Resmed vs Remstar

[ccc111]

I'm in the process of getting an APAP machine and was wondering which one you guys recommend:

Resmed S8 Autoset II
Remstar Auto M with A-flex
Remstar PR one system (I know lack of software is the downside to this one)

Are there any major differences in quality of sleep? My friend already has the card reader and software for the M series, so I don't have to spend more on those if I get that machine, but do you guys think it's worth it to get another machine?

[Soldier of Troy]

I have a Resmed S8 AutoSet II. Very happy with it. Easy to use, small and quiet.

[Pugsy]

Only a handful of people have had the chance to use both the ResMed and Respironics machines to offer any real sleep quality comparisons. There may be a few people who do better on one than the other. Most of us have had the chance to use only one brand so we can only offer our thoughts on what we use.

I have used the M series Auto with CFlex and for the last month the AFlex. I love it. AFlex is so much smoother to me than the CFlex. I have not had the chance to use any other brand.

If you want immediate software availability then consider the M series since you already have access to the software. Saves you a few bucks.
The PR machine is supposedly very nice but no software and it all depends on how much you want to see your data right now. Rumor control has it that there may be software available for the patients using the PR sometime after the first of the year but it is just rumor and that doesn't help you right now.

[rise&shiner]

I have used both the respironics series m 510 auto-aflex and the REsmed Autoset 8 II.
Con
Respironics is noisier. Easier to get rain out. The epr settings didn't work well for me. Had a hard time with the rthymn of the exhale.
made me exhale on its cadence not on my own. Blue lights don;t do anything other then they can get annoying if you are light sensitive. Units have been on recall. I had problems with my humidifier and the blue lights flashing all the time. The power cord has that insidious box which makes it heavier for traveling.
Does detect leakage on the LCD screen (or if it does I never figured it out)
Pro
Humidifier easy to clean because it comes apart. Can over ride the ramp easier. Footprint of unit is nice. Tube hooks up in the back not in the front.


Resmed Autoset 8 II
Con-- Humidifier is hard to clean because it doesn't come apart---but you can order an upgrade 4hii humidifier water container that does come apart and is dishwasher safe. Tube hooks up in the front of the machine instead of in the back. Harder to over ride the ramp but easier to change the ramp setting.
Takes 10 minutes to cool off humidifier when unit shuts off but it does help dry out the tube if you got moisture in it.

Pro- Much quieter. Could use the epr settings the way I needed to. Like the fact that I can see if my mask is leaking on the lcd readout. Easier for me to check my over night stats on the screen. Humidifier works much better for me. Light on machine is backlit to it is unobtrusive. The autoset seems to follow my breathing better and allows me to breath more naturally. Like the handle on the top of unit so I can carry it from one place to another.

Hopes this helps.

[Wulfman]

I'm in the process of getting an APAP machine and was wondering which one you guys recommend:

Resmed S8 Autoset II
Remstar Auto M with A-flex
Remstar PR one system (I know lack of software is the downside to this one)

Are there any major differences in quality of sleep? My friend already has the card reader and software for the M series, so I don't have to spend more on those if I get that machine, but do you guys think it's worth it to get another machine?

What's your pressure?
Are you currently using ANY type of CPAP machine?

Different manufacturers use different algorithms in their APAP machines. Some machines work better for some people than others. Pressures above 10 cm. can be problematic for some people trying to use ResMed Autos because of their A10 algorithm.
I personally think Autos/APAPs are overrated for this therapy, but they can always be set in CPAP (single-pressure) modes.
If your friend already has the software and card reader, you can see what that software looks like and as you said, it would be readily available to you.


Den

[Slinky]

Access to the software for the M Series is a plus altho you would still need to buy the cable reader if you want to access the data on your own 'puter. That is about the ONLY advantage I see to the M Series.

I've not had the opportunity to use an M Series. I didn't want any part of the M Series for a variety of reasons. However, I have used the pre-M Series Respironics and gotten excellent therapy w/them (both APAP and auto BiPAP). That being said I prefer the Resmeds: their weight when traveling, the ease of access to and amount of data available via the LCD screen, their integrated heated humidifier and more.

[carbonman]

I'm a Resmed convert.
I started w/an Mseries auto.
I got good therapy w/it.

Being a toy boy and too much curiosity......and reading too many Slinky posts,
I got an S8 auto.
For me, it provides much better therapy.
It doesn't chase events like the Mseries does and I get better rest.
I think w/out the radical pressure changes, it doesn't wake me, as much.

With the Resmed I finally made the transition to straight cpap.
I live at 12.2cm, EPR at 1.
I think it is the Easy Breath combined w/the EPR that makes the difference.

I like the cool down blower after I turn it off, especially now that I am using
the Ozzy heated hose....it helps cool it down also.
I like that the display has a back light and after a minute or so all that backlight
is turned off and there is just enough light to see the buttons.
It is much more quiet.
The HH tank is not a problem.....after I took Slinky's tip on cleaning...
Polident denture tablets.....works like a charm.
The software for each is a wash for me. Both are ok.
I transfer my data via the card everyday, so I don't use the display very much.
It's easy to get into the clinical menu to make changes.

I have traveled w/both. The Resmed is easier. It is more compact and
I like that you have to separate the machine and HH to put them in the case.
...and for all the grief I gave Slinky about the Mseries BRICK, I don't miss it.

The bottom line:
very comfortable, very effective therapy.

[shambharwani]

I have used both the respironics series m 510 auto-aflex and the REsmed Autoset 8 II.
Con
Respironics is noisier. Easier to get rain out. The epr settings didn't work well for me. Had a hard time with the rthymn of the exhale.
made me exhale on its cadence not on my own. Blue lights don;t do anything other then they can get annoying if you are light sensitive. Units have been on recall. I had problems with my humidifier and the blue lights flashing all the time. The power cord has that insidious box which makes it heavier for traveling.
Does detect leakage on the LCD screen (or if it does I never figured it out)
Pro
Humidifier easy to clean because it comes apart. Can over ride the ramp easier. Footprint of unit is nice. Tube hooks up in the back not in the front.


Resmed Autoset 8 II
Con-- Humidifier is hard to clean because it doesn't come apart---but you can order an upgrade 4hii humidifier water container that does come apart and is dishwasher safe. Tube hooks up in the front of the machine instead of in the back. Harder to over ride the ramp but easier to change the ramp setting.
Takes 10 minutes to cool off humidifier when unit shuts off but it does help dry out the tube if you got moisture in it.

Pro- Much quieter. Could use the epr settings the way I needed to. Like the fact that I can see if my mask is leaking on the lcd readout. Easier for me to check my over night stats on the screen. Humidifier works much better for me. Light on machine is backlit to it is unobtrusive. The autoset seems to follow my breathing better and allows me to breath more naturally. Like the handle on the top of unit so I can carry it from one place to another.

Hopes this helps.

For me the Remstar with A-Flex and auto-tracking followed my breathing pattern better that the Resmed Autoset 8, which is why I opted for the new PR series Auto as my first machine. The lack of software is a bother but I am sure they will fix that shortly.