New machine or wait?

I tend to have parts to fix things on hand instead of waiting until it breaks or have an extra of things in case I need it. I haven't really thought about doing that with my Vauto since it's brand new but now that part of me is creeping in. I'm debating if I should buy another one in case this one craps out for some reason. But then I wonder if buying another one and putting it in storage would be like buying another cell phone and putting that in storage. If the machine lasts 5 years would the one in storage be obsolete by then? I know technology changes and advances all the time but I don't know if pap machines follow that pattern. I'd hate to buy another machine now "just in case" and then something "bigger and better" come out next year.

There are MANY machines manufactured 10-15 years ago that are still in use....5 years from now a new machine will not be obsolete. There will always be bigger and better on all products..not just CPAP machines....

Be aware that prices have recently shot up--waiting a bit may not be a bad idea.

I understand your thoughts and I have had some similar thoughts.
I do have a spare machine....just in case. I have always had a spare.
I always shop smart and get really good deals.
Always slightly used low hour machines bought privately.

What I have done is I usually end up using a machine 2 or 3 years and someone comes along here on the forum who is in dire need of a machine and doesn't have much money. I will offer my machine at a little discount since the slightly used machine is not so slightly used any more. I sell it and pull out the spare machine and use it and start looking for another spare.
Doesn't usually take me too long.

I don't have to have the latest and greatest though and even if my ResMed machine gets discontinued for a newer model ResMed will continue to manufacture any special items that my machine might need for at least 5 years after the model was discontinue. I think it is 5 years but it might be more like 10 years.
That would be my only real fear....keep using the current machine and the "just in case" machine not get used for several years and something I might need (heated hose) that is model specific no longer be made.

That's how I handle it. I sit back and wait until I see a smoking hot deal though. That way I can afford to pass along the great deal to someone else who is quite happy to get my more than gently used machine at a discount because they can't afford more premium priced low hour machines.

I don't go out and buy a brand new full retail priced machine as a spare though. I buy a gently used machine that has low hours and it's a smoking hot deal......since I am the queen of cheap.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 10, 2022 8:01 pm

Be aware that prices have recently shot up--waiting a bit may not be a bad idea.

I should have lots of time to wait. My machine is pretty new...less than 1000 hrs. I probably shouldn't even be entertaining buying a back up yet but Murphy follows me around and with my luck my machine will be broken tonight when I go to bed.

I have a low hour used spare but I do not let it just sit around. I use it when we travel and have even switched it out a few nights when we are home and not traveling (during the pandemic) just to make sure its not sitting too long. I'm in Arizona and things that just sit tend to not work when we need them.

Watch your local Craig's List and Facebook Marketplace for good buys. I found my spare machine on Marketplace for $220, and it had around 125 hours on it. I have it available in case mine decides to quit on me. It has over 18000 hours on it. If it dies, I'll be ready.

I thought the same thing as you with my VAUTO. Watch Craigslist or Marketplace for a gently used machine, often sold by the relatives of the dead patient. You can get a backup for fairly cheap. Just check that it doesn't smell like smoke and the hours are low.

loggerhead12 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 11, 2022 6:20 pm

I thought the same thing as you with my VAUTO. Watch Craigslist or Marketplace for a gently used machine, often sold by the relatives of the dead patient. You can get a backup for fairly cheap. Just check that it doesn't smell like smoke and the hours are low.

I'll take the ones that smell like smoke as long as its cheap. I live with smokers so the smell doesn't bother me. Someone needs to start a marketplace for those of us who are not bothered by smoke or pet hair. Lol.