Software

fyrpit · Post by **fyrpit** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:23 am

I know that I'm very new this site and really new to CPAP. Only used two nights. But the more and more I read on here I really want the software for my machine. However I'm not sure a 160.00 is a good investment.
There are allot of users here with a ton of great information. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:30 am

How much would you pay for a tank of gas and how often? ... Is it a good investment?

How much would you pay for a pair of eye glasses? ... Is it a good investment?

If you have OSA, you need to treat it ... not just for a better quality of life, but also to prolong your life ... Is that a good investment?

A good investment is all relative ... ask yourself what you do pay $160 for and compare it to treating your OSA and why you treat it.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:33 am

If your profile is correct, it's showing that you have the REMstar "Plus" machine. That machine will only record "compliance" data.....hours slept. No meaningful sleep statistics. For that, you would need either the Pro or Auto models.

If you had one of those, then the software would be well worth the expenditure.

Best wishes,

Den

fyrpit · Post by **fyrpit** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:34 am

Okay I admit a bad choice of words. I honestly don't care what it costs.
But is buying the 160.00 software from cpap.com the place to get it from?
Sorry very new to this and want to make sure I'm getting the tools that I need to make my life better. And, I do appreciate the feed back.

fyrpit · Post by **fyrpit** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:37 am

Yes, I do have a remstar plus m series machine. The DME did not have the pro version of the remstar m series. I do have the pro smart card.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:51 am

fyrpit wrote:Yes, I do have a remstar plus m series machine. The DME did not have the pro version of the remstar m series. I do have the pro smart card.

Doesn't matter. That machine won't record anything more than hours slept.
Make them get you a "Pro" (if you just started with this one). They can get them, but they make more money giving you the low-end machines.....they're still going to bill your insurance the same amount.
(total will probably be over $2000 by the time they add it all up)

Den

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed May 16, 2007 11:21 am

As Den said ... it does not cost you or your insurnace any more to get a better machine. The DME you are working with obviously cares more about their profit margin than your health. Retrun the machine and tell them you want one that provides efficacy data (such as mask leak rates, AHI, etc.). If they say they don't have one, can't get one, or whatever their excuse ... tell them to keep their machine and you will take your business elsewhere.

fyrpit · Post by **fyrpit** » Wed May 16, 2007 11:31 am

Thank You to both of you that have replied. I have already placed a call to the DME and they are supposed to be calling me back with an answer.
As I typed this message I just got a phone call from the DME and they will order it today. Thanks again! Now I just need to get the software!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed May 16, 2007 12:10 pm

fyrpit wrote:Thank You to both of you that have replied. I have already placed a call to the DME and they are supposed to be calling me back with an answer.
As I typed this message I just got a phone call from the DME and they will order it today. Thanks again! Now I just need to get the software!

Way to go!!!

Den

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Wed May 16, 2007 1:13 pm

Fyrpit......If I were you, I'd make my move to get the software....very quickly. When I saw the door closing, I purchased a copy of version 1.8....and now, it's no longer available.

Get a copy of 1.6 if you can find one......it will work with XP....but not Vista.

With 1.6 you'll have something you can use for a few years.......until the manufacturers experience enough market pressure to make software available again.

Gerald

DeltaSeeker · Post by **DeltaSeeker** » Wed May 16, 2007 3:02 pm

At http://www.directhomemedical.com they have EncorePro 1.6 and the reader for $145. Up until VERY recently they still had 1.8 for sale. The software alone is $150 at cpap.com

Linda

DeltaSeeker · Post by **DeltaSeeker** » Wed May 16, 2007 3:23 pm

oops - I meant EP1.6 is 160 at cpap.com...

goober · Post by **goober** » Wed May 16, 2007 6:44 pm

Gerald wrote:Fyrpit......If I were you, I'd make my move to get the software....very quickly. When I saw the door closing, I purchased a copy of version 1.8....and now, it's no longer available.

Why is the software going away??? And although I don't advocate pirate software, if the manufacturer wants to pull it off the market, and there is still a demand for it, the market will always find a way.

goober · Post by **goober** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:52 pm

goober wrote:
Gerald wrote:Fyrpit......If I were you, I'd make my move to get the software....very quickly. When I saw the door closing, I purchased a copy of version 1.8....and now, it's no longer available.

Why is the software going away??? And although I don't advocate pirate software, if the manufacturer wants to pull it off the market, and there is still a demand for it, the market will always find a way.

bump

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:54 pm

Goober....

I suspect the answer to your question about the software "going away" probably goes something like this: DME's and doctors want to be in control. The manufacturer was probably experiencing a lot of DME hostile comments at trade shows.....about "patients" who had software.

The manufacturer also probably got some nasty complaints from doctors at doctor convention trade shows......about "patients" who had software.

I suspect that most DME's and doctors don't want "patients" who know "too much". Knowledgeable "patients" ask too many questions.....and require better "handling". They're not as profitable as the more "bovinely compliant" customers.

Also, equipment manufacturers don't want to deal directly with end users. They want to keep a buffer between themselves and the end users. That means they have to keep good relations with DME's and doctors. I suspect they were getting a bunch of calls from end users asking for software support. Dealing with a non-doctor / non-dme customer who owns (1) machine is not profitable for the manufacturer.

Finally, there may have been a "smoke-filled-room" agreement between the manufacturers to better control the market. That's called "Restraint of Trade".....and it happens all the time....in many, many industries.

So, to sum up: The manufacturers don't want to piss-off the doctors or the DME's....they don't want the pissed-off doctors or DME's sending customers to competitors......they don't want the hassle of dealing with individual customers....and they may have cut deals with other manufacturers to "keep peace in the market".

I agree that the free market will prevail. It's just a matter of time. The Internet has changed the world forever.

'Nuff said.

Mask

Additional Comments: I also have a Opti life Nasal Pillow mask as well. I also have the 1.8i Software