My experience with Comfortlite2

First, let me say that I have been using an UltraMirage mask for about 2 years. I'm pretty used to it, but wanted to try something different. Was hoping to find something more comfortable and possibly try nasal pillows, so I got a Comfortlite2. I've now used it for 2 nights.

I tried the nasal pillows, but I have slotted nares and could not get a good seal, so I went to the Comfortseal attachment.

Things I liked:
===========
1) Look of the mask.
2) Weight
3) Multiple adjustments
4) Comfort
5) Having less of my face covered by the mask. Felt less intrusive.
6) No strap marks on my cheeks.

Things I disliked:
==============
1) The way the elbow sticks out of the top of the mask. Had to sleep farther away from headboard to prevent the hose from getting wedged between my head and the headboard.
2) I had the angle adjustment set all the way in one direction and didn't feel it was quite enough (needed more adjustment). I may need to get another strap for it to correct this issue.

What I absolutely hated:
=================
1) the exhaust port is right in front of the nose. I kept getting air blown back from the blanket and pillows into my face making me think that I had a leak. In addition, forget about sleeping face to face with my wife because it would be blowing right at her.

This exhaust port issue is bad enough that I may stop using / sell the mask. Anyone currently using this mask that has a suggestion on how to fix this?

Anyone tried the direct seal option?

Thanks,
Steve

another question.... would it be safe to block the co2 exhaust on the elbow (with say electrical tape) and drill some holes in tube further up (higher) on the mask to prevent the air in the face issue?

Steve-o wrote:I tried the nasal pillows, but I have slotted nares and could not get a good seal, so I went to the Comfortseal attachment.

Hi Steve,

I've got slotted nares too and I was greatly disappointed with the CL2 nasal pillows, because I bought it fully expecting the nasal pillows to work well. I was greatly disappointed to find not one, but three serious issues with the CL2 pillows.

However, rather than give up on it, I decided to experiment a little and came up with a simple fix that mediates all three problems a great deal and makes the pillows much more useful. It worked so well, that I used the pillows all night last night without problem.

The solution (don't laugh, now) is to attach a small tie-wrap around each pillow bellows with the end of the tie-wrap sticking out forward. The tie-wraps will be naturally elongated when tightened, hence making them fit slotted nares better. Next, attach a larger tie-wrap around the entire pillows assembly such that the forward ends of the two smaller tie-wraps are cinched down somewhat. This entire process accomplishes the following three things:
1) Elongates the pillows making them a better fit for slotted nares
2) Pulls the front of the pillows down, while raising the back of the pillows up for a better seal at the base of the nares.
3) Changes the angle between the pillows from nearly horizontal to about 20 degrees or so. I couldn't get quite as much angle as with my Swift pillows, but I got enough to make the pillows relatively comfortable for me.

It might be easier to just sell your CL2 though. But, just in case you're interested in experimenting, these easy fixes really do make the mask much more useful. I think the Swift may still be a better pillows mask, but I haven't fully committed to that choice yet.

Regards,
Bill