Dream station auto vs Resmed Air sense 10?

I'm interested in the Dreamstation, think it has a lot of nice features esp for traveling, which I do a lot of. But not having Sleepyhead (yet) is maybe a deal breaker. I am a Mac user and don't really want to buy something like Parallels so I can run one piece of software (Encore pro).

Thinking of the autoset for her (even though I'm a him). Though I believe I'd cover the flowers with some other stickers.

jonny515 wrote: Though I believe I'd cover the flowers with some other stickers.

something manly...

maybe camo contact paper

jonny515 wrote:I'm interested in the Dreamstation, think it has a lot of nice features esp for traveling, which I do a lot of. But not having Sleepyhead (yet) is maybe a deal breaker. I am a Mac user and don't really want to buy something like Parallels so I can run one piece of software (Encore pro).

Thinking of the autoset for her (even though I'm a him). Though I believe I'd cover the flowers with some other stickers.

The sleepyhead support is likely just because it is new. Regardless of going Resmed or Respironics, if you were to use Encore Pro or ResScan, both would require parallels or a windows machine so its sort of a wash there.

OKCSleepDoc wrote:The sleepyhead support is likely just because it is new. Regardless of going Resmed or Respironics, if you were to use Encore Pro or ResScan, both would require parallels or a windows machine so its sort of a wash there.

resscan is for masochists... encore is for world class masochists, and anybody putting encore pro on their home machine is in a whole different class of loving mental torture.

jedimark is currently working on getting sleepyhead to read DS data.

By all means, I"m such a manly man, you can tell by my avatar.

palerider wrote:

jonny515 wrote: Though I believe I'd cover the flowers with some other stickers.

something manly...

maybe camo contact paper

Hi, just wanting to be sure any campers know that the Respironics machines - such as the PR System One and the new DreamStation are "dry" camper friendly (as in off the grid with no electricity) as they are 12v machines and can be run easily off an external battery. I have a small foldable Solar Panel that I use to charge a small battery that then plugs directly into my Respironics APAP. I can get 3 8-10 hr nights at a pressure of 10.5 from this set-up (no humidity). The ResMed machines are 24v and require a rather expensive converter to use off battery. Sleepyhead should be out soon for the DreamStation - I know it is being worked on. My 560 APAP is a MUST for me as we camp extensively off grid. If using your machine off grid is important, but don't want to wait for Sleepyhead to work with Dreamstation,one can pick up a used System One APAP fairly reasonably now that the DreamStation is out. Then use insurance to buy a new DreamStation when Sleepyhead works with it.

For me, I now have both the 3 yr old Phillips Respironics System One 560 APAP and a new ResMed AirSense AutoSet for Her. I had the opportunity to acquire the New ResMed very inexpensively so I grabbed it as the Respironics is off warranty and medicare won't pay for replacement until 5 yrs ( anxious about not having a backup and I was curious about the AutoSet). So, as of this time, I am using the AutoSet (1 month in) and keeping the Respironics (without furthering it's wear and tear) for camping. I do quite well with both. The AutoSet is quieter but I like the reporting of the Respironics better. AHI seemed slightly lower on the System One but I haven't had time to investigate different settings etc. I was hoping the For Her algorithm would lessen my Flow Limitations - but...Time will tell. At this point, either is fine for me. I use Sleepyhead on my Mac for both machines and also check Encore and ResScan on Windows (again curious about slight differences in reporting). When the time comes that I can get a new machine paid for, I will go ahead and get another Respironics for my camping needs.

This is excellent info. I do camp 1-2 times a year (off grid) (Probably like about 3 nights altogether.) I don't know that CPAP is really realistic in the situations I've been in though, tbh. Side (or sleeping sitting up) really decreases my incidents-- just for the few times a year I do this-- seems more realistic.

jagzoo wrote:Hi, just wanting to be sure any campers know that the Respironics machines - such as the PR System One and the new DreamStation are "dry" camper friendly (as in off the grid with no electricity) as they are 12v machines and can be run easily off an external battery. I have a small foldable Solar Panel that I use to charge a small battery that then plugs directly into my Respironics APAP. I can get 3 8-10 hr nights at a pressure of 10.5 from this set-up (no humidity). The ResMed machines are 24v and require a rather expensive converter to use off battery. Sleepyhead should be out soon for the DreamStation - I know it is being worked on. My 560 APAP is a MUST for me as we camp extensively off grid. If using your machine off grid is important, but don't want to wait for Sleepyhead to work with Dreamstation,one can pick up a used System One APAP fairly reasonably now that the DreamStation is out. Then use insurance to buy a new DreamStation when Sleepyhead works with it.

jagzoo wrote:Hi, just wanting to be sure any campers know that the Respironics machines - such as the PR System One and the new DreamStation are "dry" camper friendly (as in off the grid with no electricity) as they are 12v machines and can be run easily off an external battery. I have a small foldable Solar Panel that I use to charge a small battery that then plugs directly into my Respironics APAP. I can get 3 8-10 hr nights at a pressure of 10.5 from this set-up (no humidity). The ResMed machines are 24v and require a rather expensive converter to use off battery. Sleepyhead should be out soon for the DreamStation - I know it is being worked on.

The Philips Respironics 12 system does have an advantage, but if you look at the total cost of an off-grid system, the cost of the ResMed converter isn't that big of a deal. The equivalent Philips Respironics adapter is about $25, plus another $25 for the battery to cigarette lighter plug. The ResMed adapter is about $85, but includes the battery to cig cable.

Then you have to throw in the cost, size, and weight of a battery, and solar panels, if any.

The ResMed DC-DC converter shuts down before completely discharging the battery, protecting the battery from over discharge damage, and keeps the voltage constant until it shuts down.

The DreamStation DC cable has been in short supply with the online suppliers, but it looks like it might be more readily available now. Check first if you're planning to use it

I am only talking about wanting to run your APAP off a battery/ solar system that is also useful to charge other devices ( phones etc.), is backpack able if needed, and doesn't need a car for recharging - not plunging into a available car cigarette lighter (as in 3 days+ hiking away from a car). There is no adapter needed to use the battery I referenced. The battery has all the 12v connectors needed for a multitude of devices including 12v,USB, same with the solar. Also the battery is selectable for 5v-20 v output for charging other devices ( as well as the 12v).

jagzoo wrote:I am only talking about wanting to run your APAP off a battery/ solar system that is also useful to charge other devices ( phones etc.), is backpack able if needed, and doesn't need a car for recharging - not plunging into a available car cigarette lighter (as in 3 days+ hiking away from a car). There is no adapter needed to use the battery I referenced. The battery has all the 12v connectors needed for a multitude of devices including 12v,USB, same with the solar. Also the battery is selectable for 5v-20 v output for charging other devices ( as well as the 12v).

The DreamStation has a different connect than the previous PR models. I don't know if the connector is one of the standard barrel connectors that such batteries tend to have. Let us know if you find out which barrel connector type it is for the DreamStation. It's usually a letter such as "N" size.

Do you have a model number for the battery and solar panel you're using? Solar power charging can be a problem for a lot of people for camping because you may not be able to leave the solar panel out during the day, or get a good unshaded location, etc. People also tend to grossly overestimate the amount of charging they'll get out of a solar panel.

I would have zero (other) use for Parallels. About the only non-internet program I use on my Mac are Open Office, iMovie, and text edit. Really software is so 1990s.

OTOH, at the rate my sleep center is going Sleepyhead for Dreamstation will be on it's fourth incarnation. They appear to be in no hurry.

palerider wrote:

OKCSleepDoc wrote:The sleepyhead support is likely just because it is new. Regardless of going Resmed or Respironics, if you were to use Encore Pro or ResScan, both would require parallels or a windows machine so its sort of a wash there.

resscan is for masochists... encore is for world class masochists, and anybody putting encore pro on their home machine is in a whole different class of loving mental torture.

jedimark is currently working on getting sleepyhead to read DS data.

Hi archangel,

Here are the specs on my solar charger and battery: I got them from Amazon. Looking through Amazon now, I see foldable solar panels with much more watt ratings. But these have done me well.

Instapark® Mercury27 Portable & Foldable 27 Watts Solar Battery Charger with DC 12V Output for Automotive Batteries & Dual DC 5V Standard USB Ports for iPhone, iPad, Android Smart Phone, Tablet Computer & Other Portable Device Item Model # MCRY27
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EVF ... ge_o06_s00

Poweradd™ Pilot Pro 32000mAh Monster Capacity Multi-Voltage (5V 9V 12V 16V 19V 20V) Portable Charger External Battery Backup Power Bank (lithium) ASIN: B00DN0KBXUhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DN0KBXU?ps ... ge_o07_s00

Since this has been a popular discussion in the past, I am going to start a new thread and post these.

Happy camping, XPAPing and sleeping!

I am considering the Air Sense 10 Auto set with Heated humidifier but the vender suggested the Dreamstation AUTO CPAP with optional humidifier. The sales rep favored the Dreamstation model because if the heating plate for the Air Sense unit fails then you have to replace the entire unit while the with the Dreamstation unit the humidfier is an optional component that can be replaced separately if it fails. Any thoughts on this matter?

It sounds like most of the contributors favor the Air Sense device for many other reasons.

Please advise or offer some insights.

Usually, the vendor 's reasons for favoring one model over another have more to do with profit than functionality.
(Though both are good machines)
If this DME balks at selling you the machine you prefer, find one that lets you have what YOU want.

My dad is looking for a new machine to replace his 12 year old bipap. I want him to get one of these Autocpaps, but he thinks he will need an autobipap, as he remembers not being able to sleep with a cpap (hence why the doctors gave him the Respironics Duet LX System Bipap machine 12 years ago).

I have a sneaking suspicion that an autocpap with epr will be just as good as his old bipap, but I really don't understand the difference.

What is the difference between a modern autocpap with epr and an autobipap???

Please help me - autobipaps are much more expensive than autocpaps.