Travel CPAP machine

We travel a lot. I’m looking for a smaller machine for travel. It doesn’t really have to be battery operated as we stay in hotels, with friends, and on cruise ships. The local place I deal with sells Dreamstation Go and Resmed Airmini.

Does anyone have reviews on these two or have suggestions for alternatives I could get online or order in? I’m in Canada.

Does anyone have experience claiming an online purchase through a group benefits plan? (I’ll ask HR that question.)

MoneyGuy wrote: ↑

Fri May 07, 2021 12:45 pm

Does anyone have reviews on these two or have suggestions for alternatives I could get online or order in? I’m in Canada.

right here on this very forum, just a couple of posts below yours-

http://cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t181989/Z ... eview.html

also use the forum search function for lots of reviews and such.

I'm also in Canada. I've just ordered the Z2 Auto Travel machine the other day as I want a smaller machine for both travel and home and it looks to be just what I'm looking for. It gets quite good reviews. The only issue with it is that some people don't like that it doesn't have a water tank (it uses a Heat Moisture Exchange Unit which has to be replaced every few weeks.) This isn't an issue for me as I don't use a humidier and it makes it easier to take on a plane because it doesn't have water in it or require distilled water.

I ordered it and all my other cpap equipment from cpap.com in Texas. I've been using cpap.com since the year I was diagnosed 2008 (a friend here in Toronto told me about them as I had some bad experiences with Canadian dealers then). I'm very happy with their level of service and appreciate that I can return masks I don't like within 30 days and get a refund (minus shipping). I sent them a scan of my prescription which they've kept on file from 2008.

I find even with the dollar exchange, it's still cheaper than buying here. It costs about $20 to ship. They ship it through Landmark and it's medical devices so I never have to pay duty or HST. Once it crosses the Canadian border, you can track it (the Canadian portion is done through Canada Post). It takes about 2-3 weeks to arrive. The only thing you can't buy from them is anything manufactured by Phillips as you have to buy that from a Canadian dealer (Phillips won't allow them to ship their equipment to us.)

I don't have insurance which isn't a consideration for me. I don't think cpap.com purchases can be claimed on Canadian insurance.

Here'a the link so you can see reviews: (I don't know if any Canadian dealers have it)
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/z2-aut ... ap-machine
and a YouTube review (Australian where cpaps were invented)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKoxESqph04

If I like it after trying it out, I plan on ordering a battery, probably the Medistrom Pilot-12 Lite with the Z2 Adapter so I can use it on a plane and as interruptable power supply in case of power outages.

Hope this is useful.

I use an AirMini for travel and I am pleased with it. I am able to set it exactly the same way I have my AirSense 10 Autoset for Her set up...same mode, same pressures everything. That makes it really easy to switch between the two. I was able to hack the hose so I can use my Bleep mask with it as well, instead of the few proprietary masks ResMed expects you to use. An unexpected side benefit to my hack is that it made the AirMini substantially quieter. Still louder that my home machine which is dead silent, but WAY quieter than before. My hack involved removing the HME, so I no longer have humidification, but the smaller footprint...my AirMini, power supply, hose, mask, travel adapter, silicone eye mask, and a few extra DreamPorts all fit into a small quilted lunchbox that easily fits in either my carryon or backpack/tote...more than make up for that lack while I am away from home!

MoneyGuy wrote: ↑

Fri May 07, 2021 12:45 pm

We travel a lot. I’m looking for a smaller machine for travel. It doesn’t really have to be battery operated as we stay in hotels, with friends, and on cruise ships. The local place I deal with sells Dreamstation Go and Resmed Airmini.

Does anyone have reviews on these two or have suggestions for alternatives I could get online or order in? I’m in Canada.

Does anyone have experience claiming an online purchase through a group benefits plan? (I’ll ask HR that question.)

Since you don't need a battery machine, you might want to wait for the ResMed AirSense 11. Without the humidifier, it's getting down close to the size of a travel machine. https://old.reddit.com/r/CPAP/comments/ ... e_11_home/

I'm also looking into travel CPAP's [ I could use a BIPAP, but they just have not come up with one yet ]. How much pressure relief does the Resmed air mini [ I use the N20 mask now, so I know that's not an issue ] and the HDM Z2 auto give you ? [[ current use Bipap Resmed aircurve v10 auto ]]

I know they are not BIPAP units, but they have some exhale relief settings, and if the relief is enough , it could work for me, as the bulkiness of the aircurve v10 auto just takes up so much space on a carry on bag. The noise level may / may not be an issue , depending on the loudness of the device, and if it is constant [ like a fan running ]... V auto in CPAP mode runs 27 - 35 dBA.

So, anyone had experience with either the HDM Z2 and the Resmed air mini ?
Anyone go from a BIPAP to a travel CPAP unit... How did you manage it, and did it work for you ?

I'm leaning towards the air mini, since the humidifier cartridge lasts so much longer, even though it costs more. I'll check out the posts here to see what others think. Thanks

Dusk2Dawn wrote: ↑

Sat May 08, 2021 11:51 pm

So, anyone had experience with either the HDM Z2 and the Resmed air mini ?
Anyone go from a BIPAP to a travel CPAP unit... How did you manage it, and did it work for you ?

I'm leaning towards the air mini,

What are your settings on your current bilevel device? Exactly which model bilevel machine are you using?
It might be possible to get close to your needed settings with a travel machine...all depends on what your needs are.

The AirMini will offer EPR up to 3 cm which is equivalent to 3 pressure support (PS is the difference between inhale and exhale). Not sure about the Z2 but I think maybe something similar. The travel machines will only go to 20 cm max...so if you need more than 20 cm...they can't give it but if you need less or it's close...might work.

Exhale relief on any machine creates a bilevel situation...so it depends on how much exhale relief they can offer as to how much they can mimic a bilevel machine. The 2 most important things about bilevel (assuming we are talking about the regular bilevel machines and not one of the specialty bilevel machines that are needed because someone needs a back up rate).....difference between inhale and exhale that is available and the max pressure the machine will go to.

If someone needs one of those very special bilevel models....like ASV or something with a back up rate to force a breath...none of the tiny travel machines are a good choice. They simply can't force a breath.

Dusk2Dawn wrote: ↑

Sat May 08, 2021 11:51 pm

[ I could use a BIPAP, but they just have not come up with one yet ]

I use a bipap and travel with it w/o any problems. I prefer to use the same equipment I use at home as it is what I am familiar with. Nothing worse than getting away from home and finding out things don't work as you expected so be sure to try your setup at home first.

I started with straight cpap, then auto, and finally bipap. I would not go back, ever.

Why do you feel you need a travel machine?

For anyone just starting out in their compliance period, I think its far easier to prove your compliance on the cpap you were issued. Anything else can muddy the waters.

Follow Pugsys lead if you insist on a travel cpap.