Does Anyone Prefer Swift LT over FX?

[KimberlyM]

I have a Swift FX, but can't see to roll over without losing my seal. I also can't keep the seal without putting the hose over my head. I see that the Swift LT has firmer sides and more stability. Are there other pluses to the LT over the FX? Is it more difficult to adjust the seal on the LT? Thank you everyone!

[Emilia]

I use the LT, but I have never owned the FX. I tend to move from my left side to my right side and back again, and my LT stays in place for me. The other thing I like about the LT is that the pillows can be pivoted to get an angle to fit your nares well. You can also flip the pillows to accommodate nostril openings that may either be more / \ shaped or \ / shaped. I don't think you can do that with the FX pillows....

Hope that helps! Good luck.....

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi there--I have both and I really wanted the FX to work but it leaks like a sieve for me when I roll from side to side. The Swift LT does really have firmer sides and more stability and I just think it fits better for a side sleeper than the FX. The FX is a nice mask if you can get it to seal without leaking. The Swift LT for her is the one I use. I occasionally get out the FX and use it and then I remember why It hangs there in the closet unused most of the time--it leaks for me and I don't get good rested sleep with it like I do the LT.

Another thing I like about the LT is that the pillows on the LT are MUCH easier to take off and clean every day. The FX comes completely apart to clean the pillows and I find it hard to get the delicate pillows back on that round ring that holds it in place--it is just a bad design in that respect in my opinion. I seem to like the LT better as you can angle the nasal pillows to fit your nares, and since I am a side sleeper it stays in place all night for me and NO leaks!

To each his own though --I think people on here either love it or not! LOL!

Carrie

[jules]

I get LT to seal better than FX - I like FX lack of stuff on my face but it doesn't seal as well for me. I have tried to work with it a couple times and will try again but for now it's LT for me.

[KimberlyM]

I use the LT, but I have never owned the FX. I tend to move from my left side to my right side and back again, and my LT stays in place for me. The other thing I like about the LT is that the pillows can be pivoted to get an angle to fit your nares well. You can also flip the pillows to accommodate nostril openings that may either be more / \ shaped or \ / shaped. I don't think you can do that with the FX pillows....

Hope that helps! Good luck.....

That is excellent. I like the fact that it has some adjustment to it for the nares. I actually thought the FX pillows worked better reversed! Thank you!

[KimberlyM]

Thank you everyone! I am glad to hear the LT stays in place better and has some good adjustment qualities.

[msradar65]

I tried the FX and didn't like the way it felt. I use LT and love it. I roll from side to side and sleep on my stomach at times. No problems with leaks. The only problem I have found is that the pillows only last 3-4 weeks at best...and I use lanosih on my nose every night.

Tonight I am going to try sleeping with my Full life mask which is full face and see how it goes.

[HoseCrusher]

KimberlyM, I apologize in advance if the graphic nature of this illustration offends you or anyone else. This is what was explained to me, and I found it extremely useful...

Gymnastics while sleeping with the FX mask:

First of all the fit of the FX is quite loose. The whole mask is "anchored" by the inflation of the nasal pillows. The straps are there simply to guide the pillows to the nares.

Now, when you move around and roll over, the whole mask will shift. The anchor point is very soft, so it doesn't hold and you develop a leak.

To overcome this you need to imagine yourself as a pup trying to latch on to moms teat. If you watch dogs or cats or pigs or other animals do this you will notice that they need to present their mouth just right in order to latch on, and then they "nuzzle" in.

Are you still with me...?

When you roll over, your face shifts and the mask also shifts. If you can train yourself to do a small "thrust" of your head forward, as if you were trying to latch on, you can achieve a seal with the FX. The difference is that instead of trying to suck on something, you are trying to "impale" your nose so that air can blow in.

I don't know if this will help you, but having been around animals all my life, this illustration made things come crystal clear. You probably need to practice this while you are awake in order to figure out just what you need to do, but once you get it figured out it is as natural as having air blown up your nose...

[KimberlyM]

KimberlyM, I apologize in advance if the graphic nature of this illustration offends you or anyone else. This is what was explained to me, and I found it extremely useful...

Gymnastics while sleeping with the FX mask:

First of all the fit of the FX is quite loose. The whole mask is "anchored" by the inflation of the nasal pillows. The straps are there simply to guide the pillows to the nares.

Now, when you move around and roll over, the whole mask will shift. The anchor point is very soft, so it doesn't hold and you develop a leak.

To overcome this you need to imagine yourself as a pup trying to latch on to moms teat. If you watch dogs or cats or pigs or other animals do this you will notice that they need to present their mouth just right in order to latch on, and then they "nuzzle" in.

Are you still with me...?

When you roll over, your face shifts and the mask also shifts. If you can train yourself to do a small "thrust" of your head forward, as if you were trying to latch on, you can achieve a seal with the FX. The difference is that instead of trying to suck on something, you are trying to "impale" your nose so that air can blow in.

I don't know if this will help you, but having been around animals all my life, this illustration made things come crystal clear. You probably need to practice this while you are awake in order to figure out just what you need to do, but once you get it figured out it is as natural as having air blown up your nose...

That was not the least bit offensive and excellent advice! I am going to try that during the day today and give them another try tonight. I also seem to have trouble with condensation in the mask loosening my lanisoh grip. LOL I turned my humidity down, any other suggestions?

[trike-mike]

I haven't used the LT but have the Opus 360 which is similar in construction AND the FX.

Basically, if it is a "nasal pillow mask" night, if I am unusually restless, I will put on the Opus since it is indeed more rigid and firmly held. That being said, my favorite nasal pillow remains the FX just for the sheer overall comfort of it.

One thing you didn't mention is whether you are using the soft wraps on the straps.

If you are, take them off and burn them.

While the product description says they help hold it in place, I found precisely the opposite. I started with the mask without the wraps and loved it. Put them on and hated it since the slightest move made it leak. I took them off again and found that the grip of the silicone strap against the skin did yeoman's work holding the mask in place and back to loving it. The silicone is nice and soft, warms to skin temp quickly and so thin that it doesn't cause undue heating or sweating under it.

[KimberlyM]

I haven't used the LT but have the Opus 360 which is similar in construction AND the FX.

Basically, if it is a "nasal pillow mask" night, if I am unusually restless, I will put on the Opus since it is indeed more rigid and firmly held. That being said, my favorite nasal pillow remains the FX just for the sheer overall comfort of it.

One thing you didn't mention is whether you are using the soft wraps on the straps.

If you are, take them off and burn them.

While the product description says they help hold it in place, I found precisely the opposite. I started with the mask without the wraps and loved it. Put them on and hated it since the slightest move made it leak. I took them off again and found that the grip of the silicone strap against the skin did yeoman's work holding the mask in place and back to loving it. The silicone is nice and soft, warms to skin temp quickly and so thin that it doesn't cause undue heating or sweating under it.

Thank you for the suggestion of removing the wraps. I don't use them because I did read on here that they make the mask slide around more. You may have been the one to post that before. I think maybe I just toss and turn too much!

[chunkyfrog]

I've never had the LT, but when I tried it on at the DME's, I knew I just would not be comfortable with it.
My dream mask would be a hybrid type with gel lower cushion, soft silicone nasal cradle or pillows,
and narrow silicone straps where they touch my face. All the Velcro would be away from my face.

[jnk]

I've used both. It's LT for me. (I route my hose overhead.) I have used the same set of nasal pillows for a year now. No leak trouble. I use the O-ring fix posted by "gl" :

[pbach]

I love this topic!
I use the LT and still do.
I wanted to love the FX but don't. It doesn't swivel and that is what I like about the LT.

[jnk]

Here is the post with details about O-rings.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45777&p=411389#p411149