Which machine to buy first?

Hi all - I've just been diagnosed, and will be taking my first steps to a better life through better sleep. I've been researching like crazy, and looking over the 2010 reviews of CPAP machines. I've read the S9 discussions and seem to be gravitating toward that one. I'll be using the nose pillows, if that makes any difference.

I'm looking for something that will travel well, that I can use on our boat, and that will just do the job reliably.

Which machine do I get?

Thanks!!!!!

Steve

I use the S9 and no complaints.

I also use the Pillow mask and am happy with it. Same mask I used for my study.

I have an s nine, you will be glad you got one.

swift fx nose pillow mask is a great one to start on, nose pillows are very soft.. but you need to adjust the little
headgear strap sometimes as it stretches, but thats why its so comfy.

fischer and pakel nose pillows along with its opus 360 headgear is a great sturdy nose pilow mask..

I switch them back and forth..

edit to add: I HAVE THE S NINE AUTOSET... not a cpap, but the autoset.. GET AN AUTOSET IF YOU CAN..
you can run it as a cpap too.

You don't indicate if your machine choice will be dictated by insurance parameters, if you have great coverage that will allow you to choose anything you want, or if you will be purchasing out of pocket. Those will probably influence your decisions.

I just bought the new IntelliPAP Auto Adjust with Smartflex and I am very satisfied with it. It is a highly rated machine, and with the addition of flex, it makes it a competitor to the two top machines out there. It is also very small and travels well, has an integrated humidifier, and is very quiet. This machine can be purchased for about half the cost of the top two competitors, yet it has the best warranty in the industry...3 yrs. Be sure to check it out!

I've been a Resmed fan since starting PAP therapy in 2006 - BUT - since you want to be able to use it on your boat be sure to check out how the S9 runs on battery power. I'm not much into this stuff but I do know that previous to the S9s there was something about a sine wave converter or some such thing and the Respironics PAPs had the edge there. Heck, I don't really know what I'm talking about but do check out alternate power sources than just a plug in the house wall for the S9. If you check out the S8s you will see what I mean and hopefully understand it a whole lot better than I do! Duh!

If you have good insurance let your insurance buy the more expensive PAP and you buy a good but lesser priced one out of pocket.

Also check out power usage w/and w/o the integrated humidifer. Not using the humidifier extends battery life. But some of us just can NOT do w/o a heated humidifier for even one night.

You've not indicated your location. If you live outside of the USA, you may wish to consider a different manufacturer than Resmed. The reason for this is that Resmed will not allow online retailers to ship their products outside of the USA. As a result, if you purchase a Resmed S9, you will be stuck buying all ancillary products for it (e.g. filters, climateline hose, masks, etc) from your local DME. In Canada, this means having to pay inflated prices.

There are ways around the ban on buying online from USA suppliers of Resmed products, but they are not always simple or direct.

I've been on the S9 now for 4 night and love it. Yes, in Canada, we do pay inflated prices but you pay what you gotta pay!

Thanks, everyone. Lots to think about. I appreciate all the input.

I'll find out tomorrow if what I've interpreted as a 50% DME coverage is correct. I'm in the US (Maryland), for what it's worth. It definitely sounds like I have A LOT to learn about this condition... and that I've found the right place to learn. I do have a generator on the boat to run the AC, but I'd like to be able to run my machine through an inverter (fall nights are just too nice to keep the boat closed up).

Another question... do these machines have HEPA filters (or something to that effect)? I'm trying to figure out if we'll have more open window nights now... I've always had to keep the house closed up because of allergies.

I've been trying a leaf blower and a variac the past few nights with good success. Only problem I've had is the fumes from the wee gas motor on the back. Going to vent that over to the wife's side of the bed tonight and see if that keeps her from trying to squeeze my lips closed so I don't whistle at night with the nose pillows. Anyone know if they make these nose pillow things without feathers? Thanks!

Best value:
DeVilbiss intellePAP with SmartFlex (very close to S-9 in features with a longer warranty at about 1/3 of the cost!)

You got plenty of money or insurance pays:
ResMed S9 (offers a heated hose and extensive presence in the CPAP community over the IntelliPAP).

Here is a video that has the three best machines reviewed.
http://www.sleepnation.tv/post/808897740/episode1

sleepnationtv wrote:Here is a video that has the three best machines reviewed.

Thank you for the excellent videos, they are quite helpful in understanding some of the features of this gear.
When you say the "three best machines" (or, in the video, your three favorite machines) can you elaborate on what that means?

Based on price, features, and warranty; the DeVilbiss stands out as an incredible bargain. It also beat the RemStar in a cpaptalk.com Product Challenge (though neither of these is the current "latest and greatest" offering from their respective companies).
http://intellipap-aflex-auto.cpaptalk.com/

More to the point of my concern, was DeVilbiss included in your assessment? If so, what aspects of the Devilbiss kept it from being included in your front runners?

If you have found a reason to avoid the DeVilbiss, it would be useful information to many people on this site!

Thanks for your help!

DeVilbiss is going to become a frontrunner, for sure, now that they have added Smartflex. I was chatting with a rep at our host's site who said they expect it will become their best seller once they have it in stock. At the moment, they don't have the model with the Smartflex, but I suspect they will very soon.

It is time for another product challenge with this new model going up against the two 'big boys.' Let's see how it stacks up.....

For those who will need to purchase out of pocket (as I did), this will be the machine to get to save $$. For travelers, it is very small even with the integrated humidifier on it.

I see our host, cpap.com, is now showing the Intellipap w/Smartflex on their site. YAY!

Thanks for all of the great insight, everyone... I tried the leaf blower idea, but went with an electric version. When I gated down the current, it made a strange whining sound and kept my wife up all night. Non starter...

As you can see below, my insurer provided me with the S9 Autoset, with the H5i humidifier. I just ordered the heated tube to complete the set.

I've been on it for two nights now, and I'm already feeling different. I'm sure it'll take some getting used to. I've read up on the clinician's manual and gotten the software so I can do some analysis.

This forum is incredible! I've learned sooooo much already, and I've only scratched the surface.

Thanks again to all!!!

Steve