Buying used CPAP Dreamstation auto worth the risk?

Hi. I'm a noob and wanted to see if I could get some thoughts on experienced buyers who has had an actual experience with buying a used Dreamstation auto machine. Is buying a used Dreamstation less than 2000 hours used worth the investment for about ~$300? I could buy a new one for an extra 100 but i'm tight on $. But if it's really worth it I would shell out the extra Benjamin.

Has anyone had a good or bad experience from buying a used Dreamstation auto machines? I was thinking because these are such top of the line models, ones that doesn't have many hours used would be perfectly fine to buy if you're not a germophobe I guess.

I did read about how it might be a bad idea since you're risking inhaling other people's germs but I don't really get that. The whole purpose of the machine is the blow air. It doesn't go the other way around. It only goes one way. So a person's breath never reaches the inside the machine right?. It's just simply blowing it out right?

And I also couldn't find any exact information about the year the Dreamstation auto DSX500 came out. The used one I'm trying to buy has a date of 2016, which doesn't make sense because I thought these models came out this year 2019. Please advise. I'm very cautious of scams where fake machines are being sold.

Thank you guys so much in advanced. I've recently found out about this life changing mystery of the CPAP and apnea world and I think i'm on a brink of drastically having my life changed if this really works.

I want to know where you can buy a new Dreamstation Auto for $400? Is that from a 2nd hand sale? Or are you the original owner from a legit dealer? Because you would have a factory warranty if it is the latter.
2nd hand machines are fine to use. Wipe down with alcohol to clean it, you can replace the long hose, filter, water tub, mask if that would make you feel better. My machine is 2nd hand. Just use it before you buy it to test for funky smoke smells.

Number of hours total use should be proportionate to the discount.
Reject any equipment having so much as a trace of tobacco smoke.

Well i guess its not really new since its second hand. But it did say it has 0 hours in therapy and blow houra.

And yes i definitley intend to test it before buying but what smoke smell? Do u mean like cigarettes?

Any proper procedure of how i should test the machine before buying though? Like should i even test the humidity feature as well. Hmm im wondering how i should go about this bc the person selling it wants to meet somewhere but how to test something like a cpap machine out in public.. Gotta think about this conundrum...

Meet somewhere that has power options available...coffee shop, library, etc.

I forget exactly when the DreamStation models were released but somewhere around 2015 or 2016.
Definitely NOT 2019. They have been around so long now that it wouldn't surprise me to be seeing a newer model within the next year.

cpapnoobz wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2019 10:28 am

I did read about how it might be a bad idea since you're risking inhaling other people's germs

That's completely and utterly false. The manuafacturers guidelines for reprocessing the machines between patients just say to change the filters, water tank, and wipe down the exterior.

cpapnoobz wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2019 10:28 am

but I don't really get that.

Good, because it's false.

*ALL* the machines I've bought (ten or eleven of them) have all been used... well, one that I got off craigslist seemed to be brand new in the box.

I'd recommend you look for a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset, or Autoset For Her instead of a Dreamstation Auto. The DS Auto isn't a *bad* machine, but the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset (For Her) are better machines, not hugely better, but a little better in almost every way.

cpapnoobz wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2019 12:45 pm

Well i guess its not really new since its second hand. But it did say it has 0 hours in therapy and blow houra.

And yes i definitley intend to test it before buying but what smoke smell? Do u mean like cigarettes?

Any proper procedure of how i should test the machine before buying though? Like should i even test the humidity feature as well. Hmm im wondering how i should go about this bc the person selling it wants to meet somewhere but how to test something like a cpap machine out in public.. Gotta think about this conundrum...

Smoke like cigarettes... sniff the machine, especially the air inlets and outlets while it's OFF... the flood of air when it's running will dilute any stink and you might not notice till you're at home.

I like meeting at coffee shops, plenty of people around, and there's usually outlets available for those hipsters that like to 'work' there with their notebooks

I met in the library. We have desks with electric outlets and some privacy available. Bring your own mask and long hose. Set up the cpap and use it. Smell for cigarette smoke. Check the run hours yourself. Don't rush yourself.

Ok. from my research into which machines are best, I found out that the CPAP market is dominated by two major players: Resmed and Philips Respironics.

Now when I was looking for the best CPAP machines, I would always see ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset and Philips Respironics Dreamstation Auto.

Looking into which one I should pick, I found more reviews saying Philips Respironics Dreamstation auto was on top.

For example:

https://www.tuck.com/cpap-machine-reviews/

https://snoringabc.com/best-cpap-machines/

https://www.medconsumers.com/best-cpap-machine/

https://pathtomobility.com/best-cpap-machine-reviews/

Now I’m not saying ALL reviews had the Philips Respironics Dreamstation on top. There were indeed some where it had ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset on top.

However, what allowed me to come to the conclusion of picking the Dreamstation auto was from this website:

https://www.cpap.com/blog/comparing-best-cpap-machines/

They tested and compared the top most popular cpap machines using a standardized score based on performance in categories customers cared about the most.

The categories that I found most important was the pressure relief and therapy tracking. (Now mind you I don’t really know much about how CPAPs work) but I was thinking that what really matters and what I really only care about these machines are its ability to allow me to breath with relief with its auto sensing capabilities. (I would like to rely more on the auto sensing feature to help me breath throughout the night instead of constantly changing the settings to find that “right/perfect” settings.)

From this websites review, it seems like the therapy tracking category is pretty much the same for both the machines and both got a score of 9.

But for the Pressure Relief category, the Dreamstation auto got a much higher score of 9 vs 6 for the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset.

Their detailed review regarding the Pressure relief was that the Dreamstation auto had a more premium pressure relief system compared to the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset. Apparently, ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset has an average pressure relief feature and a standard 45 mintute ramp time, which is a comfort feature found on many CPAP machines. But the difference here was that the Dreamstation auto not only has the 45 minute ramp time, it also has what’s called a SmartRamp.


Now I know what some of you might be thinking. The website concluded that the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset had a higher overall score of 78 vs 76 for the Dreamstation auto. But this is only because ResMed AirSense 10 had a higher score for the following category which I don’t really care about:

Cost,Weight, Size, Humidification options, smart features and battery connectivity.

I don’t care about convenience, exterior, nor fluffed up extra features. All I care about is its main/core functionality of these machines to automatically help me breath.

Now, could you please help me by explaining why in your opinion, the ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset is better than the Dreamstaion auto? If it does a better job at sensing and correcting sleep apnea better than the Dreamstation auto, then I would change my mind. But if you’re saying it’s better because of all the extra “stuff” that’s better like oh it’s lighter, oh it has more smart features that makes it more convenient, I don’t care about all that. All I care about is simply, which one does a better job at detecting and correcting sleep apnea episodes.

Thank you all for your inputs. I really appreciate it! I’m learning so much!

Ok, I just saw this post:

viewtopic/t177435/Cheapest-place-to-buy ... -CPAP.html

And I've just read a compelling personal review that the Resmed is better than the Dreamstation auto:

"1) Resmed’s auto algorithm responds more dynamically to changes in your breathing. Dreamstations respond more slowly, sometimes overshoot, and then take too long to drop again.
2) Resmed’s EPR is, for many people, better than the Dreamstation Flex. It can reduce the pressure a little more (selectable), reduces it for longer, and does a better job of matching the timing to your breathing. It feels more natural. It also helps more with breathing through nasal congestion.
3) Personally, I find the Resmed user interface more convenient.

In a nutshell, I get better results with Resmed. My numbers are lower on average, because it does a better job of adapting to my breathing during sleep. I can feel the difference in the morning."

I think I'mma go with the Resmed! Thank goodness I did further research! I mean if it simply has a better algorithm response to changes in your breathing, why would I go with the dreamstation auto?

Now I'm wondering... I'm sure there's a post here somewhere about the debate as to which machine is better. I'm looking but if you guys happen to find it, please kindly direct me!

Again thank you all!

cpapnoobz wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2019 5:07 am

I'm sure there's a post here somewhere about the debate as to which machine is better.

There's little debate here. The ResMed machine is a clear favorite of experienced members. (That's not to say there is not a small contingent that claims to prefer Respironics.)

cpapnoobz wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2019 5:07 am

Ok, I just saw this post:

viewtopic/t177435/Cheapest-place-to-buy ... -CPAP.html

And I've just read a compelling personal review that the Resmed is better than the Dreamstation auto:

"1) Resmed’s auto algorithm responds more dynamically to changes in your breathing. Dreamstations respond more slowly, sometimes overshoot, and then take too long to drop again.
2) Resmed’s EPR is, for many people, better than the Dreamstation Flex. It can reduce the pressure a little more (selectable), reduces it for longer, and does a better job of matching the timing to your breathing. It feels more natural. It also helps more with breathing through nasal congestion.
3) Personally, I find the Resmed user interface more convenient.

In a nutshell, I get better results with Resmed. My numbers are lower on average, because it does a better job of adapting to my breathing during sleep. I can feel the difference in the morning."

I think I'mma go with the Resmed! Thank goodness I did further research! I mean if it simply has a better algorithm response to changes in your breathing, why would I go with the dreamstation auto?

Now I'm wondering... I'm sure there's a post here somewhere about the debate as to which machine is better. I'm looking but if you guys happen to find it, please kindly direct me!

Again thank you all!

I have agree with the highlighted text above. I own both machines and I prefer the Resmed for those exact reasons.

The debate can be found but it's not really easily searchable I don't think.

Let me share with you my own personal experience with both brands of machines. I have owned both brands myself and in fact still own 1 Respironics machine but own 2 Resmeds right now. I have never used my insurance to buy machine.

That exhale relief you are concerned about.
Respironics exhale relief is a flow based reduction and not a set amount of reduction and that means how much of a drop you get depends on the force of your own breathing but it won't/can't ever drop the pressure more than 2 cm even with a setting of 3 and you get that full 2 cm drop only if you are a strong forceful breather.
ResMed is a straight per cm reduction and the AirSense 10 models can offer up to 3 cm reduction.
Respironics AFlex is the newer incarnation of CFlex...the timing of the drop is the main thing...when the inhale and exhale changes.
I liked AFlex rather well but couldn't really tell CFlex did anything....Others prefer CFLex

Either Flex will probably do a good job with pressures in the single digits but if you end up needing pressures in the double digits...that extra cm offered might come in real handy. At pressures in the teens I personally think ResMed's exhale relief is superior. Someone might really need a 3 cm drop for comfort and the maybe 2 cm drop available from Respironics won't be so comfortable.
When we don't know what a person is going to need or want in terms of therapy pressure and exhale relief then I think it is prudent to buy a machine that covers all scenarios as best as it can on a just in case basis.

That SmartRamp thing that Respironics offers....ResMed AirSense 10 machines offer the same thing and it's just called AutoRamp.

cpapnoobz wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:56 am

However, what allowed me to come to the conclusion of picking the Dreamstation auto was from this website:

https://www.cpap.com/blog/comparing-best-cpap-machines/

They tested and compared the top most popular cpap machines using a standardized score based on performance in categories customers cared about the most.

You mean the one where the Resmed won?

cpapnoobz wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:56 am

The categories that I found most important was the pressure relief and therapy tracking. (Now mind you I don’t really know much about how CPAPs work) but I was thinking that what really matters and what I really only care about these machines are its ability to allow me to breath with relief with its auto sensing capabilities. (I would like to rely more on the auto sensing feature to help me breath throughout the night instead of constantly changing the settings to find that “right/perfect” settings.)

From this websites review, it seems like the therapy tracking category is pretty much the same for both the machines and both got a score of 9.

But for the Pressure Relief category, the Dreamstation auto got a much higher score of 9 vs 6 for the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset.

I have to wonder about that, since Resmed is clearly superior, and many many people have expressed preference for EPR over respironics *flex.
Here's another thread of someone who can't tolerate flea and is wanting to change viewtopic/t177556/UARS-amp-CPAP.html

As to "therapy tracking" Resmed provides *more detailed* data.

cpapnoobz wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:56 am

Their detailed review regarding the Pressure relief was that the Dreamstation auto had a more premium pressure relief system compared to the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset. Apparently, ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset has an average pressure relief feature and a standard 45 mintute ramp time, which is a comfort feature found on many CPAP machines. But the difference here was that the Dreamstation auto not only has the 45 minute ramp time, it also has what’s called a SmartRamp.

The autoset has autoramp, which doesn't increase pressure until it thinks you're asleep, ramp adjusts from 0 to 45 minutes. You'll probably end up turning it off after you get used to the machine, anyway... Many do.

As to pressure relief, Resmeds is simple, following your breathing smoothly, while respironics is complicated, dropping pressure while you inhale and raising it before you're finished exhaling, many people *hate* that.

cpapnoobz wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:56 am

I don’t care about convenience, exterior, nor fluffed up extra features. All I care about is its main/core functionality of these machines to automatically help me breath.

Well, in that case, the Resmed is the hands down winner.

Its pressure relief, EPR is more natural feeling, and the auto pressure algorithm is *much* more responsive to your changing needs during the night, resulting in better sleep, rest, and a lower AHI, and usually at a lower base pressure.

Thanks again everyone for your help. I greatly appreciate it.