Switching from Respironics to ResMed

Hello all,

I am giving back my rental Respironics Pro because I got me a new ResMed Elite. I already have the machine and software and am waiting on my card reader from CPAP.com to get here. I recall someone saying you have to insert and pull the card everyday before 12p to get the data. Is that true? How does that work? Are there any other idiosyncracies b/w getting and reading the data from the Respironics and the ResMed Elite?

Thanks,

Kevin

Nope.

You have until noon if you want to read the summary results from the machine's LCD display.

The machine stores detailed data for the last 5 nights and summary data for the last 180 days. The card is only inserted to transfer data to the card.

And if you sleep very late, you can always set the time on the machine a few hours earlier than the real time so that you can read the data after noon. You just have to remember the time offset when view the ResScan graphs.

Probably the best decision you will ever make regarding your therapy. I made the switch long ago and haven't looked back since.


AKCPAPGUY

Thank you, JDM for clarifying. I was wondering how that worked.

The Respironics wasn't too bad of a machine, just very expensive. I feel the ResMed has more features and the EPR has a more natural feeling compared to the C-Flex of the M-Series Pro. I already have an Escape II as a travel machine. If the Elite is anything like it, I will be happy.

Hi Kevin,

I am wondering about the ResScan software. Do you have it? Can you get it? If so, can you install it?

The reason I ask is that I have a ResMed AutoSet II and had a tough time buying the software.
Now I have it but can't get it to see my CPAP from the laptop (I am using the USB cable).

I would be interested to hear your experience.

Thanks,
Mark

Mark,

I am using the ResScan software via the card reader. Had some installation issues to resolve.

Why don't you start a new thread on your problem so as not to threadjack poor Kevin.

And you'll get more responses with a properly-titled thread,

Guest wrote:Probably the best decision you will ever make regarding your therapy. I made the switch long ago and haven't looked back since.


AKCPAPGUY

What were your issues with respironics, and how is resmed better?
I have an Auto M and am thinking of getting resmed for a backup/travel machine.
Having to buy the other software is the main thing holding me back.

I originally had Respironics Auto BiPap and switched to ResMed because the Respironics kept dropping data.
Best move I ever made.....I love the VPAP Auto 25. The breathing is much more natural. It's a very quiet machine and I haven't had any problems with the software. With ResMed, you don't leave the card in the machine but rather insert it in the slot and it downloads onto the card. BTW, the card goes into the machine with the gold face down. When you put the card in the reader, the gold should be facing up.

I like it for alot of the reasons that lktnky said.

-The breathing feels more natural and the EPR feels much better vs C-Flex
-The ResMed is MUCH quieter than the Respironics.
-The fact the machine can adjust it's numbers based off the length of the hose and type of mask being used (cuts down on the math when calculating leak rates)
-The LEDs are not lighting up the whole room when I sleep
-The hose port is in the front of the machine and not the back.
-ResMed is ventilation equipment, Respironics is Phillips which is TVs, razors, microwaves, refrigerators, etc.
-My ResMed machine has a humidifier preheat, my respironics don't.
-My ResMed has a mask fit feature, my respironics don't

ResMed Cons:
-The H3i Heated Humidifier water chamber is sealed. You can't easily get in it to clean. The M-Series chamber splits in half when you release a clip.
-ResMed measures hoses in meters instead of feet. So the hose that comes with it is 2 meters which is 6 1/2 feet. Doesn't fit the standard hose cozy.
-My ResMed allows pressure changes in .2 cm instead of .1 cm. Not sure how much difference that can make.
-ResMed stopped selling the data software to patients in the US
-ResMed has a little different algorithm in calculating your AHI, so it tends to be higher than Respironics.

These are just my opinions. If I misstated something, please let me know.

Kevin

ResMed does sell a humidifier chamber for the H4i that comes apart for cleaning. The one that came with my S8 Elite II was a frosted plastic one-piece chamber. I also have a clear plastic one that has a clip and a seal on the bottom which comes apart to clean. I believe it is this one:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... amber.html

Is that the same water chamber that is included in the H3i to H4i conversion kit? I was just looking at that when your post came in.

Kevin

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... r-kit.html

The image looks the same to me, but I can't be sure. If you are ordering it from cpap.com, I would ask them to check. From the Resmed website, here are the product codes:

26940 - With standard water chamber
26950 - With cleanable water chamber

JosephSchmoe wrote: . . . thinking of getting resmed for a backup/travel machine.
Having to buy the other software is the main thing holding me back.

The ResMed is great for travel because you can see the important data from the screen without software. Some experienced members say that they wouldn't bother getting ResMed software because of how much info is accessible from the screen. I have the software, but only use it occasionally, myself, if I feel I need to troubleshoot something.

I just called cpap.com and he indicated that the water chamber that is included in the H3i to H4i conversion kit, includes the washable water chamber.

I have a question though....
Most places, including CPAP.com, sell 6ft hoses. The ResMed Elite is calibrated for 2m and 3m hoses. The 2m hose equivilates to about 6 1/2 feet. Do you HAVE to use a ResMed 2m hose to get accurate treatment, or can you use a 6ft hose and set the machine for 2m? Does it skew the numbers or throw off leak rates, or will the machine compensate even though it isn't an auto?

klockemy wrote:I have a question though.... Most places, including CPAP.com, sell 6ft hoses. The ResMed Elite is calibrated for 2m and 3m hoses. The 2m hose equivilates to about 6 1/2 feet. Do you HAVE to use a ResMed 2m hose to get accurate treatment, or can you use a 6ft hose and set the machine for 2m? Does it skew the numbers or throw off leak rates, or will the machine compensate even though it isn't an auto?

I've never seen a really satisfactory answer to the question of what use is made of the hose length information. Physically, increased length would involve a small drop in pressure at the mask end, and perhaps they compensate for that. Also, "information" coming back from the mask end would presumably take "longer" to reach the machine sensors, though it's hard to imagine what use can be made of that fact.

Several things to keep in mind:
--Respironics does not ask about (= does not care about?) such information, so presumably the actual functional differences are minimal.
--Rather than focus just on the 6 inches between 6 feet and 2 meters, keep in mind that some masks (e.g. ResMed Mirage Activa) incorporate an extra 9.5" hose, and users of stand-alone humidifiers typically add a 24 - 36 inch coupling hose. Not to mention various adaptors and connectors, straight or angled.
--Measured pressure within plus or minus 1cm of the set pressure is generally considered "close enough".
--Published vent flow rates, not only between different masks, but also for different production runs of the same mask, are generally considered to be only approximations.
--Tubing advertised as 6' may in fact be 6' 6"; most "generic" tubing I've seen is 6' 6", and only rarely have I encountered a tube that's actually 6'.
--With an international market, it makes more sense for a standard metric tube-length question, rather than worry about customizing the question the machine asks.

In other words, there is so much possible variability, it's hard to imagine 6" being a cause for concern. There are much bigger fish out there! Regards, Velbor