Considering ResMed S9 AutoSet

I'm planning to replace my Respironics auto CPAP which is now 5 years old. The new ResMed S9 AutoSet looks like a nice unit, particularly the auto adjusting humidifier.

I'd appreciate any comments about this unit or any other recommendations.

Thanks

I can't really comment on the Respironics Auto CPAP as I have never had a Respironics before, but I have had the ResMed S8 AutoSet Spirit for 5 years and now moved to the S9 with H5i Humidifier and have used it for a month and I am impressed by it.

The great things are
- Climate Control if you go for the H5i Humidifer
- Thinner and more lightweight hose
- Noise of the machine is almost zero
- Noise through the tube is almost zero - hardly any hose noise
- Uses SD card so you can take out the SD card and plug into ResScan software on the PC to check your stats
- You also get an even smaller lightweight hose if you don't use the H5i
- For me my AHI has dropped from 4.5 to <1.0 (seems better although I know a lot of non-ResMed users are doubting the stats)
- I also find that although the pressure is the same it doesn't fell the same and hit you like a brick wall would
- Has EPR so if you do have problems exhaling then it will give you relief

I've ordered my S9 and hope that the EPR is improved from my S8.

My default machine is the Respironics PR1 Auto, and I am quite comfortable with Aflex/Cflex.

For reasons I can't explain, the PR1 gives me a much better result.

I am hoping the S9 is either comparable to it or better.

I own four x-pap machines, all of them AutoPaps, first there is my Respironics M with A-Flex/C-Flex, then the DeVilbiss IntelliPap Auto, then the Respironics PR1 Auto Pro and now the Resmed S9 Auto.
All the machines have their pros and cons. The reason I have so many machines with the exception of the IntelliPap is that to me it's all about my comfort. After all this machine is blowing pressurized air up my nose which could be quite uncomfortable so I will always try a new machine that may have a more comfortable breathing algorithm.

My first machine was the Respironics M with A-Flex/C-Flex which when I purchased it a couple of years ago was the Cadillac of x-pap machines, my second machine was the DeVilbiss IntelliPap Auto which I purchased as a travel/backup machine because of the good reviews and price, by the way this is a great machine for the price, has lots of PROs but I only use it as a second machine and traveling because I require some kind of exhale relief. My third machine was the Respironics PR1 Auto Pro. This machine looks cool but really is not much different then the original M machine except the spill proof water-box which I find very hard to fill, no software available (my EncoreViewer Software DOES NOT WORK - You need Encore PRO which I have not been able to get!) however it might be more quieter which I absolutely have no complaints about any of the machines I own being too noisy!

And now we come to the Resmed S9 Auto - back when I looked as Resmed machines before my purchased the Respironics, the S8 and so, the EPR DID NOT WORK in auto mode, now that the Resmed S9 Auto has EPR that CAN BE USED IN THE AUTO MODE I decided to purchased one. You may be wondering what was wrong with the Respironics machines that I would purchase yet another x-pap machine? Well this was due to a problem with the sensation that the M and the PR1 has that during the night the machines go into this mode where the machine is in this cycle of repetitive breathing. It's hard to explain, it was like the machine was trying to breath for you, it alway wakes me up and I have to stop the machine and restart it to get out of this mode. This may be just something that has to do with me and the way I sleep or something, I don't know. Another thing that I do not like about the M/PR1 machines is that they pick up odors way too easily, if someone is cooking in the kitchen on the other side of the house I not only can smell it but I smells like it's super concentrated odors that won't leave the machine even hours after the odor is gone in the house.

Again to me it's all about the breathing comfort and does the machine help stop my apnea events.
Some people get wrapped up with stats (over obsessed), transformers - is it a brick - how many watts, panel lights - too bright (if it brothers you that much put a towel over it - gees), color of the machine (please give me a break here), this and that. To me these are just picky things and have nothing to do with what a C-Pap is used for. Granted most of these machines could be designed better such as no power brick, smaller sizes, better styling and easier to filler water boxes, user controlled panel lights, etc. and of course the stats should show that the machine is working to eliminate Apnea events and you should check them to make sure you are within range and to help you adjust the machine but getting so obsessed with them might be what's keeping you awake at night . I hardly ever hear anyone say Forget About The Stats For A Minute But HOW DO YOU FEEL? RESTED? FEEL BETTER THEN BEFORE X-PAP because if you don't feel better then who cares that you have a 0.5 average AHI? This is what it is all about - to get a more normal night's sleep, to wake up rested and refreshed.

Now for my rating of the S9 Auto.
This machine is the BEST that I have owned. This machine is not just the Cadillac of X-Pap machines but this machine looks and functions like a Maserati.
Now keep in mine that I have only used it for a week but I am so happy that I am not experiencing the repetitive breathing cycle thing that I was on the M and PR1 machines.
I was very nervous about the EPR because I was told the it would not be as good as the Respironics A-Flex/C-Fles, I find that I like it better, much better.
The machine does not pick up odors like the Respironics, by the way the IntelliPap does not have an odor problem either just the Respironics.
My nights are so comfortable that I sleep mostly all the way through them. The air does not bother me at all. I used to find that when I first start up on my other machines it was very hard to adjust even with ramp-up. I don't even use the ramp-up on my S9.
This machine has a a lot of bells and whistles which may or may not interest you.
It has Climate Control, yes Climate Control with the ClimateLine heated hose (comes in 6.5 length only) you set the temperature and put it in auto climate mode or set the temperature and humidity in manual mode - your choice. The machine senses room temperature and humidity and the temperature right at the mask hose and adjust accordingly so you will get the best air temperature and humidity blowing up your nose without any rain out.
The S9 actually has a modern display. It is color hi-res the is the best in the c-pap market and the display goes off after a few seconds of use plus more importantly I can actually read it without any problems, not like the cheap old crappy displays on the Respironics.
You control functions with two button and a know that turns and pushes in - all very easy.
You turn on the machine either my breathing through the mask in auto-on mode or pressing the on-off button.
The humidifier is excellent again the best I have seen in c-paps. The tank is easiest to take out and fill in the business. You can control the amount of humidity that you want or with the ClimateLine tubing use the climate control in auto mode and set the temperature. There is even a pre-warm feature that will warm up the water for 3 minutes prior to starting the sleep session. The humidifier has an oval window on the top and the tank area below is soft lighted when ever you press a button or when you first start. It goes off after a few seconds. The light changes color with the water and plate is warming or cooling - orange like color or when no warming or already cooled blueish like color. The S9 as I think with other ResMed humidifiers has a cooling cycle when you shut the machine off.
You really do not need any software for knowing basic stat information, the machine displays daily information multiply day averages in a report form on the machine itself. However the SD card is removable and with the ResScan 3.10 software you can get tons and tons of information and stats plus set up the machine itself on a PC - you must have ResScan 3.10 to do this as prior versions of ResScan will not work with this machine.

Now for the downside - The machine is very expensive - however I am one of those people who believes that you only live once - so if your insurance will pay for it or if you can afford it - get one.

Again, it's all about comfort and the ResMed S9 Auto has with hands-down been the most comfortable machine for me to breath on and get a good night's sleep however I really like the fact that it has a lot of functionality and good looks.

My Survey Says: 5 Stars to ResMed for what I consider the best A-Pap currently on the market today!

I really don't know what else to say even though I know I have not given all the specs and information about this machine just some of the things I take notice to. I know that most of you who are considering a S9 would have more questions so please if you or anyone has any questions and if I can answer them I will be more than glad to do so. Again please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about any of my machines.

Here was my review (and there are others in this thread):

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=49847&p=460501#p460501

Excellent and comprehensive reviews Pzac and Jeff.

Makes me look forward to mine even more.

I'm glad to hear a direct comparison between the PRS1 and the S9 with regards to comfort. Thanks for the that.

For a single APAP machine for frequent traveling (plus home use), do people like the S9 Autoset or the S8 Autoset II better (or other machine). Can someone tell me the weight and size of the power adaptor and the machine itself for the S9. Thanks.

The S9's power brick is somewhat larger and heavier than the power brick on the PR S1. The S8 AutoSet II does NOT have a power brick which is a big plus in my book. The S8s and S8 IIs are GREAT travel companions in my experience. Empty the humidifier tank and there's only two pieces to pack, the AutoSet and the H3i or 4i.

you can have my S9 when you prise it from my cold dead fingers

Uncle_Bob wrote:you can have my S9 when you prise it from my cold dead fingers

liv2kite wrote:For a single APAP machine for frequent traveling (plus home use), do people like the S9 Autoset or the S8 Autoset II better (or other machine). Can someone tell me the weight and size of the power adaptor and the machine itself for the S9. Thanks.

So, are you saying you would be happy using the S9 as a travel machine. Would you know the weight of the S9 and of the power brick ? Thanks.

liv2kite wrote:
So, are you saying you would be happy using the S9 as a travel machine. Would you know the weight of the S9 and of the power brick ? Thanks.

I don't travel much and its normally for a week or less. I find the S8 easier to travel with. It just seems more robust and its so easy to assemble and dissemble, as it is my backup machine i like to give it run every now and again. The only downside is that if i'm away for more than 4 days I'm not getting any detailed data sessions. Also if you forget your power cord you could easily purchase a new one at a radio shack or something as i think they are generic cables.

If i traveled with my S9 i would be worried about accidental damage. Given that i paid just over $700 for the whole setup prior to Resmed price increases I would be paying much for a replacement.

I'm not sure of the weight of S9.

I bought Respironics APAP out of pocket a couple of years ago. At the time, I was using a Resmed CPAP. I wanted auto and decided to give Respironics a try. I forget which Respironics model I chose but it was top of the line a that time -- auto & cflex. Unfortunately, the machine did not do a very good job of detecting and/or responding to events. I tried it a week and it was so bad I sold it to a fellow forum member. I think he liked it.

After doing a bit more reading about the different algorithms used, and their varying levels of effectiveness, I decided the problem may not be the auto concept, but an ineffective algorithm. I should have done more research in the beginning, but oh well. So, a couple of months later I rolled the dice and bought a Resmed auto (S8, maybe...it was the old, larger one). In this case, the auto DID work, and for me their algorithm was clearly the best (between these two brands). At one point, ResMed claimed to have the only "clinically proven" auto algorithm, but I don't know if that is still the case.

The S9 is a remarkable machine. I've had mine for a month now and it is a significant step up from my previous Resmed auto. I can feel the oscillation of air from time to time when I'm awake - it doesn't bother me, I can just feel it working (whereas with my old REsmed, I couldn't). Also, the fan/blower on the S9 is incredibly quick. When you turn off the S9 the pressure drops immediately, much faster than the early generation Resmed or REspironics. I've got to think this agility would help in responding to events. My AHI (which is easy to check on this machine) averages around 2.0.
The S9 is a great machine for me. I definitely sleep better. We are all different, but I cannot imagine that there is a better machine on the market right now for anyone with my type and level of OSA.

liv2kite wrote:For a single APAP machine for frequent traveling (plus home use), do people like the S9 Autoset or the S8 Autoset II better (or other machine).

I'm now several days into my first international trip (5 weeks) since changing from an S8 to an S9.

For this trip I will have reliable mains AC power available in all the places I am visiting, and the S9 is definitely easier to travel with for me under those circumstances.

Cheers,

Bill

billbolton wrote:

liv2kite wrote:For a single APAP machine for frequent traveling (plus home use), do people like the S9 Autoset or the S8 Autoset II better (or other machine).

I'm now several days into my first international trip (5 weeks) since changing from an S8 to an S9.

For this trip I will have reliable mains AC power available in all the places I am visiting, and the S9 is definitely easier to travel with for me under those circumstances.

Cheers,

Bill

I don't understand what you mean "I will have reliable mains AC power". Are you taking the power adaptor "brick" with you. If so, why do you feel it is easier to travel with than the S8, or I should say what about it makes it easier to travel with ? Thanks for your reply(ies).