Resmed S8 compared to S9

First I know I should have got the S9 to start with. My old machine died so I was in a panic and ordered the S8.

Since it appears the only way to get a card reader for the S8 is from Ebay, I seem to be out of luck. I have orderd items from ebay 5 times in 6 years and had to open a case every time to get my money back. Had to open one for the card reader last week as well. I could try Ebay again but it's 110 dollars for a card reader this time and it's a seller in Isreal, again!

Insurance says they will pay for the S8 I have now, so I might just purchase the S9 on my own dime. My question is how much more detailed information does the S9 give than the S8? I found that it breaks out central apneas but is there a lot more data? Is it really a much better machine?

I'm trying to make an informed decision on wheter to just order a S9 and be able to see detailed data in a about a week or wait another month or two to try and get a card reader for the S8 that may or may not arrive.

Thanks for any help....

The card readers for the S8 machines are available to DMEs from ResMed. Problem is the DMEs don't think we can or should have the software so "why would we want the card reader?"
You can ask your DME to see if he will just sell one to you or order one. If he balks, if you can get your doctor to write RX for the software DME should be willing to provide the card reader.

For differences between S8 and S9 I will let the ResMed users explain in better detail than I can since I have no experience with Resmed machines.

Thanks Pugsy. I have tried two DME's but neither will sell me one even with a script. One did say if I buy a machine from them they would. They only have S9's. The lady didn't understand the irony in that.

Ticman wrote:First I know I should have got the S9 to start with. My old machine died so I was in a panic and ordered the S8.

Since it appears the only way to get a card reader for the S8 is from Ebay, I seem to be out of luck. I have orderd items from ebay 5 times in 6 years and had to open a case every time to get my money back. Had to open one for the card reader last week as well. I could try Ebay again but it's 110 dollars for a card reader this time and it's a seller in Isreal, again!

Insurance says they will pay for the S8 I have now, so I might just purchase the S9 on my own dime. My question is how much more detailed information does the S9 give than the S8? I found that it breaks out central apneas but is there a lot more data? Is it really a much better machine?

I'm trying to make an informed decision on wheter to just order a S9 and be able to see detailed data in a about a week or wait another month or two to try and get a card reader for the S8 that may or may not arrive.

Thanks for any help....

I bought an S8 to use as a backup and ordered a card reader from the vendor in Israel. I had never used the S8 so I decided to check it out a couple of nights ago. Used it one night and attempted to import the info from the card reader into ResScan. Initially, ResScan would not recognize the card because I had inserted the card into the reader UPSIDE DOWN. One would think that the card goes into the reader with the "Resmed" logo facing upward, but no, the blank side must be facing upward and with printed side down. Not saying you made the same mistake that I did, but you might check. After I got the card inserted correctly, the info was imported correctly by ResScan.

The script for card reader can come from any doctor..doesn't have to be sleep doctor.
Though the data on the LCD screen is fairly extensive..just missing the graphs.

Secondwindcpap.com has a new open box ResMed S9 Autoset with humidifier for $749. RX is required.
They may have a used one also. If you want to go that route. Of course there is always Craigslist but more risk.

Johnybee, I know about the card reader being upside down. If you look at the top of the reader it shows which way it goes. The problem I have is I don't have a S8 card reader. (And have terrible luck with Ebay) I was hoping some one that has had both machines could let me know what the differences are between the two and if there's more detailed data from the S9. Since the S9 uses a generic SD card any reader will work.

I'd be inclined to let insurance buy a new S9 - and buy a new or lightly used S8 or S8 II off an online DME provider as a backup/travel PAP.

I haven't had the opportunity to use or own an S9 - since I'm on a bi-level the cost is REALLY prohibitive and I was switched to a bi-level before the S9 VPAPs were introduced.

However, I do love my S8s (I had the S8 Elite, the S8 AutoSet Vantage and now the S8 VPAP Auto). Their biggest drawback now, of course, is the proprietary data card and proprietary card reader as you are finding out. The hose attachment to the front of the S8s vs the S9s hose attachment at the back is a definite plus for the S8s in my opinion. And, I think I would prefer the S8's H3i or H4i humidifier and tank better than the S9s - but that is only a guess, NOT from any experience w/the S9. The extra data from the S9s is a really nice plus altho the Leak data reporting via the LED and w/o the software is not too impressive. And the S8's Mask leak vs the S9's asinine Smiley Face was a definite plus.

Still, as I said above, I'd be inclined to let insurance buy an S9 and then buy an S8 or S8 II out of pocket.

Slinky wrote: Still, as I said above, I'd be inclined to let insurance buy an S9 and then buy an S8 or S8 II out of pocket.

I have the S8 Autoset already. Got it from CPAP.com. Had some issues getting the insurance company to even admit they recieved the claim, they have it now and say it's acceptable. I doub't I can file another claim on the S9 and get two machines in one year. lol..

I think I saw a card reader for the S8 on dotmed.com for $99.

Ticman wrote:Johnybee, I know about the card reader being upside down. If you look at the top of the reader it shows which way it goes. The problem I have is I don't have a S8 card reader. (And have terrible luck with Ebay) I was hoping some one that has had both machines could let me know what the differences are between the two and if there's more detailed data from the S9. Since the S9 uses a generic SD card any reader will work.

I just sent you pm re card reader.

As far as the S8 AutoSet II, it's a great unit. I've been using one since Jan 2010 and even bought a second one using my own funds as a backup unit. I don't use the humidifier, just the blower. Gives good data, is reliable and very quiet. You can't go wrong with it....