REMstar Auto w/ C-flex VS. REMstar M w/ c-flex

I am hoping someone with experience with both of the above machines can give some insight here. I am paying on my own and bypassing the DME entirely on this, based on their utterly un-cooperative attitutde on the phone and in person. I will be having to make a choice very soon. I know about the proposed release date for a new M series Auto model "soon", but I have waited nearly half a year to get to this point--I feel I really need to get started on therapy sooner rather than later. Given the smaller footprint of the M series, and the more tightly integrated humidifier, vs the lack of the auto feature, would you go with the older REMstar Auto w/ C-flex, or sacrifice the auto feature and go with the newer M series?

My main problem in the sleep studies seemed to be exhaling against pressure, and I understand that C-flex helps with that. Would losing the auto feature be that big a deal? The smaller footprint of the M series would be a help, since I travel for business sometimes.

If losing the auto feature is NOT that big a deal, would a ResMed S8 Vantage w/ EPR be a better choice? I've read that their version of exhalation relief lasts until in-breathing starts, and perhaps this would be better? I understand that the EPR feature only works in CPAP mode, not the auto mode.

Sorry for the long post and my thanks...there is SUCH a wealth of good information here, I really feel much more confident dealing with all this than I ever would have without your collective wisdom, humor and help!

The other thing to consider are some of the other features that you would lose if you got the M plus.

1. The Auto has the ability to set a range of pressure and adjust accordingly and the M Plus is a fixed pressure setting

2. The Auto has more in depth reporting on you treatment and Apnea events and the M Plus only gives you compliance to the cpap(if you have used and how often)

The small footprint is great for me. I will probably get a M pro or auto as a main machine in the future for myself and turn the M Plus into my spare. I also like the C-flex. I originally wanted a Pro 2 and the DME had the M Plus there so I hot it instead. I was willing to forgo the features I was looking for in the Pro 2 and get the M plus now. I am enough of a geek that I want the full reporting features that I can get from a Pro or better unit, which is a future machine. The M plus is great for my needs right now and for the next few years.

Since you are going to be using it for a long time you will have to decide if you are willing to not get the extra features or if you would even use them.

Here's one opinion, if I had to choose between AUTO and M I would choose AUTO without even blinking, it IS a big deal. I travel a lot, and the smaller M-series would be convenient for me, but I would not give up the AUTO just for that. The AUTO is what makes this therapy even tolerable, and my pressure is so different every night. Maybe dme can rent you a machine for a month maybe two while you wait.

Thanks to both of you! I think I will be going with the REMstar Auto (w/ C-flex, of course). What do I need to order with the machine to get the reports? What kind of data card is used? Do I need a special reader and cable to go with the software, or are they sold together? Des EVERY REMstar Auto have the reporting capability?

Thanks!

You might want to consider the ResMed S8 Vantage AutoSet with EPR/H3i combo.

It is VERY small, very well built and displays usage and efficacy data right on its LCD screen. Or you can get software to download and monitor your experience through your PC.

It is an AUTO machine that can be set to run as a straight CPAP with the very precise EPR (exhalation pressure relief) that reduces pressure by an exact amount (1, 2 or 3 cmH20) that yous et. The reduced pressure lasts for the entirety of your exhalation, not just the very start of the exhalation briefly, as is the case for C-Flex. In this regard, ResMed EPR approaches the comfort some users achieve with bilevel PAP. However, EPR is NOT available AT ALL on ResMed machines operating in AutoSet mode, whereas C-Flex is availablke in both CPAP and Auto modes.

This forum is Respironics haven and lotsa folks use them (with good reason). If you're looking for a tiny, very sophisticated Auto machine though, consider the ResMed. The alogorithm is very different from Respironics, but I'm REALLY ENJOYING the treatment I receive from it. And, it looks really neat too, in a hip kinda way. Whereas, the Respironics M is designed to look like a clock radio (ho hum......)

Let me know if there are any other questions that I can help with.

Chuck

Bookbear wrote: I think I will be going with the REMstar Auto (w/ C-flex, of course). What do I need to order with the machine to get the reports? What kind of data card is used? Do I need a special reader and cable to go with the software, or are they sold together? Des EVERY REMstar Auto have the reporting capability?

I think you'll find what you need on cpap.com
The first item listed in the 'Software and Readers' category is the software, card and card reader for the remstar.
Can't make a proper comparison as it's the only machine with software I've had, but I've had no problems with the auto with c/flex and find the software easy to use.
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