My new S8!

Count me convinced that the ResMed S8 machines are really great!

I guess I've been pretty lucky on my xPAP journey so far. After my sleep study, I was immediately given an M Series BiPAP Auto and sent home with settings of 17/22/BiFlex 3. Not knowing anything about xPAP at this point, other than it would help (as evidenced by feeling much better even after the half-night of therapy from the study), I've used the M Series every night since 10/18. It worked fine and it was a sturdy, quality, product. I wasn't too happy about the way it would occasionally "force" my breathing into a particular pattern and speed, but it wasn't too bad. Given my insurance and DME pricing, I quickly figured out that it would be much cheaper for me to just buy a machine out-of-pocket than to co-pay my insurance for "rental" costs, deductible, etc. So, not knowing any better, I ordered a new Respironics PR System One BiPAP Auto, which was supposed to ship last week. Last week came and went and I was told that Respironics had found a problem during testing and that it would ship this week...

This whole time, being the smart guy that I am , I've been here, learning from you all! Luckily, one of the things I learned was how well regarded the ResMed machines were. I did some research and was pretty much convinced that I wanted an S8 VPAP Auto 25 with H4i humidifier. One big factor in my decision was the "availability" of software for the machine. As you all know, the new System One machines don't work with EncoreViewer or the old EncorePro -- it only works with EncorePro 2.1, and since you can't buy that (or "find" it anywhere at the moment), it makes the System One software-less, at least for now... The S8, on the other hand, has ResScan. I've used both EncorePro 1.8 and ResScan 3.7 and found that I liked ResScan much better. So, the delay with my order was really a lucky break for me. I decided to cancel my order and get the S8. As I decided to do this and went looking for the best price online, I lucked out once again and found a brand new S8 VPAP Auto 25 with H4i humidifier on cpapauction.com. The price was almost too good to be true, and even after a 30% increase over the original asking price during auction battle, I was still able to get the machine for considerably less than HALF the lowest DISCOUNT price I had found elsewhere online!

To make a long story short (yeah, yeah, too late, I know ), I got the S8 yesterday and used it for the first time last night. Wow! It's a great little machine! It feels solid like a tank, and very well made. The Aussies are doing a great job! I couldn't believe how quiet it is too. You basically cannot hear it running. The only sound comes from my mask's exhaust port. That is a BIG difference from the M Series I had -- it made very loud whooshing sounds, like Darth Vader breathing on my nightstand all night long! I also like how easy it is to fill the humidifier. But most of all, I really liked the "smoothness" of the air delivery -- none of the forced patterns I was getting from the M Series. In short, my S8 seems like a "Cadillac" compared to the "Buick" M Series...

Now, let me be clear about one thing: This is just a recount of my experiences and opinions. I don't want to start a Respironics vs. ResMed flame war, and I'm definitely not deriding anyone who uses and likes their M Series. I just want to express how impressed I am with my S8 and to let you guys know that I appreciate those that helped me make my decision to get it!

Cheers,
F

Hi falvesjr

Congratulations on working your way through the DME maze to purchasing the machine of your dreams through online auction.

I join you and slinky in thinking ResMed are the greatest sleep apnea machines.

Best wishes
Jan

Thanks Jan!

-F