Travel with Resmed S9?

I travel frequently thru the year and currently have a Transcend that I bought about a year ago. It works fine but I don't like the humpback design and curved bottom (for the life of me I can't figure that out - it looks as if it was meant to strap around your arm or something?) and it constantly falls off the bedside tables in hotels. I also make an international trip to the UK each year.

My standard home machine is the Resmed S9 and while I started with the humidifier, I now rarely use it. I don't seem to need the humidification (living in Louisiana) but the Transcend doesn't have a humidifier either and I do fine with it regardless of location.

I'n considering =witching to the Airmini but I've read suggestions in other posts about traveling with the S9 minus the humidifier. I'd be fine with that domestically, but I'm wondering about on my flight to the UK. I travel business class so I can sleep.

1) Does anyone have any experience flying with the S9?
2) While size of the machine (less humidifier) is not bad the power supply is a brick! Is there a smaller power supply or battery option for the S9 alone (i.e. no humidifier)?
3) I keep reading complaints that the Airmini is "noisy" but I've seen a few "noise" comparisons on YouTube (some side by side with the Transcend and Dream?) and I just don't hear it. Is the noise an issue to partners or is it transferred to the user at mask level and that's what everyone is complaining about?
4) How does the airmini size up in comparison to the S9 sans humidifier?

I'm trying to reduce size and lighten the load when I travel overseas and the Transcend frankly is - for its purpose - bulky. That humpack design is just completely befuddling and I'm a Mac guy and the Transcend's software is only Windows compliant.

Since the S9 blower and humidifier are roughly the same size...this will give you an idea how they compare.
See attachment below.
Sorry no real experience with the AirMini but I did happen to have this picture handy so you can compare size easily.

My wife travels with the S9 and without the humidifier. However if you do not get a smaller carrying case, you don't save much on space, only weight. Yes, there is a smaller AC power supply that is lighter and only provides 30 watts for use without the humidifier. See this link:

ResMed S9 30 Watt Power Supply

I suspect it works on both 110 volt, 60 Hz and 220 volt, 50 Hz for travel, but you better check that to be sure.

dos coyotes wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:27 am

I travel frequently thru the year and currently have a Transcend that I bought about a year ago. It works fine but I don't like the humpback design and curved bottom (for the life of me I can't figure that out - it looks as if it was meant to strap around your arm or something?)

Actually:

That image always makes me ROFLMAO.

That image of the Transend on the head....always made my toes curl and I want to say "no way in hell"
Even if it was comfortable...imagine the conducted noise that thing would deliver stuck on top of the head.

At least you get a scalp massage every night.

Okie bipap wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:19 pm

At least you get a scalp massage every night.

Yep...and stay awake all night from the noise to enjoy the massage.

Although you have to check this to be sure, I'd be very surprised if any CPAP machine (except a very old one) would have any issue with the fact that the voltage in the UK is double that of the US. However, the sockets have a different configuration, so you will need an adapter. Also, especially if you're staying in older or private accommodations, you should pack an extension cord as the sockets might be far from the bed.

D.H. wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:40 pm

Although you have to check this to be sure, I'd be very surprised if any CPAP machine (except a very old one) would have any issue with the fact that the voltage in the UK is double that of the US. However, the sockets have a different configuration, so you will need an adapter. Also, especially if you're staying in older or private accommodations, you should pack an extension cord as the sockets might be far from the bed.

I checked my wife's S9 power 90 watt power supply and it says it accepts 100-240 volts at 50-50 Hz. I expect the 30 watt would be the same.

Thanks All,

I'm a veteran UK traveler so I'm well aware of the different plug, need for adaptors, extension cords (excellent point as outlets are not always bedside!) and so on. Yes, most if not all of today's CPAP machines, indeed most electronics in my experience (I travel with computers, cameras, iPads, iPhones, etc), no longer require the old voltage regulators.

OMG the pic of the Transcend on the head! Are you kidding me???? At least that explains the wonky design but who was smoking what when they designed that? Unreal and yes, no way in Hell - especially on an airplane.

Thanks for the pic of the S9 vs Air mini and wow there is a good deal of size difference so perhaps I'll keep considering one.

So I guess the only unresolved question is noise. Any user experiences on here? (One member, who sadly just sold his described it as "like having a cement mixer and an industrial fan attached to your nose." I'm already using the P10 nose pillows which are approved for the Airmini so I'm well comfortable wth those.

The noise thing is most likely going to be one of those YMMV things.
Some people are just more sensitive to noise than others. I had people describe a machine that I used as sounding like a jet engine and all the while my husband would be poking me to wake me up and tell me to turn the machine on ...and it was already on and he couldn't hear it.

Are you in the US?
Cpap.com had a 30 day return thing on their AirMini's the other day.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... chine.html
Not sure what all is involved but check it out.

Thanks, that's what I thought re: noise cause I've seen many other posts about how quiet the air mini is. My transcend is "noisier" than my ResMed S9 - that is the noise transferred to me that I hear at the mask, but certainly not so that it bothers me.

I've seen both Cpap.com and another offering 30 day return trials - I think you have to buy the machine but can return it within 30 days for full refund if not happy. I will likely check that out and compare with my Transcend - then decide whether to keep the Airmini and sell the Transcend or return the Airmini and keep the Transcend -- all before i fly to the UK this summer.



Yes, I am in the USA

I'm a newbie to CPAP (Sept 2017) but wow !!! Watch out for those aliens.

Yeah, I'm sorry but I'm not going there. I sit mine on the bedside table but need to add some little felt or rubber feet of some kind as it tends to slip and fall off overnight.