Wishing to buy Autoset - please advise?

[Bisto Kid]

Hi all, my first post and already taking advantage of you all !!!

I am three months in, currently on ResMed Escape 2 but since pressure increased from 11 to 13 I have had disturbed sleep due to poor mask fitting (leakage on both Mirage Micro & Respironics Profile Lite).

I was tested on a ResMed autoset machine for a week prior to alteration and had the best weeks worth of sleep ever! My wife was particularly impressed but as the NHS does not had these out (£600)... I have to buy one.

So... ResMed S8 Autoset or Respironics M Series REMstar Auto with A-Flex?
They are equally priced and do the same thing unless of course there is anything better out there that you could suggest?

Thanks in advance and apologies if that was a little long winded!

Thanks

[James @ Intus]

I'll make it even trickier for you. Go for the Sandman Auto-CPAP if you can afford it. It's quieter and with a superior processor inside, it lowers the breathing effort even further. It's more solid than the REMstar and runs more easily off 12V than the ResMed. Front facing LCD makes it easier to operate out of bed and the data card capacity and hose/mask calibration are superior too.

If breathing comfort is important, that would be my suggestion.

[Bisto Kid]

I'll make it even trickier for you. Go for the Sandman Auto-CPAP if you can afford it. It's quieter and with a superior processor inside, it lowers the breathing effort even further. It's more solid than the REMstar and runs more easily off 12V than the ResMed. Front facing LCD makes it easier to operate out of bed and the data card capacity and hose/mask calibration are superior too.

If breathing comfort is important, that would be my suggestion.

Thanks so very much... I will look into this further!

[Bisto Kid]

Thanks again James, the Sandman sounds really good, i'm impressed. And yes you are making things more difficult

I had to speak with hospital yesterday regarding a 'nasal pillow' mask and was advised that ResMed are the best in their opinion, due to quality of product and aftersales support erm... or is that... best deal for NHS!

Could I assume one would disagree slightly? Ultimately the cost is the same across the board but if the Sandman is superior, I will definitely take your advice.

[James @ Intus]

You are probably both right. ResMed do make very good masks and anyone here would have a hard time faulting their nasal pillow masks. But as you hint, there's most likely also an element of financial bias, but still, their masks are certainly amongst the best ones, if not the best, out there.

But nothing stops you from hooking up a ResMed mask with the Sandman machine.

[Bisto Kid]

Sorry, I did not explain properly

I questioned them on what they regard the best machine to purchase privately and the answer was ResMed. As you suggested the Sandman I feel happier with recommendations from a fellow sufferer rather than, as helpful as there have been, a member of the NHS who has been taught.

The mask was the reason for me speaking to them and thought I would ask at the same time, so sorry for the confusion.

Sandman then, over ResMed or Respironics, thanks for your advice.

[James @ Intus]

I should then add that I don't sleep with this equipment myself and in case you hadn't noticed, I sell CPAP equipment, including the Sandman. I do get a lot of hands-on time with the equipment though. But where you could argue I am/we are more impartial than them is in that we work with nearly all manufacturers and don't have any reason to push one more than the other. This recommendation is directly based on you mentioning what is important to you and our experience as well as our patients' experience with the machines.

So in your case, yes, Covidien's Puritan Bennett Sandman Auto-CPAP over the ResMed and Respironics. For someone else's unique criteria the recommendation may have been for either of the others, or yet another one altogether.

[threewheelweave]

Interested - A Few Queries James?

Hi James

This thread caught my eye and I am interested in your recommendation of the Covidien's Puritan Bennett Sandman Auto-CPAP I looked at the link to the details but have a few queries that do not appear to be spelt out on your web page:-

1.) How long does the guarantee last for?
2.) How often does it require servicing? (Hours run?)
3.) How much to service privately?
4.) How much to purchase c/w the integral humidifer?
5.) How much for the additional 12V DC feed power pack?
6.) Do you need a copy of my sleep clinics prescription to purchase?
7.) Do they offer a loan exchange machine if one goes faulty FOC?
8.) Do you supply a data reader - if yes how much?
9.) Cost of spare washable filter elements?

If you want you can send the info direct to my email address - I can send you it via a private message - however if this is the best in the market I think a lot of members would like to see your answers too.

Many thanks again for all you do for the OSA club - cheers!

TWW
UK

[threewheelweave]

Another couple of questions - (sorry)

James

Another two points:-

10.) How much to deliver?
11.) How long to supply?

Thanks again!

TWW
UK

[Bisto Kid]

I should then add that I don't sleep with this equipment myself and in case you hadn't noticed, I sell CPAP equipment, including the Sandman. I do get a lot of hands-on time with the equipment though. But where you could argue I am/we are more impartial than them is in that we work with nearly all manufacturers and don't have any reason to push one more than the other. This recommendation is directly based on you mentioning what is important to you and our experience as well as our patients' experience with the machines.

So in your case, yes, Covidien's Puritan Bennett Sandman Auto-CPAP over the ResMed and Respironics. For someone else's unique criteria the recommendation may have been for either of the others, or yet another one altogether.

Ooops... Well you did one hell of a sales pitch !!
Seriously though, I take your informed opinions and my thoughts still remain.

As 'threewheelweave' states "however if this is the best in the market I think a lot of members would like to see your answers too.", I would very much like to see the answers to his questions also.

Thanks

[James @ Intus]

This thread caught my eye and I am interested in your recommendation of the Covidien's Puritan Bennett Sandman Auto-CPAP I looked at the link to the details but have a few queries that do not appear to be spelt out on your web page:-

I shall make sure these answers will be on the page shortly, thanks for asking them!

1.) How long does the guarantee last for?

2 Years (now correctly on the site, at the bottom under Additional Info)

2.) How often does it require servicing? (Hours run?)

No specific guidelines. In line with policies at the leading sleep clinics, we recommned servicing only when issues arise as until that moment, there's nothing to do but for change of filters. So keep an eye on the filters, replace the fine filters every 4-6 weeks, or more often if you are in a high pollution area (near a busy road, industrial estate etc.). All makes and models these days are made to such a high standard, there's nothing to do in terms of servicing. No oiling the motor etc.

If you unplug the power cord regularly, inspect this like you wold with any electrical appliance, making sure everything is in good working order.

Also, send in the data card at regular intervals like every 6 months or annually, so if any performance issues come up through the statistics, this can be spotted.

3.) How much to service privately?

Warranty issues won't cost you a thing, we'd pay for the courier etc. Sending in your data card costs a 1st class stamp and ideally 60p more for recorded mail. If you volunteer to a service job, for example us running it here against a manometer, running calibration on your mask etc. basically anything you don't feel comfortable doing yourself then it's just the courier charge back and forth, which will be around £24 for both ways. But no one has needed that so I doubt the hands-on people here need this. It's made to be operated at home, by the end user.

4.) How much to purchase c/w the integral humidifer?

On the page, when you pick the humidifier, it will update the price accordingly. As of today, it's £525 without and £645 with humidifier.

5.) How much for the additional 12V DC feed power pack?

If you mean the Super CPAP Polymer Ion 12V Battery Pack, that adds £299. The pack comes with a range of connectors, I'm sure the right one is included. If you prefer to use the manufacturer's own cable, I'll have to find out the pricing, but expect that to be in the region of £25-£40.

6.) Do you need a copy of my sleep clinics prescription to purchase?

For Auto-CPAP machines, we require a confirmation from a medical professional stating you have OSA and that he/she recommends or prescribes CPAP. Can be as short as "Mr John Smith has been diagnosed with Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and I recommend nasal CPAP therapy. Signed, Mrs C. Onsultant, XYZ Hospital"

For fixed pressure machines, we would indeed need a prescription confirming the same as above, along with the appropriate therapeutic pressure.

in case of a second, travel machine, we can also take a read-out of an Auto-CPAP and base the pressure on its 90th% pressure.

7.) Do they offer a loan exchange machine if one goes faulty FOC?

We've shipped many CPAP machines (talking all makes and models here) and I remember just two instances where an issue arised that required the machine to be picked up from the patient. One was swapped with a new one in 48 hours, the patient was OK with missing out for two nights. The other took longer but the patient had an old second machine.

If a situation arises where indications are we can't swap it around within a 3 working day period (ARTP guidelines), we will indeed ensure a suitable back-up machine is available at no cost (maybe a deposit).

8.) Do you supply a data reader - if yes how much?

You can send in your card to us, for the time being such reports are free. When such services are on our site, they will be for a small admin fee, in the region of £10-£15. People who got the actual machine from us in the first place are most likely to get them free or discounted for a certain period.

I don't have pricing for the reader right now but expect the full deal, reader and software, to be similarly priced as that of other makes, the combination being around £175. If you really want this, please e-mail us for an exact quote.

9.) Cost of spare washable filter elements?

They are going up on the site later today, I expect pricing to be similar to those of the SleepCube, with bulk packs (~12) for around £10.

...however if this is the best in the market I think a lot of members would like to see your answers too.

True, and that's why the answers are right here for all to read.

I can't say too much on this yet but soon there will be independent clinical research coming out regarding effort of breathing with a variety of Auto-CPAP machines. The results are said to be favourable for this machine so if you don't just want to take my or the manufacturer's word for it, stay tuned for 3rd party verification.

[threewheelweave]

Fantastic - Thanks Very Much!

James

Thanks - that's what I call a comprehensive answer!

Sorry about the second post but could you answer points 10.) & 11.)?

Let us know when you get the independant third party report please - I take it that you will post it as a link on the specific web page for this equipment?

So if someone was going to take the complete package as listed is there a special offer to members who take the lot?

The total with the humidifier incl a set of spare filters amounts to £1169; could you get a deal if you had a combined order of say more than 10 number from members and get the price down to £999 as a one off deal - good for your business figures?

Many thanks - Cheers

TWW
UK

[Bisto Kid]

Thanks James very helpful and thanks threewheelweave for asking them !!

I have approached the company I work for to see if they will help out with the cost, so I will send them your way James.

Thanks again for all your input

[James @ Intus]

Sorry, totally overlooked these!

10.) How much to deliver?

It'll tell you in the basket before you enter all of your details, you can request a delivery quote right there with your postcode. Right now, Mainland UK for the machine with humidifier is £15 by insured courier service (Initerlink mostly).

11.) How long to supply?

Would next working day suit you? Or tell us a day it's convenient for you. Popular machines like these are almost always in stock so they can ship next day in most cases, provided we get your documents in by around noon.

Having said that, if you ordered today you'll find we don't have stock as someone just snapped a bunch up for each of his holiday homes. But more are due to arrive shortly so mid next week should be achievable.

And Bistokid, thanks for ringing us. The office had a giggle when my colleague Linda said "James, Bistokid says hi".

I'll make sure to pass on the clinical research results once they're in. You'll probbaly find quite a song and dance about it.

[threewheelweave]

Top Marks Again!

Hi James

High score sheet yet again on the answers

What is the response to my suggestion to get a bulk purchase price?

What multiple would make it viable?

Many thanks again - top marks, go to the head of the class!

Cheers

TWW
UK