Travel Machine

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:17 pm

K5MOW wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 11:49 am

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 11:22 am

Airstart is in NO WAY the "same thing".
Any claims to the contrary are pure LIES.
It is a discounted, bottom level machine--barely usable for "charity" use.
My old Devilbiss Intellipap auto (travel/DC machine) is preferable.

I definitely don’t want this to turn into an argument. But I have talked to a certified repair technician and he told me most of The parts like the blower motor are exactly the same as the AirSence 10. The computer or the computer board is really the only difference. Quality is just as good. Obviously minus the data and some features. I will state this is just my opinion and the opinion of a factory certified technician.


Roger

The programming is the *only* difference in all Resmed machines, The comments by your "factory certified technician" are irrelevant.

The airstart pieces of crap are the same inside as the many thousand dollar AirCurve ASV, and AirCurve iVAPS, the only difference is the *programming*.

That does NOT make them 'the same'. what they provide is *different*.

Please stop wasting everyone's time pushing airstart crap. (you're wasting people's time by causing people who know more than you to have to stop and refute your BAD ADVICE.

Thank you so much for making my point come across so well. And thank you for being such a nice courteous person. Also thank you so much for letting me know I am not so smart. Your opinion definitely matters more than anyone.

Definitely no more to say on this subject

Thank you for being so courteous Roger

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:13 pm

Yes, that sounds like something to look into, (just ignore K5MOW pushing the airstarts, they're junk)

When I do a craigslist buy of a cpap, I like to meet the person at a coffee shop or similar, where there's other people around, AND you can plug the unit in and test it. first, smell the intake and outlet *with the unit off*, for any objectionable smells... cigarette smoke is really hard to get out of those things. and if it's on, you won't be able to smell the stink...

Then plug it in, and run through the settings, check the run hours.. even hook up your hose and mask and put it on for a couple minutes, with the machine going, make sure that it feels like it should after you've set it to your settings... if everything looks good, THEN hand over the cash.

Excellent advice...thumbs up! Caveat emptor

turbo wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:35 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:13 pm

Yes, that sounds like something to look into, (just ignore K5MOW pushing the airstarts, they're junk)

When I do a craigslist buy of a cpap, I like to meet the person at a coffee shop or similar, where there's other people around, AND you can plug the unit in and test it. first, smell the intake and outlet *with the unit off*, for any objectionable smells... cigarette smoke is really hard to get out of those things. and if it's on, you won't be able to smell the stink...

Then plug it in, and run through the settings, check the run hours.. even hook up your hose and mask and put it on for a couple minutes, with the machine going, make sure that it feels like it should after you've set it to your settings... if everything looks good, THEN hand over the cash.

Excellent advice...thumbs up! Caveat emptor

Yes I agree great Advice.

Roger

K5MOW wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:27 pm

Definitely no more to say on this subject

Thank you for being so courteous Roger

Like my sig says... Just the facts.
I'm sorry you don't like being corrected when you're wrong...

73!

palerider wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 2:06 pm

K5MOW wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:27 pm

Definitely no more to say on this subject

Thank you for being so courteous Roger

Like my sig says... Just the facts.
I'm sorry you don't like being corrected when you're wrong...

73!

No problem

73!

Roger

Ron439 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 9:36 am

Wow, awesome, thanks! He just wants a second machine so he can leave his home setup the way it is without having to pack it up. The size really isn't an issue. I'll look into the above options!

As size is not an issue I would grab an Autoset setup the same as he uses today then treatment can be the same and you have a full spare setup if his existing machine breaks. LSAT here often has used machines at a great price

Ron439 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 9:36 am

Wow, awesome, thanks! He just wants a second machine so he can leave his home setup the way it is without having to pack it up. The size really isn't an issue. I'll look into the above options!

You might also consider looking on craigslist for a used machine of the same model. Just meet at a place with outlets, and check that it doesn't smell like smoke (if that is an issue for you). Sometimes, you can find a really good deal that way.

I still use the older S9 autoset model. I have a second machine of the same model, complete with a second mask. It is fully packed and usually stays in the car. I travel at least once every couple months, and I really like getting home and not having to set up my machine when I am really tired. My home machine is still there, ready for me. Once, though, I did a day trip,and my alternator died. I was able to save hotel money and spend the night in a friend's RV, but I did not have my cpap with me. That is why I normally keep it in the car. I do keep it in its travel bag, and then that is inside a cooler bag, so it doesn't look like a laptop bag.

I sure hope the OP hasn't left over the same old responses provided by you know who. Even the ignore button won't stop quoted posts!

If you have the room to pack a standard machine like the Airsense 10 Autoset, it will be more comfortable to use. I travel a lot on motorcycles and have an HDM Z1 that I have worked on until it is useable ( getting them quiet enough to not disturb sleep isn't easy ). But it simply does not compare to my home unit. The lack of humidification, and yes I have and have used the so called humidifiers you put inline on the hose, gets to you. Especially in dry climates. I have used this for over a week on a few occasions and finally figured out that the cough and throat issues were the lack of humidifier. Not really concerned about using it, but there IS a big difference. I am going to buy a second Autoset to use when on trips in a car or plane as the comfort level is simply so much better.

My generic advice on travel machines. (aka: There is no such thing as a free lunch.)

If you can afford it, a second unit is a good idea. It is so much easier for travel (you can leave it packed -- no need to pack it the morning of the trip). And it is good to have a spare -- in case your main unit develops an issue.

A machine designed for travel can be a good thing. They are smaller and lighter. Depending on the model, they also might be better configured to run on batteries. And by most accounts, they deliver good therapy.

So what is the catch? They are louder. The hoses seems a bit less durable. Some report them being drug around on the nightstand because they are lighter. The humidity options are more limited (and might involve consumable supplies). In the case of the ResMed, you are limited to certain masks (without a 3D printed adapter). I have no idea whether smaller means they have a shorter lifespan.

So, if you are backpacking, I would get a travel unit. If I was needing to run the unit on a long red-eye flight, I would also get a travel unit.

Otherwise, I suggest getting the same as your home unit. Why?
1) Quality of therapy. Travel is already disruptive to sleep -- having the same unit as home is one less variable. Same noise, same settings, same feel, etc.

2) It serves as a complete back up to your home unit, If your main unit is not working well, you have a complete spare. If your main unit does not work you can also swap power supplies to troubleshoot.

3) Same supplies and settings.

4) It is really not that large or heavy. And you should carry it on -- and FAA rules say it doesn't count against any carry-on limits.

My insurance paid for (most of) my main unit. LSAT sold me a low hour used unit as backup (and travel) unit. I simply mirrored the settings and I was done.

I have a Z2 Auto for travel.
It has pros and cons.

Pro - It’s extremely portable and light. Easy to pack and set up.
Also therapy for me is very good. No issues with AHI’s. Perhaps not quite up to the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset, but very good.
In fact, I used this unit for about 2 months while my Resmed unit was getting repaired, and eventually replaced.

Cons.. it not as quiet as the Resmed. The Z2 series is improved vs. the Z1 unit, but there is still some of that whirring noise. I have been able to mostly mitigate that by running the A/C unit in my room, and placing the unit down in my nightstand drawer, open enough for airflow. I can use it without the humidifier, but They do provide a HME heat moisture exchange unit. I took it with me to lasvegas, but didn’t bother with it.

The unit does have some decent data available via the phone app, with more available via a pc cable and app.
It’s not as complete as Resmed via OSCAR, but it’s better than MyAir.

All in all it’s a good unit IF SIZE AND PORTABLITY is important.
If that’s not a consideration, get a Resmed!

K5MOW wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2019 11:49 am

But I have talked to a certified repair technician and he told me most of The parts like the blower motor are exactly the same as the AirSence 10.

You have been seriously misled then.

The electronic componentry is quite likely to be similar on a generic basis to other electronic componentry but highly unlikely to be exactly the same. There is a wide spread in the quality range across electronic componentry, with medical grade equipment having much tighter quality tolerances.

The blower is a custom design, so it is simply not like anything else.