Fisher Paykel Icon vs. Icon+

I'm getting my first CPAP machine, and think that I will get a Fisher Paykel Icon+. Does anyone know the difference between the Icon and Icon+?

Is there a reason why I would want an Icon versus an Icon+?

Anyone have experience with both of them?

Thanks in advance.

Not a lot of Icon users here on the forum but there are a few.

The Icon+ is the newer model. I don't know what was added with the newer model but that's the one I would want if I wanted the Icon which I wouldn't want (personal preference).

Thanks for your reply.

Why wouldn't you want the Icon?

Why wouldn't I want a F & P machine?
I don't care for the data presented and the software from F & P is a huge PITA to install and use. I know a DME that discontinued selling F & P machines simply because the software was such trouble to manage.
I find that ResMed/Respironics data is more comprehensive. Minor detail but it's just something that is important to me. We all have little things that trip our trigger and that's one of them for me and I could care less about having a clock available. For some people that clock is a big plus but it isn't something I want or need.

Just my own personal preference in terms of what it can do and I really like the heated hose (from ResMed or Respironics) that is easily adjusted for comfort.
I prefer the data collection on the Respironics and ResMed machines.
I am sure that the Icon is a nice machine....I just wouldn't want one personally....meaning if I was spending my own money for one it wouldn't be what I would choose.
Also from what I have seen in the Icon's clinical manual...big PITA to get to the data available on the machine itself. Lots of hoops to jump through and not very user friendly.

Good reasons.

Initially I was also concerned about the software, but I see that an open source solution that is being actively developed is available.

(I don't care about the clock either)

Above post was from me (gotta get used to this bulletin board software).

Also, I think that the Icon + comes with a heated hose.

I have an Icon & a few months later got a Philips Respironics System One 560. My Icon was not an auto machine but was straight CPAP. I personally do not care for the F&P Icon - at all. My reasons are partly the data, which I learned AFTER I got is is indeed very important to me. Other reasons I don't like it are the programming is difficult to use, and the actual operation algorithms are different from my PR and are not nearly as comfortable to sleep with.

I have never used a ResMed machine, so cannot speak to them, except to say they are very popular among forum members. I love my PR S1 560, and highly recommend this machine. Previous to my short time with the Icon I had an old PR M Series & I like the basic 'feel' of the PR machines better than the Icon. Its hard to describe, but I went from the M Series to the Icon, at the same straight CPAP pressure of 19 & was not quite comfortable with the Icon, it didn't seem to follow my breathing pattern as easily. That could have been a difference I would have gotten used to with time (I got my new PR machine 6 months later), but in that time, I didn't adjust.

Data software for me was a nightmare. Long story, but as Pugsy said a PITA. Also, I would add, don't let the cute 'clock' face fool you, how a machine looks is not as important as its functionality. I know you didn't ask for a full comparison, but I thought I'd offer you my experiences in case it might prove helpful to you.

Jen

Appreciate the detailed info.

Was yours the Icon or Icon+ (I'm seeing the names used interchangeably)? Where do you get it? (Cpap.com seems only to have the Icon, and not the Icon+)

As far as the data, was it the open source software that you used with it?

(I'll be getting an auto, so I wonder whether the experience would be as "off" with you had described. I've also seen a number of nice reviews for the Icon+ auto)

Again, thanks for the data points... this is all a bit overwhelming.

Marka I think it also depends on where on the planet you are. F & P cpap machines are popular in Australia (as are their whitegoods), yet F & P machines are literally hated in the US.

I have a Icon Novo (brick) on permanent loan from a hospital and I can get the sleepyhead software to work. Looking at the other machines I like the compact all in one size of the machine, makes it so much easier to carry and it also doesn't take up so much space anywhere.

Just picked up an F&P ICON+ Auto after using a RemStar Auto for the last 7 years.

Really like the RemStar and managed all my data using the EncorePro software. I've finished setting up the F&P software. I missed a couple of steps at first but hung in there and got the USB key synced to my identity.

I started looking at the F&P because I like their products. I have been using their Oracle Oral mask for 7 years as well, although I've been toying with a Circadiance cloth mask that I'm starting to like a lot. I also have a two drawer F&P dishwasher that is a real champ of a dishwasher.

I haven't noticed any missing data from the ICON+ that I was getting from my RemStar, so no complaints there. It has a much smaller footprint than my RemStar. The clock, alarm, and tune player allow me to have my CPAP on my nightstand an no separate device for wake alarm and music playing (usually as part of the alarm). For me that's a huge win. Heated hose on the ICON+, regular hose on the RemStar...during the wrong seasons lots of condensation. ICON+ easier to clean due to smaller profile, smoother sides, fewer nooks and crannies for dust and stuff to accumulate largely due to the humidifier reservoir being integrated in the same case. Much more quiet than my RemStar. So far all wins.

I really loved my RemStar, and it will definitely be my backup device...but so far for me the ICON+ is all pluses.

RC wrote: ...I haven't noticed any missing data from the ICON+ that I was getting from my RemStar, so no complaints there. It has a much smaller footprint than my RemStar. The clock, alarm, and tune player allow me to have my CPAP on my nightstand an no separate device for wake alarm and music playing (usually as part of the alarm). For me that's a huge win. Heated hose on the ICON+, regular hose on the RemStar...during the wrong seasons lots of condensation. ICON+ easier to clean due to smaller profile, smoother sides, fewer nooks and crannies for dust and stuff to accumulate largely due to the humidifier reservoir being integrated in the same case. Much more quiet than my RemStar. So far all wins.

I really loved my RemStar, and it will definitely be my backup device...but so far for me the ICON+ is all pluses.

Thanks very much.

I did pick one up, and think that F&P addressed most (all?) of the concerns people raised. It was helpful to know where to look for issues.

I've installed the open source Sleepytime software on one of our Macs, and it seems to do a nice job in displaying the data. Now I need to get familiar with what it means.

After four nights, I'm having issues adjusting to the the unit, but as far as I can see, the unit both works well, and is very easy to use. Hopefully I will eventually get used to it. I'm tired, but my wife says that I don't snore anymore! My father-in-law had a CPAP machine for years, which was very noisy (could hear it in the next room), so she was also surprised and delighted that the Icon+ Auto was so silent.

Thanks again everyone, for your feedback.

Did anyone end up identifying what the difference is between the Icon & Icon+ ? I recently changed insurance and am now able to purchase a machine (thank god. renting is such a scam) and thinking of getting the updated model of the Icon, but didn't know what the benefits would be. I'm also thinking of the S9 but that's the topic for another thread

Thanks in advance!!!

ldobler74 wrote:Did anyone end up identifying what the difference is between the Icon & Icon+ ? I recently changed insurance and am now able to purchase a machine (thank god. renting is such a scam) and thinking of getting the updated model of the Icon, but didn't know what the benefits would be. I'm also thinking of the S9 but that's the topic for another thread

I don't think there are enough Icon users here that upgrade to Icon + to be really able to offer thoughts about possible differences.
You might check out the F & P website and see if there is any way to talk to someone there about the differences...and maybe get the clinical manuals for each model to see what might be different.
There just hasn't been a lot of discussion about F & P here. The bulk of the brands used by forum members here is ResMed and Respironics.

Now if you want the ins and outs of the S9 you will have lots of member input.
Of course the S9 isn't the latest...there is now the AirSense 10...and a few members are just now upgrading to it who used the S9 in the past.

At one point I was drawn to the Icon, simply because of its appearance.
Then I found out (from here) about their data drawbacks.
My new "AS10" looks so much cooler than any Icon--and is even more functional.

ldobler74 wrote:Did anyone end up identifying what the difference is between the Icon & Icon+ ? I recently changed insurance and am now able to purchase a machine (thank god. renting is such a scam) and thinking of getting the updated model of the Icon, but didn't know what the benefits would be. I'm also thinking of the S9 but that's the topic for another thread

Thanks in advance!!!

Here's a little bit of information, from their press release:

https://www.fphcare.com/news/2013-news/ ... flow-gene/

Some, but not a lot of illumination.