Resmed S9 Augotset or System One REMstar Auto with A-Flex

[Tee]

I went to my DME and they carry only two machines. The S9 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine and the PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex. My insurance pays for 80%, I pay 20% after paying a $500 annual deductible. The DME rents to own over 10 months, so only one annual deductible to meet. Now the big question...which one?

[Cuda]

The S9 Autoset is a great machine. You can check with insurance but some will cover buying from cpap.com but since out of network they only pay 60% not 80% but the DME wanted 2000 for the S9 and humidifier and cpap.com wanted under 1200. Of course thats if insurance will let you buy one outright.

[archangle]

Either one is excellent. Either one has some annoying things, but they roughly balance out.

S9 AutoSet machine owners probably seem a little happier.

Be sure it is the S9 AutoSet, not the S9 Escape Auto. Look at the picture on CPAP.com and see where it says "AutoSet" next to the power button. Check the one you get to see that you've got the authentic deal. DO NOT accept the Escape Auto. It costs you the same, but is MUCH less capable.

Be sure to get the heated humidifier.

The S9 will probably come with the non cleanable water tank. Plan on buying a dishwashable water tank online for $37 or so if you get the S9.

Do NOT let them start you with a full face mask (FFM) that covers your mouth. Try a nasal mask that covers just your nose. It's much less invasive, and has several other advantages. You can usually exchange your first mask within 30 days if the nasal mask doesn't work. Only use an FFM if you can't make a nasal mask work due to mouth breathing or other problems.

Consider yourself lucky. Most DMEs try to screw patients by giving them less capable CPAP machines but charging the same amount of money.

You'll probably get hit with a second deductible at the start of 2012.

[Pugsy]

Check with your insurance to confirm that they do indeed do a 10 month rental to own. Also confirm when the calendar year deductible is reset. Some insurance will allow charges going toward deductible to roll over into the next calendar year if it resets in January. If not, you will probably have to meet the deductible again unless your insurance will allow early purchase. Check with insurance, don't go by just what the DME might say.

Price that DME charges is probably the same and the amount that the insurance approves is probably the same with either machine. Since you have a choice ask to see if you can try both machines. They both offer exhale relief but go about it differently. You might like one machine more than the other.

[Tee]

Great advice, thank you! I so appreciate this forum. I am so much more informed now than I was just a few weeks ago when I was diagnosed.

[Bayrat]

I have a new System One and am dissatisfied with the available humidity level. Perhaps something is wrong with this machine but he supplier says no. Going back to my S8 tonight in an attempt to rid myself of irritated sinus issues now. Calling the manufacturer this week to see if I can exchange it.

Good luck..

[moresleep]

I'm not sure the Resmed S9 Autoset will directly run on 12 volts, if that's important to you (a question to ask the DME). The System One Remstar Auto does. From what people say (I have not seen one in person), the S9 Autoset provides more information on the little LCD screen; but, both machines record state-of-the-art flow data which you can transfer to your computer via a card and use readily-available software to view. Hard to go wrong with either.

[archangle]

I'm not sure the Resmed S9 Autoset will directly run on 12 volts, if that's important to you (a question to ask the DME). The System One Remstar Auto does. From what people say (I have not seen one in person), the S9 Autoset provides more information on the little LCD screen; but, both machines record state-of-the-art flow data which you can transfer to your computer via a card and use readily-available software to view. Hard to go wrong with either.

The S9 machines require a proprietary DC converter to run off of 12V. You can also use an MSW 120 VAC inverter to power the S9 machine and humidifier. ResMed says S8 machine humidifiers will be damaged by an MSW 120V inverter.

The S9 display is great. The PRS1 display looks like a cheap junk 1980's LCD display. You often can't read the PRS1 display with a flashlight because the viewing angle is so poor.

[Janknitz]

I responded to Bayrat in another post--it may be that nothing is wrong with his humidifier, but he is not used to the way this humidifier works. In any case, even if something is wrong with Bay's humidifier, it is not a common problem with PRS1's. So you should not judge by that one post.

That said, while I have the PRS1 auto and think it's a good machine, I would have preferred the S9 if I had a choice (I didn't because I have an HMO).

Double check on that deductible issue because January is coming and you can buy an S9 online for less than $1000

[Tee]

Thanks Janknitz, that feedback is helpful. Seems as if the S9 is winning this comparison.

[Bayrat]

I responded to Bayrat in another post--it may be that nothing is wrong with his humidifier, but he is not used to the way this humidifier works. In any case, even if something is wrong with Bay's humidifier, it is not a common problem with PRS1's. So you should not judge by that one post.

That said, while I have the PRS1 auto and think it's a good machine, I would have preferred the S9 if I had a choice (I didn't because I have an HMO).

Double check on that deductible issue because January is coming and you can buy an S9 online for less than $1000

Agreed, I am not an expert regarding this humidifier, however, I do understand how it works. I have read literature and watched the sales pitches. What I don't understand is why it does not provide sufficient humidity for me personally. Could be me, could be the machine...

[moresleep]

I responded to Bayrat in another post--it may be that nothing is wrong with his humidifier, but he is not used to the way this humidifier works. In any case, even if something is wrong with Bay's humidifier, it is not a common problem with PRS1's. So you should not judge by that one post.
. . .

Agreed, I am not an expert regarding this humidifier, however, I do understand how it works. I have read literature and watched the sales pitches. What I don't understand is why it does not provide sufficient humidity for me personally. Could be me, could be the machine...

If you have not already tried it, go into settings and switch the humidifier back to the legacy mode. The System One's new "smart" way of regulating the humidifier according to ambient temperature/humidity can be too smart for its own good.

[Tee]

I ended up with the S9. The DME rep was clueless. Said this was a "cool" machine, that looked like a nice clock radio. She offered me very little more than if she was selling me a commode that they also rent. Thank you to this forum for providing much needed knowledge and feedback. Now I cannot wait for the night so I can sleep!

[purple]

uh, If you did not get the suggestion. Look at the prices on cpap.com

PR System One Auto is like 650 cash. S9 Autoset is more. cpap.com will not work with any insurance agency. If you are a first time user, then it is usually a good idea to use a brick and mortar DME as they have an Respiratory Technician (RT) who can do some things for you and give you advice, if they will.

I looked at which one of these two machines to buy. My doc, who is a patient as well as a doc, prefers the PR machine, but is willing to work with me on either machine. Someone on the forum, who has experience with the two different manufacturers top of the line machines says there is not a dimes worth of difference between the two. However some really like the more comprehensive data on the LCD on the S9 Autoset, and a longer list of minor detailed differences, which I am not competent to guess which I would prefer, I can not offer you advice on this.

[Knightmare]

I have both an S9 and a PRS1. If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the S9. Its quieter , ergonomically more appealing (to me), has a heated tube (climateline), and the display is a million times better being a color LCD.

The PRS1 is a great machine as well, no real complaints about it. In my opinion its just not as polished of a prodcut as the S9. I now use the PRS1 as a travel machine so I never have to break down my S9.

Hope this helps.