Activa VS Activa LT

Any input on the LT from someone who has also used the traditional Activa would be appreciated. Want to know if it is worth it to buy to try. I am poet and didn't know it! LOL

I have had the LT for a couple of weeks, now and must say that I like it better, but there is very little difference, as shown on my last post with the photos. The nose opening is exactly the same, but it doesn't hang down quite as far over my lower lip. The bottom still rides on my upper lip and it still leaks in my eyes and in the lower corners in the same places that the Standard does. I hear everybody say that is is supposed to fit loose and it "floats" on the face. I am here to say that when the pressure hits 23, you better have that thing ratcheted down tight. I think I have a permanent triangle on my face.

Bev

There is a thread I started called Activa / Activa LT Mask Feedback where I offer my lengthy 2 cents by way of my own comparison of the two masks, having used the Activa for some time. I don't know how to link that post to this one so I cut and pasted what I said below. There's also some good feedback from others in that string.

To update my "review", I'm evaluating the difference between the two cushions more closely. I originally said they perform identically, however, I think it's possible, since the LT is "shorter" I may be getting more leak generally from it (RestedGal posed this question in that string which prompted me to notice any effect more closely). I'm using the standard cushion on the LT frame for a while then I'll put the medium LT cushion (same size as standard) on and see if I can make a determination either antecdotally or with Encore Viewer software.

Here's the "review"... Good luck Neurosurgery NP

There are a couple threads around here on the new ResMed Activa LT mask and I recently went from the Activa to the LT so I thought I'd finally posts my experience/observations, which may be repeated in the previous posts by others. These are all antecdotal since I don't have Encore running yet to see any impirical data regarding leaks for example. Here they are in no particular order:

First, the bottom line for me is, there is no difference in the functionality of the "active cell" technology. They both seem equally adept at minimizing leaks and, a big benefit for me, allowing the head gear to be more loosely fit than say the comfort gel, and definitely the CL2 which I tried without success with the nasal cushion, because the headgear feels like a vice grip by the middle of the night. The LT is not better than the original Activa in this regard, it's the same for me. For both the original and LT, I concur with what someone else has mentioned, you have to get the head gear tightened "just right", but once it is, they are both very effective at minimizing leaks with a minimally tightened head gear. Generally, the looser the better; just tight enough to keep it from floating around on your face.

The LT plan-view or "foot/face print" as it were, is somewhat smaller than the original. I think someone posted pics of the two which are very good examples. Sorry for not giving credit to the poster person. I didn't go back to check, but thanks for the photos.

The cushions are completely interchangeable between the two frames. This is not what ResMed told me, but it is was CPAP-Supply.com said. They were correct. So, if you have the original Activa and just want to experiment with a different cushion size, you should be able to just purchase it and snap it on. Functionally, my experience is it will be the same as if you're actually using the LT. I tried mixing and matching my cushions between the original and LT and could not notice any significant difference with respect to the function and feel of the cushion on either frame.

Cushion sizes - ResMed sent me the actual plastic cushion templates for both the original and LT. Bottom line: they offer the same sizes exactly, they've just changed the names to protect the innocent I guess. Original vs. LT are named as follows: Large = Large, Standard = Medium, Shallow = Large-Wide. That's it. No new sizes with the LT.

Another note on Activa cushion sizes from my experience... I've been on the hunt for the best Activa cushion fit for a while and then the LT came along. My main issue was that the Large cushion that I started with was too long, but when I pulled it down so the bottom was literally over my upper lip-line, it cut eye leaks significantly. I went to the standard, which is a better fit for sure because it is a bit shorter than the large. I still improved the eye leaks when I pull it down abit, but it doesn't have to come down so far as the large. It's definitely more comfortable for me. Finally, ResMed sent me, for free (this is another story I'll try to post soon), the LT with a medium and Large-Wide cushion. My thought, (which was completely contrary to my DME's opinion) was that since the Large-Wide is even shorter, I wouldn't have to pull it down at all. I felt the wider fit would not pose a new leak problem around the sides or bottom. I was right about the height, but unfortunately, as my DME suggested, it does leak around the sides and bottom, which I've been unable to resolve. So, I've found the best fit for my somewhat long, but narrow-bridged sicilian nose is the Medium/Standard cushion. I haven't yet called my DME to tell them what I've discovered, but I'll muster up the courage to admit they were correct soon and to give them the feedback. In any case, It seems like a cross between the medium/standard with the shallow/large-wide height would be just the fit, and it seems from some posts I've seen by some of the women here it could benefit them too. Alas it does not exist and I wonder if ResMed is open to direct customer feedback. I hope to find that out soon.

The LT does seem much quieter than the original and the exhaust is ported out away from the face rather than down toward my chest. The exhaust on the LT is through many smaller holes situated in a circular fashion on the elbow piece. I've read by more than one user that if these get clogged for some reason the exhaust makes a whistling sound. I have not experienced this in the few weeks I've used the mask and suspect that with weekly cleanings it should not be a problem. Also, I have not had any condensation problems on setting number one on my Respironics M-series auto BiPap, which could clog those holes.

The forehead piece seems a bit bulkier than the original, with its twist dial feature and cylindrical post. All-in-all the LT feels a bit heavier than the original up here at the top, but not so much when I actually put it on. If it is heavier, its a non-issue for me. I've found the dial feature not as significant an improvement as I thought it would be, but I do think there is potential to really fine tune the mask if it would need to be for a particular person. I've found I can use the mask with the forehead pad set fully out (same as the original for me), or pulled in about five clicks. Pulling it in more than that for me starts to open up the bottom of the cushion producing some leak there. It may be that's about the same as one notch on the original's frame, but I haven't done any real analysis of that.

That's about it. Hope this isn't TMI, but I know I've been helped greatly by reading the personal experiences of others around here and coming to my own conclusions. So, at this juncture in what I've come to fondly refer to as my CPAP odessy since September -08, I can say that I'm using the Activa LT as my workhorse, go-to mask... for now.

To boil it all down for me, surprisingly the two primary reasons I'm going to the LT vs. the original are that it's quieter and the exhaust is less intrusive for me. All the rest of it between the two including overall functionality and size, is a wash. They both work for me about the same. Finally, I believe the online cost of the LT is significantly less than the original, so there may be a benefit to many who pay out of pocket or just want to try it between insurance cycles.

I hope this helps someone out there. Thanks to all of you for helping me and good sleeping too.

Joe

THanks for your input.