Machine Poll

[Sparticus]

This poll will run for 30 days, so have your say, thanks

[Sparticus]

Its nice to see the votes coming in already, I went for Dont know as I have only used a Resmed and cant really compare any off the others, keep the votes coming, thanks

[James @ Intus]

I've gone for DeVilbiss though that's not to say the others aren't great.

Fault rates with CPAP machines are extremely low as they are obviously built to a much higher standard than say an MP3 player or an alarm clock. But when it goes wrong, it evidently is a big problem for the user. In my time working with most of these brands, DeVilbiss machines have broken down the fewest and when they have, they have been fixed or replaced the fastest.

We also love their SmartCode system. No need to send in data cards, just e-mail us the codes off the menu and we'll e-mail back a PDF with a good size report.

Now with the Plus machines, the only thing that was missing (exhalation relief) has been sorted in great fashion too. With 15 levels, unlike C-Flex etc. with 3 or 4 levels.

But as explained in the other thread, what's best for someone else may not be best for you. I can tell you more if you tell me your use case, your needs and wishes in a CPAP. Those answers determine to a far greater degree which one is best than other people's experiences with their machines.

ResMed, Philips Respironics, DeVilbiss and Fisher & Paykel have UK based servicing. The others are based in Scandinavia, France, Spain etc. That in itself can have implications for your choice.

I've seen 6ft high trolleys at major sleep clinics full of machines of the big brands, all bust. I've heard complaints from those clinics about some of the latest models having eratic behaviour. When you look at it on a small scale like those big clinics do, you really cut through the fancy marketing and find out what works, what is reliable and what is prone to user-error.

It's all in the eye of the beholder

[symmit]

What would be useful to the stats chasers would be a review of the data features of all the APAP machines. I love the way I can ignore mine completely and pretend they aren't there, or if I've got a couple of hours to spare I can go through minute by minute and work out a plan to get a better sleep.

I'm sure many don't care, and if fixed at 10 is working then why should they? But at the moment I'm still amazed that something as simple as increasing the pressure of air when you sleep can fix such a debilitating condition that I'm eager to make sure I'm getting the best therapy possible.

[Sparticus]

What would be useful to the stats chasers would be a review of the data features of all the APAP machines. I love the way I can ignore mine completely and pretend they aren't there, or if I've got a couple of hours to spare I can go through minute by minute and work out a plan to get a better sleep.

I'm sure many don't care, and if fixed at 10 is working then why should they? But at the moment I'm still amazed that something as simple as increasing the pressure of air when you sleep can fix such a debilitating condition that I'm eager to make sure I'm getting the best therapy possible.

I was given a CPAP machine with a fixed rate of 10 but didnt like it so changed back to an APAP. now my readings vary from 9.2 to about 11.6. If I hadnt gone back to apap I would have been struggling. Another reason for self moderating, dont you think?

[Floatyboaty]

I was lucky enough to buy a near new APAP same make as my CPAP. I was able to work out what my setting needed to be from the APAP and then altered the CPAP accordingly. No problems since and the clinic have not said a word. even though I forgot to take my CPAP with me at check time as I use it on 12v when I am away. I am compliant so therefore my settings must be correct I suppose.
For some unknown reason I cannot get the APAP to work on 12v

[symmit]

I was given a CPAP machine with a fixed rate of 10 but didnt like it so changed back to an APAP. now my readings vary from 9.2 to about 11.6. If I hadnt gone back to apap I would have been struggling. Another reason for self moderating, dont you think?

I'm all for it, but then I'm biased having gone down that route from day 1 and being 100% happy with it.

We're all different, and I'm sure our needs for pressure vary with the weather, our health, alcohol, stress, moods and meals!

[acebass]

voting?

I would say that for most users this would be difficult to tell....the majority of people are given a machine by their sleep clinic, and they keep it unless their is a problem with it or they wish for a second machine for travelling with.

This makes it difficult to actually cast a vote never having tried any other machine than the one given!

Just because you are happy with the machine you have doesn't mean you can qualify it as the best machine....

Just my thoughts...

[Sleep2Snore]

I would say that for most users this would be difficult to tell....the majority of people are given a machine by their sleep clinic, and they keep it unless their is a problem with it or they wish for a second machine for travelling with.

This makes it difficult to actually cast a vote never having tried any other machine than the one given!

Just because you are happy with the machine you have doesn't mean you can qualify it as the best machine....

Just my thoughts...

My thoughts as well. In 20 years I have only had two makes of machine!

[Berneta]

Cpap

I have had one machine and love it--and have read enough on this forum to know without any doubt that the one I have is the best one for me. I am not forever trying to change the settiings-- which tells me that other machines are not quite as good as mine. My only problem is with me--not with my CPAP. It adjusts as best it can to suit my needs--and all I have to do is turn it off then back on. I expect that in the last few days the Barometric Pressure has changed my breathing rythums. It is some kind of Respironics Proto type that is not sold outside our shores as yet. It cost my insurance co $1500.00 and I had to pay another 20% of that amount. The only thing it won't do is cuddle and tuck me in at night. (Curses) So I don't feel I have to have tried others to know which is best for me. I think I will call it Asmo-- and then maybe it will learn a few other things to do! LOL. I wouldn't trade it for another even if the new one was free, x Berneta

[Sparticus]

I have had one machine and love it--and have read enough on this forum to know without any doubt that the one I have is the best one for me. I am not forever trying to change the settiings-- which tells me that other machines are not quite as good as mine. My only problem is with me--not with my CPAP. It adjusts as best it can to suit my needs--and all I have to do is turn it off then back on. I expect that in the last few days the Barometric Pressure has changed my breathing rythums. It is some kind of Respironics Proto type that is not sold outside our shores as yet. It cost my insurance co $1500.00 and I had to pay another 20% of that amount. The only thing it won't do is cuddle and tuck me in at night. (Curses) So I don't feel I have to have tried others to know which is best for me. I think I will call it Asmo-- and then maybe it will learn a few other things to do! LOL. I wouldn't trade it for another even if the new one was free, x Berneta

Thats why the dont know is there as I too have only had Resmed machine, so I clicked dont know, as I dont

[James @ Intus]

Note that we (Intus) won't get many votes as we don't make any machines. I know we are listed on our own website as one, which is a bug we're resolving soon.

[Sparticus]

James please feel free to edit the poll if you can