Review: Resmed S9 AutoSet vs. PR System One (PRS1)

I know that people are always interested in the comparison of these 2 units, and I also promised Pugsy I’d write a review (thanks Pugsy for all of your excellent help for everyone):

Caveats:
1. My comments pertain to using both units at a straight CPAP pressure of 6 mm Hg. (I used the PR in Bipap mode only for a short time, as my Rx was changed.)
2. I have NOT used either unit in the AUTO mode.
3. I have not used the comfort mode on either machine enough to comment on any difference between the units (FLEX on PRS1, EPR on Resmed).
4. These are my opinions and your mileage may vary.

Efficacy: Both machines provide excellent therapy for me.

Screen: The PRS1 screen is monotone and my unit is not back-lit, but the new PRS1 units have back-lit screens. The color backlit screen on the Resmed is superior. The screens on both units do their jobs.

Data: This is a big plus for the S9 Autoset – you can check efficacy data (e.g. AHI) every day by just checking the screen, no software needed. The PRS1 provides only rolling weekly/monthly data, which is not particularly useful. For the PRS1 I download to software; for the S9 I rarely download data to software, as I just check the data on the screen.

Noise: Both units are quiet. However my PRS1 has the older software, and it beeps when turned on or off, which is very annoying and can be a major issue for your bed partner. Thankfully this beep can be turned off with all the new PRS1 units.

Humidifier: Both work well and are easy to use. The standard Resmed humidifier chamber does not open, so you may want to purchase the dishwasher safe version that opens ($33 on cpap.com).

Hose: I use a regular hose with the PRS1 and a heated hose (Climate Line) with the S9. Personally, I see no difference, as I have never had rainout with the PRS1. Also, I don’t like hot air so I have turned down the Resmed Climate Line to 60 degrees F. To me, the availability of a heated hose is not important at all, but I know it is to some. Additionally, PR has now come out with a heated hose for their 60 Series Auto, so probably all PR units will have heated hoses sooner or later.

Outlet for hose: The top swivel outlet for the hose is a big plus for the PRS1. My setup is such that I need to turn my S9 sideways every night (the back of the unit towards me) to keep the hose straighter.

Travel: I find the PRS1 bag (resembles a rectangular camera bag) smaller and a better shape for airline travel than the Resmed bag (resembles a briefcase or laptop bag; the cpap and humidifier need to be separated which makes the bag bigger; the S9 power brick is very large and sticks outwards when put in the front pouch of the bag). The PRS1 cpap/humidifier unit also seems more sturdy for travel, but that is based on appearance only and I have no hard data on this.

Price: As noted many times on this board, the Resmed is quite a bit more expensive than the PRS1.

SUMMARY: Both units provide excellent therapy for me. Resmed has a big plus in that the AHI can be read off the screen every day (at least for the AutoSet – please be very careful and check other posts to learn the difference between the different Resmed units -- some provide NO data). The top swivel outlet is a big plus for the PRS1, and I find the PRS1 easier to travel with.

Cheers,
Jason

Jason,
Thank you for your comparison.

I noticed that there was no mention that the ResMed is 24 DCV and the PR is 12 DCV. This means that the PR can be run directly off a car battery. The reason I brought this up is that we lost power last year at least 10 times for 3 hours to 2.5 days. This would be of little importance to most people because they rarely, if ever, lose power.

You said both units are very quiet. The specs favor ResMed, but PR claims on their site that their CPAP is quieter when someone is breathing through the CPAP. Which one do you think is quieter when someone is breathing through it?

What software do you use to read the data? Which do you think is better? Hopefully there will be more efficacy data (e.g. AHI) by just checking the screen on the new PR 60 as compared to the PR System 1.

The Resmed does look like a clock radio and the PR looks like a medical device. This does not bother me because it is a medical device. The rotating nozzle on top is more functional as you noted.

Regards,
Ed M.

Did you notice any difference in the transition between inhale and exhale?
I understand the algorithms are a bit different.

Hi Ed,
Thanks, I did not know that only the PR can be run off a car battery, good to know.

For the PR, I purchased the “CPAP.com Battery Kit for Philips Respironics and Covidien Machines”, but it is expensive at $250. It also looks rather homemade (the lithium batteries are held together with a plastic shrink wrap), so I have been reluctant to take it to use on a flight thinking it might be confiscated at security despite the documentation I carry. I have used it twice at home during power failures and it worked fine.

I don’t have a battery for the S9 but Resmed does have the “Resmed Power Station” at a cost between $600-700 on cpap.com. This looks very professional and I would like to have this to take on a flight, but the cost is quite high. (I have interest to take a battery on an overseas flight because the seat outlets don’t always work.)

I really can’t discern a difference between the machines when wearing the mask. Neither machine is silent; on both I can hear some noise conducted through the tubing as well a soft sound from the blower units (as well as some noise from the mask vents, but that is dependent on the mask). My bed partner is fine with either unit.

I can’t comment on the software much. I use Encore Viewer 2.0 for the PR. I’ve had the S9 for only 3 months, and I actually haven’t used any software yet, as I check my stats on the screen and they have been fine (and my sleep doc has downloaded all my S9 data recently) – this illustrates the great utility of what the S9 provides on the screen. I do plan to try Sleepyhead soon to get more detailed stats.

As far as looks, yes, they are totally different. I like them both -- PR has an industrial look, S9 as you say looks like a clock-radio. And yes, you can’t beat the rotating nozzle on the PR!

Cheers,
Jason

Hi Chunkyfrog,
I have not noticed any difference in the transition between inhale and exhale, however this may be because I do NOT use either the FLEX on the PR or the EPR on the Resmed -- my rx is 6 cm H20 and I don't feel I need any exhale support, although I plan to experiment with both the FLEX and EPR when I have time.
Cheers,
Jason

Jason,
The ResMed S9 can be run off a car battery but you need to buy an adapter from them that costs around $90. The plug that plugs into the CPAP is proprietary.

For the System 1, it seems like you could rig something up using a 12 volt battery that is used in UPS's. They are rated in amp-hours. CPAPs use a lot less amps when the humidifier is not used. You'd have to have a way to charge the battery. This would cost less than $50 and be larger and rather crude compared to the CPAP.com Battery Kit that costs $250. This has a 6.6 amp-hour battery. From memory, an 8 amp-hour UPS battery cost less than $30. Personally, I'm using a deep cycle battery, but that definitely is not portable. If you already have a UPS, you could take the battery out and set things up. If all works well, you could buy a new battery specifically for the CPAP.

The 24 volts, $90 adapter, and $600-$700 battery pack are definite factors why I will probably switch from the ResMed S9 to the new PR 60 with heated hose. We lose power a lot where I live.

Ed M.

Excellent review.
We mainly use System1 from Respironics where I work but have used the S9 on some occasions. I too had noticed that the S9 seemed a little less "sturdy" than the S1 but have not used enough to comment.
Thanks again for the detailed review.

edm_msu wrote:J
You said both units are very quiet. The specs favor ResMed, but PR claims on their site that their CPAP is quieter when someone is breathing through the CPAP. Which one do you think is quieter when someone is breathing through it?

I just upgraded from S8 AutoSet to S9 Auto [3 nights only] and already amazed at the difference in noise. The latter is incredibly quiet, I was extremely surprised. In fact, it's so quiet, still getting used to it!

edm_msu wrote:Jason,
The ResMed S9 can be run off a car battery but you need to buy an adapter from them that costs around $90. The plug that plugs into the CPAP is proprietary.

For the System 1, it seems like you could rig something up using a 12 volt battery that is used in UPS's. They are rated in amp-hours. CPAPs use a lot less amps when the humidifier is not used. You'd have to have a way to charge the battery. This would cost less than $50 and be larger and rather crude compared to the Battery Kit that costs $250. This has a 6.6 amp-hour battery. From memory, an 8 amp-hour UPS battery cost less than $30. Personally, I'm using a deep cycle battery, but that definitely is not portable. If you already have a UPS, you could take the battery out and set things up. If all works well, you could buy a new battery specifically for the CPAP.

The 24 volts, $90 adapter, and $600-$700 battery pack are definite factors why I will probably switch from the ResMed S9 to the new PR 60 with heated hose. We lose power a lot where I live.

Ed M.

I spend time touring/camping on a motorcycle and in a 4WD, so use the 12/24Vdc adaptor for my S9+H5i on a regular basis, without any problems. I have an Optima D34 Yellow top battery which runs for several nights without extra charging.

As far as travel bags go, I think the s9 travel bag was designed to help reduce the risk of getting the humidifier in the bag still full of water. Someone had the s9 knob break off due to rough handling and I could see where even more expensive bits could get damaged since they are on the outsides of the case. I think a bit of extra foam padding would be a useful thing there. A 1/2 inch of packing foam cut with the cut outs of the connectors on the s9 would make it far more robust.