Remstar v. Remstar M

cmoss · Post by **cmoss** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:54 am

Does anyone know the difference (other than size and weight) between the REMstar and REMstar M CPAP machines?

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bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:55 am

The remstar classic (tank) has been around for a while and proven itself to be a workhorse. The M series is new and doesn't seem (to me anyway) to have all the bugs worked out yet.

Brenda

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:57 am

There have been a few threads on this recently. A good starting point is here:

viewtopic/t17080/M-Series-VS-Tank.html

Basically to sum it up, the M Series has menus that are easier to understand, looks different, shows some more info on the screen, and seems to have a couple issues with data recording. They're both great machines though, and the size is pretty much the same when you throw the humidifier in there. They're almost the same machine. The M Series Auto has a ramp feature that the classic doesn't, but since most of us don't use ramp anyway, whatever.

allend · Post by **allend** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:56 am

There are a few considerations that make the "M" a better machine for me. It is a little smaller but if I go away overnight and leave the humidifier at home the "M" is substantially smaller.

I find the humidifier on the "M" doesn't cause the same dripping that I got from the BiPap Pro 2. There is no condensation at all on 4. Perhaps it's not putting out enough moisture but it sure seems better to me. On 4 I use up a good amount of the water at about 5.5 hours of sleep. If I got 7-8 hours, which I haven't, most of the water would be gone or just a drop left. Ergo, with all the water gone and no leaks, the water must have gone through the tube into my nose. So, I know it's working, my face isn't wet, the Activa mask isn't filled with water and there are no popping sounds. I think the water gets warmer on the "M" because the tank has more surface area touching the heated plate, although the air doesn't feel warmer and heavier, as it did with the BiPap Pro 2. I am curious if anyone else found this too.

There are gaps in the data and Respironics needs to be responsible and fix the card writers out there with firmware changes. I will write the CEO a letter about that this week and we all should. I don't know about missing data on the "TANK".

I noticed that you can better hear the inhalation and exhalation on the "M" which some think is a bad thing. I don't know. Maybe it works better and that's why you hear it.

I am going to my doctor today and I am going to ask him to put me on Auto mode. I could do it myself but I'd rather have them make the decisions. I won't go back to the DME to make the adjustment because I can do it myself, why charge the ins co if unnecessary and one of their RTs uses cologne. How stupid is that?

They do not ship the "M" with the turret connection anymore as that was said to leak. I haven't had any leaks but I but some of the reported leaks were from dripping while inserting the water tank.

If I had to do it again, I'd go with the "M" unless money was tight and I needed a cheap used machine. Remember, they don't come with guarantees.

Allen

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:28 pm

cmoss wrote:Does anyone know the difference (other than size and weight) between the REMstar and REMstar M CPAP machines?

I have a Remstar "Classic" Auto, and I have an M series w/cflex. I really can't say that I like one better than the other.
Some say the M series is louder, but I definitely disagree. I think the M series has an odd oscillating-like sound, and it is definitely a different audio frequency, but *Louder*? ...I say no.

I do like that when you turn on the M series, the heated humidifier will come on instantly, if you desire. On the classic Remstar, you have to turn on the humidifier first, then start the machine with a separate control button. There have been times that I would forget to turn on the humidifier heat, and then I would wake up in the middle of the night realizing there's no (heated) humidity blowing out, and that's a real pain in the @$$!

I like how the humidifier tank is refilled on the classic, better than the M series.
I have to admit that even though the M series is supposed to be new and (cough, cough) improved, it doesn't look as cool as the classic.

But I do like the M series LED display way better, so I guess it all depends on what YOU like.

Regards,
- Vader

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dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 1:03 am

Not having had the opportunity to take an M model apart, I can't comment on its quality compared to the older 'tank' but am willing to offer some obvious points

> The 'tank' was a very well built high quality manufactured box. That possibly was one (important) reason why they needed a new model, in order to compete, they could not keep producing that level of quality and expensive manufacturing. (anyone with a tank, keep it it is worth hanging on to ).

> The tank used a larger but very solid blower & the motherboard was very well laid out but probably bigger than needed allowing for recent electronics advances.

> The M model shifted the power supply outside the main box and that is in line with innovative moves already done by Puritan Bennet with their PB42x series.

> The M is significantly lighter than the 'tank' and that is something people keep asking for.

> There are some people who have been concerned about the different sound that comes from the M series but I am betting most people get used to it. (My wife has this same sound issue with my VPAP III - it doesn't bother me - so I use it when she is away else I use a quieter PB330 )

> Some people have reservations about the M series heated humidifier but as good as the 'tank's one H/H is, it had its own issue where people would pack the whole assembly in the Remstar travel bag, often while it still had water in it & that creates havoc with the bearings in the blower if the water manges to get to them. I am not certain but I believe this is harder to do with the new M series.

Just 0.2 cents worth

DSM

Snooter · Post by **Snooter** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:56 pm

I don't own a "tank" but know people that have them. My main complaints about my M so far are.

1) The power supply cableing is a mess. Should be just one cable from the P/S to the machine. Actually it would be better if you just somehow plug it in.

2) The display should light up (mine doesn't) and the controls should be dimable. They can be pretty bright if you are in a dark room.

3) Sound is not to bad.

4) The ramp feature should come on automatcally when you put on your mask (or at least allow you to program it as such) It's not that important to me since my lower limit is pretty low, but if it where say 10cmH2O then there would be a problem.

Snooter.

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Vader · Post by **Vader** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:02 pm

blarg wrote: The M Series Auto has a ramp feature that the classic doesn't, but since most of us don't use ramp anyway, whatever.

I've never heard of a classic without the ramp.(I'm not saying they don't exist) I've had two, and they have ramps.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:51 pm

Vader, the Classic does have a ramp, but only in cpap mode.

In the auto mode, if you hit the ramp buttom, the machine goes down to the lowest pressure in your range. But you can't set a "ramp" time in auto.

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:56 pm

Linda3032 wrote:Vader, the Classic does have a ramp, but only in cpap mode.

In the auto mode, if you hit the ramp buttom, the machine goes down to the lowest pressure in your range. But you can't set a "ramp" time in auto.

Whoops! I forgot about that. Thanks for refreshing my (poor) memory.

dudley_doright · Post by **dudley_doright** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 6:20 am

I a new member and just got diagnosed with Apnea, mild mind you but it still an issue. I have a question for those who use the Respironics M series Pro with C-Flex. Does anyone actually use the data that are saved in the memory card? Reason I asked is that I have a choice to get the Plus or the Pro and this is the only difference. Should I cough up the extra $100 for the memory card?
Also, I was told that the unit that I will be getting comes with any mask that I will choose and by looking at the cost of these mask - I think the salesman should be wearing these mask because I think this is robbery.
I was wondering if I should buy the machine and mask somewhere else. Your thought?

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 6:38 am

Hi Dudley
Welcome to our forum.
Best place for you to start is to click the yellow light bulb at the top of our page. There you will find lots to read and good clear answers to more questions than you even know to ask yet.
Lots of people like to look at the data to determine how the therapy is going. I, for one, would have found it difficult to convince myself to continue if I had not had the proof that the apnea was controlled to normal levels. Some people have a tough time adjusting all the variables to cpap therapy to get all of it working well. The auto machines can be programmed to straight cpap or the amazing (to me) auto-pap. If you consider that your sleep study was at best a snapshot of 4 hours or so of your sleep patterns, you can see that having an auto to map your sleep at home night after night may give a more accurate image over time of how you are doing.
Some people find it cheaper than insurance and local medical equipment providers to buy online. There are many issues to contemplate. Please read some more and feel free to ask questions. You have found the best place to get answers. There are so many members here who can help, no matter what your questions are.
Good luck to you. See you soon, I hope.
Catnapper

dudley_doright · Post by **dudley_doright** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 4:45 pm

Hey Catnapper,
Thanks for the insight. I will be reading more and do more search for questions that I may have.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 5:14 pm

Dudley, if you are buying out-of-pocket, then check out cpap.com prices.

The Pro is better than the Plus in the event that you might want to buy the software and cardreader to monitor your own therapy. Because someday, you might feel like crap and your doctor can't offer any valid suggestions. With the software, you can see if you are still having apneas, or mouth breathing, etc.

Good Luck.

Remstar v. Remstar M

Remstar v. Remstar M

Which is better...

Re: Remstar v. Remstar M

Hello everyone.

dudley

Thank you

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