My CPAP - auto bit the dust ...

[jonquiljo]

And I now need a new one as I am running on my travel machine which is my backup for just these things. I pay cash and am not too worried about cost (luckily), but have been very happy with my Respironics PR S1 A-flex machine. I have 2 of them - or rather, now one is broken. (it just randomly shuts off and I've checked all the cables). I don't have the time to find some place to fix it nor do I expect it would be much cheaper than buying another one.

I went to our board sponsor's site (not sure if I can post their name) and they seem to have limited their selection greatly since I purchased machines 3-4 years ago. They still sell a PR S1 A-Pap (but only with a humidifier) - and my humidifier is brand new replaced a few months ago). They also sell the Remstar 60 series auto CPAP - which I assume is an updated version of my system one. Or is it? I figure that if I am going to buy a new machine, I should get the latest model. Is the Remstar series 60 the latest and is it much better than the PR S1's from about 2010?

I don't want to change to Resmed as I am used to the Respironics machines and their autopap algorithm (if it works, don't fix it!). Well, any suggestions? Thanks in advance. (Jon)

[Wulfman...]

And I now need a new one as I am running on my travel machine which is my backup for just these things. I pay cash and am not too worried about cost (luckily), but have been very happy with my Respironics PR S1 A-flex machine. I have 2 of them - or rather, now one is broken. (it just randomly shuts off and I've checked all the cables). I don't have the time to find some place to fix it nor do I expect it would be much cheaper than buying another one.

I went to our board sponsor's site (not sure if I can post their name) and they seem to have limited their selection greatly since I purchased machines 3-4 years ago. They still sell a PR S1 A-Pap (but only with a humidifier) - and my humidifier is brand new replaced a few months ago). They also sell the Remstar 60 series auto CPAP - which I assume is an updated version of my system one. Or is it? I figure that if I am going to buy a new machine, I should get the latest model. Is the Remstar series 60 the latest and is it much better than the PR S1's from about 2010?

I don't want to change to Resmed as I am used to the Respironics machines and their autopap algorithm (if it works, don't fix it!). Well, any suggestions? Thanks in advance. (Jon)

It's got an external power supply, doesn't it? Maybe that's what went bad. That description has been frequent on the forum with some of those machines.

Like I suggested with another posting, contact "acbio(dot)com" and see if they have any suggestions.

If you have two identical machines, have you tried switching power supplies to see if the problem moves with it?


Den

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[jonquiljo]

It's got an external power supply, doesn't it? Maybe that's what went bad. That description has been frequent on the forum with some of those machines.

Like I suggested with another posting, contact "acbio(dot)com" and see if they have any suggestions.

If you have two identical machines, have you tried switching power supplies to see if the problem moves with it?
Den
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Thanks ... After playing around with the machine (finally figured to attach it to a pillow to test it!), it is not the power supply. The machine just stops blowing after a minute or so. The LCD screen stays on, so it must be receiving power. I will try your suggestion anyway, but it seems that the PS is working OK.

Assuming it is really broken, and it seems that is likely is - is there really any difference between the old machines and the Remstar 60 series auto CPAP? I live in California and need an occasional bit of heat or humidity, but not much. A heated hose is totally not necessary. It really boils down to whether Respironics has improved on their auto-CPAP algorithm. Thanks. Jon

[palerider]

Thanks ... After playing around with the machine (finally figured to attach it to a pillow to test it!), it is not the power supply. The machine just stops blowing after a minute or so. The LCD screen stays on, so it must be receiving power. I will try your suggestion anyway, but it seems that the PS is working OK.

Assuming it is really broken, and it seems that is likely is - is there really any difference between the old machines and the Remstar 60 series auto CPAP? I live in California and need an occasional bit of heat or humidity, but not much. A heated hose is totally not necessary. It really boils down to whether Respironics has improved on their auto-CPAP algorithm. Thanks. Jon

if you have auto off set to on in the menu, then it will stop on it's own after a minute or twowhen not connected to a person.

the main difference between your 550 and the 560 "60 series" is an option for a heated hose on the humidifier, with a different power connector, on the blower, and between the blower and humidifier, the ability to preheat the water (like resmed has) and one or two minor differences that I can't remember off hand.

[Julie]

And why wouldn't they want their name all over the place . We think Cpap.com is terrific.

[JDS74]

The main difference is that the humidifiers are not interchangeable between the 50 series that you have and the newer 60 series. The cost of refurbishing your existing machine is likely to be less than $300 while a new one (which will need a new humidifier) will be in excess of $600 for the Series 60 Auto.

The new one comes with a 2 year warranty, the repaired one doesn't (2 years). My tendency would be to get the new one, keep the old humidifier and power supply block and cords as spares and continue. If you do that, use the new one as the warranty is an elapsed time one and not hours of use. If the new one is going to fail, it is likely to fail in a few months and then you'll get a replacement at no cost.

[bwexler]

I am to dumb to know the accurate descriptions of these machines, but I do understand the model numbers.
You want a DS560. The alpha characters that follow 560 designate humidifier options. TS is the heated hose designator which I prefer. Has I believe is the standard heated humidifier no heated hose. You can get a no humidifier option but I can't remember the designation.
If you wait ill Monday morning you can call our sponsor and get instructions on ordering what you want.

[Daydream Believer]

Do both the 550 and 560 provide full data? I was under the impression that the 560 provided a lot more data....


Amy

[Wulfman...]

Yes, along the lines of the suggestion by "palerider", check the internal settings to see that the "Auto On" is set to "On" and the "Auto Off" is set to "Off".


Den

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[Wulfman...]

Do both the 550 and 560 provide full data? I was under the impression that the 560 provided a lot more data....


Amy

Absolutely.


Den

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[palerider]

Do both the 550 and 560 provide full data? I was under the impression that the 560 provided a lot more data....
Amy

I think there's a *tiny* bit more data in the x60 range (like, something to do with leaks), but anything 4xx and up has full data and isn't a brick.

[robysue]

Do both the 550 and 560 provide full data?

Both are full data APAP machines.

I was under the impression that the 560 provided a lot more data....

No. The 560 records exactly the same data the 550 records. The 560 does show 1-day, 7-day, and 30-day summary data on the machine's LCD, whereas the 550 only shows 7-day and 30-day summary data on the machine's LCD. But that cannot accurately be described as "a lot more data."

As others have said, upgrading to the 560 will require you to replace the humidifier AND the power brick and cord. Secondwind CPAP does have a gently used 550 System One without humidifier listed for $369 if you really want to minimize costs and are buying the machine 100% out of pocket.

[Drowsy Dancer]

Do both the 550 and 560 provide full data?

Both are full data APAP machines.

I was under the impression that the 560 provided a lot more data....

No. The 560 records exactly the same data the 550 records. The 560 does show 1-day, 7-day, and 30-day summary data on the machine's LCD, whereas the 550 only shows 7-day and 30-day summary data on the machine's LCD. But that cannot accurately be described as "a lot more data."

As others have said, upgrading to the 560 will require you to replace the humidifier AND the power brick and cord. [url=http://www.secondwindcpap.com/Used_CPAP.html]Secondwind CPAP[/ulr] does have a gently used 550 System One without humidifier listed for $369 if you really want to minimize costs and are buying the machine 100% out of pocket.

Or check Craigslist for used 550P. Caveat emptor, check machine hours, etc.

[archangle]

Or check Craigslist for used 550P. Caveat emptor, check machine hours, etc.

I've had good luck with CL, but you may have to wait months to find a good price on a good machine locally. A good thing for anyone to do to get a spare unit or upgrade if they're not in a hurry.

You'll have to read a lot of ads with ridiculously high prices. People think they're a worth a lot more than they are because they bought at "brick and mortar" DME price, and may have also gotten a standard double ripoff price invoice from the DME that the insurance company knocks down by 50% or so.

Figure out the model numbers, and learn how to read the model number to be sure it really does actually work.

[mgaggie]

You'll have to read a lot of ads with ridiculously high prices. People think they're a worth a lot more than they are because they bought at "brick and mortar" DME price, and may have also gotten a standard double ripoff price invoice from the DME that the insurance company knocks down by 50% or so.

Its quite bad here in Australia. People try to sell machines that have been used for 5+ years for $600.