M series Vote Yes or No

adjusting · Post by **adjusting** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:41 pm

I will be getting a new Respironics BiPap Auto with BiFlex machine/heated humidifier soon. I gave the prescription to a DME today. They are verifying my insurance and will call me in a day or two. I asked him about the M series or the larger model. He says he likes the larger model better, but I noticed on cpap.com that more people get the M series than the larger model.

What do you all think is the better machine.
It probably doesn't matter all that much to me, but the M series does look cute. I travel only a few times a year.

By the way, the DME said he will look into trying to get the software for me since it is no longer available at cpap.com. Has anyone had any luck getting the software and card reader for the above machine? I'm running Vista on my computer. It sure would be nice to know how well this therapy works for me.

andyomega · Post by **andyomega** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:03 pm

Remstar M series? I love mine !
Its SO MUCH smaller and quieter than the old monster they gave me 2 years ago.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:09 pm

Some of us have to have the latest and ?? greatest. Some have to have the best, That's what I got, No water leaks, no software days off, and harder to pull off the table. Not that I would do that. Jim

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:14 pm

I have both. The older "classic" BiPAP Auto is much quieter than the "M", if that makes any difference to you. It can be luck of the draw as to what sound any cpap machine makes, but I do believe there's a better chance of "drawing" a quiet pre-M model out of the pile than pulling out an M that would be quieter. Both are good machines, though.

I also prefer the integrated humidifier for the pre-M machines. When I use the M, I don't even bother with its integrated humidifier. I use a standalone F&P humidifier with the M.

Check your private messages, adjusting. I just now sent you one. (Button at top right of this webpage.)

elliejose · Post by **elliejose** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:20 pm

I have had some problems with my "M". I love the size, weight and the blue light. However, I am tired of losing data; my humidifier runs out of water if I get a good nights sleep; and the changing sound as I inhale and exhale really gets to me. Also the LCD data is worthless. I had decided that I would live with it until my old stand alone humidifier went out and I had to deal with the awful allergy like symptoms I have when the humidifier runs out of water in the night. So I have requested and am supposed to be getting the "Classic" model in place of the M. Just my $.02 worth.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:59 pm

To put this in perspective, I am NOT a Respironics fan, and I'm defintely NOT an M series fan. I think that the M series series was a result of marketability studies, not clinical efficacy studies. And, I admire, Resmed's S8 series most of all, for its superb human factors design as well as its scientific candor and responsibility.

Having said this, I switched from a recalled S8 AutoSet Vantage to Respironics M series Auto and find it to be a WONDERFUL auto-titrating CPAP, as quiet or moreso than my daily Respironics RemStar Auto (Classic), with far better human factors design and convenience, approaching that of the S8 AutoSet Vantage, than does the REMstar Auto (Classic) which I consider to be primitive. I also find the M series humidifier to be convenient and easy to use and effective.

I wish that I responded better to the ResMed autotitrating algorithm since I admire their machine so, but I just don't. I find the M series Auto to be a close second in terms of design and recommend it highly. I use the REMstar Auto (Classic) for daily use because it is effective in the treatment it delivers FOR ME, but is extremely un-travel friendly.

I have NO experience with ANY bi-levels however.

I hope this helps.

Chuck

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:44 am

[quote="adjusting"]I will be getting a new Respironics BiPap Auto with BiFlex machine/heated humidifier soon. I gave the prescription to a DME today. They are verifying my insurance and will call me in a day or two. I asked him about the M series or the larger model. He says he likes the larger model better, but I noticed on cpap.com that more people get the M series than the larger model.

What do you all think is the better machine.
It probably doesn't matter all that much to me, but the M series does look cute. I travel only a few times a year.

By the way, the DME said he will look into trying to get the software for me since it is no longer available at cpap.com. Has anyone had any luck getting the software and card reader for the above machine? I'm running Vista on my computer. It sure would be nice to know how well this therapy works for me.

adjusting · Post by **adjusting** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:56 am

I am learning towards getting the "classic" BiPap Auto with Biflex. I don't really mind the size of the classic, although it would be lighter to have a smaller version to use for travel. The humidifier hookup was also what my DME said he didn't like about the Respironics.

I know DMEs aren't always helpful, but he seemed willing to get me what I want. He uses a bipap himself. He said he likes the ResMed Bipap Auto. He said it has some kind of APR(?) instead of the biflex and that it's easier to use the software for downloading. Now from what I've read the ResMed doesn't provide as much information as Respironics on downloading. It also doesn't seem like I will be able to use the small battery I presently have because ResMed doesn't support a DC connector needed to use the battery. He wasn't sure about comparing the APR(?) to biflex and didn't feel like that was really necessary. Presently I use the ResStar Auto and i absolutely must have the c-flex so I figure I also need the biflex. Any comments on this machine?

I won't be getting another machine for quite a while so this has got to be a good choice. Any suggestions appreciated.

adjusting · Post by **adjusting** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:07 am

i read your post after I posted mine. I'm going to call cpap.com when they open to be sure about using the same battery set up I have now. I'm pretty sure i can use the same battery and 12 volt connector with a bipap as well as I use it now with my RemStar Auto. It's a small battery that I purchased from cpap. I read the directions and it seems like it's for bipaps as well, but thanks for the heads up. I'll let you know what they tell me.

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:22 am

I'd get the classic, or if I did get the M, I'd get a F&P HC150 for the humidifier. The M Series integrated humidifier is very small capacity. Too small for me in fact.

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:05 pm

[quote="blarg"]I'd get the classic, or if I did get the M, I'd get a F&P HC150 for the humidifier. The M Series integrated humidifier is very small capacity. Too small for me in fact.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:58 pm

Yes for the M Series, but I haven't tried the Classic; I'm sure I would like it also. The M Series is smaller, if that interests you, has more up-to-date firmware, and that should interest you, is quiet, although I have no comparison to the Classic, only to the Resmed Vantage, and travels more easily, weight-wise and size-wise than the Classic. Talk about a sentence that runs on too long!

You'll be happy with either. I do think that the M Series is more frail than the classic, but once you get used to its pecularities, especially the humidifier, you'll adapt and be happy with it.

Paul

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 8:57 am

Dear Adjusting,

My response will be of limited value, as I've only had one machine - an M series APAP w/ A-flex. I'm generally very pleased with it. It's probably not as quiet as the "tank", but me and my fiancee both think it's not too noisy at all.

I wanted to comment on the humidifier. I've read complaints here and elsewhere about the small capacity of the humidifier. Some people say it runs out of water before the night is up. That has not been my experience at all. I live in the desert southwest, and we've had extreme heat and extremely low humidity over the last week. My humidifier is set on 3 or 4 (out of 5 max) and I have never used more than 80% of a tank of water in one night.

Because some people run out of water while others do not, I'll bet that the settings are not consistent across machines. I.e., a setting of "3" produces different amounts of humidity on different machines.

I'm guessing the M series humidifier holds roughly 6-8oz of water. To me, that seems like enough moisture to inhale for 8 hours. So if my M series humidifier settings were calibrated differently, I would just try a lower setting until I found the setting that used up slightly less than a full tank of water.

In any event, I guess the unfortunate conclusion is "your mileage may vary."

When I was choosing my machine, it was b/w the Remstar APAP with C-flex and the M series APAP with A-flex. I, too, got the impression from many reviews that user satisfaction was a bit higher with the Remstar "classic tank" than with the M series. But for me, A-flex and portability were very important, hence the M series. For you, A-flex is irrelevant (I think) because you're choosing a BiPaP.

Anyway, good luck! Let us know what machine you get, and how you like it!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:44 am

If I were going to get an autopap (not a bipap auto) I'd choose the Respironics M series REMstar Auto with A-flex. Simply because only the M series Auto has A-Flex. As blarg mentioned, I'd get a Fisher & Paykel HC 150 heated humidifier to use with the M machine. I wouldn't bother using the M humidifier at all. Like Patrick said, the F&P humidifier can be used with any machine.

If I were going to get an auto-titrating bi-level machine, I'd choose the "classic" (older pre-M model) Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex. The integrated heated humidifier for that older model works fine and holds more water than the M series reservoir does.

I have a "classic" BiPAP Auto and the M series BiPAP Auto. The "classic" is much, much quieter than my M. But that may just be luck of the draw.

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:05 am

I can only say that I choose the M Series Auto Bipap over the Remstar Auto Bipap (tank) due to the fact that the M Series Bipap Auto will run off of 12vdc. And that the Remstar Bipap Auto Requires 24vdc . And being as I do a lot of dry camping at Endurance Rides where I do not have AC hook ups.
Except for one Ride in the San Diego County Mountains. And can you imagine running a generator all night and having anywhere from 75 to 250 irrate Endurance Riders that have to get up and ride a horse at O Dark thirty in the morning come pounding on the side of my RV, much less on the side of my head. It wouldn't be too much fun

Also a 12vdc set up will not run a machine and a Humidifier. And neither will the 24vdc set up. You would need to use and inverter. And if you are going to get an inverter you may as well go with a 1000w inverter over the 200w they sell.
I bought the battery pack so I would not have to worry about not having enough power to run my Bipap Auto.

And the Remstar Auto Bipap will only run less than 7 hours according to Cpap.com web page at my settings. and the M Series Auto Bipa will run 14.63 hrshttps://www.cpap.com/productpage/produc ... andbattery

So sorry for being so long winded but my vote is for the M series. If I never went anywhere in my RV. And always had 120vac hook ups than I would have bought the classic Remstar Auto Bipap

M series Vote Yes or No

M series Vote Yes or No

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Re: M series Vote Yes or No

Thanks for your replies

Patrick

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