Intellipap Auto vs Sandman Auto (Comments appreciated)

The Sandman Auto seems to be a very good machine, but some issues make this a difficult decision, although this is my preference right now:
1) I am thoroughly confused about the differences in the software of v1.1 and 1.3 and the very high cost of this software at some places (Up to $260) and down to ($89) at others. Could someone p/m me if they have any suggestions of how to minimize this cost or find the latest version at a reasonable cost.
2) At least one comment of the machine being noisy with the dreaded Darth Vader sounds (like my present Respironics M Series Auto) which has to have a fan running to mask the loud sounds)
3) Puritan Bennet being sold first to Covidien and now to ????? doesn't instill confidence in the machine being there next year or so.
4) The reviews are good, but so few seem to be sold and some vendors don't carry the auto at all.

The Intellipap seems to have very good reviews (and seems to be quiet) but a few detractors for the way it doesn't take centrals into consideration or scores everything else as Hypoponeas. The software is also priced high and doesn't seem to give as detailed reporting as the m-series. This is where I will probably wind up.

The PR System One is priced a little higher ($100), but hate to buy another noisy machine after listening to the M Series for the last two years! This is still an option.

The S9 Autoset was the machine I was trying to buy a month ago, but the original price quote of $700 for everything was not honored when I called in to order the machine and paying an extra $400 where there is NO insurance coverage is more drastic than I can stand right now.

This is where I started: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29308&p=252197#p252197
Spontaneous Arousal's: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30419&p=261497#p261497

Any and all comments or p/m's appreciated.

There should be some good buys on the tried and true Resmed S8s and S8 IIs. Find a good buy on the cable reader and the software shouldn't be hard to come by.

I think the S8s and S8 IIs are going to enjoy the respect, affection and loyalty that the Respironics pre-M Series APAPs enjoyed long after their production was terminated.

ww wrote:The Sandman Auto seems to be a very good machine, but some issues make this a difficult decision, although this is my preference right now:
1) I am thoroughly confused about the differences in the software of v1.1 and 1.3 and the very high cost of this software at some places (Up to $260) and down to ($89) at others. Could someone p/m me if they have any suggestions of how to minimize this cost or find the latest version at a reasonable cost.
2) At least one comment of the machine being noisy with the dreaded Darth Vader sounds (like my present Respironics M Series Auto) which has to have a fan running to mask the loud sounds)
3) Puritan Bennet being sold first to Covidien and now to ????? doesn't instill confidence in the machine being there next year or so.
4) The reviews are good, but so few seem to be sold and some vendors don't carry the auto at all.

<snip>

Any and all comments or p/m's appreciated.

The sandman auto is a bit noisy. It does change in volume between inhale and exhale. It did not bother me but comparing it to the S9 (I got it before the price increase), it's night and day different in noise. The software is good, easy to use. I think I had v1.2 of the software and it was fine. There is a v1.7 (I think) but I think it was to support different hardware and didn't add any features (but I'm not sure on that0. My complaint about the software was on the detailed graphs, it didn't show which events were Hypopneas and which were Apneas and it didn't show how long the Apneas were.

I wouldn't worry too much about Puritan Bennet/Covidien being sold. It didn't seem to matter (although I admit, I did worry about it when I found out).

I don't know anything about the Intellipap so I can't compare.

Not having the S8, but based on the graphs I've seen and comments, If I were to start all over and I had limited funds, I'd watch craigslist and cpapauction.com and pick up a used S8 AutoSet II.

-Corey