My partner has a new M Series Auto w/C-Flex. I have a new REMStar Auto w/ C-Flex. Turns out, we both went thru sleep studies and were both diagnosed with OSA.
His machine, though smaller, sucks. It's noisy, the blue lights are annoying at night and the humidifier is part of the machine (and tiny), so if anything goes wrong with it, you have to return the entire machine to have it repaired. You also can't download data on the M-Series, since the software isn't available. Is this some kind of conspiracy between thw sleep docs and home health providers? I bet they will discontinue the REMStar model soon, huh? I'm thinking about buying an extra REMStar just so I have one on hand when the one I have kicks the bucket. On the other hand, if the REMStar Auto continues to be a best-seller for Respironics, they'd be silly to quit making them.
Just curious as to everyone's thoughts on this.
REMStar vs. M-Series
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Guest
Re: REMStar vs. M-Series
Don't forget the manufacturers! They're the ones who don't give a sh*t about the REAL users.....US. They're the ones who are pulling the software.....which, by the way, is probably more "available" than people realize. It just can't be "SOLD".McKinleyB wrote:My partner has a new M Series Auto w/C-Flex. I have a new REMStar Auto w/ C-Flex. Turns out, we both went thru sleep studies and were both diagnosed with OSA.
His machine, though smaller, sucks. It's noisy, the blue lights are annoying at night and the humidifier is part of the machine (and tiny), so if anything goes wrong with it, you have to return the entire machine to have it repaired. You also can't download data on the M-Series, since the software isn't available. Is this some kind of conspiracy between thw sleep docs and home health providers? I bet they will discontinue the REMStar model soon, huh? I'm thinking about buying an extra REMStar just so I have one on hand when the one I have kicks the bucket. On the other hand, if the REMStar Auto continues to be a best-seller for Respironics, they'd be silly to quit making them.
Just curious as to everyone's thoughts on this.
It never hurts to have a "backup" machine....or two.....
Den
Re: REMStar vs. M-Series
[quote="McKinleyB"]My partner has a new M Series Auto w/C-Flex. I have a new REMStar Auto w/ C-Flex. Turns out, we both went thru sleep studies and were both diagnosed with OSA.
His machine, though smaller, sucks. It's noisy, the blue lights are annoying at night and the humidifier is part of the machine (and tiny), so if anything goes wrong with it, you have to return the entire machine to have it repaired. You also can't download data on the M-Series, since the software isn't available. Is this some kind of conspiracy between thw sleep docs and home health providers? I bet they will discontinue the REMStar model soon, huh? I'm thinking about buying an extra REMStar just so I have one on hand when the one I have kicks the bucket. On the other hand, if the REMStar Auto continues to be a best-seller for Respironics, they'd be silly to quit making them.
Just curious as to everyone's thoughts on this.
His machine, though smaller, sucks. It's noisy, the blue lights are annoying at night and the humidifier is part of the machine (and tiny), so if anything goes wrong with it, you have to return the entire machine to have it repaired. You also can't download data on the M-Series, since the software isn't available. Is this some kind of conspiracy between thw sleep docs and home health providers? I bet they will discontinue the REMStar model soon, huh? I'm thinking about buying an extra REMStar just so I have one on hand when the one I have kicks the bucket. On the other hand, if the REMStar Auto continues to be a best-seller for Respironics, they'd be silly to quit making them.
Just curious as to everyone's thoughts on this.
_________________
| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Compliant since April 2003. (De-cap-itated Aura). |
You have to wonder sometimes how does this company's stock continue to climb when their product is such a dud. I guess the guise incredible profits.
First we are told that in order to obtain good quality sleep, we should sleep in a very dark, cool and quiet environment.
Next, you take a company who has been designing sleep equipment for years and in 2006 where they have the latest technology to assist them in that design such as with CAD/CAM they come out with a machine design that goes completely against the grain of basics of what doctors have been telling us for years to do in order to obtain good sleep.
So about this time in 2006 they come out with a new design that has the delivery hose coming out the back? How stupid is that? Has this company never designed a machine used in the bedroom before?
This machine was made to sit on your night stand, not sit on the floor. So that means the hose has to run to your bed, that means you have to use an elbow or face the ass end of the machine towards the bed. Next they equip it with bright blue LED's on the contoured buttons that completely light up the average bedroom.
Well that wouldn't be so bad had they kept the disable LED option switch feature found on the older Classic machine. But not this company, they add those annoying blue LED's that light up the whole bedroom then eliminate any means of ever disabling them. So much for the room should be dark theory. Just to understand how stupid this design is, they put a plastic cover door over the LCD display which doesn't have any LED to backlight it at all so you can see what is going on when you need it during the night. If you want to know what is being displayed there during the night, you'll need to turn on a light or use a flashlight.
Then there is the noise, this machine while very close to the classic as far as sound pressure measurements go, has a distinct waxing and waning as you breathe in and out as the motor revs up and down. Usually when a company makes a product where noise levels should be a consideration, they try and make them quieter not more noisy.
When you place them side-by-side with their humidifier, you find the new design is actually a larger footprint than the older model was. Sure it is smaller if you separate it from the humidifier platform, but who uses it what way?
At one point, you could say well the new M series now displays AHI/Leak/Pressure information from the LCD display. Now after you own it for a while you learn that feature doesn't really work, it is not even close to being accurate, in fact you are lucky if it gets 5 days in a row of sleep data to make up the 7-day findings. Then they don't separate the HI & AI information so you can see if that score is made up of Hypopnea or apnea information.
When you get right down to it, the only thing positive you can say about that machine is it has the patented C-Flex feature. Without that feature, that machine would be a complete failure. Maybe I'm just looking at it wrong, but tell me what is good about that machine?
It is a bad design, the only way it will ever get changed is when we the final consumer complain about it. That complaining does us no good if you already own the machine, but if they want us as future customers (even though they don't consider us their customers), they better start listening.
First we are told that in order to obtain good quality sleep, we should sleep in a very dark, cool and quiet environment.
Next, you take a company who has been designing sleep equipment for years and in 2006 where they have the latest technology to assist them in that design such as with CAD/CAM they come out with a machine design that goes completely against the grain of basics of what doctors have been telling us for years to do in order to obtain good sleep.
So about this time in 2006 they come out with a new design that has the delivery hose coming out the back? How stupid is that? Has this company never designed a machine used in the bedroom before?
This machine was made to sit on your night stand, not sit on the floor. So that means the hose has to run to your bed, that means you have to use an elbow or face the ass end of the machine towards the bed. Next they equip it with bright blue LED's on the contoured buttons that completely light up the average bedroom.
Well that wouldn't be so bad had they kept the disable LED option switch feature found on the older Classic machine. But not this company, they add those annoying blue LED's that light up the whole bedroom then eliminate any means of ever disabling them. So much for the room should be dark theory. Just to understand how stupid this design is, they put a plastic cover door over the LCD display which doesn't have any LED to backlight it at all so you can see what is going on when you need it during the night. If you want to know what is being displayed there during the night, you'll need to turn on a light or use a flashlight.
Then there is the noise, this machine while very close to the classic as far as sound pressure measurements go, has a distinct waxing and waning as you breathe in and out as the motor revs up and down. Usually when a company makes a product where noise levels should be a consideration, they try and make them quieter not more noisy.
When you place them side-by-side with their humidifier, you find the new design is actually a larger footprint than the older model was. Sure it is smaller if you separate it from the humidifier platform, but who uses it what way?
At one point, you could say well the new M series now displays AHI/Leak/Pressure information from the LCD display. Now after you own it for a while you learn that feature doesn't really work, it is not even close to being accurate, in fact you are lucky if it gets 5 days in a row of sleep data to make up the 7-day findings. Then they don't separate the HI & AI information so you can see if that score is made up of Hypopnea or apnea information.
When you get right down to it, the only thing positive you can say about that machine is it has the patented C-Flex feature. Without that feature, that machine would be a complete failure. Maybe I'm just looking at it wrong, but tell me what is good about that machine?
It is a bad design, the only way it will ever get changed is when we the final consumer complain about it. That complaining does us no good if you already own the machine, but if they want us as future customers (even though they don't consider us their customers), they better start listening.
someday science will catch up to what I'm saying...
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Guest
Although I am a new user, and have little experience with other machines, I am completely satisfied so far. I think its extremely quiet. My wife always asks if the machine is turned on!!! I also have to double check it thinking it shut off by itself!!!
As for the blue lights, Doesn't seem to be a problem for me like others, I kinda like them!
As for the blue lights, Doesn't seem to be a problem for me like others, I kinda like them!
I've never had anything but the one I have now, M Series CPAP, but I like it. Are there things I don't like about it? Sure. But I bet there would be things I didn't like about other machines as well.
The blue lights don't bother me at all, in fact, I like them. I used to use a night light so if I had to get up at night, I wouldn't stumble into anything. Now, these blue lights are my night light!
The humidifier is kinda small and it could be easier to fill, but the fact that it's attached, to me, is a good thing. If it breaks, I'll just remove it from the main machine and get a new one just like it, or replace it with a stand-alone humidifier. You don't have to buy THAT humidifier; there is a stand-alone humidifier that works with many different manufactures' xpap machines.
I like the fact that you can get most of the info you need from the LED screen.
I really don't think it's that noisy. I did at first, but then I might have thought anything was noisy at first. Now, I barely notice it.
I guess machines, like masks in a way, are a "to each his own," type of thing!
Pam
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, CPAP
The blue lights don't bother me at all, in fact, I like them. I used to use a night light so if I had to get up at night, I wouldn't stumble into anything. Now, these blue lights are my night light!
The humidifier is kinda small and it could be easier to fill, but the fact that it's attached, to me, is a good thing. If it breaks, I'll just remove it from the main machine and get a new one just like it, or replace it with a stand-alone humidifier. You don't have to buy THAT humidifier; there is a stand-alone humidifier that works with many different manufactures' xpap machines.
I like the fact that you can get most of the info you need from the LED screen.
I really don't think it's that noisy. I did at first, but then I might have thought anything was noisy at first. Now, I barely notice it.
I guess machines, like masks in a way, are a "to each his own," type of thing!
Pam
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, CPAP
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| Machine: DreamStation 2 Auto CPAP Advanced with Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Oscar Software | APAP: 9-10 |
Hmm, I have an M series bipap on order and am a bit discouraged to read the negatives about this unit. Of course I'm coming from a very old respironics that I've been using for the last 11 years (who knows how old the machine is as I purchased it used). I'd be highly surprised if the new m series is louder than this old machine.
The main reason I purchased the m-series is I was told by the tech people that it was more efficient to run on 12V vs. the legacy series which will run off a 12v battery but has an inverter that inverts the 12v up to 24v that the machine needs to run.
The run times on 12v that the tech people stated for the m series vs the legacy were significantly different. Something along the lines of 7 hours for the legacy and 26 hours for the m-series (m-series runs on straight 12v and there is no inverter loss).
Anywho, hope I'm satisfied with this new machine.
Wayne
The main reason I purchased the m-series is I was told by the tech people that it was more efficient to run on 12V vs. the legacy series which will run off a 12v battery but has an inverter that inverts the 12v up to 24v that the machine needs to run.
The run times on 12v that the tech people stated for the m series vs the legacy were significantly different. Something along the lines of 7 hours for the legacy and 26 hours for the m-series (m-series runs on straight 12v and there is no inverter loss).
Anywho, hope I'm satisfied with this new machine.
Wayne
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painterman
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2007 3:20 pm
- Location: Bay Area, California
I have had great luck with the m-series. I have apap a-flex and since I started using aflex, I have not had any problems with aerophagia. Before that aflex I was using the m-series auto cflex and had a lot of bloating and air swallowing problems. They seem to have left with the use of aflex. Either that or I just got used to cpap but I think it was the use of aflex. I also like the humidifier know that lets you easily change settings. The humidifier tank is nice because it is easy to remove. I remove it everyday and dump out the water then reinsert it into the machine and run the machine on humidifier setting of five (with no water) for about 10 min and it dries everything out. I think they were trying to make a machine that looks more like a clock radio and this is what we got. Overall very happy especially with a-flex. I love it.
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Mark_Ferman
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:41 pm
- Location: Southern, NH
- Contact:
love the one you're with.
I have only had one machine, been with t for 3 months now. I LOVE IT. It is extremely quiet, the little blue lights are almost impossible to see, and I have a facecloth I put over them anyways so I remember to wipe down my mask each morning. IF I didn't have 02 pumping in and the exhaust valve, I wouldn't even know it was on. I love the LED readout (unplug it and hold both arrow keys while you plug it back in and wait for 2 beeps - and a wealth of information is yours without the software). Did I mention when you remove the humidifier (not that hard to do!) it is an awesome travel machine. I love the easy in and out humidifier (especially since I only use it in passover mode and only have to change the water every few days).
Sure, IF I had another machine first I would love it as well, because it is the only one I know. Is anoher machine better? Probably! Is another mask better than the one I have, probably! But ignorance is bliss, for now.
Sure, IF I had another machine first I would love it as well, because it is the only one I know. Is anoher machine better? Probably! Is another mask better than the one I have, probably! But ignorance is bliss, for now.
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| Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: AHI: 0.4 -1.0. Leak rate about 43 lpm. Non-Venting Mask. o2. |
[quote="Wayne02"]Hmm, I have an M series bipap on order and am a bit discouraged to read the negatives about this unit. Of course I'm coming from a very old respironics that I've been using for the last 11 years (who knows how old the machine is as I purchased it used). I'd be highly surprised if the new m series is louder than this old machine.
The main reason I purchased the m-series is I was told by the tech people that it was more efficient to run on 12V vs. the legacy series which will run off a 12v battery but has an inverter that inverts the 12v up to 24v that the machine needs to run.
The run times on 12v that the tech people stated for the m series vs the legacy were significantly different. Something along the lines of 7 hours for the legacy and 26 hours for the m-series (m-series runs on straight 12v and there is no inverter loss).
Anywho, hope I'm satisfied with this new machine.
Wayne
The main reason I purchased the m-series is I was told by the tech people that it was more efficient to run on 12V vs. the legacy series which will run off a 12v battery but has an inverter that inverts the 12v up to 24v that the machine needs to run.
The run times on 12v that the tech people stated for the m series vs the legacy were significantly different. Something along the lines of 7 hours for the legacy and 26 hours for the m-series (m-series runs on straight 12v and there is no inverter loss).
Anywho, hope I'm satisfied with this new machine.
Wayne
someday science will catch up to what I'm saying...
Re: REMStar vs. M-Series
I am currently with Rem Star Plus. You can see my machine’s report here
http://www.sleepapneasymptom.medgrip.com/cpap_mask.html
I like my Rem Star. It is extremely quiet. The problem is – it is not software compatible. Can anyone recommend similar machine (quietness is number one priority, size doesn’t really matter for me) but with software capability.
Thanks.
Sergey.
http://www.sleepapneasymptom.medgrip.com/cpap_mask.html
I like my Rem Star. It is extremely quiet. The problem is – it is not software compatible. Can anyone recommend similar machine (quietness is number one priority, size doesn’t really matter for me) but with software capability.
Thanks.
Sergey.
elliejose wrote:In my opinion, the M-series is no best seller. Wish I had the tank.
I am glad i have the Tank
_________________
| Machine | |
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Don't Bend or Squash, My Aluminum Hat,it keeps them from knowing what I am thinking!
I need more Coffee&Old Bushmills!
"Without Truckdrivers America Stops!"
I'm not always wrong,but I'm not always right!
"Semper Fi"
I need more Coffee&Old Bushmills!
"Without Truckdrivers America Stops!"
I'm not always wrong,but I'm not always right!
"Semper Fi"
How much time are you planning to run on battery?Wayne02 wrote: The main reason I purchased the m-series is I was told by the tech people that it was more efficient to run on 12V vs. the legacy series which will run off a 12v battery but has an inverter that inverts the 12v up to 24v that the machine needs to run.
The run times on 12v that the tech people stated for the m series vs the legacy were significantly different. Something along the lines of 7 hours for the legacy and 26 hours for the m-series (m-series runs on straight 12v and there is no inverter loss).
Anywho, hope I'm satisfied with this new machine.
The "M"agic Auto Bi-PAP, runs on 24 Volts..............................
The "M"agic Plus runs on 12 Volts, and collects no useful data for the smartcard...................................
I wonder what they needed the 24 Volts on the Auto for, the Smart card probable didn't need it. Maybe the motor did. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
I need two nights minimum, three would be better - figure 18 hours for two nights.Goofproof wrote:How much time are you planning to run on battery?
The "M"agic Auto Bi-PAP, runs on 24 Volts..............................
The "M"agic Plus runs on 12 Volts, and collects no useful data for the smartcard...................................
I wonder what they needed the 24 Volts on the Auto for, the Smart card probable didn't need it. Maybe the motor did. Jim
I was told I did not qualify for the "auto" so had to take the other one.