F&P Icon vs. S9 Auto

[lali0020]

Well I recently visited the doctor and he decided to put me on a permanent autopap. My question is which one to get. The Icon Auto comes out in 2 weeks, but is it really worth it or should I get the S9 auto? The Icon looks like the smart card is a usb insert, but will I be able to get the software to read it as I can't find it anywhere online. That is one thing I really want out of this machine as my current one tells me nothing about leaks or AHI and its frustrating. If anyone has any experience with the SenseAwake feature, is it worth it? I know F&P has the best humidity and my current machine is an F&P so it may be hard to switch but is the S9 a better machine/just as good. Thanks.

[rested gal]

If it were me, I'd get the S9 Auto.

[lali0020]

Any particular reason you say the S9?

[KatieW]

I have no experience with the F & P, so can't say if it's the same or better than the S9 Autoset. But...access to the software is a deal breaker, in my opinion.

[Slartybartfast]

What Katie said. The software is the thing. If F&P were to come out with software equivalent to ResScan, I'd want the Icon. I don't like sailing in the fog.

[Emilia]

The Icon is a new machine... the one that has an MP3 player and clock. To me, those are additional things that can go wrong with it. I seem to recall reading about someone abroad who had one already and 2 weeks into owning it had problems. May have been just a lemon, but new models, especially total redesigns, are always better by their third version, IMHO!

There are certainly other Auto Adjust machines from which to choose. The S9 is a 'cadillac' of sorts, but our host site shows the consumer trends on machines here: https://www.cpap.com/cpap-user-preference.php Scroll down to the Auto Cpap and you'll see that the Intellipap Auto Adjust is still #1 choice with the S9 behind it. I have the DeVilbiss Intellipap Auto with Smartflex and the software, and could not be happier......but it is a personal decision based on your needs, finances, insurance, etc. Good luck on whatever machine you choose!

[lali0020]

Is the intellipap higher on the list possibly due to the cheaper price? What are the standout features on it? I've heard great things about the S9 but never heard anything about that one. What are ur favorite features?

[Emilia]

This quote is from secondwindcpap, from whom I purchased my machine:

Respironics and ResMed enjoy having the luxury of very high name recognition in the CPAP/BIPAP marketplace. Although DeVilbiss does not have the same level of name recognition in the sleep community, they have been a market leader in the manufacturing of respiratory related medical equipment for over 120 years. We believe this device represents the best Auto CPAP machine on the market, for quality, dependability, and price.

The Intellipap is less expensive, I presume, because DeVilbiss isn't in the exclusive market of mfg. cpap/respiratory devices. The company has been around for over 120 yrs and has a long history of excellence in air compression machines for industrial purposes. The healthcare division is an offshoot of the company and has made a variety of respiratory and cpap devices for as many years.

I like it because it does everything I need it to do! The user interface is simple and easy to set up, the clinician set up is equally easy to reconfigure. The Intellipap offers Smart Codes for you to enter into a web based tool to see your overnight stats for AHI, leaks, etc., and would suffice for most folks. I use the SmartLink software to get more detailed information via graphs and visual timelines to see when events are occurring. The software is readily available at cpap.com, and they also sell the machine.

I bought mine at secondwind because, at the time, it was the only place to buy the newest version with SmartFlex that came out in Aug. of this year. Now you can find it on most of the online cpap supplier sites. SmartFlex is like EPR or C/A-Flex, with the addition of DeVilbiss's patented Rounding.... called iRounding on inhale and eRounding on exhale. This is an added feature to the flex that makes the transition from pressure to pressure very natural feeling.

The machine, itself, is a sturdy device that has a very small footprint. There is NO power brick so you just plug it in via the regular power cord. The interesting and generous feature I love about it is that DeVilbiss offers FREE firmware upgrades to owners of their machines (although you need to purchase their cable for this purpose). For example, those who already owned an Intellipap Auto before they added Smartflex to it, could just download and install the firmware to their older models, and voila!, they had the latest and greatest model! The software was updated as well with many new features in August. However, that was not upgradable from v. 1.6 so one had to buy v. 2.0. There have been a few updates for v. 2.0 and those are provided free from one's software Update button. Once last point.....the DeVilbiss also has the longest warranty in the industry.... 3 yrs.

I have no other reference point since this was and is my first machine, having been diagnosed in July. I see it as an excellent choice for the reasons stated, and it also did not break the bank since I purchased out of pocket. You need to get what you feel you need for your situation. Best of luck with whatever machine you decide to buy!

[davecpap]

I've owned neither the S9 or the DeVilbiss unit, but I have seen countless posts about S9 problems regarding memory card corruption and problems with the hose tearing near the connector (I believe this has been resolved). I'm also not a fan of ResMed's practices - they won't sell you the software, you can only obtain it via illicit means. I had to buy the card reader for my S8 from Australia because they won't sell it here, etc. Then the stuff about price fixing, not allowing sales of equipment on cpapauction.com, etc..

DeVilbiss on the other hand makes their software/readers available for purchase AND they seem to offer firmware updates for new features/fixes on their machines which really intrigues me. They also seem more accessible than other manufacturers, for example they post on this forum and solicit feedback, etc:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45222

I'd seriously consider a DeVilbiss CPAP for my next machine. As for Fisher & Paykel, I do like their masks, and I like that the humidifier is built into my backup HC234 machine - I think its a good design. I sometimes wonder if many other manufacturers make them separate units just so they can bill insurance for a separate humidifier. When I got my S8, there was a billing code for the machine and a separate billing code for the humidifier. When I got the HC234 with built in humidifier (a lot simpler,more robust design), there was only one billing code on the EOB from insurance - the code for the machine. But I've seen posts on here about problems getting the F&P software going - apparently it requires SQL Server Express or something similar as the results are stored in a database? Just what I've read, I have no first hand experience with the F&P software.

Then again, there is a very large S9 user base on this forum that you can solicit for help, that has to be considered as well. Its a large enough forum you'll find help with most machines though, and many issues are machine agnostic.

[DHC]

Is the intellipap higher on the list possibly due to the cheaper price? What are the standout features on it? I've heard great things about the S9 but never heard anything about that one. What are ur favorite features?

You might find this topic interesting - viewtopic/t56345/ResScan-UnderReporting ... g-or-.html

I have been recording data from the S9 and the IntelliPAP in order to better understand the machines and their reports. It has been a bit rocky, but there may be something of interest to you in terms of two of the machines you are evaluating.