PB-420E Unexpected Surprise

[Snoredog]

Well my new 420E arrived today, going to give it another try (my 3rd 420). This little guy is clearly the smallest of all cpaps. Got it all set up, went through the programming, Silverlining software worked first time (still had it installed on laptop from last 420's several years ago).

I must have lucked out and got a QUIET one!! This little guy comes in the quietest using the same dB meter and settings as checking the others, in fact I had difficulty getting my meter to register at all, it only measures down to 50dB, you can see I had to move it closer than the others just so it would register otherwise the displays only says "LO" when sound pressure drops below 50dB. With some extended sampling, it hovered in the 52-55dB range, clearly quieter than both the Remstar Classic and the new M series. Machine was allowed to run at 20cm (wide open) with hose streatched across the bed straight with a UMFF on the end.

So the 420E wins the quietest noise battle.


Last time I used this little guy it would only run up pressure shortly after turning it on. But this time around I know more about the machine settings and therapy, so I set it up hopefully to avoid my CA events if at all possible, will find out tonight.

I currently have it set to:

Mode=APAP
Initial/Ramp=6.5cm
Pmin=6.5cm
Pmax=14.0cm (giving it some room to run if it wants)
FL=0 (default=1/On, 0=disabled).
A=9.5cm (default is 10cm, command on apnea, anything over 9.5 can cause me to have a cluster of CA's, so I'm going to limit it so it doesn't respond to apnea above 9.5cm pressure).

I do have Ramp setup and available (6.5cm @30 minutes), but probably won't use it.

[DreamStalker]

Well good luck with ... hope it all works out for 'ya. Keep us posted!

[birdshell]

Snoredog, thank you for this!!

I have wondered about the PB 420, as it is small and has the analysis from Silverlining software available. In comparison to the ResMeds and Respironics models, it does have some nice features. I also like the lighter color and small footprint.

Your comparisons and explanations of the machines, complete with photos, are one of your best things. I believe your posting on the cause of the humidifier leaks on the M-Series was very informative and beneficial.

BTW, was there ever any consensus from Respironics on the cause of the leaks? Just wondering, as I have a ResMed.

Keep on comparing, measuring and reporting on the comparisons--it works and helps me (and hopefully others) to understand the machines.

[kteague]

Snoredog,

Hopefully all those with light sleeper partners will see your comparison.

Please help me understand any other differences... For instance, does it have the convenient overnite stats in the window like the ResMed?

And the software... I believe I've seen Respironics data samples reported on here where there are indications of probable centrals. That's not available on ResMed's data, correct? Since you said you'll be checking for centrals, is this machine's reporting similar to Respironics or does it have advantages?

Just curious. Taking notes for when I do one day upgrade.

Kathy

[Snoredog]

[quote="kteague"]Snoredog,

Hopefully all those with light sleeper partners will see your comparison.

Please help me understand any other differences... For instance, does it have the convenient overnite stats in the window like the ResMed?

And the software... I believe I've seen Respironics data samples reported on here where there are indications of probable centrals. That's not available on ResMed's data, correct? Since you said you'll be checking for centrals, is this machine's reporting similar to Respironics or does it have advantages?

Just curious. Taking notes for when I do one day upgrade.

Kathy

[Wulfman]

Snoredog,

How many nights of data will it store?
Also, the "real time" monitoring.......does that mean that if you had it hooked up to a computer, it would keep streaming data to the computer?

Good luck with it.

Den

[Snoredog]

Snoredog,

How many nights of data will it store?
Also, the "real time" monitoring.......does that mean that if you had it hooked up to a computer, it would keep streaming data to the computer?

Good luck with it.

Den

It will retain 200 night's worth of session data in memory according to the manual. Yes, if hooked to the computer it will capture real time data to a file on the computer and display it on the screen. I'd put a snapshot up, but I only have the software installed on the laptop upstairs and not on this one.

[Wulfman]

Thanks. That's a lot of data storage.
Too bad that all the good (and optional) features of all the brands of machines couldn't be combined into ONE.

Den (asking too much from the manufacturers)

(Yes, I know.....they're called copyrights and patents)

[xface]

Have they added data storage? It seemed to me that when I tried this one it held the details of the last 96 hours and summaries from before.

[rested gal]

when I tried this one it held the details of the last 96 hours and summaries from before.

Correct. It stores 96 hours of detailed data before the older details are overwritten. If a person were sleeping 8 hours per night, he/she could go twelve nights before the older session's details would drop off. And it holds 200 summary sessions, before it starts over again with a new "session 1."

I've always liked Silverlining's "96 hour graph" and thought it provides the best details of all.

Snoredog, the gods of the Luck of the Draw were smiling on you...giving you a very quiet machine. Cool. The second 420E I got a year or more ago is very quiet too. Unlike the first one I had which made a very noticeable rev up/down sound with every breath. I don't think it's just because you have a newer one now. I still think it's luck of the draw as to what sound any individual machine is going to make, regardless of brand.