Data recording machines--which is best?

[raneyday]

Forgive me if this has been covered before, but I'm asking anyway!
I'm interested in getting a cpap machine with full data recording capability. Which ones are good? And not TOO expensive. Thanks.

[DoriC]

The 2 most popular ones are ResMed S8 Autoset II and the REMstar M Series Auto/Aflex. You can check them both out on https://www.cpap.com.

[Slinky]

The fully data capable Resmeds excel in ease of access to and amount of data available via the LCD screen. The fully data capable Resmeds would be the Elite and the AutoSet. The Escape is NOT fully data capable.

The Respironics are very limited in the amount of data available via the LCD screen and the access to that LCD screen data is more complicated than the Resmed access.

If you intend to also get the software and necessary cable reader many here prefer the Respironics software (also needs a cable reader). However, I found the EncorePro software more tricky to install and use than the Resmed ResScan software. I find the Resmed software data presentation easier to understand but that could quite likely be due to my having used the Resmed software first.

I have no experience w/the new DeVilbiss APAP, the new Fisher & Paykel APAP and the new Covidien PB (Puritan Bennett) APAP so others will have to better discuss them. But Puritan Bennett's previous Silverlining software was preferred by those who have used both Respironics and PB's software and I "think" even Resmed's software.

There are those who say the Resmed software isn't available to patients. It is if you really want it and are determined and innovative in searching for it. The readily available Respironics patient software isn't as comprehensive as their professional software but that is a moot point anyway since the M Series is being phased out and replaced by the new SystemOne series and the software for the SystemOne is currently unavailable but w/patience, determination and innovation if it is available to professionals patients will get access to it. I'm not sure of the situation w/the Fisher & Paykel and Coviden/Puritan Bennett software at this stage. DeVilbiss is making their software readily available to their user patients. They've been monitoring the various apnea support forums and taking heed of what CPAP users are saying they like and want in CPAP capabilities.

[ozij]

Do your best to try before you buy -- even pay for rental. The data capable machines often have some form giving you relief when the pressure drops. Some people respond very well to one kind, and differetnly to the others. I have recently tried both a Respironics -- which I couldn't tolerate because it misinterpreted my breathing, and a Resmed -- which is giving me good treatment. It's not about the right machine, its about the right "machine / person" combination.

O.

[DoriC]

Ozij, could you explain what you mean by the differences you feel in breathing with each machines? We have the M Series and Mike seems to be OK, but I'm always thinking about "that other one". Dori

[jccameron]

I rent the machine so I don't how the cost of buying, but so far I really like the Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle 254 Auto CPAP Machine with Built In Heated Humidifier. I got a copy of the software from another user here (struggled to get it completely working so I would suggest asking for an original CD or spending the money on it if you are not really comfortable installing and playing with software on your PC).

The data is great, the card is a standard USB card that just plugs into your computer USB port, and it immediately sees that is a data card for the Performance Maximizer software and then, boom, you have your data. No problems whatsoever so far with using the software and looking at the data. I've posted my initial charts and data in another posting looking for feedback on the data. You might want to take a look at that.

-jc

[GumbyCT]

THE Best machine is the one which works for you AND you can get the software for. To me getting the data via LCD limits what info is available like the time of day you had your leaks or other events. Seeing that info via a graph is so much more helpful.

In CPAP there is No One Size Fits ALL.

JMMO (Just My Meaningless Opinion)

[Pugsy]

I chose the Respironics because I liked what their software offered. Only thing I miss would be length of the apnea event that ResMed offers. I haven't ever tried a ResMed machine so I don't know how it compares to my M series auto with AFlex but I am quite happy with it and I seem to be doing fairly well with it. I will admit there is a part of me that wishes to try a ResMed but not enough to fork over that much money especially with the software now having to come from Australia.

If I wasn't going to want or use the software (if money was a strong factor) then I would have opted for the ResMed because the data on the LCD screen is more comprehensive.

[ozij]

R

Ozij, could you explain what you mean by the differences you feel in breathing with each machines? We have the M Series and Mike seems to be OK, but I'm always thinking about "that other one". Dori

For me, the Flex in Respironincs machines drops pressure when I'm still in the inhale part -- and on BiLevel shot the pressure up when I was still exhaling. Something in the way I breathe confuse the algorithm. The Resmed's EPR on the other hand feel just right. With EPR on, I can tolerated higher pressures -- that I can't when EPR is offl. Breathing on an S8 II simply feels more natural to me --

O.

[DoriC]

The reason I was asking is that we had to turn off all flex because I finally figured out that hubby's breathing pattern did not match the algorithim. He has a short inhale and a longer exhale so the machine started to increase pressure before he had finished his exhale.(Are you confused?). He seems comfortable on fixed pressure of 12cms with no flex and his data is good, but I always wonder if he would feel even better with some exhale relief that matched his pattern. I know, I know, if it ain't broke.......! Thanks for the input. Dori