Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

MichelleFL · Post by **MichelleFL** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:58 pm

Now there is a question that will get multiple responses I am sure! But serious we should make it into a poll if this board had the ability.. So why did you choose the machine that you have? Likes and dislikes...

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:24 am

I didn't get to choose. My insurance works with Apria only. They canceled the first 2 appts with me because there was no machine available. When they finally came they brought the only machine they had available that day, a respironics classic auto with c-flex! Hit the jackpot! They did mention switching it out when a different one came in but I told them this was fine with me and I'd keep it(Duh). I use it in cpap mode most of the time and switch to apap if I think I may need a pressure change or just want to see how I'm doing. I started with c-flex on 3 and moved to 2 after about a year. It just seemed that I started breathing to fast with it on 3. I've had my machine for over 2 years and (can't believe I'm saying this) LOVE it. It is quiet, doesn't have any bright lights, easy to use and allows me to sleep all night without disturbance. My husband still comments that the machine makes me sleep so quietly and deeply that he thinks it puts me in a coma.

Brenda

congahands · Post by **congahands** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:19 am

Remstar pro w/cflex because my DME only uses Respironics.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:43 am

I had the choice of what I wanted between Respironics and Resmed.

I hope this thread does not turn into World War III over machine choice because I am certain they ALL provide excellent therapy and when a choice is available it is based on personal reasons.

Silly as they may be, below are my personal reasons for choosing the Resmed over Respironics:

-I had heard about the blue lights that cannot be turned off. There is already enough "light pollution" in the bedroom what with the three lights on the surge suppressor, clock, etc... so I did not want to add to the mix. Turns out the Resmed machine bathes the ceiling with a green glow whenever a button is pushed... granted the lights on the Resmed dim significantly after a period of time.

-The DME gave me the tour of a Respironics machine. On the model I was shown the water tank could be taken apart for filling and cleaning. I did not like the potential for leaks from the split tank. Anytime a gasket is involved there is always the potential for leaks. I also did not like the power "brick". I've dealt with enough of these power "bricks" over the course of my computer career... they rarely fail but does add another module and more fussing with the setup.

-The Resmed machine packages into a convenient "briefcase" style bag where the Respironics has the taller & narrower bag. I know... I know... we don't have to use the supplied bags.

-If I really want to travel light the humidifier portion can be left at home while I simply tote the Resmed "cube", power cord, hose & mask.

-I had read that viewing the results on the LCD of the Resmed was easier than on the Respironics.

As you can see... my reasons are based purely on form rather than function. At the point I choose my machine I did not know enough about the functionality differences to want to choose one vendor's machine over another; however, I DID know I wanted an AUTO machine. I'm certain a machine from either manufacturer provides great therapy. I also have the feeling at this point that I would have been just as happy with a machine from either vendor.

There are also algorithm differences between machines... but someone more knowledgeable about those differences can offer comments in that area. I suspect that is the one area of major functionality differences between the machines... other than that they ALL blow air.

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:47 am

MichelleFL wrote: So why did you choose the machine that you have? Likes and dislikes...

I use the Respironics M series, because it has the Brick, w/extra cords
and the annoying, beacons of blue light.

YMMV

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:51 am

carbonman wrote:
MichelleFL wrote: So why did you choose the machine that you have? Likes and dislikes...
I use the Respironics M series, because it has the Brick, w/extra cords
and the annoying, beacons of blue light.

YMMV

Haha...

The blue light... similar to a lighthouse guiding one to safety.

Hey if you get annoyed enough with the blue light you can always toss the BRICK at it.

AuntieNae · Post by **AuntieNae** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:38 am

Actually, we fashioned a little cover for my blue lights! It was a clear plastic cover from a small box of office supply clips. A few coats of black spray paint and I now have a blue beacon cover. It sits nicely, just over the three blue lights. The blue light from the humidifier acts like the locator beacon when I need to reach over in the dark to move it to reach the other buttons.

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:42 am

Paul56 wrote: The blue light... similar to a lighthouse guiding one to safety.

....exactly.....

Paul56 wrote:Hey if you get annoyed enough with the blue light you can always toss the BRICK at it.

Just another service that it provides.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:44 am

Having only a CPAP Rx, I went for maximum options ... M series AFLEX machine, a simple choice based on my available preferences.

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:56 am

I use an IntelliPAP because it is very quiet, has both a DC power jack and an AC power jack (no power brick).

I also like the fact that the auto on/off work properly, the panel is evenly lit and easy to read, and that there are no obnoxious blue LEDs.

The three year warranty is a nice thing to have.

If I used a humidifier I would like how it would become totally integrated into the machine.

MichelleFL · Post by **MichelleFL** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:34 am

Thank you very much everyone! I am glad that all of you are here to help me along with the decision of a newbie.. It's good to have backup plans incase Plan A fails and knowing a little about the different machines out there helps me greatly..

nomoore · Post by **nomoore** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:36 am

I use a Respironics M-Series Auto w/ Aflex. I bought it because it was my first machine and has the most comfort options. I didn't know yet how well I would tolerate CPAP and I wanted the most comfort options I could get to customize my therapy. The resmed was a bit more expensive so I didn't really consider it.

As for the bright blue lights, I cover them with a washrag so they don't keep me awake. They're definitely not a deal breaker.

I almost bought the Sandman for the better software and the ability to detect/differentiate central apneas but it didn't have any kind of exhale relief so after much thought I decided against it.

profish · Post by **profish** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:41 am

I also use and IntelliPap. I chose this machine because I travel a great deal on my job, often times gone for weeks at a time. This machine without the power brick is extremely easy to pack even with the humidifier and is lightweight. I can carry my entire machine, a nasal pillow system and a hybrid mask for those stopped up feeling nights very easily wherever I go without having a lot of extra weight and bulk. One drawback to this machine is the fact that as of now there is no data capability once the machine is turned off. It is supposed to be coming, but they have been saying that for months. I would like to have a backup machine that was data capable so I could check my performance more closely and will get another soon.

nightjar · Post by **nightjar** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:16 am

For over 10.5 years, I've used a HealthDyne Tranquility Quest CPAP--it was what my DME supplied, and after renting it for a few months, I managed to buy it. I can't complain: it's lasted a long, long time. Hard to beat that.

Tomorrow night, though, I'll be using a new classic Resprionics RemStar BiPAP Auto with BiFlex for the first time. I bought the machine on my own, without our current HMO's help, because I want to own my machine. I'm laying out more money this way, but I'm getting not just ownership, but ownership of the machine I want. I went with the classic over the M-series because of what I'd read on this list from a variety of folks. Less chance of a leaky humidifier, more reliable data, and what might be more reliable innards (blower, air-valve)--those are three reasons. On top of that, since it's discontinued now, cpap.com can offer a really good price on it!

Oddly enough, I don't think the blue light on the M-series would bother me. I like blue. My Tranquility Quest has a green light, and it's okay, too.

Anyway, I'm hoping my new machine and I get along!

Good luck finding a machine you like, Michelle.

nath

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:28 am

Howdy,

This will tell you what people buying CPAP equipment with cash choose, but not the why behind it (unless you dig into each product pages reviews):

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-user-preference.php

Johnny

Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

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Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?

Re: Sort of like a mini poll.. Which machine do you use and why?