I have both masks and would love it if they would combine the best of the two.  

snorke wrote:

The nasal pillow design: What's with the pillow within a pillow?  Just another gimick to make you think they've got it all figured out?

  I'm not sure what you mean, they both have the pillow with in the pillow.  I assume that's for seal.  It doesn't work that reliably on either.

The quick connect (that keeps breaking): Novel, but why?

   Its easier to take off than the Hybrid.  The Hybrid hose connector can stick.  I'm happier when I don't have to take the mask off to go to the bathroom.  Also I don't manage to pull the hose off the mask with the Liberty.  I do that with the Hybrid and find a gale force wind on the back of my neck.

The Flapper that is to be removed when cleaning: What?

   There is a flapper on the Hybrid.  If it breaks, do I need a new shell?


This mask blows, literally.

  They both do at every so often.

Oh wait, the head gear clips: Do I really need to say they're the cheapest part of the Liberty?

  I'm not in love with the Hybrid's attachment either.  I would like to see a mask with the Hybrid clips on the top and the Liberty  clips on the bottom.

The lack of being supplied with several mouth and nasal sizes so you can fit yourself: Not with the LIberty.

  How about separate ones which can be independently rotated.

The only thing this over engineered cheaply built mask has over the Hybrid is the exhaust ports that blow away and to the sides instead of straight out like the Hybrid - that's it!

   Agreed blowing to the sides is better.

  The head gear is better on the Hybrid.  I'm not in love with the Liberty's over long plastic pieces.  I have been unable to settle on one or the other mask.  The Hybrid is great when my nose is clear.  It leaks like mad when one nostril is stuffed.  The Liberty doesn't have that problem, but I can open my mouth.  The next morning you can find sand dunes in there.  Cleaning is the about same for both.  You don't really need to take the flapper apart each week.  I have only managed to break one mask connector in 6 months.

JMHO

Some where between the Hybrid and Liberty is a great mask.

I'm sorry, but you're mistaken about the pillow within a pillow or maybe not - I'm talking about the nasal pillows, not the mask. Liberty is the only one with that nasal pillow configuration... I honestly do not know why?  It never worked for me - flimsy feel and leaked like crazy when laying on my side.  Not so with the Hybrid.

Why doesn't Liberty come with different sized mask and pillows like the Hybrid?  To me, that was the major problem with the Liberty.

Just have to add; Do you think these companies actually read this stuff?  Could make them a ton of $$ if the actually listened to us.  I'm certain Ram is!

i have been using the liberty about a week and half i love the way that it covers your mouth  ( mouth breather ) and the way that it fits but i haven't gotten the leaking under control yet i keep finding myself over tighten it. since i have been on cpap i have use a full face mask so the liberty feels like a Lincoln compared to a full face mask. so far i haven't broken anything i just got to stop the leaking or go back to the resmed full face mask.  


_________________
jerry

ResMed S8 Elite With EPR / ResMed HumidAire 3i
ResMed Mirage Quattro FF Mask / Ultra Mirage FF Mask / liberty FF
Optimum Pressure 10 cm
Oxygen Saturation W Events 82% / Oxygen Desaturation 8.33%
Ahi-7.0 / total # of A & H- 49 / Plms 60 /

I'm a mouth breather who loved the swift 2 but got tired of taping my mouth. I was hoping the Liberty was the answer but the bottom pert of the mask covering the mouth leaks like crazy after a few hours. I fall asleep wonderfully sealed but then my girlfriend starts throwing elbows every 30 minutes because of all the wierd noises.  
My DME said the liberty is a hybrid mask - who makes the other hybrid mask?

It's called "Hybrid" and it is often listed as made by RespCare.  I believe the company has undergone some changes in name so I'm not certain RespCare is the latest   I've seen Hudson RCI and Teleflex Medical both credited with the mask manufacture.

Have a look at the FAQ at the top of this forum http://apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=6732  inside there is a link to the multimedia gallery.  There are pictures of masks and machines there, you can get idea of some of the differences.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

I thought I would add my two cents worth on the Liberty mask, I have it as a loaner for 14 days from my DME, I kind of like the mask, although who ever thought up the bottom clips on the mask must have been crazy, I don't have any problems with the right side but I have the hardest time sliding that little clip in the left side! Drives me NUTS! Anyway I am trying the Liberty because when I switched over to the  VPAP Adapt SV, ResMed does not recommend  the Hybrid with my machine, the Hybrid does pass the circuit test but the leak rate is alway either maxed out or extremely high! But of course the ResMed Mirage Liberty is recommended, it is made by ResMed! Anyway I have found  I have the same problems with the Liberty that I had with the Hybrid, those nasal pillows leak like crazy and they keep popping out. But fortunately, my Mod for the Hybrid works just as great for the Liberty, and holds those nasal pillows nice and snug in the nose without any leaks! I am posting the pictures of the Mod I have done:
[img]
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[img]
[/img]


_________________
White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

Thanks for the visual - that's some serious creativity! I did the type of thing with rubber bands on my swift a while back but that looks much sturdier. I actually had better (and more comfortable) results keeping the prongs in place by using the macks plugs around the tips. Once warmed up they form a airtight seal.
My issue with the liberty wasn't the nasal prongs but the seal around the mouth...even macks plug ropes wouldn't give me a good seal.
What are the black things that wrap around the nasal prongs?
thanks again

kolchak those are Christmas Tree/Net Light Clips to fasten holiday lights to trees and bushes. I got them from Target, at Christmas time! They fit nicely around the pillow without crimping them, works really well, but I must say, I don't think the Liberty mask is as comfortable as the Hybrid mask, but my numbers from my VPAP are better with the Liberty! This mod works very well with this mask, and just as well with the Hybrid. I think I am going to cut off the chin piece on my Hybrid and see it if it changes anything, as that is the only problem I have with it especially with the beard! I do usually put gauge or a folded over handkerchief under the bands on my forehead to keep from having marks or indentations, and it makes it a little more comfortable!


_________________
White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

i like that you found a solution to your mask problem, but i'm appalled to be honest.  if you need to tie it on like that, it seems like a terrible design.  the therapist wants me to try that one and after seeing your photo last night i have bluntly told her i am simply not interested

you're a tougher person than i!

Cecile,

You should at least try the Liberty...it does not mean that you will need a set up like White Beard..I use the Liberty now for nearly a year and it works very well for me..everyone is different.  You may find that it is the mask for you..i know it is for me..until something similar and better comes out of course..

hated it.  the minute she pressurised the machine i thought i was going to suffocate.  and the myriad fiddly bits would be disastrous for me, as i have no feeling in my fingertips from a neurological condition.

activa for me, or no cpap treatment