New machine rumors?

[HairyReasoner]

My DME said something to indicate there may be early rumblings from Phillips Respironics of a new machine in the works. I'd presume either an updated Dreamstation or a successor. However, she didn't know anything about when or what, or necessarily even if.

Has anybody heard rumors about a new machine? Any thoughts on how it would be different? I'm looking at buying a Dreamstation, but would be a bit concerned to buy it and have it immediately discontinued since I know that starts the clock ticking on parts availability.

How long are parts and supplies (i.e. humidifier tanks, filters, etc.) typically available after a product is discontinued?

[Dog Slobber]

If your DME is suggesting they have heard rumours they are probably full of crap.


They are still selling humidifiers for System Ones, M Series, REMStars, and Sleep Easys. Parts are available for a looooooooog time.

If you wait for these alleged rumoured machines and get one out of the gates, are you prepared to use a machine that is not yet (or ever) compatible with OSCAR?

[HairyReasoner]

If your DME is suggesting they have heard rumours they are probably full of crap.


They are still selling humidifiers for System Ones, M Series, REMStars, and Sleep Easys. Parts are available for a looooooooog time.

If you wait for these alleged rumoured machines and get one out of the gates, are you prepared to use a machine that is not yet (or ever) compatible with OSCAR?

Yes, I would be concerned about the Oscar thing. I currently use Sleepyhead, and will probably upgrade to Oscar at some point. That makes me think of getting one now.

The main thing that might make me wait is that this is the worst time of year for me to buy using my insurance. Insurance requires me to rent the machine for 13 months, and after satisfying the compliance requirements, those 13 payments count as my portion of the purchase price of the machine. They won't let me pay for it in one payment. It seems I always have to buy in the middle of the year, so my payments spread across two years, and therefore two deductibles have to be satisfied before insurance pays. If I can wait until January when my deductible starts over, 12 of my 13 payments will count toward one deductible.

[Sheriff Buford]

As was stated, you really don't have to buy "machine parts" except for the humidifier. Also, I'd be hesitant to buy a machine from the git-go.... because of issues they may have. I'd prefer to get a machine that has the kinks worked out.

Sheriff

[chunkyfrog]

Experience has told us that dealers are full of hot air. (Or even nastier stuff)
Respironics generally releases new models a bit after Resmed does theirs.
Resmed hs not "dropped their shoe", so it would be fair to wait for them
before a similar move by Respironics.
Current economic climate may add a year or two to upcoming innovations.
On the topic of innovations, I would expect manufacturers to address
their own interests before those of the end user.
Any major changes on new models may be those we will not like.

[HairyReasoner]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Is there a typical product cycle like car manufacturers have where every x number of years a new model typically comes out? I realize that, as was pointed out, with the unusual times we are in that cycle may be disrupted.

[HairyReasoner]

If your DME is suggesting they have heard rumours they are probably full of crap.


They are still selling humidifiers for System Ones, M Series, REMStars, and Sleep Easys. Parts are available for a looooooooog time.

If you wait for these alleged rumoured machines and get one out of the gates, are you prepared to use a machine that is not yet (or ever) compatible with OSCAR?

I've actually broken my old M-series out of storage, and am currently using it since my System One stopped running the humidifier. Noisy as heck, with some kind of higher pitched whine that goes up and down with my breathing (don't know if bearing noise or leaking seal), but at least the heated humidifier works and the LCD screen is clear. And it seems to work well other than the noise. However, it seems the humidifier tanks are pretty hard to find (it uses the R3 version). They are listed as discontinued on most online Cpap supply companies.

My DME says they can't even get the humidifiers for my System One anymore, but it does seem those (and tanks for them) are readily available online.

[chunkyfrog]

Your DME probably wants to sell you the whole shebang--for a very high profit!
Unless insurance kicks in, you might be better off with an online dealer,
like cpap.com, the sponsor of this forum.

[palerider]

If the humidifier of your system one machine (either 50 or 60 series) quit working, read this:
viewtopic/t102275/Fix-Respironics-Syste ... blems.html

[Dog Slobber]

My DME says they can't even get the humidifiers for my System One anymore, but it does seem those (and tanks for them) are readily available online.

My DME won't get the humidifiers for my System One anymore, but it does seem those (and tanks for them) are readily available online.

Fixed

https://www.cpap.com/plp/philips-respir ... 0yNzUmYj0x

[HairyReasoner]

Your DME probably wants to sell you the whole shebang--for a very high profit!
Unless insurance kicks in, you might be better off with an online dealer,
like cpap.com, the sponsor of this forum.

My DME has quoted me 13 monthly payments of about $61 and some cents, or about $800 total, including sales tax for the Dreamstation DSX700T11. If I meet the deductible on my insurance before I finish paying it off, my payments will drop down to about 20 percent of that $61. The best price I'm seeing online so far is a little over $1100 plus tax.

The problem is if I buy it right now in the middle of the year, my payments will stretch across 2 years and be applied against 2 deductibles, so I'd be pretty much assured of having to pay the whole $800. If I can wait until January, 12 of the 13 payments will apply against one deductible, and it's more likely I'll get help from insurance. But, I have to stick with my really noisy old M-series CPAP until then (if it keeps going that long). I think I'll be ready to get a bipap back by then. I'd forgotten how much extra air I ingest when I'm on CPAP instead.

[HairyReasoner]

If the humidifier of your system one machine (either 50 or 60 series) quit working, read this:
viewtopic/t102275/Fix-Respironics-Syste ... blems.html

Thanks for pointing me to it. Since I first posted I did go into my DME and hooked another humidfier into the unit. I still got the flashing blue LED. So, it appears the problem is in the machine instead of the humidifier. Mine is one of the 6 pin setups, whereas the instructions are with a 4 pin machine. But I'd bet it could still be the problem

Right now I'm unsure about tearing it apart to work on it because I'm kind of depending on it for a backup if my old M-series (with working humidifier) happens to stop working. A bipap without a humidifier would still be better than no pressure therapy at all. The display on the System One is also going, so it may be time for a new machine anyway. However, once I have the new machine I may try the fix. I'd have nothing to lose, and if it works it could become my new backup machine.

[HairyReasoner]

My DME says they can't even get the humidifiers for my System One anymore, but it does seem those (and tanks for them) are readily available online.

My DME won't get the humidifiers for my System One anymore, but it does seem those (and tanks for them) are readily available online.

Fixed

https://www.cpap.com/plp/philips-respir ... 0yNzUmYj0x

You're right. It's hard to believe they can't get them when I could find one online for $129--probably less than it would cost to have the unit repaired by Phillips Respironics (which was the only option they could give me).

[palerider]

If the humidifier of your system one machine (either 50 or 60 series) quit working, read this:
viewtopic/t102275/Fix-Respironics-Syste ... blems.html

Thanks for pointing me to it. Since I first posted I did go into my DME and hooked another humidfier into the unit. I still got the flashing blue LED. So, it appears the problem is in the machine instead of the humidifier. Mine is one of the 6 pin setups, whereas the instructions are with a 4 pin machine. But I'd bet it could still be the problem

Both the 50 series and 60 series machines had the same design defect.

Right now I'm unsure about tearing it apart to work on it because I'm kind of depending on it for a backup if my old M-series (with working humidifier) happens to stop working. A bipap without a humidifier would still be better than no pressure therapy at all. The display on the System One is also going, so it may be time for a new machine anyway. However, once I have the new machine I may try the fix. I'd have nothing to lose, and if it works it could become my new backup machine.

It's not at all hard to open, just follow the instructions, and use a T15 torx drivers.

[HairyReasoner]

If the humidifier of your system one machine (either 50 or 60 series) quit working, read this:
viewtopic/t102275/Fix-Respironics-Syste ... blems.html

Thanks for pointing me to it. Since I first posted I did go into my DME and hooked another humidfier into the unit. I still got the flashing blue LED. So, it appears the problem is in the machine instead of the humidifier. Mine is one of the 6 pin setups, whereas the instructions are with a 4 pin machine. But I'd bet it could still be the problem

Both the 50 series and 60 series machines had the same design defect.

Right now I'm unsure about tearing it apart to work on it because I'm kind of depending on it for a backup if my old M-series (with working humidifier) happens to stop working. A bipap without a humidifier would still be better than no pressure therapy at all. The display on the System One is also going, so it may be time for a new machine anyway. However, once I have the new machine I may try the fix. I'd have nothing to lose, and if it works it could become my new backup machine.

It's not at all hard to open, just follow the instructions, and use a T15 torx drivers.

Guess I'll have to go buy a Torx 15 and a soldering gun and have at it!