Making a choice between machines

[Stutz]

Ok, have read a lot of information on the top two auto machines, the PR S 1 and the S9 auto. I will be replacing an auto Respironics M Series which I use now and I have been well satisfied with it. Because of tweaking I now have routine AHI numbers of about 1 to 2 so I want to stay with an auto. I have the encore pro software version 2.14 now and have the old Mako card reader which reads the credit card size data cards. So I am already set up with that software for the old system. But I have to make a decision between the two, and everyones past comments seem to indicate they are both great machines but... My decision now rests on two factors, one noise, the second ease of getting and using the software. The S9 Auto's specs indicate it is 5db quieter. Is that enough to sway someones decision? Does anyone have both of these machines and could they comment on the noise? Second, I know I can use the software developed by someone on this board, and probably will, but any comments on the ease of one software (and getting it) over the other? I did have to load the sequel server for encorepro which has me a litle concerned since sometime in the future I would like to go to a 64 bit windows system and really don't want to have to use two softwares programs just to get one to work. Any comments would be appreciated

[Pugsy]

I happen to have both brands of bilevel machines..Respironics PR S1 BiPap auto and ResMed S9 VPAP auto.
The difference in noise levels are barely discernible to my ear. Others complain of S9 noise on exhale that sounds like some sort of bird call...I don't hear it. There are a couple of threads about it.

SleepyHead will work with either machine that uses the SD card and there is no real urgency to use the software that the companies offer...Encore or ResScan.
Both are easy to obtain though and Encore has a new version that doesn't use the bloated hog called SQL server database. It works on 64 bit computers (and older) and will even work with your M series machine.
I will send you that information in just a bit...if you happen to get a PR S1 APAP 60 series machine...SleepyHead is not yet compatible with that model..so EncoreBasic is your only option at the moment for that particular model.

In terms of therapy...both brands do an excellent job. I have used M Series APAP in the past and also a PR S1 APAP.. To be honest...I like both brands but since you are used to the Respironics way of doing things...you might like it better...but again...you might really like S9 EPR...either will do an excellent job though.

[NightMonkey]

Stutz

I am pretty much in the same situation as you as a Respironics user.

The latest Respironics might be a little better machine but when I buy a new machine it will be the ResMed S9 Autoset so that I will have experience with both brands.

You can download the ResScan software free from the ResMed site and the data card is SD.

[RandyJ]

As was said above, the software is easy to get for both machines. The only thing I would add: I used an S9 Autoset until a week ago, when I acquired a PR System One Bipap Auto, which I have been using for the past week. I must say that I REALLY miss the onscreen data the S9 offers, being able to see all of the AHI and leak info from the night before at the touch of a button. I got really spoiled by that. The PR System One only offers averages for the past 7 or 30 days onscreen.

Both machines seem equally quiet to me. If you think either of these machines is noisy, you can probably hear a fly rubbing his little hands together in the next room.

[Jason7]

About the noise -- I switch back and forth between machines and the noise factor is essentially equal. I sometimes hear the "cooing" sound on exhale on the S9 but it doesn't bother me at all. See here for my review of both units: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=76592
Jason
PS RandyJ makes a very good point -- the one button review of the AHI etc. stats is a really high point for the S9...

[gdpeck]

... I REALLY miss the onscreen data the S9 offers, being able to see all of the AHI and leak info from the night before at the touch of a button...

Sorry for going a little off-topic here. I've seen a couple of posts that reference the ability to see leak info on the S9 screen, but my S9 screen only shows me hours used, mask fit (which is a green smiley face or red frowny face), and AHI. Should I be seeing more? Is there a way to see more on the screen? Or is the smiley face thing, what everyone is talking about when they reference leak info?

Thanks!
George

[Zzzzzzzzzzz...]

... I REALLY miss the onscreen data the S9 offers, being able to see all of the AHI and leak info from the night before at the touch of a button...

Sorry for going a little off-topic here. I've seen a couple of posts that reference the ability to see leak info on the S9 screen, but my S9 screen only shows me hours used, mask fit (which is a green smiley face or red frowny face), and AHI. Should I be seeing more? Is there a way to see more on the screen? Or is the smiley face thing, what everyone is talking about when they reference leak info?

Thanks!
George

What George said.

[Gerryk]

I have an M series and ecently upgraded to the Pr system one. The system one is much quieter than the M series. One big thing I have found is that the PR system one uses 12 volts and the S9 uses 24 volts. Respironics makes a battery pack that you can use for the M series or Pr one with the humidifier. I have used the battery pack for camping and made it through the night with the humidifier one a BiPap. With an auto the batter will last longer than a BiPap. The battery is rated for 28 hours for my machine at my settings without the humidifier. An auto with moderate settings should last several hours longer.

As far as data with the system one, it is on an SD card and any card reader will work, and the new software will recognize your card reader now if you do use your old machine for a backup.

[RandyJ]

Sorry for going a little off-topic here. I've seen a couple of posts that reference the ability to see leak info on the S9 screen, but my S9 screen only shows me hours used, mask fit (which is a green smiley face or red frowny face), and AHI. Should I be seeing more? Is there a way to see more on the screen? Or is the smiley face thing, what everyone is talking about when they reference leak info?

Thanks!
George

When you are at the home screen, hold down the 2 rectangular buttons until the screen flickers. Then (I hope I'm not forgetting a step here) you turn the knob once to the left to see more data (AHI breakdown, 95% pressure (if using apap), 95% leak rate, etc). Use the knob to scroll down. At the top it should say Period 1 day; press down once on knob to highlight and you can change to 1 week, 1 month etc to see averages.

See this video at the 10'09" mark: http://www.cpaplibrary.com/machine-education

[gdpeck]

When you are at the home screen, hold down the 2 rectangular buttons until the screen flickers. Then (I hope I'm not forgetting a step here) you turn the knob once to the left to see more data (AHI breakdown, 95% pressure (if using apap), 95% leak rate, etc). Use the knob to scroll down. At the top it should say Period 1 day; press down once on knob to highlight and you can change to 1 week, 1 month etc to see averages.

See this video at the 10'09" mark: http://www.cpaplibrary.com/machine-education

Found it! Thanks for the instructions and link!