ResMed Air Mini - Initial Impressions

[southerndoc]

I finally got home from work and was able to open my ResMed Air Mini.

First impression is this thing is going to be a welcome addition to my travel schedule. It's incredibly small (about the size of my iPhone 7 Plus, but thicker of course) and it's very lightweight. In fact, I worry about this thing falling off a night stand. When everything is packaged in the travel case, it's still very light -- much lighter than my AirSense 10. It's very quiet (about the same as my AirSense 10). The mask seems to make more noise than the machine does.

It requires a special mask that accommodates the humidifier filter. They have the HumidX and HumidX Plus filters. The plus filters are for low humidity/high altitude environments. Regular is for medium to high humidity environments.

Setting up was easy. It came preconfigured, but I tinkered with the settings a bit as my prescription is old and I've used SleepyHead data to fine tune things. You have to download an iOS/Android app to set it up. I had already downloaded the app and accepted the terms, which meant I had to delete and reinstall it. When you first open the app, you hold down the ResMed and Mini icons for 3 seconds. It then enters into clinician mode and you accept the terms. After you make your adjustments, you exit out. From there it goes to the regular Mini app menu. I'm not sure how to get back to the clinician menu without deleting the app first. I'm sure there is a better way, but I haven't found it yet.

Below are photos:


ResMed Air Mini with the P10 mask (I purchased an extra)


Travel Case


Unboxing


Not much bigger than an LED night light


Soft case that comes with it


Power adapter (no brick, just a large plug)


Instructions from the P10 mask kit


HumidX and HumidX Plus filters


HumidX filter in the hose


All connected


Clinician menu

IMG_1357 by southerndoc, on Flickr
Video (for amount of noise)

[southerndoc]

Just found out ResMed offers a mount to mount the Air Mini on a bedrail.

http://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/su ... ystem.html

[Gerald?]

Be very interested to know what level of data you can get out of it with no SD card.

Is there a file you can export or something similar so you can you get the same level as the AirSense 10?

[Holden4th]

I finally got home from work and was able to open my ResMed Air Mini.

First impression is this thing is going to be a welcome addition to my travel schedule. It's incredibly small (about the size of my iPhone 7 Plus, but thicker of course) and it's very lightweight. In fact, I worry about this thing falling off a night stand. When everything is packaged in the travel case, it's still very light -- much lighter than my AirSense 10. It's very quiet (about the same as my AirSense 10). The mask seems to make more noise than the machine does.

It requires a special mask that accommodates the humidifier filter. They have the HumidX and HumidX Plus filters. The plus filters are for low humidity/high altitude environments. Regular is for medium to high humidity environments.

Setting up was easy. It came preconfigured, but I tinkered with the settings a bit as my prescription is old and I've used SleepyHead data to fine tune things. You have to download an iOS/Android app to set it up. I had already downloaded the app and accepted the terms, which meant I had to delete and reinstall it. When you first open the app, you hold down the ResMed and Mini icons for 3 seconds. It then enters into clinician mode and you accept the terms. After you make your adjustments, you exit out. From there it goes to the regular Mini app menu. I'm not sure how to get back to the clinician menu without deleting the app first. I'm sure there is a better way, but I haven't found it yet.

If you have to have a special mask then this is not worth buying as we all know how important and personal the correct mask is CPAP users. That said, if you don't need the humidifier will a standard mask fit the machine? If not then it's basically a waste of time.

[Guest]

Excellent report doc. What was the final cost for all of this?

[southerndoc]

$1300 with extra mask kit, extra filters and case.

If you have to use a different mask, then this unit isn't for you. You can use it without the filter, but I don't think you can use it without their mask. The connector is different for mask attachment and I don't think a standard hose will plug into the machine.

Luckily I already use the P10 with my AirSense 10.

[Hannibal 2]

$1300 with extra mask kit, extra filters and case.

If you have to use a different mask, then this unit isn't for you. You can use it without the filter, but I don't think you can use it without their mask. The connector is different for mask attachment and I don't think a standard hose will plug into the machine.

Luckily I already use the P10 with my AirSense 10.

Thanks for sharing, I was interested to know how big the power supply was, pleased to see it's not too large.

Apparently you can use one of three masks but the humidifier device doesn't work with the F20 at the moment. So if my existing F20 will fit, why wouldn't any other mask provided you don't need the humidifier?

[levman]

Thanks for the detailed report. Is the noise level when using the Air Mini any different from your home machine once you've got the mask on and are using it? Specifically, any motor whining sound when breathing in/out, or any sound of the air rattling in the tube (the "Darth Vader" sound) beyond what you experience with your regular machine? These are the problems that the Transcend and Z1 have - both machines have relatively low decibel ratings yet have these annoying issues.

[Hannibal 2]

Thanks for the detailed report. Is the noise level when using the Air Mini any different from your home machine once you've got the mask on and are using it? Specifically, any motor whining sound when breathing in/out, or any sound of the air rattling in the tube (the "Darth Vader" sound) beyond what you experience with your regular machine? These are the problems that the Transcend and Z1 have - both machines have relatively low decibel ratings yet have these annoying issues.

He said it's as quiet as his AirSense.

[southerndoc]

I didn't sleep with it, so I wasn't lying down when I was breathing through the mask. Not sure if the Darth Vader type breathing occurs with lying down. I'll get a chance to use it tomorrow night when I travel.

The mask connector has a proprietary connector (see picture). The hose seems a different configuration than other models, so I think you have to have a specific hose to hook it up to the Air Mini. That specific hose has the spot for the humidifier. The top of the humidifier "chamber" is permanently attached to the mask. In other words, the specific mask is required because it's the top of the humidifier chamber, which is built into the hose. Without the top of the humidifier chamber, you cannot hook up a mask (unless you somehow engineer something).

If you can find a mask that you can sleep with that's compatible with the Air Mini, I don't foresee changing it often. I usually change masks every 1-2 months depending on wear. That's more frequently than most people. I don't see myself changing the travel mask more than once per year as I won't be using it daily. Perhaps every 60-90 nights?

Regarding the noise, it may be slightly louder than the AirSense 10 but not by much. It was difficult for me to judge them as I didn't have them side by side. Maybe I can convince my wife (a RSPGT) to help me with a study by wearing a mask for my AirSense 10 and comparing. I use the P10 normally, and the air coming out of it is almost as loud as the air coming out of the Air Mini.

[southerndoc]

Be very interested to know what level of data you can get out of it with no SD card.

Is there a file you can export or something similar so you can you get the same level as the AirSense 10?

Looks like the only data is with ResMed's app (the summary information available for the past week). There doesn't appear to be a way to download data. Would like to sync it with SleepyHead to see if it functions just as well as my AirSense 10.

[levman]

He said it's as quiet as his AirSense.

I know what he said. I am asking for more specifics, because I've personally experienced the challenges that these mini travel machines have had, and I want to be as certain as I can be before dropping $1,000 on a new travel machine. The Transcend (and I assume the Z1, but I've not personally used one) doesn't sound annoyingly loud either until you've donned the mask and start paying attention to your breathing, and especially once the ramp feature has completed. With the Transcend at least, the Darth Vader noise sneaks up on you once its ramped up to full pressure.

[southerndoc]

He said it's as quiet as his AirSense.

I know what he said. I am asking for more specifics, because I've personally experienced the challenges that these mini travel machines have had, and I want to be as certain as I can be before dropping $1,000 on a new travel machine. The Transcend (and I assume the Z1, but I've not personally used one) doesn't sound annoyingly loud either until you've donned the mask and start paying attention to your breathing, and especially once the ramp feature has completed. With the Transcend at least, the Darth Vader noise sneaks up on you once its ramped up to full pressure.

I *think* CPAPSupplyUSA.com has a 30-day money back guarantee. I was able to get the mount attachment for free because of points (1 point = $1, I got 130 points with this purchase). Going to order some extra filters (for free!).

I think the mount might be a requirement. This thing is so light I can see it flying off a nightstand. Either place it in the drawer or use the mount to attach it to the bed rail or the option to hang it from the drawer of a nightstand.

[levman]

I didn't sleep with it, so I wasn't lying down when I was breathing through the mask. Not sure if the Darth Vader type breathing occurs with lying down. I'll get a chance to use it tomorrow night when I travel.

Regarding the noise, it may be slightly louder than the AirSense 10 but not by much. It was difficult for me to judge them as I didn't have them side by side. Maybe I can convince my wife (a RSPGT) to help me with a study by wearing a mask for my AirSense 10 and comparing. I use the P10 normally, and the air coming out of it is almost as loud as the air coming out of the Air Mini.

Thank you, I look forward to hearing back after you've slept with the device. If it has the Darth Vader problem, I think you'll notice it pretty quickly once you are lying down and trying to sleep - particularly if you are still awake when the ramp is completed - its pretty obvious on the Transcend. I'm hoping that it doesn't!

[levman]

I think the mount might be a requirement. This thing is so light I can see it flying off a nightstand. Either place it in the drawer or use the mount to attach it to the bed rail or the option to hang it from the drawer of a nightstand.

Another option is to use a tube management clip, clipped to the lamp shade, to isolate the CPAP from any tugging - that's what I do when I travel - though occasionally I pull on the hose too much and the Velcro comes undone.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tube-h ... -clip.html

Edit: I just looked at the manual for the mount system - looks like a great solution!