Respironics PR System 1 users ??

[Janknitz]

I'm a bit curious about the PR S1 humidifier complaints, too. This is my first machine, so I have no comparisons, but I find it exceedingly easy to use.

My humidifier tank has the markings on the end of the tank so I don't even have to lift the lid to see how much water is in the tank. It's way more visible than the stupid LED screen! I take it into the bathroom to clean and refill. The PR S1 uses water so frugally in the regular operation mode (not quite so much in the classic mode) that I only have to refill weekly and I dfill it after my weekly cleaning. It is easy as pie to remove the lid, wash everything, fill, and put the lid back on. I can't imagine why people are complaining.

From what I understand, it was not so easy to check levels, clean and fill previous iterations of the Remstar tanks, and Resmeds look pretty complicated to--considering the so called "disposable tank" isn't supposed to be cleanable and it has an opaque bottom. I don't see how you could check the water level easily on the S9--looks like much more trouble than the PR S1. I still have S9 envy (that screen, climate line and slim line hoses), but I happen to think the PR S1 humidifier tank design is pretty darn good.

[Captain_Midnight]

The Texan asks...Is it worth it to upgrade from an M Series Auto to the PR 1 and keep the M series as a backup?

And, IMHO yes.

I have an M series, and I was completely happy with it. I only got the PR One because my insurance was ready to buy me a new machine, and the DME would not let me have another M series.

I was completely prepared to be unimpressed with the PR One, but I have to admit, it's a worthwhile improvement over the (better looking) M series. Poster Hawthorn writes that the "air delivery is "softer", and that's a fine way to put it. The air delivery algorithm more closely matches natural breathing, so it's less like being cyclically inflated/deflated/inflated...and more like breathing. I really have no complaints, but I do miss the blue lights (that so many here did not care for).

Now, I use my M-series only for traveling and for backup to the PR-One.


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[Slinky]

I'm NOT complaining about the PR S1 at all. All I'm doing is pointing out some of the comparisons w/other models and how they stack up in my opinion.

You have to realize how much I LOVE my Resmed VPAP Auto and how resistant I was at first to the PR S1 BPAP Auto. I agree wholeheartedly w/Hawthorn and Captain Midnight when they say that the PR S1 "air delivery is "softer", and that's a fine way to put it". I have my preferences and dislikes amongst the PAPs I've used.

[sleepyb]

I don't have much to compare it to. I did find it doesn't like coffee, but they overnighted me a new one so the warranty is good. You would think they could put a little seal by the knob so that water, or in this case coffee, couldn't enter so easily. I can hear it breath which can be annoying. I guess this noise is passed through the hose. I have heard that the S9 and the intellipap are a little quieter which would be nice. Don't know from personal experience though. I like that you can change the humidifier settings form Auto to Classic but it would be better if you didn't have to. It would also be nice if it came with a heated hose. As others have said, I hate the display! and at the cost of around $7.00 for a display with backlight I think they are just being stupidly cheap. I really like the two different settings c-flex and A-flex. I found that with the nose pillows the c-flex works best for me but with the FFM A-flex works better. Once again, it would be nice if this was a simple setting instead of having to go into the clinicians settings.

[Hose_Head]

I'm a bit curious about the PR S1 humidifier complaints, too. This is my first machine, so I have no comparisons, but I find it exceedingly easy to use.

My humidifier tank has the markings on the end of the tank so I don't even have to lift the lid to see how much water is in the tank. It's way more visible than the stupid LED screen! I take it into the bathroom to clean and refill. The PR S1 uses water so frugally in the regular operation mode (not quite so much in the classic mode) that I only have to refill weekly and I dfill it after my weekly cleaning. It is easy as pie to remove the lid, wash everything, fill, and put the lid back on. I can't imagine why people are complaining.

From what I understand, it was not so easy to check levels, clean and fill previous iterations of the Remstar tanks, and Resmeds look pretty complicated to--considering the so called "disposable tank" isn't supposed to be cleanable and it has an opaque bottom. I don't see how you could check the water level easily on the S9--looks like much more trouble than the PR S1. I still have S9 envy (that screen, climate line and slim line hoses), but I happen to think the PR S1 humidifier tank design is pretty darn good.

To explain from my own perspective:

In order to see how much water is in the humidifier with my set-up, unless I remove the humidifier tank from the xpap, I have to get down on my knees with a flashlight. That makes it not very user-friendly.

In order to fill the tank, you have to remove it from the xpap, set the tank on a flat and level (and water-protected) surface, and then carefully fill it using a small, refillable container (that I've previously filled from the gallon jug of distilled water). PR could have designed the tank with a built-in funnel, but they didn't.

Also, the System One humidifier tank is designed with a piece of plastic (the one that you press to separate the two halves of the tank) that crosses the centre of the filling-hole. If you pour water into the centre of the opening, you are pouring it directly onto this piece of plastic. This causes the water to splash into the exhaust port of the tank, from which it then will drain onto your night-table. Ask me how I know this ...

Also, because the tank lies flat (like a pan of water), it's too easy to overfill it. The M Series tank is filled with it standing upright and it is much easier to fill to the line without going over it.

I agree that the System One's lcd screen is pitiful. You need your reading glasses and a flashlight to use it. However, I personally don't much care about this anyway. I only use that display when I change settings of the machine .... that is, just about never!

YMMV

[Amigo]

You don't have to open a lid and pull the tank out to see how much water is in a Resmed H3i or H4i. Just look at your Sy7 or S8 sitting on the night stand. And the same holds true for the Respironics Legacy series (the tanks). None of these had water problems. Only the M Series did.

Have you actually looked at the front of the PR System 1?

The water level is clearly visible...

[Slinky]

I have had the use of a PR S1 BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex which I liked VERY much - but - the water level is NOT easy for me to see w/the tank still in the humidifier. NOT like the S8's or the Legacy's at all.

It really is a shame that the manufacturers must rely on the DME providers as their customers rather than we end users when it comes to "updating" their PAP models. *sigh* What a screwed up world!

[cpapernewbie]

Janknitz got all the right stuff, the humidifier in PR Sys 1 is very well designed

I am a user of the Respironics Tank (only 1 m), M series (2 yrs +), Pr Sys 1 (3 m) and Resmed S9 (so far 6 months)

The PR sys 1 humidifier is superior vs H5I from S9
You can easily see the water level (yes, you have to kneel first )
Compared to S9 humidifier, you can easily dismantle it and clean it

The S9 is superior in LCD screen design and noise level. My AHI results are better (less than 1) with S9 vs <3 with S1 but I suspect that this is merely due to algorithmic difference btw the 2 CPAP

[Slinky]

Yup, yup. I haven't had the opportunity to use an S9 but I agree that the PR S1 is a great PAP, not perfect, but a great PAP nonetheless. Just as my Resmed S8 has been a great PAP as well.

[el_zorro]

I have been on CPAP for almost one year and my main machine is a PR Pro S1. So far I have been very pleased with this machine and although there are some areas of improvement that have been identified (backlight is the biggest i think), it has been a very solid machine for me.

I dont understand the filling problems with the tank, I clean my tank every two days and then refill it. If I need to refill it before then, I just take the lid off (takes 2 seconds), fill it and put the lid back on. For those who just top off and dont clean their tank, the next complaint is usually that there is pink goo growing in their tanks because it is contaminated with bacteria.

There are three things that make the PR S1 a good system:

1.) Far superior humidification (eliminated rain-out) and this system does a great job adjusting the humidity based on the room humidity.
2.) The clinical version of the software gives a high level of detailed imformation and is fairly easy to use.
3.) The CLEX+ comfort option is the smoothest and most comfortable option I have experienced (even better than AFLEX and superior to EPR).

I also agree the travel bag is not very good compared to the custom designed bags that most other CPAPs use. In the summers or when I am travelling to a humid climate I just pack mine in bubble rap and put it in a small box in my suitcase. I then carry the brick power supply in my laptop back. Without the brink and humidifier, the PR S1 is one of the smallest CPAPs out there and packs nicely in a small box.

[Hose_Head]

You don't have to open a lid and pull the tank out to see how much water is in a Resmed H3i or H4i. Just look at your Sy7 or S8 sitting on the night stand. And the same holds true for the Respironics Legacy series (the tanks). None of these had water problems. Only the M Series did.

Have you actually looked at the front of the PR System 1?

The water level is clearly visible...

Now let's see you measure it when it's located on a stand that's 12" high, in low light conditions, and with arthritic knees. That's MY situation.

[Amigo]

...


Now let's see you measure it when it's located on a stand that's 12" high, in low light conditions, and with arthritic knees. That's MY situation.

Oh well, I doubt that any xPAP manufacturer can design a machine that will always fulfill everyone's special requirements.

For me, having owned three Respironics machines, this is by far the best designed and easiest to use humidifier tank.

[Hose_Head]

...


Now let's see you measure it when it's located on a stand that's 12" high, in low light conditions, and with arthritic knees. That's MY situation.

Oh well, I doubt that any xPAP manufacturer can design a machine that will always fulfill everyone's special requirements.

For me, having owned three Respironics machines, this is by far the best designed and easiest to use humidifier tank.

Agreed. But don't get me wrong, the system 1 humidifer and tank are improvements on many of the M Series' short-comings. It's just that it's still not perfect! In my opinion, the S1's shortcomings are inexecusable and demonstrate that PR didn't spend enough time to think things through for the new design.

[dwsupt]

I'll share my PR secret for filling with out spilling. Remove the tank and stick your index finger (OR WHICH EVER FITS TIGHT) in the side hole while filling from the top. As soon as your finger feels the water, stop pouring. This fills mine every time with no spill or over fill.

[adksleepygal]

I just started using this therapy in early Oct 2010. I was given the Respironics PR System One. My biggest complaint was it was so loud - I could not sleep - it was absolutely freaky to me. It breathed in and out like a dragon in my room! I live in an area of perfect silence and I always have - no traffic , etc... I wake up when the paper guy comes by in early morning to drop the paper in the box way down the driveway. My hubby could hear it too from his side of the King size bed and he sleeps through anything! The machine was the only one I had ever had and so I was not aware there were differences in others. I had great difficulty viewing the data window - very dark and I also have vision problems so that was hard. After struggling and a long story (read my other posts) I ended up with a new DME and a Resmed S9 Autoset. I love it - from the first night what a difference - hubby woke me up to tell me it was not working - too funny - I slept great that first night - it is silent! And silence is golden to me, the lightest sleeper you can imagine! I also fell in love with the lighted data window and the ease of getting info every AM - this as been a boost for me to continue on. As for the humidifier, good and bad about both. I can see the water level much better in the Resmed, filling is about the same in each for me, but I did prefer the Respironics because it came apart for cleaning which was easier - I do this once or twice every week.
Those are just my personal impressions and experiences if it helps anyone.