Buy Now or Wait for New Respironics?

Boylston · Post by **Boylston** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:14 pm

JPZeller wrote: After lugging my REMstar Pro 2 machine with me on trips, I punted and bought a small, light 420G machine, which has been fine. However, the new small, light M series machines have C-Flex and smartcard capability, which is missing from the 420G. Also, one machine will suffice for home and travel.

Well, Night #1 will be at home tonight, and Nights 2-6 will be on vacation with air travel involved. Not much for me to compare it to, but I'll post my first impressions when I get back.

Miko · Post by **Miko** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:36 pm

I have read from a few users that the M series is a lot more noiser than the other Respironics Auto machines. If noise is going to be an issue than that's something to consider. The M series is smaller, but noiser. It's a compromise.

In addition, I would assume that the price of the Respironics Autos should drop in price once the M Series Auto arrives?

Even though Respironics will stand by their new machine, thats little comfort if it fails repeatedly and the user has to go back to his DME for a loaner. If you buy online, say, from CPAP.com, you had better have a spare CPAP while yours is repaired or replaced.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:49 pm

[quote="JPZeller"]<<Seems like the big deal is purely form factor, cosmetic appearance, not-looking-like-medical-equipment-- stuff that doesn't improve the quality of your therapy as much as it improves patients' tolerance of having the device sitting in their bedroom.>>

Let's not forget the (much) smaller size and weight of these machines, compared to their predecessors. This is very important for travel.

After lugging my REMstar Pro 2 machine with me on trips, I punted and bought a small, light 420G machine, which has been fine. However, the new small, light M series machines have C-Flex and smartcard capability, which is missing from the 420G. Also, one machine will suffice for home and travel.

Another, smaller benefit - it looks like there will be no more struggling to disassemble the water reservoir in the humidifier with the new machine.

JPZeller · Post by **JPZeller** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:28 pm

<<Under 4 lb's for the pro2, 2.7 lb for the 420g, net gain in carrying power, 1.5 pounds, you can carry a large bag of Oreo's now,, no milk included.>>

There's plenty of room for milk. The 420 weighs in at 1.75 lb., including power supply, vs. 3.96 lb for the REMstar - that's a weight savings of over half (2.21 lb). Plus, the 420G is much smaller.

No contest on portability, IMO.

Miko · Post by **Miko** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:13 pm

Definitely. My DME also has sleep apnea uses the 420 for travelling.

In this day and age where airlines are so tight with their weight limits, every bit helps. The M series is over 2 lbs lighter than the Remstar Pro Auto w/Cflex.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 12:24 am

JPZeller wrote:After lugging my REMstar Pro 2 machine with me on trips, I punted and bought a small, light 420G machine, which has been fine. However, the new small, light M series machines have C-Flex and smartcard capability, which is missing from the 420G. Also, one machine will suffice for home and travel.

True, the PB machines don't have C-Flex. Or the EPR of ResMed machines. But as far as lacking Smart Card capability being a negative, that's just a matter of what method of downloading a machine uses and whether a person has a preference for card or cable...the PB machines using a cable instead of a Smart Card. Regardless of which download method is used (cable or card) some machines give full data, other machines give just "compliance" (hours of use.)

The 420G cpap gives only compliance info. But the equally small 420S cpap gives detailed data, downloaded via a cable.

I could be wrong, but as I understand it....even with a Smart Card, the M series basic model (the M Plus) gives only compliance info. It takes an M Pro to give detailed data via the Smart Card. So, just having a Smart Card is not a ticket to getting any more data from the most basic M machine than from any other manufacturer's basic model.

JPZeller wrote:Another, smaller benefit - it looks like there will be no more struggling to disassemble the water reservoir in the humidifier with the new machine.

Yes, that could be a benefit for those who remove a water chamber often. When using my REMstar Auto, I rarely ever removed the chamber....I simply added more distilled water as needed, using a funnel to fill it easily from the top.

Seems that I heard the M's water chamber has to be tilted up on its side to add more water, but I haven't seen one. If that's the case, that would be a negative to me. Can the M machine's water chamber be filled without removing it?

The 420E is perfect for me, as fulltime machine at home and for travel. I think any of the small machines out there are great dual purpose machines - for home and travel.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 10:09 am

I found a video of what's involved to fill the humidifier on the REMstar M Series machines. Click on this link:

Respironics REMstar M Series

When you're on that page, scroll down to where it says:

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

and click on: Filling the Humidifier Chamber

From the audio:

To fill, lift the humidifier door and remove the water chamber.

Hold the water chamber vertically and fill no higher than the fill line.

Turn the chamber horizontally and place it back into the humidifier.

Be careful to hold the chamber level, or water may spill inside of the device.

I worry about that last sentence...

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 11:03 pm

Seeing is believing - anyone who considers buying that machine should take a look at that video.

O.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:00 pm

You should look into the Resmed S8 machine. It has all the features of the Respironics M series, and is already availible as an APAP. It has an integrated heated humidifier. It is really nice and lightweight.

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:13 pm

Anonymous wrote:You should look into the Resmed S8 machine. It has all the features of the Respironics M series, and is already availible as an APAP. It has an integrated heated humidifier. It is really nice and lightweight.

Not quite so - no EPR on auto whereas Respironics has C-Flex on Auto. It's a deal breaker for me.

David

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