Old-timer getting new machine. What is today's Cadillac?

[Grant I]

Fellow hose heads:
I've been using a RemStar Auto with A-flex for about 6 years. My old EncorePro software is dying. The HMO says I'm due for a new machine--YAY!

I've read many reviews and comments and it looks like the ResMed S9 with humidifier might be a better choice than the Respironics PR Auto for an experienced user who wants easy access to data.

Since $$ are not an issue, am I on the right track with my thinking? Any other machines I should consider?

Thanks!!

Grant

[RandyJ]

The S9 offers more data you can see on the machine's LCD screen (AHI, AHI breakdown, pressure, leaks) but you need the Elite or the Autoset (not the Escape or Escape Auto).

[Emilia]

I posted this the other day..... newest machine on the market: viewtopic/t75226/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=75 ... 92#p687492

[1.41]

Get yourself the latest Philips Respironics System One machine. I have the 2011 version. Philips has the longest names in machines. Mine is a Philips Respironics System One Remstar Pro with C-Flex Plus.

This is a CPAP only machine but with two different options regarding exhalation relief. It also tracks all events and the data can be downloaded onto a computer. Note it's the "Pro" model, that's the Cadillac in my view.

It is also reputed to be the quietest machine on the market, and it has a dishwasher safe humidifier tank. Those last two features convinced me to get the Philips and not the Resmed.

While the new System 60 machine looks just great, it's more like a Rolls Royce than a Cadillac, I have no need for a heated tube, it seems to me that's just one more thing to go wrong and a replacement would cost more than I need to spend. (I get replacement hoses on the web for about $5.00 each).

[Otter]

For the data, yes, you're probably on the right track. The PR1 has more events, but the S9 shows you a little more data. OTOH, the PR1 does show all the important stuff and will be a little more familiar. Devilbiss doesn't give you full flow data, just its interpretation of your flow, so that's probably not what you want. Too bad, though, the company has a great attitude. I'm not sure about F&P's machines.

Philips and Resmed both have brick versions of their machines. Be sure not to get one of those. Philips also has a weird sortof-APAP I'd stay away from. Anyone remember what that thing is called?

For the software, you'll want SleepyHead. It will work with any of the the above, though right now F&P support is a bit sketchy and will remain so for a while because the developer is taking a much deserved break from coding. I'm not sure about the PR1-60. My guess would be they haven't changed the way data is reported, so it's no different than the older machine as far as SH is concerned, but you never know.

If you really want the works, get yourself a CMS50 pulse oximeter (I can't vouch for this vender, it's just a link I have)
http://www.door2doorshop.com/wholesale/ ... 0F-36.html

and a Zeo.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IY ... os_product

SH supports both devices.

[chunkyfrog]

the Philips machine to steer away from is the one with "IQ"-
another way of saying straight cpap with no more than a month of auto--for the life of the machine!

[Otter]

Seriously CF? It locks itself out of auto and there's no way to reset it? If true that's an argument for never buying anything from Philips, though of course the Resmed folks seem to snack on ergot crackers too.

[Grant I]

Wow, such quick responses--thanks so much! The DME hasn't even called me back yet.

OK, I see the new Philips Respironics System One. According to cpap.com, there is no software for it. Any ideas about that?

My concern about Respironics is their history of clamping down on software. When I started with my APAP, I bought the software, then a few years later, they wouldn't allow access for upgrades to anyone other than clinic accounts. I see they now have "Viewer" software for purchase. How is the functionality of that?

It appears ResMed's ResScan is available free (I found the download site from Uncle_Bob's link). That's a big plus for me--especially if that, coupled with Sleepyhead, gives me the data I'm used to (and from images I've seen, my data could be reported on an abacus!!)

Thanks for everyone's input!
Grant

[kayfouroh]

There is a free software download floating around on the forum. I know with Resmed you can use SleepyHead, dunno about PR.

[chunkyfrog]

As far as anyone knows (me,in particular); the autoIQ cannot be reset after the 30 days auto are used up.
Of course, for rental machines--the clinicians might be able to do it--but they might need one time use codes from P/R.
As far as I've heard, if you buy a machine--30 days is the limit--

[Grant I]

Just scheduled with DME. They were already planning on giving me the S9 autoset. Glad I didn't have to fight with them.

Thanks again, everyone. I'll post an update on moving into this generation's XPAP technology.

Grant

[BlackSpinner]

Just scheduled with DME. They were already planning on giving me the S9 autoset. Glad I didn't have to fight with them.

Thanks again, everyone. I'll post an update on moving into this generation's XPAP technology.

Grant

Make 100% sure it actually says "autoset" and not "auto escape" on the machine!

[Otter]

My concern about Respironics is their history of clamping down on software. When I started with my APAP, I bought the software, then a few years later, they wouldn't allow access for upgrades to anyone other than clinic accounts.

You won't actually need upgrades. SleepyHead will remain useful for the life of your next machine. Even if Mark abandons everything and moves to a Luddite monastery tomorrow, SH is already better for our purposes than ResScan or Encore Pro. At most, it may need to be recompiled for a future OS, but it's open source, and it's coded in a way that makes porting it to a new OS a relatively easy task. There are plenty of tech savvy users, so it would get done. In fact, I'd be stunned of no one picked up the project after Mark runs off to join the Luddites.

I see they now have "Viewer" software for purchase. How is the functionality of that?

The "viewer" version is what you want to use if you get confused by high tech devices like light switches. It will not show you any traces. Makes sense if you believe that CPAP doesn't work and hypoxia has reduced us all to drooling idiocy. I think it does do a reasonable job of reporting events and keeping summary data, though.

It appears ResMed's ResScan is available free (I found the download site from Uncle_Bob's link). That's a big plus for me--especially if that, coupled with Sleepyhead, gives me the data I'm used to (and from images I've seen, my data could be reported on an abacus!!)

It is good that they distribute a full data viewer for free, but again, you don't need to depend on it. I think that once you try SH you won't find much use for either RS or EP. The reason I'm so confident of this is that I know you're not a DME managing compliance data for a thousand users. That's the primary focus of the clinician aps. SH, OTOH, was designed from the ground up for a single user to analyze his own data in depth. Hence, it lacks the cumbersome database, and it displays things the other two do not. Keep in mind, though, I haven't tried EP or RS. I'm basing this opinion on screenshots, my own pre-purchase research, which included reading the manuals, and the experience of other users.

Well, I did try to install ResScan, but it uses some (seriously antique) 16-bit code in the installer, and that won't run on Windows XP pro x64. That's an ultra-modern OS that was released in 2005 and is based on Server 2003. The moral of the story is you may get clamped anyway, just because ResMed's software development is lazy.

[archangle]

Just scheduled with DME. They were already planning on giving me the S9 autoset. Glad I didn't have to fight with them.

Watch them like you'd watch a used car salesman. Be sure it says "AutoSet" next to the power button. Be prepared for them to surprise you with a different model because "your insurance wouldn't pay for the AutoSet."

There is no S9 Auto, just the S9 AutoSet and the S9 Escape Auto. Don't accept the Escape Auto.

[chunkyfrog]

Escape is what they call a 'brick' --insurance data only--good only for a back-up machine.
I love my Autoset--It says "Autoset" right on top next to the 'on' button.