backup machines

I see lots of discussion about backup machines. Do most people acquire backups when their insurance eventually pays for a new one? I'm going to get a power backup (ResMed converter from cpap.com and deep cycle battery, based on all the threads on that topic I've been reading), but I hesitate to shell out the $ out-of-pocket for a duplicate machine. Based on my happy response to the machine I was given at the DME I don't anticipate needing a new Rx anytime soon. My insurance will pay for a new one every 5 years.

I cannot imagine ever sleeping without a cpap again. I love the quality of sleep I'm getting now.

Great, but... what happens if it's Sunday, your machine flashes an error code or just doesn't work properly and you have an important mtg the next morning? What happens if you e.g. travel somewhere for a wknd, and don't want to haul all your expensive gear along for 1-2 nights? What happens if you bring in your machine for fixing but it takes a week?

A back up does not need to be a "duplicate" machine. You can pick up some very good deals for $100 or more on Craigslist. I think it's more important to have a back up mask and hose.

We just keep our eyes on he look out for a backup machine. Sometimes you can get one on Craigs list or when someone else decides they just will not ever get used to the machine. I got mine from another member here whos sister decided she could not use it. I paid under a hundred bucks for it and now use it as my main machine and use my brick as my camping and back up machine. You never know where you will find a decent machine, two of our members stlmark and mcdover both come across some super deals from time to time and sell them to other members. Keep your eyes peeled and you will find one too.

Julie, you're not helping! Kidding of course. I DO know that, and that's my worry... I just don't have the funds available. Guess I"ll have to start saving.

I have backups of everything else (mask, cushions, hose). Just not the machine itself.

I pretty quickly went from "can I sleep with this thing?" to "can I sleep without this thing?!"

nanwilson wrote:We just keep our eyes on he look out for a backup machine. Sometimes you can get one on Craigs list or when someone else decides they just will not ever get used to the machine. I got mine from another member here whos sister decided she could not use it. I paid under a hundred bucks for it and now use it as my main machine and use my brick as my camping and back up machine. You never know where you will find a decent machine, two of our members stlmark and mcdover both come across some super deals from time to time and sell them to other members. Keep your eyes peeled and you will find one too.

Wow, that is incredibly nice! Will keep my eyes peeled. Thanks.

Iowamv wrote:I see lots of discussion about backup machines. Do most people acquire backups when their insurance eventually pays for a new one?

Hi,

In my case, I bought both of my machines myself. I don't want some corporation putting limits on my level of treatment. Those are decisions that I want to make myself, and I want to decide myself what kind of machine I am going to use.

-john-

If you can afford it a back up machine is a good idea. If you don't need humidity a travel size machine is a good backup..

While it is nice and convenient to have duplicate machines (interchangeable filters, hoses, etc) for a backup it isn't critical that they be the same brand or model.

Forum member mcdover has a variety of used machines from bricks to full data machines. His older bricks aren't horribly expensive either. Mcdover has a DME brick and mortar store and his used machines are usually machines that get returned either for non compliance reasons or perhaps someone has had to change to a different type of machine. He is trustworthy...I have bought several machines from him for various reasons over the past couple of years.

Craigslist is an option but you have to watch carefully and be prepared to act quickly for killer deals. Most of the time craigslist sellers are wanting more for a 10 year old brick than a full data brand new machine can be bought for.
I saw one yesterday that was so old I had to laugh and they wanted $400 because it hadn't been used much. It was a model that was probably dispensed in the late 90s. Often these sellers have no clue what they are trying to sell.

So it all depends on what you want and your own pocketbook and if you are of the mind set to maybe want to experiment with a different brand or not.

I would never get a duplicate machine -- if it's the only chance you get to try a different make and model (although in five years they will all be different....) so I would switch. The new one may end up being your favorite and the old one become the backup. Based on features and noise, etc., alone.

And, frankly, the whole 'what happens if your machine breaks' argument isn't compelling enough reason to buy an extremely expensive hardware just to have it sit in the closet waiting for doomsday. I'd be better off planning now, before needing a repair, to find a DME or vendor that offered overnight shipping of loaner machines while the main one was being serviced. Far more cost effective.

I love love love my ASV machine. The only backup I have is an apap. I wish I could afford a backup ASV but I can't get one now. I went without my ASV for a couple of weeks and I really missed it even though I used my apap during that time.

hyperlexis wrote:isn't compelling enough reason to buy an extremely expensive hardware just to have it sit in the closet waiting for doomsday.

For many here, the thought of just one night having to sleep as they did in pre-xPAP treatment times is definitely compelling enough

hyperlexis wrote:And, frankly, the whole 'what happens if your machine breaks' argument isn't compelling enough reason to buy an extremely expensive hardware just to have it sit in the closet waiting for doomsday.

Hi,

In my case, I use my 2nd machine for travel. That way, I don't have disrupt my bedroom each time I go on a trip. I have my 2nd machine packed and ready to go. Keeping it packed up means that I don't forget anything that I need. My home machine is a newer machine than my 2nd machine, and keeping it at home means that I don't risk wrecking or losing my better machine when traveling. It works well for me.

-john-

hyperlexis wrote: And, frankly, the whole 'what happens if your machine breaks' argument isn't compelling enough reason to buy an extremely expensive hardware just to have it sit in the closet waiting for doomsday. I'd be better off planning now, before needing a repair, to find a DME or vendor that offered overnight shipping of loaner machines while the main one was being serviced. Far more cost effective.

Hyperlexis, thanks for this post. It will help people like me who don't have cash to spare on something that will sit in the closet. I am going to try to find a DME that offers loaners in an emergency while machine is being repaired/serviced.

My machine was not purchased through insurance. A DME owed my doctor a favor and sold me my bipap auto for less than the deductible on my insurance on a straight purchase. In fact it was stupid cheap since primary care is personal friend. New sleep doc said that is good as he is probably prescribe a new machine if we cannot control all my issues with cpap or bipap. He seems pretty sure a different machine will benefit me but wants more time to decide which since I have a quality machine cor what stage in diagnosis we are. As soon as we nail it down I will let insurance buy one and I will buy an exact model as a back up/travel machine out of pocket. It does not make sense to not have a spare. Saves moving primary and will put next to my recliner. A friend fell asleep watching t.v. three months ago and wife found him dead three hours later. I fall asleep watching t.v. fairly often.

Even though I have a whole house generator and wind charged battery racks with two days battery reserve for critical systems I have my machine plugged into a huge ups for instant switching and last line surge protection. Yes I am paranoid.