Hello,
So I have been doing a bunch of research. Currently the DR has me on a S8 Vantage until we could get the insurance to approve a machine for me, and it seems that I will be getting a machine on tuesday. So I already talked to my DME and explained that I want a data capable machine and they have given me the choice of two machines: the S8 elite or the M Series Pro. Which machine is better for the data capable stuff? I don't see myself buying the software and card readers so everything that I see will need to be able to be looked up on the machine. I also spend the summers at about 7000 feet and the rest of the year at sea level... I don't know if that will play anything into what machine I get but I figured I may as well throw it in there    So I need some advice what does everyone think of those machines?

I like my S8 Elite a lot. Great machine to travel with. Auto-corrects for alititude, BTW. You need to know the secret key combination to get the data off of it, but that's easy to get elsewhere (it's against this board's policy for me to post it). Once you have that, it''s easy.

Actually, it is NOT against this board's polilcy to explain how to access the Efficacy Data on the Resmed fully data capable devices. The problem, if any, lies w/whether the ACCESS to the detailed/advanced patient menu has been turned on when the device was set up.

You can TRY pressing the Left and Right buttons and holding them for 3-4 seconds. IF the access has been set as On then Efficacy Data will appear on your LCD screen. From there on it is pretty self-explanatory: Left button to Enter, Right button to Exit, Up button to return to the previous screen, Down button to proceed to the next screen. You can NOT alter your therapy or data from this advanced/detailed patient menu.

Now, IF the set up person has NOT set access to this menu then this button combo press will not do any harm but it also won't bring up the Efficacy Data menu. Access to this menu can be set from the Clinician's Menu which is the Menu we can NOT provide the access information to in this forum.

If the Left/Right button press doesn't bring up the Efficacy Data menu then just call your scripting doctor and ask him/her to order the DME supplier to allow that access. If you look in your Resmed S8 Users Manual you will see that reference to the detailed/advanced patient menu and that Resmed suggests that its up to the doctor whether to order access to it or not. Most sleep doctors aren't even aware that this option is available so don't include orders for it when scripting your equipment.

All that being said, my STRONG advice would be to opt for the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR over the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex.

EPR and C-Flex provide similar therapy option, pressure relief on expiration. The Resmeds provide a specific relief: 1 cm pressure relief at EPR 1, 2 cms pressure relief at 2, 3 cms pressure relief at 3. The Respironics provide expiration relief in an undesignated amount of cms but the idea is the same, the lowest option # provides the least amount of pressure relief, the higer # providing more pressure relief.

The ACCESS to the data is so much easier w/the Resmeds as explained above. With the Respironics one must unplug the device, plug it back in whilst pressing one or more buttons and waiting for a beep or some such. The plugging and unplugging is just a PITA tho no great disadvantage.

The integrated Humidaire 3i heated humidifier for the Resmed is far and away a better design that the poorly designed M Series integrated humidifier. That M Series humidifier has been a problem for Respironics from day one altho just recently, w/in the last month, Respironics HAS come up w/a re-design that may FINALLY have negated much of the problem.

The complete Resmed S8 package weighs 1/2 lb less than the compete Respironics M Series package despite the M Series being somewhat smaller in size.

The M Series is noted for it dropping data one or two days a month. A problem Respironics is still denying exists but plenty of users can verify.

The Respironics M Series have that extra third unit, the power brick, the extra cords, the aggravating to many blue lights than can't be turned off.

The Respironics provide EXCELLENT therapy and are a GOOD machine, but the Resmeds have them beat in my personal opinion.

When I was switched to a bi-level due to COPD if I had not been able to get the new Resmed VPAP Auto (in the S8 body, utilizing the Humidaire 3i and w/the new EasyBreathe technology) then my second choice would have been the Respironics pre-M Series Bi-PAP Auto w/Bi-Flex. Notice that I stressed the pre-M Series.

Both the Respironics M Series Pro and the Resmed S8 Elite automatically compensate for altitude.

I have owned the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR, the Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage and the Respironics pre-M Series Auto w/C-Flex. My ONLY disappointment w/the Respironics auto was the lack of ease of access to data and that extra third piece power brick unit. I sold it to my son-in-law as a backup for travel and he LOVES it. I replaced it w/the Vantage for the Vantage's ease of data access and have never regretted it.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed's new VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro mask, ResScan 3.4 software, SPO 7500 oximeter.

CrohnieToo wrote:

The ACCESS to the data is so much easier w/the Resmeds as explained above. With the Respironics one must unplug the device, plug it back in whilst pressing one or more buttons and waiting for a beep or some such. The plugging and unplugging is just a PITA tho no great disadvantage.

Not quite true, Crohnie.  IF the data has been set to be seen, it can be easily accessed any time by simply pressing the buttons that are on both sides of the window that is on top of the machine.  However, if the data is not set to be seen then your instructions can be used to turn on the various settings or have the DME turn on the settings so the patient can then easily access the info using the buttons.

CrohnieToo wrote:

Both the Respironics M Series Pro and the Resmed S8 Elite automatically compensate for altitude.

It's been 7 months since I had a CPAP M Series Pro, but if memory serves me this machine does not automatically compensate for altitude.  This has to be manually adjusted.  OTOH, my BiPAP Auto M Series does automatically adjust for altitude changes.


_________________
OSA Sleep Test 8/29/07, AHI 64, Sat. 74%
Titrated 10/1/07, Pressure 13
BiPAP Auto M Series w/Humidifier, set at 13/8
OptiLife Nasal Pillow Mask

As I stated, my experience has been w/the Resmeds and w/one pre-M Series Auto. My experience w/the M Series has been simply from reading the experiences of those who do have them in three different apena forums. The Resmeds are the superior machine in my personal opinion for the reasons I've stated.

I just checked and the Pro does have automatic altitude adjustment:

Specifications:  
Can Be Worn: No
Manufacturer: Respironics
4-20 Cm: Yes
Pressure Relief on Exhale: Yes (C-Flex)
Integrated Heated Hose: No
Domestic Voltage-110: Yes
International Voltage-220: Yes
Optional DC Cable: Yes
Direct Battery Operation: Yes
Integrated Battery: No
Auto Altitude Adjustment: Yes
Ramp: Yes
Hour/Session: Yes
Optional Software: EncoreViewer
Leak Compensation: Yes
Heated Humidifier: M Series Heated
Passover Humidifier: M Series Passover
Data Card: Yes
Auto ON/OFF: Yes
Warranty: 2 Years
Mask Off Alert: Yes
Machine Weight: 2.2 lbs
Entire Weight: 5.5 lbs
Entire Size: 8"x 8"x4"
Entire Package Size: 12.5"x10"x7.5"
Manuals Included: Patient/Quick Setup
Sound Level: 31-dB
 
Other Specifications  
Ramp Time 0 to 45 min. (5-min. increments)
Starting Ramp Pressure 4 to CPAP; user adjustable
Dimensions 7.5” L x 5.0” W X 3.125” H (19cm L x 12.7 cm W x 7.9 cm H)
Filters Pollen and optional ultra-fine
Device Set-Up LCD/Keypad and Encore Pro SmartCard
Data Storage Capacity SmartCard: 6 months a 3 usage sessions per day, 7 days in-depth analysis
Data Storage Content SmartCard: Date/time, hours of use, usage patterns, AHI, leak, snore, FOSQ
Electrical Requirements 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz (An adapter may be needed to plug the CPAP into a wall outlet outside the US.) 12volt DC
Special User Features Lighted LED’s, mask off alert  

In fairness, here are the Elite's:

Specifications:  
Can Be Worn: No
Manufacturer: Resmed
4-20 Cm: Yes
Pressure Relief on Exhale: Yes (EPR)
Integrated Heated Hose: No
Domestic Voltage-110: Yes
International Voltage-220: Yes
Optional DC Cable: Resmed DC Cable Only
Direct Battery Operation: No
Integrated Battery: No
Auto Altitude Adjustment: Yes
Ramp: Yes
Hour/Session: Yes
Optional Software: AutoScan 5.7 Only
Leak Compensation: Yes
Heated Humidifier: H3i
Passover Humidifier: Sullivan Passover
Data Card: Yes
Auto ON/OFF: Yes
Warranty: 2 Years
Mask Off Alert: Yes
Machine Weight: 2.9 lbs
Entire Weight: 4.55 lbs
Entire Size: 12.5" x 5" x 4"
Entire Package Size: 12" x 15" 5"
Manuals Included: Patient/Quick Setup
Sound Level: 31-dB
 
Other Specifications  
Pressure 4 to 20 cm H2O
Ramp Time 0 to 30 min. (5-min. increments)
Starting Ramp Pressure 4 to CPAP; user adjustable
Dimensions 4.4” x 6.5” X 5.7” (112mm x 164mm x 145mm)
Weight 2.9 lbs
Filters Pollen
Device Set-Up LCD/Keypad
Data Storage Capacity Display:365 days summary data and 5 nights detailed data (up to 500 events per session. Data Card: 180 days of summary data and 5 nights detailed data (up to 200 events per session)
Electrical Requirements 100 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz; 110 V, 400 Hz; 2.5A <140 VA (110W)(maximum power consumption). Instantaneous peak power consumption <340VA
Humidification Integrated Heated Humidifier and Pass-over Humidifier
DC Power Only use DC-12 Converter by ResMed for DC input or damage may occur.
Warranty 2 Year Manufacturer (Return to dealer for processing)


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed's new VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro mask, ResScan 3.4 software, SPO 7500 oximeter.

You are very correct, Crohnie!  I apologize for stating otherwise, that's why I prefaced my post by saying it has been 7 months since I last used a Pro M Series.  It must have been the Plus M Series, that I had prior to the Pro, that I recall the altitude has to be manually set.


_________________
OSA Sleep Test 8/29/07, AHI 64, Sat. 74%
Titrated 10/1/07, Pressure 13
BiPAP Auto M Series w/Humidifier, set at 13/8
OptiLife Nasal Pillow Mask

Quote:

Now, IF the set up person has NOT set access to this menu then this button combo press will not do any harm but it also won't bring up the Efficacy Data menu. Access to this menu can be set from the Clinician's Menu which is the Menu we can NOT provide the access information to in this forum.

But like I said, it is pretty easy to go online and get the information for accessing "the secret menu." Call me, we'll talk.

Wow thanks for all of the info... I will let everyone know what happens and what machine/mask I get tomorrow.

Thanks again -Rob