M Series v. Current Remstars???

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:44 am

Remstar M with HH, power brick and cord = 5.2 lbs

Current Remstar with integrated HH = 5.8 lbs.

????????

The only other difference I see in the literature is "Direct Track".

Was is los????

I would never travel without the HH, my nose dries out in a flash!

I am not sure I see any advantage other than aesthetics. I have extra filters for my current Remstar (need new ones for M).

I may go with the current Auto unless someone comes up with a compelling reason to wait on the M.

David

mdkohm · Post by **mdkohm** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:57 am

Even if the weight is almost the same, I hope the M Series has a smaller carrying case. I got a chance to see what the current RemStar case looks like when my DME tried to dump a used machine on me. I have the ResMed S8 Vantage which is tiny compared to the suitcase she lugged into my house to setup the RemStar(:lol:)

Just my 2 cents. I travel for work quite often, so the smaller the better (weight is not really the problem for me).

HappyHoser · Post by **HappyHoser** » Fri May 19, 2006 7:18 pm

If I remember to bring my camera home from work, I'll try and post a couple of comparison shots with the cases for my apap and the new m cpap. I just returned from a week of air travel and can make these points about the new machine;

Pro-
1. the enclosed humidifier tank is easier to handle than the older style.
2. the h/h and the blower don't separate as easily as the old model (good).
3. the packed case fits in airline overheads much better.
4. the case is better padded and a bit better looking?
5. the c-flex seems a bit more responsive.

Con-
1. the double corded power cube is a real pain.
2. the swivel elbow for the rear exit hose connection can be lost.
3. if you leave the h/h at home you must remember to attach the hose adapter in its place or you are out of service.
4. the fill holes on the tank are awkward without a funnel etc...

Overall, I like the machine, it's "packaged" better than the older ones. I may however sell it and go Resmed auto but only for the bells and whistles.

blowhoser · Post by **blowhoser** » Fri May 19, 2006 7:56 pm

Wow I am really curious about this M series. My provider is wanting me to switch from my current pro2 to the M. I sure hope it works okay.

New to the CPAP world and have only had the resperonics. What "bells and whistles" does the resmed have?

Help

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:11 pm

[quote="Snoozin' Bluezzz"]Remstar M with HH, power brick and cord = 5.2 lbs

Current Remstar with integrated HH = 5.8 lbs.

????????

The only other difference I see in the literature is "Direct Track".

Was is los????

I would never travel without the HH, my nose dries out in a flash!

I am not sure I see any advantage other than aesthetics. I have extra filters for my current Remstar (need new ones for M).

I may go with the current Auto unless someone comes up with a compelling reason to wait on the M.

David

roadwarrior · Post by **roadwarrior** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:49 pm

I saw both the ResMed S8 Elite CPAP and the Respironics M series. I liked the profile of the M better. For my travels around the country, which is every other week I like the idea of the thinner profile. I currently have a Invacare Polaris which by comparison is a "boat anchor". I can't wait however to be carrying that new bag and not this 2nd suitcase.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat May 20, 2006 2:25 am

blowhoser wrote:New to the CPAP world and have only had the resperonics. What "bells and whistles" does the resmed have?

Welcome to the fun, wacky world of cpapp'in', blowhoser!

One of the standout main advantages, imho, to a ResMed machine over other brands in general is:

Without having any software at all you can see some interesting overnight data the next morning, right there in the little window on a ResMed machine. It can display your AHI for the night, number of apneas, hypopneas, leak. Pretty neat.

Another way in which ResMed's straight cpap machines have the edge over Respironics', imho, is the way those two manufacturers' have designed their respective feature to drop the pressure when you exhale:

Respironics offers C-Flex in most of their machines. Drops the pressure at the beginning of an exhalation. The regular pressure is allowed to come back in before you finish exhaling. C-flex is an indeterminate drop in cm's -- the amount of drop is almost entirely dependent on the strength or force of a person's exhalation. That said, C-Flex usually makes a comfortable enough difference for most people who try it.

ResMed offers EPR -- "Expiratory Pressure Relief." When you exhale, EPR drops the pressure an exact number of cm's -- 1, 2, or 3 cm's reduction in pressure, depending on how you set it. It maintains that specific pressure reduction throughout the entire exhalation. Doesn't let the regular pressure come back in until you breathe in again, or until a built-in number of seconds go by. This is similar to the way a bi-level machine would feel...keeping the exhalation pressure lower until you start inhaling again.

When it comes to C-Flex vs EPR in those two manufacturers' autopap machines, however, there's no contest. Respironics definitely has the advantage, as C-Flex can be used in "auto" (AFLE) mode. ResMed's EPR can be used only when their autopap is operating in straight cpap mode...EPR can't be used at all when the S8 Vantage autopap is operating in "auto" mode.

In both manufacturers' machines, their respective pressure reduction comfort feature for exhaling can be turned off if a person doesn't like or need it.

There are other differences, of course, but those are probably the main aspects the average user would be interested in. As for software used by the two brands, I much prefer Respironics' Encore Pro software over ResMed's Autoscan software.

P.S. I use the Puritan Bennett 420E autopap with Silverlining software. Just my personal preference in machine and software. All three major manufacturers, and other manufacturers as well, make very good machines.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:14 pm

THE single most useful post I've seen on this forum since I first signed on. Thank you SO MUCH Rested Gal!!!

Chuck

REMmaster · Post by **REMmaster** » Sun May 21, 2006 11:38 pm

Just an fyi, you can use the cpap without the elbow if you lose it, and it can be ordered separately.

And the M series pro and auto will have AHI, leak, etc on the display.

blowhoser · Post by **blowhoser** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:14 pm

rested gal wrote:
blowhoser wrote:New to the CPAP world and have only had the resperonics. What "bells and whistles" does the resmed have?
Welcome to the fun, wacky world of cpapp'in', blowhoser!

One of the standout main advantages, imho, to a ResMed machine over other brands in general is:

Without having any software at all you can see some interesting overnight data the next morning, right there in the little window on a ResMed machine. It can display your AHI for the night, number of apneas, hypopneas, leak. Pretty neat.

Another way in which ResMed's straight cpap machines have the edge over Respironics', imho, is the way those two manufacturers' have designed their respective feature to drop the pressure when you exhale:

Respironics offers C-Flex in most of their machines. Drops the pressure at the beginning of an exhalation. The regular pressure is allowed to come back in before you finish exhaling. C-flex is an indeterminate drop in cm's -- the amount of drop is almost entirely dependent on the strength or force of a person's exhalation. That said, C-Flex usually makes a comfortable enough difference for most people who try it.

ResMed offers EPR -- "Expiratory Pressure Relief." When you exhale, EPR drops the pressure an exact number of cm's -- 1, 2, or 3 cm's reduction in pressure, depending on how you set it. It maintains that specific pressure reduction throughout the entire exhalation. Doesn't let the regular pressure come back in until you breathe in again, or until a built-in number of seconds go by. This is similar to the way a bi-level machine would feel...keeping the exhalation pressure lower until you start inhaling again.

When it comes to C-Flex vs EPR in those two manufacturers' autopap machines, however, there's no contest. Respironics definitely has the advantage, as C-Flex can be used in "auto" (AFLE) mode. ResMed's EPR can be used only when their autopap is operating in straight cpap mode...EPR can't be used at all when the S8 Vantage autopap is operating in "auto" mode.

In both manufacturers' machines, their respective pressure reduction comfort feature for exhaling can be turned off if a person doesn't like or need it.

There are other differences, of course, but those are probably the main aspects the average user would be interested in. As for software used by the two brands, I much prefer Respironics' Encore Pro software over ResMed's Autoscan software.

P.S. I use the Puritan Bennett 420E autopap with Silverlining software. Just my personal preference in machine and software. All three major manufacturers, and other manufacturers as well, make very good machines.

Sorry it took me so long to answer back, but thanks so much for the Great info!

Well, I started out with the resperonics pro2 and it was working well. I tried it the first time on a week of vacation and WOW did I sleep. Got home and a couple of weeks later it started acting up on me. None of the fancy features were working right. The auto off, the alarm if i take the mask off quit workin and all of a sudden it did not feel like the pressure was right. So called the provider (Apria) and they changed it out. Get home and they have given me a used one. Oh well i thought, I am on a wait list for the new one(the M) anyway. Well it didn't work right either. Now I am beginning to be doubtful of this product line. I decide to hang with it for a while since they are promising me the M.
A couple of weeks ago they call and get me the M. Then I find out after getting there it is the Plus not the Pro but i am thinking I will try it anyway since neither of the others worked out. Well, I have been using it for 3-4 weeks now and I am Ok with it for the most part. the pressure seems better on this one now and I am sleeping better.

The alarm if you take the mask off is not loud enough, the machine is louder than the others, and the humidifer runs low before the night is over because of its small size.

Size for travel is great. And the humidifier is conveniently encased.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 10:29 am

Don't know if you've already seen this, but I found a page on Respironics website where there are some interesting video links to the M Series features. Here's the link:

Respironics REMstar M Series

Scroll down to where it says:

Select the links below to view video clips of the REMstar M Series:

They have videos on the following:

Initial Set-up
Attaching the Swivel Tubing
Filling the Humidifier Chamber
Using the Humidifier Dial
LCD Display Screens
Using the Set-Up Menu
Comfort Series Masks
Travel Case and Accessory Bag Set

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 12:03 pm

IS the M series machines 12-Volt DC? meaning can they run directly off a automotive battery power source?

Should say output voltage on the power brick. I saw that video on connecting the humidifier power to the brick, it looked ugly.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:35 am

REMmaster wrote:And the M series pro and auto will have AHI, leak, etc on the display.

You're right, REMmaster. Thanks for that info. Those particular M machines will display AHI and leak; but if I'm not mistaken, they'll give no further "etc." of interest in the window on the machine. No breakdown of AHI into number of apneas vs number of hypopneas. No 90th percentile pressure used.

Still, that's a very useful features improvement in the M machines -- to give at least AHI and leak info right there on the machine itself with no software needed.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:40 pm

Very informative thread.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:48 pm

Rested Gal, I'm considering either the Remstar auto or the PB420E. The PB420E is a cheaper alternative because I already have the 420G with heated humidifier.

In the past, I thought you had indicated that you like the Remstar cflex feature. So, I'm wondering why you prefer the 420E. Any insight will help me with my decision.

M Series v. Current Remstars???

M Series v. Current Remstars???

Re: M Series v. Current Remstars???

Thank you RG!!!

Rested Gal, Why PB420 E Preference

Mask	Humidifier