compare activa and LT

wrenn · Post by **wrenn** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 1:00 am

Hello everyone. I have done a search for the mirage activa LT because I have been having some leaks recently (after almost 3 good years) with my mirage activa. I haven't found anyone comparing these two masks and I am wondering if anyone who has used both can comment?

Apologies in advance if this has been answered many times and I am just not finding it.

Birddog · Post by **Birddog** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:42 am

My wife and i have used both the activa and the LT. This is the (supposedly) newer version of the activa and seems to be lighter and the exaust comes out at the top and i was hesitant about it as i am attached to the activa,but the LT seems to be alot more streamlined and not as large and i would order it again.Both have had some leak issues when you roll around to sleep but i just pull it away and let it attach again and the leaks seem to go away for the most part.The LT doesn't come with the 1 foot hose and quick release,the hose is attached straight to the swivel at the mask.I still use the older activas when my new replacement masks and hoses arrive every 6 months i move the ones i use now to backup machines.

Birddog · Post by **Birddog** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:55 am

I forgot to add that when i am considering a new piece of equipment i read the user reviews on CPAP.com listed toward the bottom of the description of the merchandise for sale for each item.Any time i have bought a machine or mask this is what i have used when i was not sure.

mallen4258 · Post by **mallen4258** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:43 pm

I have both, I prefer the Activa LT frame due to the exhaust port and micro adjustable forehead pad. I use the Activa LT frame with an Activa cushion. I like the way the Activa cushion inflates more than the Activa LT cushion does. All Activa cushions fit the Activa LT frame and vice versa......

wrenn · Post by **wrenn** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:54 pm

Thank you so much for your help. I think I am going to give it a try. I have been pleased with the mirage activa without many leaks until recently. I find that I am good when they are new and my insurer only allows one a year so I suffer with it for a few months.

It didn't occur to me to look at customer reviews on cpap.com duh....guess breathing right isn't helping the clear thinking.

I am assuming a "standard" cushion for the activa would be equivalent to "medium" on the Lt.

I am ordering from Canada so I better check all that out since shipping will be costly. Prices here are amazing though compared to Canada.

Thanks again for the helpful replies.

preemiern · Post by **preemiern** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:50 pm

wrenn wrote:
It didn't occur to me to look at customer reviews on cpap.com duh....guess breathing right isn't helping the clear thinking.

There are some things CPAP just can't fix!!
I'm just kidding, but couldn't resist commenting!!
Cindy

wrenn · Post by **wrenn** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:40 pm

good one.

socalmonkey · Post by **socalmonkey** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:53 pm

mallen4258 wrote:I prefer the Activa LT frame due to the exhaust port and micro adjustable forehead pad.....

For these same reasons... this is the mask I am switching to (if all goes well with the DME/Insurance) next week. The exhaust port location and adjustable forehead pad, with many (fine tuned) adjustment positions, makes sense to me. Everybody says this mask is very comfortable and has a good seal as well.

Looking forward to seeing how it works for me. After many years with the Comfort Gel, I'm not all the "comfortable" with that mask. Time for something new and hopefully better.

Hose_Head · Post by **Hose_Head** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:22 pm

wrenn wrote:Hello everyone. I have done a search for the mirage activa LT because I have been having some leaks recently (after almost 3 good years) with my mirage activa. I haven't found anyone comparing these two masks and I am wondering if anyone who has used both can comment?

Apologies in advance if this has been answered many times and I am just not finding it.

I suggest you do a search on "activa LT". There have been some excellent, detailed reviews posted on this mask.

I have both the Activa and Activa LT. From my experience, the Activa LT is not quite as good at preventing leaks for active sleepers. It's a little more finicky to get it to seal properly, and once leaking, it's less responsive to the activa's fix which is to simply lift the mask off your face and then let it go. This technique still works on the Activa LT, but it may need to be repeated several times. For me, leak rates for both masks are similar.

I've also found that the Activa LT leaves more marks on my face (upper lip) than does the Activa. These marks will fade after about 15 minutes.

The Activa LT's frame seems to be a little more robust. It's screw system for adjustment seems stronger, although I have no empirical data to prove that conjecture.

The Activa LT is a little smaller and lighter than the Activa, but only marginally so.

The Activa LT has a slight advantage when cleaning because it does not have the 1 ft long hose attached to it.

I like the Activa's headgear a little better. It has a strap that goes over the top of your head and this seems to hold the mask and keep it from slipping too low. The Activa headgear's clips, which connect to the mask's frame, are easier and more intuitive to use than those on the LT.

If I had to chose between the two masks, I'm not sure I could do it. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The Activa has a slight advantage for overall comfort and ease of use. The Activa LT has the advantage for being a little smaller, lighter, slightly easier to clean. I judge both masks to be quiet.

wrenn · Post by **wrenn** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:05 pm

Thanks hosehead, Lot's of useful information there. I have ordered the LT and am anxious to compare. I have been happy with the activa but have heard anecdotal stuff that made me want to try the LT.

I seem to have an infection around my eye and I think it is from air blowing there. I sleep really well with my mask so I don't notice any leaks but I have been waking up with one dry eye and now that eye has several bimps that I thought were mosquito bites all around my eye and they are sore.

Anyway, not sure if it is mask related but was a good excuse to order this new mask.

Thanks again for the help.

mallen4258 · Post by **mallen4258** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:13 pm

Hose_Head wrote:
I have both the Activa and Activa LT. From my experience, the Activa LT is not quite as good at preventing leaks for active sleepers. It's a little more finicky to get it to seal properly, and once leaking, it's less responsive to the activa's fix which is to simply lift the mask off your face and then let it go. This technique still works on the Activa LT, but it may need to be repeated several times.

I think that the problem is on the Activa LT cushion the "active cell" area of the cushion is not as large on the Activa. I had the same problem, as the Activa LT cushion is not as forgiving on movement as the Activa cushion. My solution was to use the Activa cushion on the Activa LT frame, the best of both worlds. The better cushion on the better frame......IMHO

TXLadybug · Post by **TXLadybug** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:15 pm

I only have one wish.... they need to make an Activa OR an Activa LT with a smaller frame.... I had the Activa LT and loved the cushion, but had to give it up because it is too long top to bottom, so either I have the forehead piece way too high, or the bottom of it puts pressure on my upper teeth.

Had to go with the Mirage Micro - which has a nice sized frame, but the old fashioned cushions. Wish they would let the cushions be interchangeable between this frame as well!

wrenn · Post by **wrenn** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:47 pm

Yeah, Why the long face? That is the most frustrating thing for me with the MA as well. Luckily the cushion is that good that it makes up for a frame that basically is like scaffolding.

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