Call For Feedback: CPAP Machine Features

[geezerpop]

I don't understand what the big deal is about a "travel" cpap.
I travel w/my S8 elite. It has never been an issue. Has all the features
the survey questions about. Works fine in a hotel, bedroom when visiting
family or running on battery when camping.

I don't understand what the big deal is about a "travel" cpap.

The issue for me is that my home machine is large and when packed in its case with spare mask, fuses, and hose it fills move than a third of my wheeled carry-on bag. It doesn't leave much more room than for one change of clothes and an extra pair of shoes and meds. I have been reluctant to put it in a regular checked bag for fear it will get lost, I now know that I can carry it by itself as Medical equipment and that it does not count as my carry-on, but it is still too bulky. Entire special carry bag measures 14"x10"x9". Machine by itself it over 5.5 lbs. Without packing it all up I would guess the total loaded case would be about 9 lbs.

With airlines getting fussy about size and weight it is getting to be a big deal for me!

[yulcdn]

Did the survey. I travel a fair amount. My carry on has a flat top so i just place the cpap bag on top of the flat wheelie top and tighten the straps so that the cpap machine does not fall off when I walk. It seems to work for me. In addition, I get to carry on my clothes and my cpap as the cpap does not count towards carry-on baggage limits. No $25.00 baggage charge for a short trip.

[carbonman]

The issue for me is that my home machine is large!

What is your machine?

[insylem]

They only asked me one question. I think I got it wrong becuase the survey stopped after that..

[GumbyCT]

I feel I have to share one feature I would have dearly liked to see on my machine:
The ability to run on 12V DC power without an expensive, proprietary gadget.
Power outages happen to anyone, and camping is an option many must now forgo.

Here, here.
And when will Re$med realize this. Or that the cigarette lighter (DC power) plug they put on it needs to work on the same voltage the car does 12VDC.
Here, here.

[GumbyCT]

I agree with Uncle Bob

Why do people post saying "I agree with __________"
If you agree with someone at home do you also feel the need to go out shouting down the street that you've just agreed wtih someone?

-jnk

My cynics may be happy (or NOT) that I posted in this thread 5x (prior to this 1) and not once did I mention that I was done.

Does that mean that I am house broken? Or that my memory is not as good as I have forgotten to announce to the internet that I accomplished something today? Or could it possibly be that lsat finally agrees with me on something?

Of course, he will never see this, so be sure to mention it to him

[chunkyfrog]

Gumby: I know Resmed runs on 24V, but nearly EVERY other DC-powered machine runs perfectly fine on 12V.
Seems like a choice made to be even more proprietary than anyone else.

[joelrk35]

Finished the survey. Interested in results and also where will it go from here. I know it takes a long time from an idea to production. However I'm sure some of the ideas coming out of this survey can be implemented without retooling a production line.

[Starlette]

I did the survey.

The times I have taken my cpap to the airport, there is one thing I would definitely like to see changed. Maybe it's because I'm a small female. NEW FEATURE: More compact and lightweight. 10 pounds may be nothing for a man or stronger woman to carry around. For me, my shoulder gets VERY tired lugging 10 lbs on my shoulder. After arriving at New Orleans airport at the beginning of May, I laid it on top of my suitcase having what I thought was a tight grip on the cpap handle. Took too sharp of a turn and the cpap slid from the top of the suitcase and conked me on the thigh. Needless to say, I was using mental bad words towards it afterwords

Starlette

[Chuck Connors]

I made the mistake one time of checking in my CPAP machine as luggage on a plane trip. Big mistake. The result was predictable once I tried to turn the machine on that night. I'm thankful that the airlines don't count medical equipment as part of the 2 bag maximum you can bring onto the airplane. The CPAP industry has made very good improvements in the bags. I'm not completely embarrassed by having the ResMed name on the carrying strap and on the bag itself, but it would be nice to have the option of not having it on there. -Chuck-

[SleepyToo2]

Why does everyone post saying "Done"~UB

This is one example of where having a "Like" button would be extremely helpful!

[portiemom]

How about a cpap bad on wheels for those of us that can't even do 10 lbs.

[-tim]

Gumby: I know Resmed runs on 24V, but nearly EVERY other DC-powered machine runs perfectly fine on 12V.
Seems like a choice made to be even more proprietary than anyone else.

That saves about $2 a year on electricity here. Since the state government where resmed is based pays for machines, being able to reduce that by a few hundred thousand might be useful.

Also car companies are starting to play with higher voltage batteries and had GM, Ford and everyone else not had massive problems, new cars would not have 12V batteries any more. Recent devices I've had come with either 5V or 24V or 48V supplies and it looks like the days of 12V is soon to be over.

That being said, I still think 12V would be much better for their existing market. Maybe they can put a better DC-DC converter in the next one and find out.

(if anyone has a sick S9 machine, I'll cover postage here to poke it in my lab where I torture bad electronic devices)

[Bookbear]

Done.
(actually done last week, but I forgot to post here!)

[GumbyCT]

That being said, I still think 12V would be much better for their existing market. Maybe they can put a better DC-DC converter in the next one and find out.

fwiw - IF the machine worked on 12V a dc-DC converter would no longer be required.

I am sure that is why re$med designed their machines around 24V - so they could squeeze that last penny from their users. There is no other reason to do that.