Which backup machine would you buy?

[JonInSouthDakota]

I have been using a Dreamstation for 3500 hours now and it has been going pretty well. It dawned on me that if I do not have a backup and this one goes belly up, I am in bad shape. I cannot fall asleep without choking and waking myself without my machine. I cannot afford to go to bed without it.

I have found a few used machines:

1) A REMstar PLUS with humidifier and NO C-flex and only has 337 hours on it for 225

2) A REMstar Plus M series WITH C-flex and 3600 hours for 175.00

3) ResMed Autosense S10 autoset with 3600 hours for 325.00

The first machine has a great track record of being very reliable (documented 30,000 hour units) but has no C-flex.

Any thoughts?

[LSAT]

sent you a PM

[juaquin]

If price isn't an issue, I think a travel machine makes a good backup since it's also helpful when traveling. Of course they're harder to find used and not covered by insurance so quite a bit more expensive than picking up a lightly used normal machine.

Personally I bought a Dreamstation Go Auto since it had less noise complaints than the others, works with any mask (unlike the AirMini), and is data-capable with an SD card slot so I can analyze the data in Sleepyhead (no other travel machine currently has that feature). The downside seems to be that the only compatible battery is their own.

[DavidY]

If price isn't an issue, I think a travel machine makes a good backup since it's also helpful when traveling. Of course they're harder to find used and not covered by insurance so quite a bit more expensive than picking up a lightly used normal machine.

Personally I bought a Dreamstation Go Auto since it had less noise complaints than the others, works with any mask (unlike the AirMini), and is data-capable with an SD card slot so I can analyze the data in Sleepyhead (no other travel machine currently has that feature). The downside seems to be that the only compatible battery is their own.

Medistrom Pilot Plus 24 (now reportedly discontinued) is a battery backup for Airsense 10, Airmini, Dreamstation Go etc. Replaced by their "Lite" version.

David

[zoocrewphoto]

If you are happy with your current machine, I would buy the same machine. That way, it will feel the same when you go to use it. You don't want to find out that it sounds different, reacts differently, feels different, etc when you are desperate for sleep. My backup machine is the exact same model as my main machine. I bought it on craigslist for about $200 a couple years ago. I use it when I travel. Even full size machines are not that big for travel, so I see no reason to buy a travel machine that won't use a humidifier (I need one), and they are often louder.

I would probably not go with an older generation model simply because they may be louder, have less (or no) data. Unless you have used one before and know that you are okay with how it sounds, etc. My mom's first machine was really loud and bothered me when we shared a hotel room. Now, we both have the Resmed S9, and we just got back from a 3 week road trip. On one night, I actually checked to the vent to make sure her machine was on. And one morning, she asked if I had used my machine. Um, if you didn't hear anything, you didn't hear me snoring (I'm loud with lots of snorts and gasps, totally quiet with cpap).

If you are not currently happy with your machine, then I would consider all the newer models and see what is most likely to fix what bothers you. Then use the current machine as the backup machine.

[JonInSouthDakota]

Thank you for the great replies. I picked up a barely used S9 Autoset for a great deal so I am covered!

The Dreamstation units are supposedly pretty bulletproof so I will continue using it and have the S9 stored and ready to go.

Two is one and one is none when it comes to CPAP machines. HA!

[ChicagoGranny]

The Dreamstation units are supposedly pretty bulletproof so I will continue using it and have the S9 stored and ready to go.

I recommend using the S9 ASAP for several days to see how the machine works and how your body responds. The two brands do use different algorithms.

[juaquin]

Medistrom Pilot Plus 24 (now reportedly discontinued) is a battery backup for Airsense 10, Airmini, Dreamstation Go etc. Replaced by their "Lite" version.

David

Thanks for the info! Did some research and this is the cable pack needed if it helps anyone: http://medistrom.com/products-pilot24-l ... a-kit.html

It looks like the Dreamstation uses a less common connector so there aren't as many compatible products, but the Medistorm Pilot 24 Lite should work with that cable.

[palerider]

The Dreamstation units are supposedly pretty bulletproof so I will continue using it and have the S9 stored and ready to go.

I recommend using the S9 ASAP for several days to see how the machine works and how your body responds. The two brands do use different algorithms.

He won't want to go back to the dreamstation

[DavidY]

Medistrom Pilot Plus 24 (now reportedly discontinued) is a battery backup for Airsense 10, Airmini, Dreamstation Go etc. Replaced by their "Lite" version.

David

Thanks for the info! Did some research and this is the cable pack needed if it helps anyone: http://medistrom.com/products-pilot24-l ... a-kit.html

It looks like the Dreamstation uses a less common connector so there aren't as many compatible products, but the Medistorm Pilot 24 Lite should work with that cable.

Dreamstation Auto uses the 12 volt version. Weird that the Go version is a 24 volt.

[JonInSouthDakota]

The Dreamstation units are supposedly pretty bulletproof so I will continue using it and have the S9 stored and ready to go.

I recommend using the S9 ASAP for several days to see how the machine works and how your body responds. The two brands do use different algorithms.

He won't want to go back to the dreamstation

The Dreamstation has been a solid machine but with a few quirks. 1) I HATE how bright the screen is with no way to adjust it. It lights up the room. 2) The ultrafine filter clogs up quickly on mine and really affects the resistance on breathe in/out. I quit using the ultrafine and just go with the main filter. 3) Sometimes, I think it doesn't provide enough humidity. I'll peg the machine out on high humidity and heat, with a humidifier running in the room and I still have dry mouth and bloody noses next day. Not every day, but bloody nose couple times per week. *I run on a pressure of 11.5 to 13 nightly.

The unit is pretty darned noisy as well. I run a room fan and it really muffles it quite a bit though.

Other than that, I love it. LOL

[palerider]

The Dreamstation units are supposedly pretty bulletproof so I will continue using it and have the S9 stored and ready to go.

I recommend using the S9 ASAP for several days to see how the machine works and how your body responds. The two brands do use different algorithms.

He won't want to go back to the dreamstation

The Dreamstation has been a solid machine but with a few quirks. 1) I HATE how bright the screen is with no way to adjust it. It lights up the room. 2) The ultrafine filter clogs up quickly on mine and really affects the resistance on breathe in/out. I quit using the ultrafine and just go with the main filter. 3) Sometimes, I think it doesn't provide enough humidity. I'll peg the machine out on high humidity and heat, with a humidifier running in the room and I still have dry mouth and bloody noses next day. Not every day, but bloody nose couple times per week. *I run on a pressure of 11.5 to 13 nightly.

The unit is pretty darned noisy as well. I run a room fan and it really muffles it quite a bit though.

Other than that, I love it. LOL

All things that are better on the Autoset.

[JonInSouthDakota]

The Dreamstation units are supposedly pretty bulletproof so I will continue using it and have the S9 stored and ready to go.

I recommend using the S9 ASAP for several days to see how the machine works and how your body responds. The two brands do use different algorithms.

He won't want to go back to the dreamstation

The Dreamstation has been a solid machine but with a few quirks. 1) I HATE how bright the screen is with no way to adjust it. It lights up the room. 2) The ultrafine filter clogs up quickly on mine and really affects the resistance on breathe in/out. I quit using the ultrafine and just go with the main filter. 3) Sometimes, I think it doesn't provide enough humidity. I'll peg the machine out on high humidity and heat, with a humidifier running in the room and I still have dry mouth and bloody noses next day. Not every day, but bloody nose couple times per week. *I run on a pressure of 11.5 to 13 nightly.

The unit is pretty darned noisy as well. I run a room fan and it really muffles it quite a bit though.

Other than that, I love it. LOL

All things that are better on the Autoset.

I was just going to stuff the S9 into a closet for when the DS breaks, but I might have to reverse that thinking! HA!

[MapAttack]

I spent months trying to figure out what I wanted, but eventually went with a ResMed S9 with humidifier -- for several reasons:

*Small size / easy to travel with
*Brand -- I have tried Philips machine's but prefer ResMed
*Reputation. I asked around and went to a lot of forums, adn the S9 had the best reputation.

Insurance didn't cover a new second machine, so I bought it at Repap.com.. I may go for something newer next time, but so far so good.