Bighungry69 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:33 pmI didn't realize there was a market for used equipment, seems common sense but I didn't consider it. If my machine doesn't work I will persue that avenue.
I understand the benefits of the data tracking ability, I also know that my dad has never needed anything beyond a basic machine and I'm hoping the same is true for me.
The stuff that I'm mainly referring to is comments like this, "Hey......ResMed......If you're reading......you're greedy, pathetic and disgusting for producing products like these."
As a newbie, I read stuff like that and think that I may have made a huge mistake with my purchase. Not trying to call anyone out or stir the pot, just trying to provide some perspective from a newbie.
It really isn't elitism. It is concern that people are sold a machine without the data that is often needed to make treatment successful. Lots of people quit because they never had the right settings and have no idea how to choose better settings. Without useful data, it is completely trial and error.
For example, my mom was diagnosed and started cpap back when machines had no data at all. Her machine in 2012 was an older machine with no data. Her doctor said she was doing fine, but she didn't really feel any better.
I got diagnosed in April of 2012, and got my first machine, one with full data. I had immediate success, some issues with the mask fit, but feeling much better right away. After I had my followup appointment with my doctor, I let my mom use my machine for half a night at her prescribed pressure of 10. I downloaded the data before I went to bed so that her data was by itself. The ahi on the screen said 3.4. Not awesome but considered good by doctors. I then looked at the actual data, the graphs. I was shocked. She had a cluster of 8 events in about 10 minutes that were all longer than 30 seconds. One was 62 seconds long! No wonder she felt like crap.
A couple nights later, we did another partial night with the machine set for 10-13 to see what it wanted to do. I printed both reports, and my mom went to my doctor who reviewed the reports and prescribed a new auto machine with full data, set for 10-15. She feels much better now.
Unfortunately, the Airstart 10 machine is basically the same hardware as the Airsense Auto, but it has reduced software. Why would a company do this? To make money selling cheap machines. They don't care that some people will quit shortly after their purchase. They are probably thrilled that some people then buy another better machine. The fact is that they know the data is useful, and there is no reason not to include it.
I do hope your machine works well for you. Unfortunately, you will have to go by whether you feel better or not. You won't know if your ahi is spread out over the night, or coming in clusters. You won't know if the events are short or really long. You may not know if they are obstructive events or centrals. If you need to adjust your settings, these are all things we consider when deciding what to change.
There is nothing elite about wanting every person to get a good, useful machine that will lead to successful treatment. I would honestly recommend a used S9 Autoset for about $250 than then newer Airstart 10. I have two of the S9. One is my insurance mostly covered machine. My backup / travel machine was purchased via craigslist.
Please remember that people are saying that the machine is substandard and the company is bad for releasing it that way. Nobody is insulting the buyer. We feel bad for you that the cpap industry has taken advantage of people this way. We try to help new people find a good machine regardless of their budget. We want people to have success.