Quality of S9 equipment

[cortez356]

msradar: That is also one of the reasons I chose the Resmed . I did not have a lot of time to do my research. We winter in Mexico and by the time I knew I needed a machine we were already here. I had to drive back to the USA to get the unit and made a quick decision. I had narrowed it down to the Intellipap and the S9. Origanlly I decided on the INtellipap but at the last minute I thought: This is my health and I should buy the best I can afford. Thus the S9. That may have been the correct descision after all. I will wait until Resmed replaces my climateline hose before any conclusions are made. It works well without the climateline but I am in a humid area and can run with no humidification. Thus no rainout. Thanks for your input.

Bob

[msradar65]

Bob,
I hope it works out for you. I can understand your concern. Buying equipment is an investment and we all want to get the best bang for the buck.

I hope they replace your climateline hose. After reading about members here having climateline hose failure I went ahead a purchased a back up hose off of e-bay. I did not see any warranty information on the climateline hose.

I had been thinking about a back up machine...but its just not in my financial budget right now. I was looking at the intellipap. Then I noticed on my local craiglists lots of rental return machines of various types available for cash sale. So maybe if I can find the cash I will make a S9 purchase for back up.

The only thing I wished I had gotten was the dishwasher safe humidifier tub, instead of the disposable tub.

[Big S]

Bummer for sure. Metal is disappearing from a lot of products in this day, even fighter aircraft. Many composites are stronger and lighter and last a long time, that's not the bummer......anyway, the S9 attracted me because it could deliver humidity at a temperature I selected AT MY FACE. Luckily for me it is relatively new and comes with a cheering section. I also think it is kinda garish and larger than a competitors unit I gave up. But here is the important thing, it works for me! I had one other machine and was glad to have it, but it presented many more obstacles because it wasn't matched to meet MY requirements. Obviously, the technology isn't there or we wouldn't have over 1000 pages of topics to peruse when we need help or encouragement. I do think the design of machines is headed in the right direction. From the moment a unit volume of air enters a machine, it is treated as part of a "system" design that we don't have to mess with. Engineers work as part of a team and they work hard at system design. We don't have to piece together individual parts that may or may not integrate well together. Companies know that this is the way to go. The devices work as intended AND there is more money in marketing such a product. Humans are notoriously non-linear and no one machine will work for everyone. Thank goodness I have an IPOD to keep up with these advancements and doors on my nightstand to hide this garishness from onlookers!

[jlk]

I too have been concerned about the quality of the S-9. I used an Escape for about 5 years and it is very solid feeling. I have traveled a lot with the Escape and it has been exposed to bumps and bangs that I don't think the S-9 would survive. I kept it for my back-up machine, but I can't sleep well with it after the S-9. The S-9 does feel cheaply made when comparing the two, but it is far better for my therapy, so I will just be more careful with it. The humidifier latch is plastic plated chrome, but so is my truck grille and it held up in a coastal climate for over 10 years. The humidifier tank is a lot thinner and flimsier feeling too. I like the low decible reading of the S-9, that is one of the great selling points, and the free software. I am happy with mine and would buy it again. I have had my first climateline hose fail, but was shipped a new one. To have a very flexible hose, material thickness has to be compromised. It seems like the end user has to complete the manufacturing process to what their needs may be, but is a very good idea to incorporate climate control into the machine so it can be easily adjusted to seasonally changing needs. Maybe the newer hoses will be better? I hope the S-9 lasts the 5 years it should. Good machine, wish the manufacturer would clean up their act and put the 12 volt power supply on the market. john

[Laurie1041]

Bob makes a good point with respect to the cheap manufacturing of the S9 complete with fancy high tech plastic housing of both the flow generator and humidifier. I am also very careful when opening and closing the humidifier compartment. Overall I like the S9, but if I experience one more Climateline tubing failure, I have decided that I will have no other choice but to research another machine. One of the features that I liked was the integrated humidification, but given the fact that the Climateline is known to inexplicably fail, I cannot take any risks with my therapy.

Therefore, I have decided to research other machines. At the very least, I need a back-up machine in the event my back-up Climateline blows again - which I have no doubt will do so sooner or later. The design of the Climateline is clearly defective.

I recommend that every S9 user have a back-up hose - either another Climateline or a generic hose. I am guilty of thinking that other people who reported problems with their Climateline hoses were being negligent in some way with the hose. The laugh was on me when my gingerly cared for hose burst in the middle of the night! Now I am just one of who knows how many others who have experienced their Climatelines spontaneously bursting.

I sincerely hope that my next Climateline goes the distance and lasts me 3 months! Laurie

[jlk]

I must be lucky. I only had one hose fail, it developed a small tear about 1/8 inch long. I logroll quite a bit at times and haven't damaged the replacement yet. Must be some poor quality control to have some tear real easy and others last like they should. john

[msradar65]

I have to agree with the tears in the hose complaint. I have a hose cover on mine. I have a back up hose..and I plan to reinforce those connector points with the Coban wrap.

I think each machine on the market has its good and bad points...like everything else. We each just have to find what works best for you.

I actually like the fact that my S9 looks like my clock or my Boses system. It kinda blends right in on the nightstand.

[jlk]

I'd pay another $5.99 to have an alarm clock built into mine, what's needed to do that, a few pennies worth of led's, the timing components are already in the unit. john

[Laos Film Director]

I bought an S9 since my insurance covered more than 80% of the cost. I selected the S9 mainly due to its current technology, appearance, and because it is a very quiet machine. I like the S9 but it does appear to be cheap, especially the humidifier hinge. Both the slimline and Climateline hoses held up fine for me. I use the humidifier but I don't really need it. I can't tell the difference when I use it.

I think the S9 is a good choice for people with insurance. If you're paying privately, I'd recommend selecting a cheaper machine. The S9 is a fine machine but not worth the premium in price despite the recommendations of the cheerleaders here.

[Sillyme]

I love, love, love my S9. Combined with a mask I like, it's like going to bed with a pacifier. I've only had it a few weeks and after hearing about all the problems with the Climateline hose I'm afraid to wash it. I wonder if there is some correlation between hose cleaning products /cleaning frequency and failure. So far I just unplug it every morning and hang it over my robe hooks to dry. DME isn't sure about the replacement schedule. His computer said every month but he said that is wrong and I might be able to get one per year. Has anyone had their hose for 3mo./6mo./1yr? Don't know what to expect.

[idamtnboy]

Has anyone had their hose for 3mo./6mo./1yr? Don't know what to expect.

Have had mine since early August. No problems with it yet. Haven't washed it either, except maybe once!!

[billbolton]

Has anyone had their hose for 3mo./6mo./1yr?

I've been using a Climateline hose since March without any problems.

Cheers,

Bill

[Sillyme]

Has anyone had their hose for 3mo./6mo./1yr?

I've been using a Climateline hose since March without any problems.

Cheers,

Bill

How do you clean it?

[billbolton]

How do you clean it?

Once a month -

• * pour about 200ml of soapy warm water into the Climateline
  * insert a hose joiner to connect up the ends
  * slosh it around for a while
  * empty out the soapy water out
  * rinse with clean tap water
  * hang in the bathroom to dry

Cheers,

Bill

[Sillyme]

How do you clean it?

Once a month -

• * pour about 200ml of soapy warm water into the Climateline
  * insert a hose joiner to connect up the ends
  * slosh it around for a while
  * empty out the soapy water out
  * rinse with clean tap water
  * hang in the bathroom to dry

Cheers,

Bill

So much for the cleaning damage theory. I thought maybe the wrong kind of cleaning made the hose fabric brittle. You know, I think we're mostly hearing from people who are having problems with the Climateline. If there's no problem there isn't much to say.