S9 Autoset vs Respironics DS550 - Best Software?

[John Galt]

I am about to order a new and updated APAP. My DME carries the S9 Autoset and the Respironics DS550. I want to get the machine which offers the best software for daily tracking. I currently use an M Series Respironics with the Encore Pro Software, and I don't want a machine which offers me less ability to track my sleep.

I am trying to convince my DME to provide me with the Provider version of software instead of the Consumer version.

I would appreciate any advice on which machine to purchase and on what software to push to receive.

Thanks.

[Janknitz]

Eeny, meeny, miney, mo! It's really a matter of personal preference. They both give data in a clear format and plenty of useful information.

For an example of the PR S1 data (what you are calling Respironics DS550) see this post viewtopic/t54064/Encore-Viewer-2-number ... eless.html

For an example of Resmed Data, see this poste viewtopic/t53970/pls-review-graphs-for- ... wheel.html

I have the PR S1 and I find the format very easy to understand and follow. The Resmed shows how long the events are and you can see the clusters with little flags, which is a nice touch, but can be a bit visually overwhelming to me. I think it's easier to read the PR S1 data--again it's a matter of personal preference.

IMHO, the REsmed wins becaus the user SCREEN gives you a lot of data without having to first take the card out, fire up the computer, load the software, read the card, and then generate the graphs ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Can't see much useful data at all the PR S1 screen. If I'd had a choice (I didn't), the Resmed would have won hands down right there. But, while the PR S1 is less convenient, I think the quality is the same. So I shouldn't complain (but I like to anyway!).

[John Galt]

Thanks. Anybody else have comments about comparing these machines and software? Any comments about accessing the Provider Level of Software. Would I gain anything by pursuing that.

I like the idea of getting a good hardware summary without having to download info to my computer. But, the Respironics reports look cleaner to me.

[Janknitz]

You don't really get anything more with Encore Pro for the PR S1. It also has clinical management software, so it's a big, heavy download and clogs up your computer's processing when in use. Encore Viewer is sufficient, IMHO.

I only have the PR S1 so I can't compare it to the Resmed, but people who have used both tend to favor the Resmed--it's supposedly quieter (PR S1 is VERY quiet, however) and for the on screen management.

[jdm2857]

FYI - Encore Pro uses the MicroSoft SQL Server database for storing patient data. So you must install the entire database just to store information for one patient (you.)

[packer]

I have the PR1- software very easy to install- probably half hour for the whole deal-
if you need to download something-[ I did = dont remember what]
it goes online and grabs it
anyhow- pop out the little card and you are in business

I have had PR1 for 6 months now- very quiet- very satisfied here with it
on screen you get AHI data only-- honestly I rarely check anymore- check the weekly-
once in a while use the oximeter overnite for check

basically a chevy-ford debate what works for you

packer

[Slinky]

I think your preference of software has a lot to do w/which one you used first. I do NOT like EncorePro at all. I'm using 2.2 I didn't like earlier versions of EncorePro even w/the addition of the MyEncore and EncoreAnalyzer freeware. I liked Resmed's AutoScan and I like the newer Resmed ResScan and I like ResScan much better than EncorePro.

I found ResScan easy to install, easy to use and easy to understand and the more I played w/it and learned more of its capabilities the more I liked it. There are many nice use features and tools of ResScan that don't show up on printouts. EncorePro was difficult to install and I found it more difficult to use as well. BUT - keep in mind, I used AutoScan before I used EncorePro. And that may well influence my preference.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

The research I've looked into on the software seem to show the S9 Autoset pressure/flow data having much greater (adjustable level of) detail than anything I've seen from the Respironics devices. This could be that nobody posted detail like I've seen from my S9 or my google-fu is weak today. :p All the Respironics data I've seen is also "iconified" instead of just showing you a graph of the raw data. Again, might just be that I've never seen any posted screenshots of that data for the PR devices.

Example of the level of detail I'm used to seeing from my S9 when I drill down to the individual events:


Also, the ResMed S8/S9 software is all one package, where the PR stuff appears to be a viewer (limited functionality?) and a clinician package.

[Wulfman]

I am about to order a new and updated APAP. My DME carries the S9 Autoset and the Respironics DS550. I want to get the machine which offers the best software for daily tracking. I currently use an M Series Respironics with the Encore Pro Software, and I don't want a machine which offers me less ability to track my sleep.

I am trying to convince my DME to provide me with the Provider version of software instead of the Consumer version.

I would appreciate any advice on which machine to purchase and on what software to push to receive.

Thanks.

Hi John.

Since you've already been using the Encore Pro software, you may be like me and have trouble making heads or tails out of the ResScan software.
Since there is no longer anything like "MyEncore" or "Encore Pro Analyzer" for the versions of Pro beyond 1.8, there's no advantage of using Encore Pro 2.0........the Encore Viewer 2.0 will be fine and tell you what you need to know......and it's easier to install from all reports I've seen.

I doubt if there's a dime's worth of difference between the machines anymore......but it seems like there are alot more questions on the forum about the S9 machines.


Den

[Hawthorne]

I have the PR System One and Encore Viewer 2.0 software. I don't believe there is any difference in the data you get from Encore Viewer and Encore Pro. I have never used Encore Pro but, as far as I can see, from what is posted here, the only difference is more hassle installing and using the Encore Pro.

Encore Viewer gets the data from the card very quickly and puts it in PDF form ready to save.

[John Galt]

I'm still looking for a consensus. Other suggestions/comments from those of you who are familiar with both software systems?

Thanks.

[Slinky]

You might want to edit your Subject title to clarify the model name of your Respironics. Not too many of us are familiar w/the model numbers. Using the Respironics model name will probably draw more responses.

[cpapernewbie]

john
just listen to what Hawthorne said.
i have almost 3 yrs exp with Encore Pro and have experience installing this SW in XP, Vista and Windows 7 with practically 50-50 chance of success each time. The mysql database sw is a pain.
Spent $100 and you will not regret it by buying Encoreviewer

Resmed Rescan is a breeze to install, 3 times i did it and i never failed

[Janknitz]

I'm still looking for a consensus.

CONSENSUS is the last thing you're going to find here. Consensus is not the spirit of this site. Some poeple favor one system over another, some people have experience with only one or the other. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has a different opinion.

You're going to have to wade through all that information and come to a CONCLUSION for yourself, based on the evidence presented.

If it's any consolation, there's no wrong answer. Whichever machine you choose will deliver great treatment and provide the data you need for taking an active role in your therapy.

Don't drive yourself nuts. Catch a rabbit by its toe and get started with your therapy. You'll be fine.