Looking at new machines: Things more balanced now?

[Fscott]

It's been awhile. I am looking to replace my M series Pro. When I started on CPAP the Respironics M series was widely accepted as the standard. Now it looks like (the now) PR and Resmed flagships are head to head.

I don't care about brands. But, I have main criteria I am hoping you guys can weigh in on.

1: Humidifier capacity: PR Sys One or the S9 Elite?

2: Durability: Which seems to have better build quality and durability?

3: Size: With humidifier attached, which is smaller? This may or may not be in conflict with #1 requirement, depending on the base unit size. These newer units look larger than my M series Pro.

I use a Quattro Mirage and 10.5cm if it matters. Also, I like as much moisture as possible without condensation in the tube.

Thanks for any and all feedback!

[-tim]

The S9 is snap together so it can't be fixed, fixed with new parts added if they ever have to open it after its about a year old. That could be a problem when its 5 years old. There have also been many complaints about how it sounds since they all seem to have unique sounds.

[jweeks]

I use a Quattro Mirage and 10.5cm if it matters. Also, I like as much moisture as possible without condensation in the tube.

Hi,

You might be interested in an S9 with a Climate Line house. The max size has a little larger diameter, and can deliver slightly more air to your mask. The heated hose helps prevent the humidity from condensing, so you can run at higher humidity levels.

-john-

[Fscott]

Yikes. Contradicting advice! I like a looong hose (since the divorce I have free reign of the bed). A heated hose sounds nice, but if it doesn't come in xl long lengths (yes I check my pressure with a manometer) it is a non issue.

From two posts it kind of sounds like the Resmed machine has more variable build quality. I am pretty much addicted to my CPAP, and spend significant time travelling. So reliability is huge to me.

Thanks for the feedback.

If anyone else has feedback/experience, it's appreciated.

[cflame1]

Don't let the heated hose influence your machine choice... there are options for other heated hoses that aren't specific to a machine.

1.) Aussie
2.) Hybernite - see Pugsy
3.) Repti-coil - post somewhere about it

[-tim]

Don't let the heated hose influence your machine choice... there are options for other heated hoses that aren't specific to a machine.

1.) Aussie
2.) Hybernite - see Pugsy
3.) Repti-coil - post somewhere about it

To add more conflict. The resmed heated hose is controlled by the main system. That is a good idea.
Since the hoses have wires in them, there aren't extensions such as O2 ports or hose extentions (but I don't see the issue with adding a coupler and sticking a non-heated hose on it if you have an insulated cover)

[Pugsy]

Humidifier tank capacity.
PR S1 325 mL
S9 380 mL

I happen to own both a PR S1 machine and a S9 machine.
I have used a non heated hose with the PR S1 and the Hybernite 2300 stand alone heated hose with the PR S1.
The Hybernite allowed me to do away with the bulk of a hose cozy this past winter and did a superb job preventing rain out.

Started using the S9 mid February along with the Climateline heated hose. Works wonderfully as well.

I happen to prefer A LOT of added moisture so my humidifier settings are always high and both tanks held enough water that I didn't have the tanks go dry during the night. I do most often have to add water daily though with either brand.

With my Swift FX mask...only noise I hear is my own inhale and exhale with either machine. With the Aloha mask (the venting is a tiny bit less noisy) I hear a very faint machine noise on the S9 during exhale. I can't describe it as a bird call but maybe to others it sounds like a bird call. It's a machine and machines make noise...it does not bother me.
I have not used the PR S1 machine with the Aloha mask. If I have time today I will fire it up and see if I hear anything with it.

I used a M series APAP machine for 2 years...then got a PR S1 APAP about a year ago...then a PR S1 Bipap Auto last fall and the ResMed S9 VPAP this past February. In general I am pleased with either brand. My husband says the S9 is a tiny (very tiny) bit more quiet than the PR S1 machine when he strains for machine sound. Mostly what he hears is only normal mask venting noise and that is such a non issue that he often poked me in the ribs to tell me to put my mask on and it is already on. Now he just puts his hand over my face to feel the venting instead of waking me up.

Size...check the specs page for overall size but the difference in overall size is minimal. If a half inch either way is critical to your needs then get the smaller.

[-SWS]

The S9 is snap together so it can't be fixed, fixed with new parts added if they ever have to open it after its about a year old. That could be a problem when its 5 years old.

Well, a snap-together appliance design is fairly common. Plastic pry tools like these are typically inserted and then slid along the housing seams, to safely release tension on the housing's interlocks:
http://www.accessoriesrepair.org/wp-con ... -tool2.jpg

That leaves parts availability as a potential repair barrier, however.

[J-Mac]

Timely thread for me as I am also looking to replace my M-Series Auto. It's been five years so I figure I'd better start looking.

Thanks for the comparison Pugsy! That helps.

I was thinking I would take a step away from Respironics this time - every machine I've owned since the start - and that's 1999 for me! - has been a Respironics machine with the singular exception of my backup/travel box, a Puritan-Bennett 420e. I was going to bite on a Resmed S9 Auto and actually have one in my cart on cpap.com, but the price for that with a heated humidifier is, well, wow! At first I worried that all the machines had gone way up in price, but it seems to only be the Resmed S9. So I will most likely go with a PR System One M-Series. Close to half the price of the S9. (Plus I still have such wonderful feelings for Resmed after the whole MAP pricing thing and banning all their products from the then-still-active auction site).

My biggest personal gripe with the last two Respironics machines I bought was the weird PITA way to fill the humidifier bowls! Both the Auto and M-Series bowls couldn't be sat down while pouring the distilled water in. (I'd always have the bowl in one hand, gallon jug of water in the other, and trying to balance a little funnel on top while pouring; always a joy!) It looks like a more logical fill method on the PR1... Can anyone confirm that for me?

BTW, though I have some coverage for CPAP equipment/supplies, I have purchased all of my stuff with my own funds ever since getting, ummm, "violated" so badly by my neighbor...-care DME way back. Since then all coverage has always been so darn limited to the equipment that they have on the shelf, which is always outdated and the cheapest available. So I buy my own of everything, and that's why price is such a big factor in my decisions.

Thanks!

Jim

[Pugsy]

It looks like a more logical fill method on the PR1... Can anyone confirm that for me?

The PR S1 humidifier tank is extremely easy to fill. There is a little latch that lets one take the top completely off if you want to...though for many months I wasn't aware of it and patiently just poured the water in the little hole at the top. and yes it rests flat on whatever surface you choose.

The S9 tank doesn't come apart (easily by design) unless you get the dishwasher safe tank. Though again...I can usually just pour through the little hole without too much of a mess.

The PR S1 tank is also easier to clean since it comes apart easily. I think you will also like the top mount swivel attachment for the hose to the tank. No more crimped hose out the back of the machine. Minor thing that is worth a lot though I really don't mind the rear attachment that the S9 has.

[jweeks]

Timely thread for me as I am also looking to replace my M-Series Auto. It's been five years so I figure I'd better start looking.

Jim,

I started with a used M-Series BiPAP Auto. It is a wonderful machine, and I still use it for travel and as my backup machine. I bought a new S8 VPAP 25. The ResMed machine is much smoother to breathe from. The M-Series had sharp transitions between inhale and exhale, whereas the ResMed machine was smooth as silk. However, I think the M-Series is better when it comes to handling OSA events. The ResMed simply ramps up the pressure until it maxes out, whereas the M-Series puts out a series of five blasts of air trying to get me to start breathing. I really don't have a favorite, but I use the S8 at home because it is easier to fill the water tank, and I travel with the Respironics machine because the water tank comes apart so I can dry it off before packing the machine.

If I got a new machine, it would be one with an SD card, but I don't know which of the two choices I would make (S9 or PR System One), but I would lean towards the S9 to get the Climateline hose.

-john-

[archangle]

The PR S1 humidifier tank is extremely easy to fill. There is a little latch that lets one take the top completely off if you want to...though for many months I wasn't aware of it and patiently just poured the water in the little hole at the top.

You can actually pour water in quickly without opening the tank once you learn the trick of tilting it so the water gets around the "airlock." Tilt it up so the water doesn't run out the air inlet.

It's sort of hard to visualize, so this may be a better description. Grab the tank in your right hand and pull it out of the machine. With your left hand, grab the other side of the tank. The air inlet will be near your left hand on the left side of the tank under the narrow part of the tank. Tilt the tank to your right such that the air inlet is pointing up and to the left. You can now pour water into the tank through the opening in the top of the tank.

Before you put the machine back into the machine, hold it level and be sure you haven't overfilled it by checking the water level mark. If it's too full, pour some out.

[Pugsy]

You can actually pour water in quickly without opening the tank once you learn the trick of tilting it so the water gets around the "airlock." Tilt it up so the water doesn't run out the air inlet.

That's how I actually did it till I found out the top came off...then I continued to do it that way because I was used to it and it really wasn't a big deal. Only a couple of times did I have a little spill on my bed. I have always filled my tank at bedside. Even now I am using ResMed and it isn't the dishwasher (take apart) tank and I still just pour into the little hole.
No need for a funnel. I do take the tank out of the machine though. My bedding will dry if I make a mess but my machine might fry if I make a mess.

[portiemom]

I had be en using a Respironics for 6 years, with no problems, that said, I did get the Resmed S9 Auto and the breathing (algor) seems to suit my particular breathing patterns better. This bit of noise I hear faintly (have to really concentrate) to hear it on my exhale, seems only to happen when my breaths are short, I extend the exhale longer and it goes away. So for me it helps me to exhale fully. Love my S9 Autoset!!! and heated hose too!!