Struggling on what machine to get.

This coming Friday, my doctor is scripting me out an auto cpap. However, I am seriously struggling with which machine to get. The s8 autoset II or the new s9 auto. I know the s8 autoset II is real reliable and is a great machine. The s9 hasn't really been out long enough to prove itself yet. I had just bought a card reader for my Elite II and if I get the s9, I would have bought it for nothing. I also just recently bought the aussie heated hose which I absolutely love so I have no need for the extra benefits of the humidifier of the s9. I can also use my humidifier from my Elite II with the autosett II which would also be a plus. What are some other options I am not considering here?

I have thought about these same things. I'm currently using an S8 Elite II and I want to get an APAP machine. Right now, I'm using a Fisher & Paykel HC150 standalone humidifier (which I like very much), and I also have the Aussie heated hose. Although I don't have full "rainout control" as I would with the S9 Autoset + ClimateLine hose, it works fine. If I purchased the S8 AutoSet II, I would use the integrated H4i humidifier (which I do have), as you said you would, with the Aussie hose when needed.

I've decided to get the S9 Autoset for two reasons. One is that I would like to see if I'm having significant numbers of central apneas, especially if I decide to experiment with higher pressure settings. I suspect that centrals are NOT an issue for me, but I would just like to know. The S8 machines cannot report whether an apnea is central or obstructive, while an S9 machine can. The other reason is that high-resolution data (snores, air flow) is available in ResScan 3.10 software when used with an S9 machine. That information is not available with the S8 machines. I'm a "detail-oriented" kinda gal, so I would like to see the extra information. It motivates me.

I believe the S9 is a bit quieter, but I consider my S8 Elite II to be VERY quiet, so that's not a consideration for me at all. The algorithms are different between the S8 and S9 machines, and some people think the S9 actually gives better therapy (not proven scientifically, but at least one member has reported that his oximeter readings have been better with S9 than with his S8). I have read that the air is somehow "gentler" with the S9 as well. Never having tried it, I'm not sure how perceptible that difference would be, and I'm perfectly comfortable with air delivery on my current S8 machine.

If you're not a data geek like I am, then an S8 AutoSet II would be a fine choice for you. The machine is proven, while I think there may still be some bugs to work out with the S9 machines and S9 tubing. You wouldn't have to purchase a humidifier, which is nice. I've seen brand new S8 AutoSet II's selling for around $250-$300 on http://www.cpapauction.com, which is substantially less than the S9 Autoset.

The truth be told, I think that we'd be happy with either machine, as they're both great choices!

You probably wouldn't have any problem selling your S8 Card Reader. They are no longer available in the US.

I had the S8 AutoSet II for 6 months, then upgraded to the S9 AutoSet. DreamOn has given a very through analysis of both apaps.

I could not tolerate apap on the S8, because of aerophagia, but I can on the S9. I like the benefits of using apap, knowing if I'm having a central or obstructive apnea, and having no rainout. I had the Aussie hose, could never find the correct balance between heat and humidity.

But both are very good machines, and you would probably do fine with either one.

I've been giving it some serious thought and I think I might go ahead with the S9 Auto. Hopefully, all the good will outweigh the bad. My mom had one for a few weeks and decided to return hers because she couldn't get her humidifier to work. The humidifier would only heat up when just the humidifier was on, not the cpap unit itself. For example, the warm up feature would work. But, once she put the cpap machine on, the humidifier heater would shut off. I called Resmed Tech. support and he said that it sounded like there was something wrong with the circuitry in the cpap unit. When the cpap was powered on, not enough current was getting to the heating plate of the humidifier, but it was reading that it was working. He said to just trade in the cpap unit, not the humidifier. My mom had already traded the humidifier for a different one but the same thing was happening. She decided to just get something else. She is not very technology saavy and doesn't understand much about cpaps and she thought there was way too much technology for her.

I have been hesitating to purchase the S9 because a few people here have reported similar problems with the humidifier. Sometimes it's been really difficult to judge whether the humidifier settings just weren't set correctly on the machine, if the patient misunderstood how the humidifier is intended to work, or if the unit was actually faulty. But I think I'm going to go for it anyway. Sure, the S9 AutoSet is a lot more expensive than the S8, but we're going to have this machine for a long time. I'll probably keep my old machine for backup/travel, but if you don't need your S8 Elite II you could always sell it, the H4i humidifier and card reader at http://www.cpapauction.com.

I hope you're very happy with your purchase!

Like Katie, I used an S8 Autoset II at first and then upgraded to the S9 Autoset. I am really glad I did for a couple of reasons--I like the more detailed data, the climate control has been great--no rainout ever (be sure to get the climateline hose, I'm sure you know), and my AHI has been significantly lower. I don't know if that is a data reporting issue (the S8 scored a lot of hypopneas but I rarely see any on the S9), or if I'm actually getting better therapy. One thing I do know is that my pressure is adjusting in response to apneas where the pressure is over 10, which the S8 was specifically designed NOT to do since it could not distinguish centrals. I can see this in my data, and I'm not sure if this may partially account for the lower AHI or not.

jmelby wrote: One thing I do know is that my pressure is adjusting in response to apneas where the pressure is over 10, which the S8 was specifically designed NOT to do since it could not distinguish centrals. I can see this in my data, and I'm not sure if this may partially account for the lower AHI or not.

I've heard this said before but can someone please explain this to me. Are you saying that the S8 Autoset II doesn't treat anything above 10 or am I misunderstanding something?

Jason1975, the S8s and earlier models do not respond to sudden onset apneas that occur when the pressure is >10, it's called the A10 algorithm. These machines respond to all the breathing irregularies that commonly precede an apnea and they do that at whatever pressure they occur at. It's those sudden apneas that do not cause the machine to increase pressure, those not preceded by those recognizable breathing irregularities.

I guess I still don't really understand it. .......sorry.

OK, let me try it this way. Apneas are typically preceded by certain recognizable breathing irregularities..still with me?

APAP machines will increase pressure when these breathing irregularities occur except in the following situations:

• A ResMed model S8 or older machine running a pressure of 10+
• A machine that can detect clear airways will not respond to a clear airway apnea on the assumption that it is a central apnea (brain stops telling the body to breathe) rather than an obstructive apnea which is helped by increasing the pressure

Make any more sense?

Ahhhhhhhh, Gotcha!!!!!! Thanks for explaining it that way! I'm a little slow sometimes.