Travel machines

[lliann]

Thinking of getting a travel machine. Any strong feelings about one vs others? I was thinking one of the dreamstations? But looking for personal experience. Thanks.

[ChicagoGranny]

1. Why do you want a travel machine?

2. Under what conditions will you be using it?

[hobbs]

Resmed S8 or S9.

[LSAT]

Time Travel???

[snuzyQ]

Gee whiz...it's so easy just to pack your own machine. Why is a travel machine necessary? Were you thinking of a backpacking trip into the wilderness or camping? Hubby and I even use our regular CPAPs in our RV and they fit just fine. The nice part about flying is the CPAP bag isn't counted as a carry-on piece, so you can still pack your laptop with you - or purse - or whatever.

I've heard that the travel CPAPs are quite noisy, too. That would kind of do away with a nice vacation.

[Scluvsrain]

I was thinking about getting a travel machine as well, as I travel close to half the year. I had thought it could also double as a backup.

But I, too, have read about some of them being pretty noisy. That won’t do, as some of my travels involve sleeping in the same room with others.


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[zoocrewphoto]

My primary machine is a Resmed s9 autoset. My backup / travel machine is also a Resmed s9 autoset.

Most travel machines are louder and don't use a humidifier. They really aren't that much smaller, either. So, I would rather sleep with the same machine type everywhere I go. The only reason I use the backup machine for travel is so that when I get home, usually late and tired, I don't have to set up my machine. My home machine is still there waiting for me.

Since I have a complete backup set up with hose and mask, it is always ready for travel or emergency. And I have a backup of everything in case something breaks.

[bierhere]

My experience so far. My primary machine is a Resmed Airsense 10 APAP. I bought a ResMed Air Mini since I travel a bit.

1. The machine is quite a bit smaller. I can basically pack the machine, tubing, power cord and mask in a large toiletry case. Everything fits nicely in the extra pocket of my oversized laptop backpack. S10 fits too, but it takes up twice as much space and is quite a bit heavier, and its not as protected as AirMini which has slim hard case.
2. Personally, I don't notice the noise, but the lack of a humidifier has been/continues to be an issue for me. Since I use a full face, I can't use the HumidX system. I have played with the hoses to add an HME, but it doesn't seem to help that much. My sleep definitely suffers.
3. When my trips are 1-3, I'll generally still take the travel machine, but my sleep suffers
4. Travel machine is better for use on overnight flights to Europe/Asia. Smaller, easier, less battery usage.
5. Use my travel machine when I camp with boy scouts, smaller easier, less weight
6. Over 4 days, I take my full size machine with me. If long trip, might actually take both, one for plane, one for hotel.

In the end, not sure it was worth it, but for really short trips, I do appreciate the size difference.

[Scluvsrain]

I don’t use the humidifier on my Resmed Airsense 10. So a travel mini without that would not impact me in any way.


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[SlackerInc]

I just went on a weeklong trip for the first time since I got my machine (a Philips DreamStation) and it was fine to use in the hotel. But what I would like to have is one I could use in the car, as I get sleepy while riding. Is there anything like that?

[zoocrewphoto]

I just went on a weeklong trip for the first time since I got my machine (a Philips DreamStation) and it was fine to use in the hotel. But what I would like to have is one I could use in the car, as I get sleepy while riding. Is there anything like that?

Just get an inverter with an AC outlet. It plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car, and then you run your machine, or laptop, or whatever while the car is running. My minivan is 20 years old. No CD player, radio goes in and out of stereo, and the tape player died (so no more converter from the ipod). I bought an ihome which is a speaker system for an ipod. It is velcroed onto my dashboard in the middle (doesn't block my view, but is close enough that I can turn it off and on, and adjust volume. I use the cord for the ipod so that it is not up blocking my view. It runs off AC, so it is plugged into the inverter. That's how I get my music for long drives. You can find an inverter for $20-40 depending on how many outlets you want.

This is the one I have. $28 free shipping. I picked it because the AC outlets are spread out a little, and most of my items have larger plugs. So, I can still use two outlets at the same time.
https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Inverter- ... +usb+ac+dc

[happybreather]

I use my ResMed S9 Adapt as my travel machine, without the humidifier. I briefly had a small travel machine (Transcend), and it was sort of a problem. It is small, light weight, and squirley. Easily fell off the night stand with the slightest movement of the air hose. The S9 is a much better choice, because the blower and the humidifier separate into two different pieces. The main unit has enough weight that it is stable on the nightstand.

[CapnLoki]

I just went on a weeklong trip for the first time since I got my machine (a Philips DreamStation) and it was fine to use in the hotel. But what I would like to have is one I could use in the car, as I get sleepy while riding. Is there anything like that?

Just get an inverter with an AC outlet. It plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car, and then you run your machine, or laptop, or whatever while the car is running. My minivan is 20 years old. ...

This is a reasonable approach - if the car is running a passenger can run a cpap on an inverter plugged into the cigarette socket. If you're using humidity it might be better to use a DC cable or converter, since you might be getting close to the the fuse size of the socket on an older or smaller car. A cpap (and especially the humidifier) will put a modest load on the alternator and belt; this shouldn't be too much for a newer car but you should always make sure your alternator and belt is on good shape before a trip.

If you're tempted to pull over and sleep with the cpap. it would be better to use a second battery to ensure the car start when you're continuing the trip!

[Stom]

I use my ResMed S9 Adapt as my travel machine, without the humidifier. I briefly had a small travel machine (Transcend), and it was sort of a problem. It is small, light weight, and squirley. Easily fell off the night stand with the slightest movement of the air hose. The S9 is a much better choice, because the blower and the humidifier separate into two different pieces. The main unit has enough weight that it is stable on the nightstand.

The transcend still has an odd form factor and the case is still based on the idea that you will strap it on to your head even though transcend has abandoned the straps that allow you do do that. Probably time for them to update to a more practical shape that doesn't waste space with a curved bottom and strap lugs meant for head mounting.

[Amany55]

I have Resmed airsense 10 for her as my primary machine at home. I got the airmini for travel and as a backup. It is small compact and I got the hard shell small bag for it. It fits in my laptop bag easily without taking a space or adding weight. I got for it the pillow mask with the small humidifier disks. It is very comfortable to use. I agree with all that it is noisier. I try to cover the noise with sleep music and it works with me. The other issue was that the straps were leaving marks on my face and I used a hair band to cover my mouth and underneath the straps to avoid these marks. That worked too. The humidifier disks pulls on the mask to press on skin even if it is not tight at all.