Good decisions are worth millions, bad ones wont buy you happiness
Cheers
Nan
what should I pick for a new machine?
Re: what should I pick for a new machine?
I have a question..... just because you "can" does that mean you will be using insurance to pay for a machine you do not need; since you already have 2. There's a reason insurance premiums are going UP, in my country and yours, misuse of the system is costing everyone mega bucks. By the way I've heard the old argument many times "But I'm entitled to it".... doesn't fly in my house, if you don't need it, don't put a bigger burden in the taxpayer.
Good decisions are worth millions, bad ones wont buy you happiness
Cheers
Nan
Good decisions are worth millions, bad ones wont buy you happiness
Cheers
Nan
_________________
| Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Started cpap in 2010.. still at it with great results.
Re: what should I pick for a new machine?
@NanWilson - this is why I am faced with this dilemma I. The first place and why I haven’t pulled the trigger on another machine. I was trying to find reasons to buy a unit as a spare to my primary unit (remember the 2nd I have is still my dad’s and he has a right to ask for it back whenever he wants). I still have to pay my portion of the unit so if I do decide on buying a machine I am still paying myself too which seems rather pointless since I don’t exactly have extra funds to blow.
In other words I am 50/50 on getting a unit as you are correct that if there is no real need for it why bother? Secondly, I have to pay a portion out of pocket and I’d rather use those funds for something else. That being said my spouse has paid I to her benefits for 13 years and has hardly used any benefits over that period. Not saying we’re entitled to use up all benefits but almost not using any is also a bit extreme too.
In other words I am 50/50 on getting a unit as you are correct that if there is no real need for it why bother? Secondly, I have to pay a portion out of pocket and I’d rather use those funds for something else. That being said my spouse has paid I to her benefits for 13 years and has hardly used any benefits over that period. Not saying we’re entitled to use up all benefits but almost not using any is also a bit extreme too.
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Travel CPAP Comparison of DSAuto vs DSGo + AirMini
Hello everyone,
I was doing some thinking last night about the Dreamstation Auto vs. the Dreamstation Go travel unit and I've come to the conclusion that:
1. Dreamstation Go's size and weight are not the lightest or smallest and I would argue that it isn't much lighter or smaller than the flow generator section of the Dreamstation Auto. For those not in the know, apparently you can run the Dreamstation Auto without the humidifier attached.
2. The DSGo can use portable power but it has to be the Philips specific battery pack that snaps onto the back of the unit OR you can hook up an external battery using a DC -> AC inverter but then you'd suffer from power conversion losses of going from DC to AC and then back to DC via the DSGo's internal power supply. DSGo should have also included a 12 volt power port on their unit to allow other external power to be attached to it.
4. Dreamstation Auto CAN run off of an external DC power source using a simpleton DC cord that costs less than $30.00. Cords for either unit are standardized and should be easy to find replacements.
5. The lack of ANY humidification options. The Dreamstation Auto gives the added benefit in that you can take the flow generator only for size and weight savings OR you can take the whole unit with humidifier too if you know or want humidity.
6. Great that all Dreamstation auto and DSGo both can use any standard CPAP hose and ANY mask. No proprietary connections that limit you to a few mask options.
7. Memory card slot for sleepy head!
8. LCD screen to adjust the unit's settings!
My comparison highlights the key things I was looking at between these two units as a travel machine and I'm starting to think that for my needs that the DSGo doesn't really offer any major advantages over the DS Auto home unit. I was initially going to invest in a ResMed Air mini but the DSGo had a lot of compelling things to offer over the AirMini but then when I looked at DSAuto that it became apparently that the DSGo is a physically pared down version of the DSAuto's flow generator unit and nothing more. Are my observations correct? I just don't see a compelling selling point on the DSGo over their full sized home unit when its split in half. Great thinking on their home units but maybe not so great for the DSGo.
A few points about the AirMini:
1. I recently found at a garage sale, a new AirMini DC converter that I got for practically nothing. I bought it knowing that I might one day own a travel CPAP made by Resmed. This means that IF I buy an AirMini that DC powering will be already covered
2. The AirMini IS significantly smaller than the DSGo and is lighter overall even if you add in the weight of the wall wart that comes with it.
3. The AirMini does offer some limited humification options if you opt for a P10 or P20 mask.
4. The limited mask options for the AirMini although it SUCKS isn't really a deal breaker for me. I can use the F20/F30/P10 masks all of which will work just fine with the AirMini.
5. Proprietary hose and power connector. The hose is proprietary to the AirMini, the power connector is also proprietary so if you're travelling and either lose or damage your cord then you're likely to be really SOL.
6. Wall wart - I've read online that some folks have had the wall wart fall out of the airline power outlets b/c of how worn the electrical outlet are on airplanes. Not sure how legit this concern is but I can see it as being a problem on a plane.
7. Resmed algorithm responds better than PR's does. I saw a vid that Palerider shared and it was shocking to see how the PR unit ignored events much longer than the Resmed unit did.
8. No memory card for SH - no big deal here. How many days of data gaps would I have while travelling? Maybe 20 days a year at most? My treatment is dialled in well at home so presumably my travel unit would be the same.
9. No LCD screen and therefore it requires a smart phone or tablet to configure and change settings.
The AirMini seems to have a laundry list of cons more than pros BUT only if the cons affect me which most of them do not. If anything the thing that annoys me about the AirMini the most is the proprietary hose and the fact that I can't use ANY hose off the shelf whether it be a 12/15/22mm hose. No parts from my home units aside from some masks (or mask pieces) will work with the AirMini's unique ecosystem. I also lucked out on a 12 volt DC/DC converter that I WILL use on my dry camping sessions throughout the year. Also, I do like the fact that ResMed offers some humidification options. I haven't tried HumidX or HumidXPlus but its good knowing that the option is there should I need it.
It really does seem like the CPAP unit that has the most cons still seems to be the most logical choice for me. The AirMini is so tiny and I love that it is small. The things I dislike about it aren't absolute deal breakers since I'm using ResMed everything anyways and I also have a DC/DC converter already for it. I also know what my settings are so it isn't like I"m going into the unit to constantly change things. You set it and mostly forget about it.
I was doing some thinking last night about the Dreamstation Auto vs. the Dreamstation Go travel unit and I've come to the conclusion that:
1. Dreamstation Go's size and weight are not the lightest or smallest and I would argue that it isn't much lighter or smaller than the flow generator section of the Dreamstation Auto. For those not in the know, apparently you can run the Dreamstation Auto without the humidifier attached.
2. The DSGo can use portable power but it has to be the Philips specific battery pack that snaps onto the back of the unit OR you can hook up an external battery using a DC -> AC inverter but then you'd suffer from power conversion losses of going from DC to AC and then back to DC via the DSGo's internal power supply. DSGo should have also included a 12 volt power port on their unit to allow other external power to be attached to it.
4. Dreamstation Auto CAN run off of an external DC power source using a simpleton DC cord that costs less than $30.00. Cords for either unit are standardized and should be easy to find replacements.
5. The lack of ANY humidification options. The Dreamstation Auto gives the added benefit in that you can take the flow generator only for size and weight savings OR you can take the whole unit with humidifier too if you know or want humidity.
6. Great that all Dreamstation auto and DSGo both can use any standard CPAP hose and ANY mask. No proprietary connections that limit you to a few mask options.
7. Memory card slot for sleepy head!
8. LCD screen to adjust the unit's settings!
My comparison highlights the key things I was looking at between these two units as a travel machine and I'm starting to think that for my needs that the DSGo doesn't really offer any major advantages over the DS Auto home unit. I was initially going to invest in a ResMed Air mini but the DSGo had a lot of compelling things to offer over the AirMini but then when I looked at DSAuto that it became apparently that the DSGo is a physically pared down version of the DSAuto's flow generator unit and nothing more. Are my observations correct? I just don't see a compelling selling point on the DSGo over their full sized home unit when its split in half. Great thinking on their home units but maybe not so great for the DSGo.
A few points about the AirMini:
1. I recently found at a garage sale, a new AirMini DC converter that I got for practically nothing. I bought it knowing that I might one day own a travel CPAP made by Resmed. This means that IF I buy an AirMini that DC powering will be already covered
2. The AirMini IS significantly smaller than the DSGo and is lighter overall even if you add in the weight of the wall wart that comes with it.
3. The AirMini does offer some limited humification options if you opt for a P10 or P20 mask.
4. The limited mask options for the AirMini although it SUCKS isn't really a deal breaker for me. I can use the F20/F30/P10 masks all of which will work just fine with the AirMini.
5. Proprietary hose and power connector. The hose is proprietary to the AirMini, the power connector is also proprietary so if you're travelling and either lose or damage your cord then you're likely to be really SOL.
6. Wall wart - I've read online that some folks have had the wall wart fall out of the airline power outlets b/c of how worn the electrical outlet are on airplanes. Not sure how legit this concern is but I can see it as being a problem on a plane.
7. Resmed algorithm responds better than PR's does. I saw a vid that Palerider shared and it was shocking to see how the PR unit ignored events much longer than the Resmed unit did.
8. No memory card for SH - no big deal here. How many days of data gaps would I have while travelling? Maybe 20 days a year at most? My treatment is dialled in well at home so presumably my travel unit would be the same.
9. No LCD screen and therefore it requires a smart phone or tablet to configure and change settings.
The AirMini seems to have a laundry list of cons more than pros BUT only if the cons affect me which most of them do not. If anything the thing that annoys me about the AirMini the most is the proprietary hose and the fact that I can't use ANY hose off the shelf whether it be a 12/15/22mm hose. No parts from my home units aside from some masks (or mask pieces) will work with the AirMini's unique ecosystem. I also lucked out on a 12 volt DC/DC converter that I WILL use on my dry camping sessions throughout the year. Also, I do like the fact that ResMed offers some humidification options. I haven't tried HumidX or HumidXPlus but its good knowing that the option is there should I need it.
It really does seem like the CPAP unit that has the most cons still seems to be the most logical choice for me. The AirMini is so tiny and I love that it is small. The things I dislike about it aren't absolute deal breakers since I'm using ResMed everything anyways and I also have a DC/DC converter already for it. I also know what my settings are so it isn't like I"m going into the unit to constantly change things. You set it and mostly forget about it.
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