S9 machines?

[debbie28]

Objectively, what is the best machine out there really. I mean if the point is to stop apneas from happening..
The S9 Elite is apparently the best on the market from what i've read... Why is it so good, The place where i get my masks and supplies just started carrying this line of machines.
http://resmedswiftfx.com/ResMed-S9-CPAP ... es_c12.htm But i can't find a good reason to cough up that much money. I would love an actual unbiased opinion about this.

[lbw]

I have only had the S9 elite CPAP so don't know how unbiased my opinion is but I like the machine. It is very quiet, easy to use. Easy to read the downloads. Plus it looks more like a radio than a machine on my bedside table.

[debbie28]

Thanks but just out of curiosity did you have to pay full price or did you find someone to negogiate....
I definitley want a quiet machine..

[msradar65]

I am a newbie. I have s9 autoset. This is the standard issue machine that my DME company uses. They prefer Rescan. My insurance covered the cost and I had 20% copay which $303.

I looked at the price my machine. My DME gave me a price sheet of what the machine cost, what they bill to insurance and my co-pay. I would definately ask around. I had to call just about everyone in town that accepted my insurance until I found a DME that I felt comfortable with.

[jbenenson]

The S9 Autoset is my first machine, but I did a lot of research before I ordered it. It has all the bells and whistles that I like: adjustable pressure (CPAP or auto) and humidity (Climate Control or adjustable), good data display, quiet, SD data card that I can read with my PC using ResScan 3.12 and the right price: $0.00 thanks to Medicare, Blue Cross, and a great DME supplier (Pacific Pulmonary) that didn't charge me any upcharge for the state-of-the-art equipment. This forum gave me the information to download the Clinician's manual and ResScan software so I can set the machine to exactly what works best for me.

[Fredman]

I have had a Respironics Remstar Auto for the past 5 years. I am getting a new S9 this Monday!

Each brand of CPAP/APAP have different algorithms to treat obstructive sleep apneas or Central Sleep Apneas. So what works for me may not work as well for you. We may both may suffer from OSAs only but are bodies are different and we react differently. I don't pretend to know what is the best way to treat central apneas as opposed to Obstructive apneas but from my understanding Resmed treats them differently than Respironics. People here have strong feelings about which one is better than the other...but ultimately what works for you, works for you.

I am getting the S9 because of it's excellent travel size and low decible rating. My respironics unit is rated at 30 decibles and the S9 at 24 decibles. Also, the climateline is appealing to me. I just hope that I don't experience some of the issues with the heated climateline hose as some have had.

[DoriC]

Fredman, are you at all concerned about the different algorithims of Respironics vs Resmed? Have you been able to trial the S9? I hope you'll keep us updated on the new machine. I've been getting a little green with S9 envy although my hubby does well with his M Series Apap and we're nowhere near ready for a new machine that insurance will pay for. Thanks.

[DreamDiver]

Of course I'm unbiased.
A third of your life is spent sleeping.
Don't you deserve the best sleep you can get?
I hope you can find an S9 at a price you can afford.
Good luck.

[Cindy Lou Who]

I'm also a newbie with my first machine an S9 Auto. My first question to the RT who set me up was machine noise. I had to use ear plugs to sleep when my husband got his Respironics M-series unit. Who would've thought 30 decibels would sound so loud in a quiet room. I DID NOT want THAT on my side of the bed!
I hear nothing when the S9 sits on the floor next to the bed. With the S9 on a bedside table, close to head level, it sounds like someone softly breathing when I inhale. After 7 months I find that sound soothing, comforting, and drop quickly off to sleep. The climateline hose works great: I do not experience 'rainout' like my husband does.
The total price for machine, including humidifier, hose, a few filters, and Swift FX headgear was $1300 something USD. The cost to me was 30% of that, roughly $390. BCBS mandated a "10 month lease to own" agreement. Of course I had to pay my part up front before leaving the DME provider. But the difference that S9 has made in my life has been phenomenal. Yes, I have no experience with other machines but would not, for the world, trade the one I have.
Read all you can here and other places. Education is key to making a good and right decision for yourself. Ask the provider if they have a week or two 'trial' period. Perhaps you can talk them into a 'try before you buy' kind of thing.
Best wishes and good luck,
Cindy

[Fredman]

Fredman, are you at all concerned about the different algorithims of Respironics vs Resmed? Have you been able to trial the S9? I hope you'll keep us updated on the new machine. I've been getting a little green with S9 envy although my hubby does well with his M Series Apap and we're nowhere near ready for a new machine that insurance will pay for. Thanks.

DoriC, yes I am a bit concerned. I can get a new machine every 5 years, so I have been looking at a few different units even the Respironics PR One. I never did ask if I could trial the unit...maybe I should have asked to "kick the tires" as it were!

My RPT suggested it, even before I suggested that I would be interested in the unit. She told me that the vast majority of her patients have done well with the S9!

[Twentysix]

Must say I do love my S9, but have no experience with other machines. It is nice and quiet (indeed as if someone is softly breathing), no rainout, and it works great. So yeah, I'm a fan.

[john5757]

I understand that the machine noise is low but does anyone ever complain about the mask vent noise being a issue?

[Physician]

I understand that the machine noise is low but does anyone ever complain about the mask vent noise being a issue?

The mask noise doesn't bother me. BUT the silly venting anteriorly blows on my hands is a nuisance. The masks should vent superiorly. Pior posts have disclosed a very porous filter applied to the vents to reduce noise and diffuse the exhaust.

[XSnorer]

Objectively, what is the best machine out there really... .

"Best" can be a matter of preference. What I did for my upgrade was to make a list of Pro's and Con's for each of the machines which looked to be good candidates. You might consider factors such as size, noise level, power supply, software, flow algorithm, warranty, cost, etc. etc. in the assessment. Although not all of these factors were relevant to my decision, e.g. cost.

Feedback in this forum, similar to the above information, was very helpful in making my assessment. I also considered other sources of information. Google was very helpful in this regard.

In the end, your choice will be based on what's important to you.

[nats57]

I used the S8 Autoset for about a month as I was on a trial. Then, when I purchased, I went with the S9. This machine is amazing! It is so quiet and I find it very easy to breathe with. I couldn't believe the difference in the sound level even between these two machines. For me, noise was part of what made CPAP a less than enjoyable experience. The S9 sure improved my comfort level in handling the therapy. As much as one can love a CPAP machine, I definitely love my S9!