Hybrid v Liberty

[snoozysue]

I currently use a Quattro mask (pressure up to 18) but would really like to rty a Liberty or a Hybrid mask. Has anyone tried both and if so I would value your insights.
Thanks

[DocWeezy]

I'm a newbie, so my opinions are not based on long-term usage. However, I started with a Quattro Mirage FF and hated it; then I got a Liberty and couldn't seem to get it to fit right (was using the "small"--the large was WAY large for me), plus the worst part of the Liberty is that I felt like I was suffocating and I just couldn't keep it on and was ripping it off my face multiple times every night. I'm very claustrophobic and weird about feeling like a can't breathe, but I haven't had those problems with the Hybrid. Right now my pressure is from 10 to 16 on an S9 Auto.

Then I got the Hybrid and that's the one I've been using for two weeks now and I really really like it. It comes with three sizes of mouth pieces and three sizes of nose pillows so you can mix and match to find what fits best. One caveat, however, the CD instructions said that I would need a "small" mouthpiece based on my measurements, but a medium works and feels best for me, so you have to try all the sizes to see what fits and feels best.

More experienced users will most likely have better information.

Weezy

[chunkyfrog]

I have a Hybrid, it fits better than the Liberty did--and you get all sizes.
I wish they made a gel cushion; but the chin ledge is the best!
The headgear is also way better, although the pillows could be softer.
Liberty wanders all over my face; and the curve is too much for my flat little chin.

[wjp]

I have both, but for me the Hybrid is the hands down winner.

The chin cup on the Hybrid is an important addition. Without it, I find the Liberty puts a lot of pressure on the upper lip. By morning my upper teeth actually hurt.

The Hybrid takes the bulk of the pressure on the chin.

Having all the sizes included with the Hybrid is also a huge plus for a first time user. With the Liberty you have to guess if you're a small or Large. With the Hybrid you get to try for yourself. Hybrid is also cheaper. Easy choice for me.

I'd recommend the Hybrid.

[LinkC]

I, too, tried a Liberty before getting a Hybrid. For me, there's no comparison. The Hybrid is much more comfortable and doesn't leak.

Of course, YMMV...

[Muse-Inc]

Hybrid here too! Very comfy and doesn't trigger my extreme claustrophobia. I have the LIberty but the durned thing leaks like sieve obviously not suited to my facial anatomy.

[sleepyb]

I did it in reverse. Got the hybrid but couldn't get the nose pillows to stop leaking. Then I got the liberty and it seems to work well. Wish it was the other way around because the hybrid is much much cheaper. Oh well.

[DocWeezy]

I did it in reverse. Got the hybrid but couldn't get the nose pillows to stop leaking. Then I got the liberty and it seems to work well. Wish it was the other way around because the hybrid is much much cheaper. Oh well.

I have found that when I accidentally get the soft Hybrid mouth piece inserted into the mask slightly "off" that the nose pieces don't seal very well. This may not be the reason yours were leaking, but I've been amazed at the difference a tiny amount can make when the mouthpiece isn't inserted straight.

Weezy

[roster]

From an old post of mine:

But I do alway recommend the Hybrid over the Liberty because:

1. The Hybrid comes with all three sizes of mouth cushions. The Liberty only one.

2. The Hybrid has a built-in chinflap. The Liberty has no chinflap (Hybrid patent prevents this).

3. If you prefer the mask without a chinflap (as I do), the Hybrid chinflap can be easily cut away with a pair of scissors.

4. Some people have complained that the headgear on the Liberty mask is inferior to the headgear on the Hybrid Mask.

5. On cpap.com the price for the Hybrid Mask is $119 and the price for the Liberty mask is $207 (Those clowns at ResMed!)

The ResMed Liberty is a more expensive and inferior copy of the Hybrid.

[xenablue]

I'm using the Mirage Liberty, and sometimes I wake up with my teeth hurting, but have never tried the Hybrid. Am going to a new DME company today, per my neuro, so will try a Hybrid and try and compare them. I like the idea of the chin piece on the Hybrid too.

As always, it's a YMMV - much depends on our anatomy and how each design fits our face/head.

Cheers,
xena

[rubymom]

I used a Liberty successfully for a while. Ordered a Hybrid really just to see what everybody here was raving about. Never made it through a night though. Couldn't get a good seal. The chin flap would have needed to be cut off to fit the mask on my face and I didn't want to do that.

It really is a personal thing. You can read about a thousand people loving one mask but that doesn't mean you will love it. There's no substitute for trying it yourself.

Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

[ChelseaChestnut]

The chin cup on the Hybrid is an important addition. Without it, I find the Liberty puts a lot of pressure on the upper lip. By morning my upper teeth actually hurt.

The Hybrid takes the bulk of the pressure on the chin.

Interesting. When I tried the Liberty I had problems with it putting too much pressure on my mouth. So much so that it actually caused my mouth to close and keep the air from getting it. I just might have to try a Hybrid when I get the $.