ResMed Names

[Raj]

I went to ResMed's Australia/New Zealand site and noticed that the product names for their machines varied from the US site. Does anyone know if the "S8 Autoscore II" and the "S8 Autoset Spirit II" are simply name variations on the S8 Elite II and S8 Autoset II, or are they newer models?

Also, as a matter of pure curiosity, does anyone know if the Elite II and Autoset II are identical machines with different software or are they physically different (even differing chips would count as a physical change)?

Thanks!

[Bluebonnet_Gal]

I don't know which Australian/New Zealand names match which American names. I'm sure someone here knows the answer to that.

As for your second question, the Elite II is not an auto. It's a fully data capable CPAP, but not auto adjusting. The Autoset II is a fully data capable auto adjusting machine.

I'm sure someone else will chime in about your first question!

[Raj]

Bluebonnet, I'm quite aware that the Elite isn't an APAP, but here's my question: is there is an actual physical difference between the two machines or it merely a matter of programming?

[Bluebonnet_Gal]

Bluebonnet, I'm quite aware that the Elite isn't an APAP, but here's my question: is there is an actual physical difference between the two machines or it merely a matter of programming?

I don't understand exactly what you're asking for, the the ResScan software works with both.

[KengEsq]

I went to ResMed's Australia/New Zealand site and noticed that the product names for their machines varied from the US site. Does anyone know if the "S8 Autoscore II" and the "S8 Autoset Spirit II" are simply name variations on the S8 Elite II and S8 Autoset II, or are they newer models?

Also, as a matter of pure curiosity, does anyone know if the Elite II and Autoset II are identical machines with different software or are they physically different (even differing chips would count as a physical change)?

Thanks!

Interesting question for me since I started out using the S8 Elite II and switched to the S8 AutoSet II. The machines appear identical on the outside and the keys and menus work the same (there are more settings and options available with the AutoSet) and both have the same blower motor, noise level and weight. It may be there are mechanical differences or it might be just different software.

[KengEsq]

Oh yes, one more thing. My ResScan software says my S8 AutoSet II is an S8 AutoSet/Spirit II with EPR.

[dsm]

Aust NZ have different model names to the US.

Resmed have obligations (warranty, service etc: ) in the US market as part of getting FDA approval - they decided to colour code and provide different names to the US machines.

Re the Elite & Autoset (II models). In my experience with past Resmed models, they are the same mechanical machines & motherboard inside (that is the models within one group such as USA Elite/Spirit (S7), Elite/Vantage (S8), Elite II/Autoset II (S8 II)) but different software in the rom.

DSM

[Raj]

Thanks, KengEsq and DSM, that's what I suspected. Wouldn't it be nice if ResMed would allow those of us with Elites to upgrade to the autos via software rather than try to obtain an entirely new machine?

[billbolton]

Aust NZ have different model names to the US.

Actually, pretty much the whole of the rest of the world has that same Resmed model names as A/NZ, with US/Canada being the different ones!

Cheers,

Bill

[capers]

Thanks, KengEsq and DSM, that's what I suspected. Wouldn't it be nice if ResMed would allow those of us with Elites to upgrade to the autos via software rather than try to obtain an entirely new machine?

My son has an Autoscore machine (confirmed this with him 30 mins ago) purchased directly from Resmed through one of their clinics. At the time of purchase, he was told that he could upgrade the software to a fully automatic for a licence fee of less than A$150. After two years on the Autoscore, he still feels no need to do that so has not confirmed the offer.

[Slinky]

It seems to me I vaguely remember that the S7s could be upgraded via internal software but it proved to be such a headache that capability was not included in the S8s.

Interestingly, when I attach the S8 ResLink to my VPAP Auto the first thing that pops up on the LCD screen is Update Failed and then it goes thru the recognition process of Found Card, Found Oximeter, Copying Wait and then Ready. Yet in Step 4 of the S8 ResLink Quick SetUp Guide (Software upgrade) it suggestes Upgrading Wait should appear and advice after the upgrade is complete to check that the software version number displayed in the flow generator Servicing menu matches the version number printed on the SmartMedia card label. They don't.

[Raj]

Slinky, just from the results readout on the S8's own screen it's obvious that ResMed hasn't quite got their act together software-wise. No data, indeed. I'm not surprised you're getting that inappropriate error message.

[Slinky]

Oh, its not an error message. And as I said it goes on to detect and recognize the device, card, oximeter, etc. and in the morning it downloads the data just fine to the data card and the data card downloads just fine to the card reader to my 'puter and the ResScan 3.7 software. AND it doesn't drop data one or two nights a month *wicked grin* (unless I forget to put the SmartMedia card back in the S8 ResLink after the download)

I wish I had known or thought to check the internal software version on my S8 Elite. I just checked the internal software version on my S8 AutoSet Vantage (SX3960202). The internal software version on my VPAP Auto is SX4430200. The SmartMedia card is SX116-0312

I'd be interested in knowing the internal software version in a North American VPAP Auto 25 and an Australian or other country VPAP Auto 25. And for those using the S8 ResLink what the SX number on their SmartMedica card is.

Since my Resmed VPAP Auto was the January 2008 release which was outdated by the Resmed VPAP Auto 25 in July 2008 I'm really curious now whether the VPAP Auto could be updated to the VPAP Auto 25 via some type of "software kit". I would think maybe not due to the extra 5 cms of pressure between the two .... still .... curiosity killed the cat.

And I would suspect that maybe outside of North America the VPAP Auto could be, but those devices made for the USA have minor differences due to FDA regulations and quite likely wouldn't be.

Ach! You've opened a can of worms mentioning that software upgrade kit!!! I'm gonna have to dig around about that!!! Can't let sleeping dogs lay when curiosity is killing the cat!!!

[Raj]

Isn't "Update Failed" an error message, Slinky? And one given in error at that. Or do you have a different interpretation? In any case, it's nice that the software winds up working for you. I'd be a bit leery of trying to update your machine's software even if you can obtain a kit to do so. If the update failed for any reason, the machine might lose its original programming including its BIOS, which might make updating impossible and you'd have to send the moribund thing to the factory. A worst-case scenario, I know, but that sort of thing happens all too frequently and I'd hate to see you lose access to something so vital to your health even for a night. If you have an extra machine, however, it might be worth a try.

[billbolton]

Isn't "Update Failed" an error message

Since the situation decsribed occurs when crossing products (S8 and VPAP are completely different product lines), no its not, its just an advisory message.

BTW, an S8 doesn't have a BIOS. Its a process control computing system, not a general purpose computing system.

Cheers,

Bill