M-series or Legacy Series

TxStarDiesel · Post by **TxStarDiesel** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:36 am

Hi Everyone,

I need advice!

My Remstar Pro 2 w/c-flex DIED last night! I thought it was a power failure, but alas, my buddy had given up the fight. (Error code 77)

I now am facing having no backup. EEKS. I should have planned ahead. Now I am going to have to overnight a machine to me.

I want an auto. Which one should I purchase? I like the c-flex (honestly haven't tried without). I already have the software my current machine. Do I purchase the m-series or legacy series? If I purchase legacy, will my humidifier still work? Can my pro 2 get fixed? Will I be able to sleep tonight? (ok, I know the answer to that one . . . no )

Thanks so much for any input!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:47 am

If you purchase a legacy (pre-M) machine, yes your present integrated humidifier will work.

If I were going to purchase an M series machine, I'd get this one:

Respironics REMstar Auto with A-flex M series. A-flex, not C-flex. It does have C-flex included, which can be used if you set the machine to work in cpap mode instead of auto mode. A-flex and C-flex can also be turned off.

A-flex (to me) gives just as much comfort breathing out as I get with a bipap.

A-flex is much, much more comfortable (to me) than just C-flex was in my previous "legacy" REMstar Auto.

I would not buy the M series integrated humidifier.

I'd buy a Fisher & Paykel HC 150 heating humidifier instead. Comes with a short hose which allows you to attach the F&P humidifier to any brand/model machine.

A copy of your existing prescription for "cpap" will let you buy an autopap from cpap.com -- the Rx doesn't have to say "autopap."

Be aware that the MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) for Respironics products is going up A LOT the end of March. Yeah...end of this month. Sounds like Fisher & Paykel will be doing that too, but haven't seen an exact date announced about F&P.
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Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:56 am

Your Pro 2 should (probably) still be under warranty......and if you like yours as much as I like mine......I'd get it fixed, anyway.

E-77 ERR_UNDER_PRESSURE •Occluded or restricted tube •Defective PCA •Replace Pressure tubing •Replace Main PCA

You probably won't be able to find a "new" Legacy series Pro 2 or Auto......however, I would either call CPAP.COM and see if they still have any REMstar Plus models that have the C-Flex or check out the CPAPAuction.com site for one of the compatible Legacy model machines. I see that CPAP.COM still has some of the Plus models without C-Flex (if your pressure isn't too high).

I just checked CPAPAuction.com and there are several Pro 2s for sale......but not many Autos (of any flavor).

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:59 am

I would prefer the classic, always have always will. I would check on the wattrnty on the Pro 2 also, you have two years, it would be a nice backup.

Being able to reuse the HH, is a plus. It pays to have a backup plan in place. I have my backup's backed up. Jim

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:04 pm

TxStarDiesel wrote:I already have the software my current machine.

In the comments at the bottom of your posts, you have Encore Pro 1.6 listed as your software. If that's the version you actually have, I don't think 1.6 will work with the M series machines -- or maybe it's just the M Auto with A-flex that needs a higher version. I can't remember off the top of my head and am too lazy to look it up right now. LOL! Den would know for sure.

1.6 will work with all the "legacy" machines. But I think it takes Encore Pro 1.8 or Encore Viewer (either one will do it) to work with the M Auto with A-flex.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:15 pm

Ya THINK so, huh?
EP v 1.6 will definitely NOT work with the A-Flex machine......gotta have 1.8.
But, I'm pretty sure it'll work with the other "M Series" versions - Pro & Auto w/C-Flex.
If you've been using MyEncore, you'll be SOL if you go to the M Series machines........but Encore Pro Analyzer will essentially do the same thing.

Den (stuck in the past.....and liking it)

TxStarDiesel · Post by **TxStarDiesel** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:58 pm

I do have the latest version of encore pro - I have windows vista and had to figure it out last year!

I think I will get mine fixed for backup. I don't want to be in this position ever again!!

I think I will go for the A-flex auto. There is a site for the legacy, but think I will try this.

Thanks all

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:50 pm

TxStarDiesel wrote:I think I will go for the A-flex auto.

I think you'll be happy with it. I love mine! I wish I could find a mask I was as happy with.

Regarding the humidifier: I have the integrated M series heated humidifier. I understand many people have had problems with it. I've used it since last June with never a problem. Respironics has recently redesigned the humidifier chamber, and presumably the humidifier itself, to address some issues. You might consider getting the M series Auto w/ A-flex now, and waiting on the humidifier until the new design is widely available.

Or just take Rested Gal's suggestion - I've found her advice to be consistently excellent. My only thought about the M series integrated is that it's so convenient for traveling and for reducing cord clutter and nightstand real estate. But it would suck if you got one of the bad ones.

Good luck!

TxStarDiesel · Post by **TxStarDiesel** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:51 pm

Yeppers, I took Rested Gal's advice. I figure she has always been a deep well of good info!

After waiting 6 hours for the doctor to forward my scrip (I lost mine in the piles of paperwork which need to be attended to) I finally got it, called cpap.com and ordered the new M Series Auto with A-Flex with the Fisher & Paykel HC150 Heated Humidifier.

I was thrilled because I have ordered masks before and have been satisified with the details. I wasn't sure about the other site, but they were very nice. Cpap.com matched and gave me the same "free" gift that the other site was going to do. They will ship out today so that I only have to suffer one night of misery. I pray the "ups mail god" will take care of me!

Thanks all - I was in panic mode when I posted trying to figure out what to do!

goodmart · Post by **goodmart** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:26 pm

I am new.. been on a CPAP for 3 weeks. Not quiet the same topic, but close.

I have the CPAP I rented, a REMStar M Series A-flex running in CPAP mode, and a EMStar Pro 2 with C-Flex that is from a friend. I tried using his CPAP and like it better, but neither my card or his card works in his..it just beeps at me. I did lower the pressure on it from 12 to 9 to fit my RX. Could that be why it beeps? The error code is 101, I believe. (I am at work and can't check it.)

Where can I find those error codes?

What do I do to use either card and still track in the Pro 2?

Also, when I gave my card to my Sleep Clinic to check on my progress for the past 3 weeks, they just said that I looked to be more compliant in using the M Series than most newbies, and that was great. I asked about my AHI and they said they did not track it, only in the lab, as they cannot account for leakage. I thougth that was a waste. They have the expensive software and don't even give me the details.

Is the software the same for these 2 devices or different?

Thanks, Alice

goodmart · Post by **goodmart** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:09 pm

I also think what I am really asking is what are the differences between the M Series A-Flex (brand new) running in CPAP mode with C-flex, and the Pro 2 C-flex (4 years old)? I just seem to do better with the Pro 2 and I am not sure why.

I have the ramp set to 4 for 20 minutes for both, the pressure set to 9, the humidifier on, same tubing, same Swift II Nasal mask. But the exhalation on the Pro 2 seems easier to me. I feel like I am not pushing against so much pressure.

Are there other differences between these machines? I am aware from reading and more reading on this list that that the other brands that use EPR have a slightly different calculation for the same effect as C-flex, but these are both C-flex machines.

Thanks for whatever info / feedback you can give me on these 2 machines.

M-series or Legacy Series

M-series or Legacy Series

Re: M-series or Legacy Series