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ChrisD wrote:

deltadave wrote:

accurate wrote:As always you can contact Accurate with any questions.

Soooo.....?[/url]

He possibly meant contact him via their website: http://www.acbio.com

Chris

Thanks Chris, that is what that statement meant albeit unclearly stated. I try to monitor this board as much as time allows, but don't do as well as I'd like. For specific questions though I tend to rely on our techs to answer those.

Dave you are welcome to call 800-376-5660 and ask for Dennis Thorne. If you reference this web site when you talk to him that is also helpful. Dennis is actually the one that I consulted with trying to bring this service online. I think he gets irritated with me as he fields a lot of different phone calls and questions daily.

accurate wrote:Dave you are welcome to call 800-376-5660 and ask for Dennis Thorne.

Actually, all of my machines are already reflashed so I'm OK.

My point is that these are questions anybody wishing to use your service need to ask ol' irritable Dennis before they consider upgrade.

Also, don't forget (see above) that you can't flash a 1.xx machine with a 2.xx upgrade.

BTW, while 65 bucks might seem to be a fair price for this service (not necessarily for the upgrade, but adding the "computerized calibration" as well) what exactly is contained in the "computerized calibration"? Do you use the factory program? If so, since that program halts at any test that fails, do you start charging for P&L if you have to start doing extra stuff? If so2, how does that work (do you call the customer and get prior authorization first?) and what is your labor rate and parts mark-up?

oxoxoxox

deltadave wrote:

accurate wrote:Dave you are welcome to call 800-376-5660 and ask for Dennis Thorne.

Actually, all of my machines are already reflashed so I'm OK.

My point is that these are questions anybody wishing to use your service need to ask ol' irritable Dennis before they consider upgrade.

Also, don't forget (see above) that you can't flash a 1.xx machine with a 2.xx upgrade.

BTW, while 65 bucks might seem to be a fair price for this service (not necessarily for the upgrade, but adding the "computerized calibration" as well) what exactly is contained in the "computerized calibration"? Do you use the factory program? If so, since that program halts at any test that fails, do you start charging for P&L if you have to start doing extra stuff? If so2, how does that work (do you call the customer and get prior authorization first?) and what is your labor rate and parts mark-up?

oxoxoxox

Dave,

I have been tied up for the past few weeks and so have been unable to respond sooner.

I'll address your post point by point:

Yes, we encourage prospective customers (particularly new customers) to have a one on one conversation with us and ask as many questions as they want so that they are comfortable and we fully understand the customer's expectations. In the case of cpap repair that is Dennis. If all your machines are reflashed and performing adequately, I'm guessing you won't need to talk to "ol' irritable Dennis".

FWIW, many of the private patients that own their own equipment and call Respironics are referred to Dennis Thorne by name. We are the largest Respironics and Invacare warranty repair center in the nation and Accurate Biomed is well respected by both companies as well as the HME industry as a whole.

I don't believe I stated that you could flash a 1.xx machine with a 2.xx upgrade.

We provide all information about the machine that the diagnostic programs we use provide and hold back nothing to the patients we serve. A patient will receive their equipment back in a condition that will meet and often exceed manufacturer specifications and will be set to the individual's cpap prescription. If there is a case where the equipment that is sent to us requires repair beyond our original estimate, we will perform the extra service at no charge.

Our typical labor rate varies between 65/hr to 95/hr depending on the type of equipment being repaired. As we repair over 35 thousand pieces of equipment per year including life support systems, liquid oxygen systems, home fill systems, and other equipment too numerous to list, you will need to be more specific as to which rate you are curious about. Our mark up on parts is proprietary information.

Thank you.

I spoke to Dennis on the phone earlier today and he was quite pleasant and professional.

blakepro wrote:I spoke to Dennis on the phone earlier today and he was quite pleasant and professional.

So maybe it's only Ian that finds Dennis irritable (which would certainly make sense, since Ian is in sales, and we all know about that lot!

Anyway, Ian, in re: the 2.53 upgrade, if you add AutoIQ to a machine don't you technically have to upgrade to the REMstar AutoIQ Top Enclosure? Are you including this part in your price?

accurate wrote:I don't believe I stated that you could flash a 1.xx machine with a 2.xx upgrade.

Right, that was General Information For No One In Particular In An Attempt To Get The Complete Story About The 2.53 Upgrade.

So while it may sound sound tempting to flash to 2.53 (and "flashing firmware" is a very "manly" thing to do), one wonders if there is really any value:

• If you have a 1.xx machine you can't do it;
• If you have a 2.50 machine you don't have to;
• Buying a new Top Enclosure could be pricy; and
• Paying shipping both ways adds to the cost.

Consequently, those people who are a little short on coin might want to think twice about going to 2.53.

deltadave wrote:) what exactly is contained in the "computerized calibration"?

accurate wrote: We provide all information about the machine that the diagnostic programs we use provide and hold back nothing to the patients we serve.

Ian,

Can you expand a little more upon your answers?

It sounds like you hook up the xPAP machine to the Respironics Service Center Tools software program and run a standard test routine and print out the results of the test. What happens if the xPAP unit fails the test? Do you then stop and work up a repair estimate? If the xPAP is still under the factory warranty do you automatically repair it with no charge to the customer?

As part of your offered service:
1) Do you check the Real Time Clock (RTC) and update the time if necessary?
2) Do you run a pressure verification test with a Digital Manometer, Flow Meter, Flow Control Valve, etc. (section 8.0 / 8.1 of the Respironics Service & Technical Manual 1056333, VER. 02)
3) Anything more like cleaning the unit with a germicide wipe or Control III? Wash and wax the xPAP (joking ) Sticker for the bottom of the xPAP stating "Serviced / Calibrated xx Date"?

Thanks,
Chris

It's not for everyone, but for some people this makes sense. I have one of the first 2.0 firmwares and I have always hated that I can't turn off the beep and that I can't pre-heat my humidifier. I always get a dry throat and have a coughing attack before it kicks in enough to prevent it.

The newer your machine is, the less this makes sense.

Also, I'm doubtful this is going to transform your machine into another model. It's the same hardware. You are just going to get the latest firmware for your model of machine. So you don't have to go buying any new hardware or anything. Besides, they aren't forcing any of you to do this. They are giving you an option.

It's more expensive for me to buy a new machine than to just have this procedure done. As the person that started this thread I'm grateful to finally have an option to try this. Like I said in my last post: I called them yesterday. I got the details and I've decided that I'm going to try it out. I'll report back my experience when it's all said and done.

deltadave wrote:

blakepro wrote:I spoke to Dennis on the phone earlier today and he was quite pleasant and professional.

So maybe it's only Ian that finds Dennis irritable (which would certainly make sense, since Ian is in sales, and we all know about that lot!

Anyway, Ian, in re: the 2.53 upgrade, if you add AutoIQ to a machine don't you technically have to upgrade to the REMstar AutoIQ Top Enclosure? Are you including this part in your price?

DeltaDave, the Auto IQ upgrade includes the new top cover.

sandtime wrote:

deltadave wrote:

blakepro wrote:I spoke to Dennis on the phone earlier today and he was quite pleasant and professional.

So maybe it's only Ian that finds Dennis irritable (which would certainly make sense, since Ian is in sales, and we all know about that lot!

Anyway, Ian, in re: the 2.53 upgrade, if you add AutoIQ to a machine don't you technically have to upgrade to the REMstar AutoIQ Top Enclosure? Are you including this part in your price?

DeltaDave, the Auto IQ upgrade includes the new top cover.

OK great. So you're from Accurate? This is included in the 65$ price?

ChrisD wrote:It sounds like you hook up the xPAP machine to the Respironics Service Center Tools software program and run a standard test routine and print out the results of the test.

He should, but what we really need is P Series Service Center Test. That does the OVP.

But that's the last freebie Ian. You gotta start haulin' your end of the log.

blakepro wrote:It's more expensive for me to buy a new machine than to just have this procedure done. As the person that started this thread I'm grateful to finally have an option to try this. Like I said in my last post: I called them yesterday. I got the details and I've decided that I'm going to try it out. I'll report back my experience when it's all said and done.

No prob, BP.

I'd say at this point in the exchange, they're going to send you back a machine upgraded to an AVEA to make sure you're satisfied!

BTW, can you post a scan of their final report? Let's see what they actually do and what they do it with.

They don't know which customer I am. I just sent it off. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Just got it back. Everything went flawlessly and I'm loving the new features. Especially the silent mode and pre-heat feature.
Here are some pictures

I was on version 2.01 before.

Just an update. The machine continues to work flawlessly. I've noticed a few subtle changes in menu animations and such.
By far the humidifier pre heat is my favorite feature. No more coughing fits while waiting for it to kick in!

The silent mode is also pretty nice for not waking my wife up for a bathroom break.

Let me know if any of you guys have questions.