Anyone used the Snore circle YA50G?

[CharlieWW]

I'm looking for a travel CPAP but as it'll only be used a few weeks a year can't justify spending big on Resmed Mini etc. I've seen this CPAP on AliExpress for less than 1/3 of the price and wondered if anyone here has used it?

https://snorecircle.com/products/ya50g- ... pap-device

I buy lots of items from AliExpress and general happy with the quality and reliability of what I get. So much high end electronics are made in China these days (like your iPhone) that I have no reason to dismiss it just because it's from China. However, the reviews on the website look faked so keen to hear if anyone here as experience with it?

[mlmollenkamp]

For the $500 they are asking you can find a used machine that's a known quantity. There are several companies that sell tested/refurbished used machines online. I've purchased a couple travel machines that way. I still have a Z1 that I got used about 10 years ago. Its not a great machine but works OK for a couple of nights. I use a ResMed S10 most of the time for travel, its not small, but not huge. I traveled a lot before I retired, 30 weeks a year or so. (close to 2 million miles before I retired). I used an Apex Medical machine for several years, its as good as the Z1, but neither is great. The Apex is just a little larger than the smallest travel machines, but doesn't need an external power supply so doesn't take any more space. I see them online for less than $300.

In the end I prefer the ResMed S10 over either of the travel machines I've had. Its just better in so many ways. The APAP algorithms are hands down better than any of the travel machines I've used. Once you add a humidifier to a travel machine its as large as an S10 anyway. I can get along without a humidifier for a day or two most places, but not in Las Vegas or other very dry climates and not for more than 2 or 3 days anywhere. The big advantage is the humidifier. Used S10's are very easy to find from resellers, craigslist or facebook.

I haven't checked a bag in the last 20 years, I carry the ResMed machine in a backpack along with my toiletries. But if you use the ResMed case it doesn't count against your carryon allotment, the FAA rules make medical equipment, exempt from carryon restrictions. You can have a carryon suitcase, plus a backpack and still carry a PAP machine in a 3rd case.

[CharlieWW]

Thanks for detailed reply, appreciated. I had a Z1 and it failed after 18 month. HDM weren't interested is repairing it as I'm outside of North America, Therefore never getting another HDM product...

I use the S10 as my main machine, but think it's too big to travel with as I do a bit of backpacking through SE Asia and also think it's too big to use on the plane.

The YA50A can be bought new for only $250 USD through AliExpress. I'm not sure I'd want a second hand Resmed Mini etc for the same price as a new YA50G, IF it works OK. Keen to here from anyone that has tried the YA50G.

[Alice89]

[I've experimented with some Chinese CPAPs, and honestly, their quality is questionable. On paper, this model looks good, but without solid reviews, I don't know if I can trust it. Noise and no support team could be an issue.

If you're going to be traveling for longer periods of time, maybe a standard CPAP with a good power bank might be the better choice?

[loggerhead12]

https://youtu.be/uiDnrPQ1VX0?t=594

[CharlieWW]

Thanks for the link, I did find that video this morning. Not great! It's a shame there isn't a good machine around that price point. The market needs a disruptor to come in and shake things up, I feel were being fleeced by Resmed/F&P's for what is essentially a fan, some pressure sensors and some fairly simple control software.

[mlmollenkamp]

I get where you are coming from if you are backpacking. I had my Z1 repaired after traveling with it for 5 years or so. a It was pretty expensive repair but I keep it because its low power and much more practical to run on battery than the S10, the Z1 will run directly from a 12V battery. I don't really like using it very much, its not an APAP (The Z2 is). Its not very comfortable to use, the pressure control is pretty terrible. But it's tiny and low power. The Apex machine was more comfortable and quite compact, the total size was about the same as the Z1 plus power supply. Its pretty widely used, it worked pretty well for me. Mine was old and was a fixed CPAP, but there are APAPs now. In the end if its not for an extended period of time I get by with almost any machine.