The new F & P Solo nasal pillow mask & F & P Nova Micro mask

[Pugsy]

Went back to the Eclipse last night ..... in deference to my husband's request to postpone further Solo nasal pillow experimenting until he is gone.
Sunday night I will try it again and looks like the Nova Micro is supposed to be here this coming Monday so if it arrives I will try it Monday night.

I am not a big fan of the Solo nasal pillow model for the reasons I mentioned above. I won't be spending much time with it.
Surprised me for sure as back in early summer when I tried the under the nose Solo model I rather liked it.
I know...makes zero sense but it is what it is.

[Shnoozer]

If they could take the 'easy adjust' feature of the Solo, which I love, and make it quiet like the P10 I would love that!

[Pugsy]

So....hubby went back to work yesterday and last night I did another night with the Solo nasal pillow mask.
Supposedly the Nova Micro is going to arrive today and if it does I will try it tonight.

Final thoughts (at least for now) about the Solo nasal pillow mask.
1...my main complaint is the lack of diffused venting. It's fairly forceful (since we know it annoyed hubby) and if there is anything close to the vented air (like an arm, hand or bed covers) it is going to bounce back on your face.
I grant you....it's probably a fixable problem (if it is a problem for some people) with maybe some hose management system or perhaps an addition of a diffuser (we did that with the original Bleep mask) filter or if someone doesn't have a bed partner it won't be annoying to the bed partner. Just depends on how annoying it might be as to how much effort we might put into trying to better diffuse the vented air
2...It's been a little over 4 hours now and I still have a dent up by my right eye (at the corner) where the V part of the headgear rests. I sleep primarily on my right side so the pressure of the headgear causes dents that aren't quick to go away.
I don't have any sort of padding that would fit this mask (like from Padacheek) but it is probably fixable problem with a little bit of effort.. I wear strap pads if I use the P10 for just this reason...I don't like dents on my face/cheeks.
3...Breathing noise...that Darth Vadar thing... it's not as loud as with some other masks I have tried but it is there.
Playing around with hose position last night was NOT very successful in reducing or eliminating that breathing noise.
I did NOT put a hose cozy on the Solo nasal pillow mask short hose to see if that helped or not. If I was going to work on trying to reduce the Darth Vadar noise then adding a short hose cozy would be my next experiment. I don't know that I want to put any more effort into this mask.....I just don't know if it would help or not, nor do I like the mask well enough to give it a try, given the other issues I have with it.
4...The nostril tenderness...I loosened the fit a bit and I didn't have any tenderness this morning. I do think that the adjustment function with this mask could cause it to "tighten" up a bit if someone tends to bury their nose in their bed pillow. I do this on occasion and I did notice with my first night with the Solo NP mask that I woke up a few times with mask crammed onto my face because of how the pressure on the mask causes it to sort of "tighten" itself a bit more.
I don't know how critical this might be for someone but it's something that might be a problem for some.
The super easy adjusting process can be an advantage as well as it can be a disadvantage.

Overall....it's a nice little mask and it's going to have lovers and haters just like any other mask out there.
I did this experiment (and the others) just for experimenting purposes. I am NOT looking for a replacement for my Eclipse mask. I could use it (I suppose) if I put forth a little more work eliminating or reducing its problem areas (for me anyway) but I have no need or desire to do that extra work.
IMHO it's still better than the N30i or P30i which I tried very briefly but the breathing noise was so bad with those 2 masks that I didn't even try to sleep with either of those 2 masks.

The adjustment function of the Solo mask.....it is super easy to make minute little adjustments but the down side is that ease could also make it too tight. Too tight and it hurts and too tight collapses the pillows and moving air is extremely difficult. Those pillows absolutely just have to inflate fully to work properly.

Now I could return the Solo NP mask fit pack that I have or I can offer it for sale (along with the under the nose cushion model) if someone wants it. Contact me privately if you want to buy the Solo NP mask to try.
If no one wants it I will return it and get credit to my account that I can use for some other experiment.

[Pugsy]

I forgot to mention.....with the F & P Solo nasal pillow mask (size small) the auto off portion of my SmartStart on the AirCurve 10 at my current pressures doesn't work so great. In fact ...the damn thing won't shut off at all.
Settings 5 EPAP PS 3 and IPAP max of 25 (but it rarely hits 14 IPAP lately). So relatively low pressures and not a big deal as the same thing happens with the P10. It's so common it's mentioned in the manual.
I don't think it happens with the under the nose cushion masks though. To be honest...I don't remember if it did but I assume it didn't with the Solo under the nose cushion because I don't remember noting that it happened.

The Nova Micro just arrived....while it is a nasal pillow and still using low starting pressures to test it out....the auto off part of SmartStart works like it is supposed to.

With the Eclipse the auto off portions works like it is supposed to.

I have no idea why it works with some masks and not others. I know it has something to do with the resistance but the specifics of it are beyond me.

The AutoOn portion of SmartStart works like it is supposed to with all the masks.
So just the AutoOff portion seems to be affected by some nasal pillows and I don't know at what higher pressures is might work. I just manually turned the machine off with the Solo nasal pillows as I do with the P10. Not a deal breaker at all.

The Nova Micro is TINY...
at least compared to the other nasal pillow masks that I have.
Venting is NOT diffused but it seems to offer 2 directions for the vented air which lessens the impact a little bit. The vented air gets divided a bit.
I do not know if it will reach hubby or not. Can't test that part out until hubby gets home this weekend.

It's raining right now but after the rain leaves and I have some better lighting to work with I will try to get some pictures for you so you all can see how it compares in overall size with the Solo, P10 and Eclipse.

[Pugsy]

So....pictures

Starting left and going right... P10, F & P Solo, F & P Nova Micro, Eclipse

[RogerSC]

Just got the new Nova Micro. Looked like it might work for a bearded side-sleeper. Kind of a cradle nasal cushion crossed with a nasal pillows cushion. Going to try it tonight for the first time, have high hopes. As long as it doesn't get pushed around by my pillow too much, might work :-).

[Pugsy]

Well....first night with the Nova Micro size small nasal pillow mask.

It's pretty much silent....I wasn't sleeping with Darth Vadar last night.

While I can't find anything about diffused venting in the literature (has someone seen anything saying the venting is diffuse?) the vented air is NOT an issue for me. It's not as diffused as the P10 but it is much more reduced than the Solo venting.
Still if I put my hand about 3 or 4 inches away from the vent holes I can barely feel or notice the vented air.
Remains to be seen if it bugs my hubby...he won't be home until Friday evening.

Headgear is minimal and I didn't notice any dents in my face/cheeks. Super easy to adjust and effective.
Remains to be seen just how long the elasticity in the straps will remain. Looks like lots of room for adjustment though so I would expect decent life out of the straps. Have no idea yet if a person can just replace the stretchy part of the headgear when the headgear gets worn out. I have to look at the mask much more closely and maybe watch some videos.

Leaks were minimal last night. Probably my normal mouth opening leaking. Max leak (above 24 L/min) was only 34 L/min and lasted only a little over one minute. I slept through it. I don't care about it.

It is extremely comfortable. Barely even noticed that I had it on.

I really like the smaller footprint of the nasal pillow cushion as well as the overall smaller frame where the nasal pillow sits. I can easily position the hose/frame so that it really isn't touching my upper lip area and I don't use any special kind of hose management system.

Overall...so far.....I can't find anything to really ding this mask. It stands a good chance of changing the order of my mask priorities making the P10 move down the list to number 3 on my list. Eclipse is still going to be my primary mask but there's a good chance the Nova Micro will take over just below the Eclipse on my own personal preference list.
A lot will depend on whether or not my hubby notices the venting.

Is it going to be perfect for everyone??? Of course not but if the only complaint I have is over very minor vented air....that says a lot. If you like the P10....you will like the Nova Micro.

As always.....YMMV and you are going to have to just give it a try to know how well (or not) it works for your own preferences. Most online retailers have some sort of mask return policy if you hate a mask so I suggest you make use of that feature.

[Pugsy]

I looked at the Nova Micro real close and I can't see anyway to change just the headgear (the stretchy part) but maybe that is something that will come later.
The P10 has separate headgear available to change but I just don't see it (at least now) with the Nova Micro.

Someone is going to have to use the Nova Micro long term to see just how long the headgear holds up. Won't be me since I will be using it as a back up to the eclipse.

Edit....it looks like the headgear is offered as a separate purchase which usually means easily changed out.
And I found it mentioned and offered at a couple of different online retailers (not at cpap.com yet though).
So that means it can be changed out but as of yet I haven't seen any videos or figured out just how to get it done.

Never mind....I figured it out. Actually probably a bit easier to get done than the P10 headgear change.
I don't need the video. It pulls off easily by stretching out the slit to pop it off the frame/hose.

[Pugsy]

So now I am wondering if F & P is going to be offering a Nova Micro under the nose cushion to go along with the new Nova Micro nasal pillow version I just tried.

Anyone know????

[Anonynose]

So now I am wondering if F & P is going to be offering a Nova Micro under the nose cushion to go along with the new Nova Micro nasal pillow version I just tried.

Anyone know????

Something I expect you already tried, but the micro isn't compatible with the solo cushions or pillows, correct?

The pillows with both versions look similar, but the solo has that larger base. But I'm not sure how much of that is the solo itself or the actual pillow. If you can swap them, at least you get extra pillows out of it for the micro ... unlikely the cushion would fit, but I guess you can try it.

[Pugsy]

So now I am wondering if F & P is going to be offering a Nova Micro under the nose cushion to go along with the new Nova Micro nasal pillow version I just tried.

Anyone know????

Something I expect you already tried, but the micro isn't compatible with the solo cushions or pillows, correct?

The pillows with both versions look similar, but the solo has that larger base. But I'm not sure how much of that is the solo itself or the actual pillow. If you can swap them, at least you get extra pillows out of it for the micro ... unlikely the cushion would fit, but I guess you can try it.

The Solo base is way too big for the Micro Nova cushion. No way will the Solo cushions fit the Nova Micro frame.
The Micro Nova is approx half the size of the Solo. The base on the Solo is about the size of the P10 base. See my pictures above.

[Pugsy]

So.....another successful night with the Nova Micro nasal pillow mask. My thoughts are unchanged.
Extremely nice little mask (and I do mean little) and I do believe it has replaced the P10 and my number 2 preferred mask.
I will post my final thoughts and ratings in another post.
My only minor concern is if the vented air makes it to my hubby to annoy him. Unless he cuddles up with me (which he just doesn't ever do) I just don't see that air making it to him.

Below is last night's report. Minimal leaking and none of it woke me up. Most likely I experienced a little mouth opening leaks. I did have a handful of normal wake ups (normal for me and due to pain) but nothing that I could blame the mask for causing.

Oh...for those wondering about my settings...I know I mentioned max IPAP setting of 25 and none of these recent reports reflect that but I forgot I changed the settings back early last summer. Long story as to why which I won't go into at this time.

[Pugsy]

My "official" thoughts about these new mask experiments.

The F & P Solo under the nose cushion mask that I tried early last summer.
I give it 3 or 4 stars out of 5.
Remember I used it for well over 2 weeks and that's saying something right there.

The F & P Solo nasal pillow mask that I tried for 2 nights.
Not a fan but I admit that I am a tough nut to crack because of my own personal preferences.
I give it 2 or 3 stars out of 5.

My latest experiment the F & P Nova Micro nasal pillow mask.
I give it 5 stars and that's saying something.
It's not perfect but its minor cons are NOT causing any issues and that's whats important.

All masks have lovers and haters and "it's just okay" sayers.
What I might love or hate isn't necessarily going to be what you guys/gals love or hate.
We are all individuals with different wants and needs and expectations.
All I can tell you is that if you are interested in any mask (not just the ones I tried recently) then you will have to just give it a try to see how well it works or doesn't work for you.

[jimbud]

I pulled the trigger on two of them the day before yesterday (micro/fit pack). Hoping to turn the P10 into my back up.

Once again, thank you for all you do Pugsey!🫅

JPB

[Pugsy]

Well the Nova Micro passed the hubby test 2 nights in a row. He couldn't/didn't feel any air at all.

Then I just have to brag a little bit. I almost never see AHI 0.0 but I got it last night and that's with 10 hours of use.
I went to bed really early because I was sick. I almost always will have AHI around 1.0 or less but 75% of anything flagged is related to arousal/awake breathing. With my pain issues I always wake up a few time during the night to change position if nothing else. It's my norm and I accept it as it is what it is.

Then this morning I see this AHI 0.0 on the machine display.....what the hell...so this below is my record setting AHI 0.0 with 10 hours of use.
Yes...one minor large leak which is probably related to mouth opening but I slept right through it so I don't care.

Last night with my usual settings and the Nova Micro.