Slinky wrote:I found that post regarding the M series I mentioned earlier. It was at another forum. And I incorrectly stated
If I remember correctly a part of the problem was that in reducing the machine size it has also reduced the machine's "power" or "efficiency", etc.
What he actually said was
2) We discussed the power supply being huge and difficult for some people, especially elderly folks, to deal with. I asked if it was done that way to make the body smaller, or to get it away from the water chamber, but she said no. The primary reasons the power supply was designed that way was to prevent heat problems, and to enable them to use the same power supply for both the cflex and bipap versions of the M series. She did, however, admit that the power supply is bulky and a bit more complicated than it could be. Lastly, they are going back to the 5 ft cord (like the rest of the Remstar units have) from the wall to the power supply. They currently issue a 3 ft cord with the M series. Due to the large power supply, it is an irritation to have that short of a cord.
My apologies.
The above report looks like the same one plastered on every sleep forum in the country. Bit of an exaggeration if you ask me, I have yet to see mine vibrate the power cord out of the back of the machine. Listening to that guy he has exhanged more machines then I think they have produced since its release at the end of June.
There are other people here that own the M series, they haven't complained about vibration.
I own a M series Auto, the power supply is no different than what you would find if you have a laptop.
While the power cord you plug into the wall is only 3ft, the cord on the other end of the power supply is 47" long or nearly 7ft long total. The humidifier power piggy-backs on the power supply so you have 2 cords going to the machine/humidifier but only 1 that needs to be plugged into the power outlet, the 3ft one.
Power supply is larger because it is a 4AMP power supply. You can only get so many AMP's in a given space. In order to produce 20cm pressure these machines require a lot of power for the blower motor. A Bi-pap would require even more.
If the machine requires that much power to run, then it is better that it is adjunct instead of residing on a printed circuit board inside the machine. The power supply converts AC power to DC power, so the machine runs directly off 12VDC power, this means less EMI emissions, can be more easily approved in all the different countries. If the power supply goes bad you can even go down to Radio Shack and/or Best Buy and get a 12VDC one that would probably work, if it is integrated on the main PCB and fails you send the whole machine back. Moving the power supply outside of the machine also removes heat generated from the power supply, this extends the life of the machine. There is also less electrical hazard.
The M series does has some
added features over the Classic,
-LCD Reporting: AHI, Leak and Pressure Reporting from the LCD display (7 & 30 day averages). Mine has firmware version 3.06, I have not noticed any missing data or even a missing Saturday from EncorePro.
-AutoRamp: The M series has a ramp feature similar to Resmed's Settling feature but it is more flexible. You can set a pressure range anywhere from 4.0cm to the Min. pressure. So you can have your Min. pressure up higher say 8.0cm and setup a Ramp pressure range of 5.0cm to 8.0cm for 30-minutes and it will run at the lower pressure until the timer expires then switch to auto titration mode using the 8.0cm pressure. This is to allow you to more easily fall asleep. As before with the Classic, you can hit the Ramp button as many times as you wish and it will drop back down below the Min. pressure and reset the timer. If you set the Ramp pressure to the same as your Min. pressure it will then function like Settling on the Resmed and not respond to events until the timer expires.
Both excellent features in my opinion.
I use the SAME EncorePro software 1.6.22 and reader as I did on my Classic, and still download from both machines without a hitch.
The Bad:
As for noise there is not much difference between it and the Classic (1dB according to my tests), it does take up a larger footprint with the integrated humidifier. The travel bag isn't large enough for putting the mask in it. I put my $150+ mask in a plastic tupperware-like hard plastic container and stick it in my main suit case. I would never stick it in any bag unprotected, they cost too much.
Humidifier: The only real problem I see with the M series is with the humidifier tank design. It is very easy to slosh/blow water out of the tank when at full mark. Respironics could easily remedy that situation by making a baffle on the inside of the tank lid that runs horizontal with the water level short from the end of the tank, that should go a long way in reducing the risk of water spillage and damage.
I'll admit, I'm not excited with the humidifier design, I think the old Classic or 420E's design is much better design, easier to refill and less risk of water damage.
If the water risk is as I say it is, I'm sure Respironics will come up with a differently designed tank lid to resolve the problem. Until then you have to be very careful even sliding the machine when it is full. I put "REMOVE TANK!!" on the lid of the humidifier on mine. Will see how it goes.
Therapy wise the machine works great, no difference than with the Classic, without the humidifier attached it is tiny just like the 420E. It is much heavier than the 420E so you don't accidentally pull it off the night stand (think they added steel on the inside of the machine to purposely add weight).
I've also owned a couple 420's, they had problems when they first came out also, but you don't hear many today. I bet a lot of the problems I experienced with the 420S and E model had more to do with the tiny 1AMP power supply it came with than anything.
I'll be taking the M series traveling next week with the humidifier, will let you know how it goes.
