a home study (at least I THINK that is what I have - I have been reading all these comparison comments and my head is whirling - so I may be confused at this point!!

The DME brought it out to my house to set it up 3 nights ago. The humidifier (the RemStar sit on top of it and the tank is in front of the machine and is a separate piece from the machine - right?) was taken out of a sealed bag (at least the tank was, so I am assuming it is new) and it LEAKS a lot. I have to fill it back up at least once a night, and a large doubled over towel is soaked in the morning.

Even when I yard down on the clear plastic container as hard as I can, it eases back up off the metal bottom. Looks to me like the bottom is just a smidgen too big for a snug fit - manufacture flaw.

Has anyone experienced leaks in the tank - most of what I have read is for the M-series?

Maybe leaks is not a distinquishing factor between the two.

Betty,

I assume you're talking about a machine like is pictured in my profile......
You need to inspect how the tank has been put together. Sounds like it was either taken apart and not put back together properly or wasn't put together properly at the factory. Take it out of the machine and put it on a counter top and push down firmly and make sure the plastic top and the metal bottom come together. Then fill it when it's NOT installed in the machine and let it sit for a time to make sure it's not leaking before putting it back in the machine. If it's STILL leaking, get hold of your DME and make them replace it. It's obviously not supposed to leak and only will because of the aforementioned reasons.

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:54 pm

Betty, call your DME first thing Monday morning. They should replace the unit. This is the first that I've heard of leak problems w/the "classic" RemStar Auto w/C-Flex but that doesn't mean that it hasn't happened on occasion, heaven knows how many thousands of them have been produced.

You are correct in that it was the M series rather than the "classic" that had a lot of units w/leakage problems altho that has been corrected.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:57 pm

Betty303

You eit her have a defective or damaged, or put together wronglyhumidifier tank. It should not leak at all when put together Call the DME to cou home back and bring another or show you how to put it together. No one should have a soaked towel from this machine.

betty303 · Post by **betty303** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:12 am

Den - yours is the same machine.
I was using a PB 420G for about 6 wks prior to getting the RemStar tank for a month-long home study. The 420G has the same tank construction (altho' different shape) so I know how the plastic container is suppose to fit onto the metal plate.

I have followed the routing you mentoin and I can push hard on the RemStar's container and it looks like it has seated, then when I release my pressure - it eases back up so it is about 1/8-1/4" up = big leak. Looks to me like the metal flange is just slightly too big for the plastic container to fit snuggly.

Slinky - my DME is slow on the draw - I called Thurs to report the leaky tank, got a call back at 2pm on Friday from the RT saying he was on his way home - had the rest of the afternoon off, and he would call me on Monday. So it will be 5 night of leaks. My towels are getting a workout

My point is that check your humidifier tanks - any could have a flaw.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:09 am

Wow! I wish someone had started this thread before I ordered and just received my REMStar Auto M c-Flex to supplement the REMStar Plus M c-Flex that my DME initially sold me.

I didn't realize there were such HUGE differences between the various machines. <g>

Fortunately I was able to switch my REMStar Plus M CPAP from a purchase to a rental (for the last three months of 2006) - otherwise it would have cost me $900 as my HMO Blue was maxed out. Now it will only cost me about $100 in total (the last 2006 non-reimbursable monthly rental fee) to own it after seven more months of rent to own in 2007 which will be covered by insurance as my DME benefit started over again in January

I wanted a machine with the software capability which my REMStar Plus M did not have. (Question, can the software module be retrofitted?) Since the APAP version was not much more expensive than the CPAP I decided to go with an APAP one just in case I ever needed APAP in the future.

I wanted to have a spare machine so I can put one on my unheated porch (with an Aussie hose) for naps in a cool room or keep it at my cottage in the summer so I do not have to lug that 2 lbs every weekend. Also I can go to Maine in something besides my mini-van as I won't need so much room. <g>.

I have only had the APAP for two nights and it seems much quieter - actually my REMStar Plus M CPAP seems to have gotten much noisier - does that mean something might be wrong with it?

But now I am thinking that as a former armor officer, I should have considered a tank?

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:44 am

WillSucceed wrote:Not so, CollegeGirl. Exhalation relief, while a blessing for some, is a curse for others in that it can actually trigger swallowing air. This has been talked about many times on this forum. Do a search for threads that mention "breath-stacking."

Sorry, Will, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you here. I've been on this forum for two years now (and active in chat for much of that). I have seen many more people say they have had aerophagia relieved through exhale relief than I have the other way around. As with everything CPAP, of course, different users will have different results.

I should have qualified my post with "It helps eliminate/prevent aerophagia in many people," and you should have qualified yours with "Not so for some people."

We'll call it a draw.

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oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:32 am

Uhhh, where do you even buy ResMed software these days?
Last I heard, this is their response to informed users.

You cant buy smart card readers.

Smart card readers are for doctors only.

There is terminoligy in the data that patients cant understand.

Changing your own pressure is illegal.

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pro and cons of top three apap with software

Better looking?

Real estate

Humidifier

Humidifier