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Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:18 pm
by Goofproof
Wulfman wrote:
Jaggles wrote:Den, why do you keep the Remstar Pro 2 instead of the more recent M series? I am on my first, a rental, and like the size of the M esp. for travel. Is there a downside to the newer model?
Well.....probably several (lots of) reasons. Two years ago when I started, the "Pro 2" was pretty new. The previous "Pro" model didn't record detailed data and it was formally discontinued by Respironics in April of '05. So, it was my first machine......and it has served me well. The "M Series" didn't start coming out until about this time or mid-2006. About this time last year, I acquired a (lightly used) REMstar Auto (same technology) from one of our forum members. Then, in August of last year, I started getting nervous about how long the "Classic" ("Tank") series would be available, so I bought a new Auto from CPAP.COM. SO.....I'm pretty heavily into the previous machine style....I have interchangeable humidifiers and filters, etc. The "rumor" was that the "M Series" still used the same logic (programming) that the "Classic" used......so, there was no advantage to change. I don't travel, so there was no advantage there, either.
The "M Series" machines required a newer version of Encore Pro
The "M Series" machines also had a problem with dropping data for a couple of nights.

The "Classic" models have been good machines.

Den
And he didn't want to "spring" for a waterproof night stand and the new software that takes a time out. (I don't know which one of us talked the other into stocking up.) Jim


Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:29 pm
by Wulfman
Thanks, Jim.
I knew there were more reasons that I'd missed.
Also, the voltage converter (brick) in the M Series was another separate piece/part of the equipment that was already built into the "Classic".

I think we BOTH like to have spare pieces of equipment (vehicles, CPAPs, APAPs, whatever).

I also see that CPAP.COM has LOTS of those machines in stock, too. Maybe they know something......

EDITED ADDITION: I just like the LOOKS fo the Legacy/Classic/Tank machines better than the M Series machines. And the humidifier (I think) is easier to fill......just pull the hose off and add water.

Den


Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:48 am
by LyleHaze
Greetings.
New Member, First Posting:
I've just completed my second sleep study, and slept better than I hoped on a CPAP machine. I won't get to see my Dr. and get started until Tuesday.
I intend to get as involved as possible in my own machine, and that includes getting the software and monitoring my own progress. I just read this subject (twice) and I'm not quite clear.. Has the software been "pulled" already? Is it still available for some models only?
My Dr. has already shown some "resistance" to me getting access to my own data. He has suggested that I stay with Respironics, but he doesn't think I should have a say in which machine I get, and he thinks that getting the software would be "useless for the user".
I'd love to hear any suggestions.

Thanks,
LyleHaze


Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:55 am
by cflame1
It's available online... I know that cpap.com currently sells it, and the reader.


Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 6:42 am
by tangents
LyleHaze,

If you want a data logging machine, don't take home anything else. Go to another doctor if you need to, but don't sign for a lesser machine. Once you do, it's very hard to get another one, unless you pay out of pocket.

Welcome to the forum!

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:56 am
by NightHawkeye
Welcome, LyleHaze.
LyleHaze wrote:I won't get to see my Dr. and get started until Tuesday. I intend to get as involved as possible in my own machine, and that includes getting the software and monitoring my own progress.
If you order the software now and have it shipped overnight, you'll have it ready to use the day you start your CPAP therapy. (I'm only half-kidding, btw.) .
LyleHaze wrote:I just read this subject (twice) and I'm not quite clear.. Has the software been "pulled" already? Is it still available for some models only?
Yes, the software has been pulled from some distributors. There is no guaranty that supply of the software will remain available after current inventories are exhausted. There is even the possibility that the remaining suppliers will return the unsold copies back to Respironics.

The current version of Encore Pro works with all models of Respironics machines which use Smart Cards.
LyleHaze wrote:My Dr. has already shown some "resistance" to me getting access to my own data.
And just why would he have any resistance? Is it a monetary thing with him, or does he think that no one other than a highly skilled medical professional would be capable of interpreting the "complex" data provided. (Either way, it's BS.)

Oh, just to make sure you get off on the proper footing with your doc, request a complete copy of your overnight sleep study data. It's your legal right to have it. If he doesn't support you in your effort to manage your own therapy, then you might want to consider looking for a doc who is a little more of a patient advocate.
LyleHaze wrote:He has suggested that I stay with Respironics, but he doesn't think I should have a say in which machine I get, and he thinks that getting the software would be "useless for the user".
Sigh . . .,

Regards,
Bill


Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:02 am
by Goofproof
Just remember, before you get the software and reader make sure your machine captures full data. Jim

The Remstar Classics (Tanks) APAP, and CPAP Pro2 do also the "M"agic Pro, and APAP.


Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:15 am
by Wulfman
Goofproof wrote:Just remember, before you get the software and reader make sure your machine captures full data. Jim

The Remstar Classics (Tanks) APAP, and CPAP Pro2 do also the "M"agic Pro, and APAP.
And SOME machines capture more data than others......the "others" take a couple of nights off each week.

Den


Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:48 am
by ddpelp
mine seems to of lost a day totally <g> I missed the last two dats important data. so thought ok it is taking vacation (the machine) anyway got a new mask went in and tested it about 10 mins.. thought what the heck I will see if the card updated anymore info.
Put card in reader read it via Encore and the 10 mins I just used is showing as 4/20/07 the little green slot at the time i justtested it so appears mine does not know it is 21st not the 20

anyway to do a full reset on these things? I might jusy unplug the rest of day and see what happens when I use it tonight but right now it thinks it appears today is the 20th

I have 5 dollar watches that keep better time/date <g>

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:56 am
by Wulfman
ddpelp wrote:mine seems to of lost a day totally <g> I missed the last two dats important data. so thought ok it is taking vacation (the machine) anyway got a new mask went in and tested it about 10 mins.. thought what the heck I will see if the card updated anymore info.
Put card in reader read it via Encore and the 10 mins I just used is showing as 4/20/07 the little green slot at the time i justtested it so appears mine does not know it is 21st not the 20

anyway to do a full reset on these things? I might jusy unplug the rest of day and see what happens when I use it tonight but right now it thinks it appears today is the 20th

I have 5 dollar watches that keep better time/date <g>
Your "recording day" runs from noon (yesterday) to noon (today).....and would still be recording for April 20th until noon today.....THEN it'll start recording for the 21st.

Den

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 11:52 am
by ddpelp
Yep that was it at least for the useage all the other info is on vacation for last 2 days.. the AHI hi etc nothign in two days.. just useage humid, leak


Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 11:53 am
by cpapernewbie
hey thanks wolfman

I am just like dpelp

I was panicking this morning too, where is my April 20 data?
Just installed the SW and card reader yesterday afternoon and this morning I sit down and want to analyze last nith events and lo and behold - nothing!

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:13 pm
by ddpelp
cpapernewbie

Only my useage is there even with the day change the AHI and other actualy data has not been read from the card in the last two days which I assume from what I read is kinda normal for the mseries too bad


Knock on wood

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:30 pm
by wolftracker
hi,

I have a tank and 1.8 and not having epa working on vista
just looking at my encore pro report from pdf

in three weeks I have no missing data that i can tell
all the data seems fine.

one note ... i down load twice a week

not once a week ... or every day

and i only use the machine at night ... never during the day
while taking naps... do not really take naps since being on the
machine ...

just passed 2500 hours

wolf


Re: Knock on wood

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:40 pm
by Wulfman
wolftracker wrote:hi,

I have a tank and 1.8 and not having epa working on vista
just looking at my encore pro report from pdf

in three weeks I have no missing data that i can tell
all the data seems fine.


one note ... i down load twice a week

not once a week ... or every day

and i only use the machine at night ... never during the day
while taking naps... do not really take naps since being on the
machine ...

just passed 2500 hours

wolf
The "Tanks"/"Classics"/"Legacy models" NEVER had a problem with dropping data. There may have been some isolated cases, but not as a whole.

It's only been the M Series machines that have dropped the two nights on a consistent basis......according to everything I've read.

Den