Source of Oxygen Concentrator Reviews or Recommendations

[torontoCPAPguy]

I am seeking a non-portable oxygen concentrator of top quality and am having trouble locating reviews for same. They all look the same to me. I found a site with some pretty decent pricing at Southern Medical Distributors (gosouthernmd-dot-com). Even the prices are all about the same! Here is what I am looking at:

DeVilbiss 5L
Everflo Q 5L
Invacare Perfecto 2 5L

They are all 5L units with 5 year warranty, O2 sensors, filters, etc. and are all in the $650-$750 range delivered. Does anyone have experience with these units or can anyone direct me to a site that might have reviews of oxygen concentrators. By the way, the cost for an oxygen concentrator in Ontario (where they won't sell them) is $395 per month for rental. Talk about a cash cow!

Thanks in advance.

[mars]

Hi torontoCPAPguy

Have you checked out these sites -

reviews of oxygen concentrators

http://www.oxygenconcentrators.org/

http://www.nextag.com/oxygen-concentrator/search-html

cheers

Mars

[Madalot]

Hi ToronotoCPAPguy,

I am using the Invacare Perfecto and have been since January. It works and seems to work well. My only complaint is the noise, but my understanding is that they are all pretty noisy. I've gotten used to it though.

My DME bills my insurance $225 a month for it and I have to pay about $34. You're right though -- it's a cash cow.

[Skybird]

I was renting O2 concentrators through my insurance (Invacare, Respironics Millennium and another one of which I do not remember the brand). I researched concentrators and it was apparent I could buy one and my payback would be in seven months. That is way less than insurance rent since I would require the unit for life. Part of that research was the quietness of the units.

I purchased the Respironics Everflo Q from Southern Medical Distributors. The Everflo Q is the quietest concentrator I have used to date.

I have been using the Everflo Q for nearly two years and it has performed well. I paid less than $700 with free shipping from Southern Medical Distributors.

[JohnBFisher]

... I am seeking a non-portable oxygen concentrator of top quality ...

Bummer that you need this. I wondered if you had dodged that bullet. Sorry to see the lung damage was bad enough to require this path. Hope you continue to heal and improve. I see others provided the links, but I did want to let you know I am thinking about you.

[DeVilbiss Marketing]

I would be happy to address any questions you may have regarding the DeVilbiss Compact 5 Liter Concentrator

[dbrown8575]

I have a Invacare Perfecto2 with sens o2 5-liter is would like to sell. It is in excellent condition. Make an offer. I can be reached at dustin8575@hotmail.com or 318-351-4842

[Jordy]

I used to use a Invacare Platium, Big noisy space heater of a thing. But got moved over to using a Respironics Everflo
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/main/ ... efault.wpd

I have been using this model for about a year and a half, Really like it as it seems to be a lot less noisy that the other stuff out there, and a lot lighter for when I do travel.

I have thought about buying, but still rent through my DME. One thing about the renting / buying. Once a year the DME take the Concentrator in for service. (Not sure if they need it that often or if it's just a nice feature) In addition this last spring I flew out to Denver for a week. The DME arranaged for a Concentrator to be waiting for me at the hotel. They had to work with other providers out in the area. And any of the costs for doing this was handled under my rental agreement. (As light as the Everflo is, I highly doubt taking it along by plane would be a option.. even if it was a option, can you think of what baggage would do to it? )

Also I try to go camping now and then, Since the concentrator is a no-go for camping, I normally bring along a tank or two. The DME handles coming out to exchange the E tanks when I use them. Thats all covered in the rental.

Not saying the buying you own is bad.. Just saying that you might look and see if there would be some services from using Oxygen rental through the DME instead of going it your own.

[Slinky]

I was provided w/a DeVilbiss 5L in early 2006. It was my first experience w/an 02 concentrator. The invoice didn't list the number of hours on it. For all I knew it was a brand new one. In Sep 06 when they came out for their 6 month routine maintenance check it had 19,279 hours on it. No way "I" put that many hours on it!!! The counter died at 20,055 hours on it but that ole DeVilbiss concentrator just kept right on faithfully producing that 02 for me.

Untiil 14 Feb or Mar 11 my faithful ole DeVilbiss buddy itself died and was replaced w/an Invacare Platinum 5L w/48,443 hours on it. Why they called it a platinum when it was an unattractive beige is beyond me. I don't breathe color tho so ... The Invacare was larger than the DeVilbiss but it was doing its job.

Except not for long. 17 Aug 11 the Invacare gave up the ghost and died. I was provided w/a brand new Respironics EverFlo Q. I really do detest the Respironics blue color ( a pretty pearl gray would have been nice, and a welcome change from the nice beige of the DeVilbiss or the less attractive beige of the Invacare) - BUT - it is SMALLER, QUIETER, COOLER running than the ole faithful DeVilviss or the Invacare!!! I'm hoping, being newer, it will also be more energy efficient.

I am very happy w/this EverFlo Q. May it last as long as the faithful ole DeVilbiss.

[Slinky]

Hey, DeVilbiss Marketing!!!

Since you've asked for our comments and suggestions on PAP devices and now have offered to answer questions about the DeVilbiss concentrators.

Wanna know what we 02 users would like??? A portable concentrator that is

1] comfortably portable (I rather like the SeQual Eclipse) to take out and about.

2] that can be charged as it is being used on a wall outlet - OR - on a car cigarette lighter - in continuous mode.

3] that is quiet so that it can comfortably be used w/our PAPs

[Slinky]

And - whilst I am dreaming and wishing ...

One big store in at least one major city in EACH state that would have a full offering of all 02 concentrators, all portable 02 concentrators, all brands and models of PAPs and most all brands and models of PAP masks that we could go in and browse to our hearts' content.

AND that these "respiratory shopping marts" would have KNOWLEDGEABLE and EXPERIENCED RRTs/RPSGTs on staff to answer questions, discuss the display models and the pros and cons of each, offer suggestions on which model might best fit the patients' wants and needs for their lifestyle. I say RRTs/RPSGTs because the insufficient training, understanding and education RRTs get about PAP use and mask fit, etc. leaves far too much to be desired from the patients' standpoint.

And one more comment on 02 concentrators. WE, the patients, those who PAY the energey bill each month to run these concentrators so that the local DME providers don't have to keep running out to our house delivering 02 tanks (thus saving the DME providers some plenty of $$$$$$) would really like to know and easily determine the energy efficiency amongst the 02 concentrators on the market.

We, are the ones paying, whether thru insurance or out of pocket is immaterial, w/o us there is no sale, so we are the ones paying; WE SHOULD HAVE SOME CHOICE AND SOME SAY IN WHAT BRAND/MODEL WE ARE PROVIDED WITH that is w/in the prescribed HCPCS code.

[Jordy]

WE, the patients, those who PAY the energey bill each month to run these concentrators so that the local DME providers don't have to keep running out to our house delivering 02 tanks (thus saving the DME providers some plenty of $$$$$$) would really like to know and easily determine the energy efficiency amongst the 02 concentrators on the market.

Have to agree with this one!!! I know my power bill has jumped by about $40 a month at least thanks to the Concentrator. It sure would be nice to know how many Watts the thing is using. And then to be able to compare it against others. That would be a major selling point. However due to the nature of the market I am willing to suspect that being 'Engery Star' has not been high on the needs list. maybe.

[Slinky]

Yeah, Jordy, does you electric energy company allow you a discount for having "life support" equipment in your home for that 02 concentrator??

Our electric company does - a whole whopping $4.90 a month discount off our monthly bill.

[Roger2]

I am seeking a non-portable oxygen concentrator of top quality and am having trouble locating reviews for same. They all look the same to me. I found a site with some pretty decent pricing at Southern Medical Distributors (gosouthernmd-dot-com). Even the prices are all about the same! Here is what I am looking at:

DeVilbiss 5L
Everflo Q 5L
Invacare Perfecto 2 5L

They are all 5L units with 5 year warranty, O2 sensors, filters, etc. and are all in the $650-$750 range delivered. Does anyone have experience with these units or can anyone direct me to a site that might have reviews of oxygen concentrators. By the way, the cost for an oxygen concentrator in Ontario (where they won't sell them) is $395 per month for rental. Talk about a cash cow!

Thanks in advance.

Keep in mind that if a unit is described as a 5L model it probably not put out that amount for any period of time and at at the highest setting, they are usually about 60% efficient. You need to get one that is rated at least three liters higher than your highest demand. Those prices you have stated seem to be fairly reasonable though.

I have had a SeQual Integra 10 EZ for about four years now and and it has gotten a little nosey and they do seem to create quite a bit of heat which is not so good in the summer but nice in the winter. This one is selling now for about $3000.00 but they do usually have reconditioned ones that have a warrantee on them. Mine is paid for by my Medicare Advantage plan and since I have had it over 3 years I don't have to pay any more rent on it until it is 5 years old at which time Apria will have to replace it and then the rent starts over for another 3 years.

Any way, I would suggest that you rent one for a while so you can have the time to look around for the best deal if you are going to purchase it/

Roger

[Jordy]

Yeah, Jordy, does you electric energy company allow you a discount for having "life support" equipment in your home for that 02 concentrator??
Our electric company does - a whole whopping $4.90 a month discount off our monthly bill.

I have heard of those that offer a credit, or might keep you in a single tier of billing. During the summer the more you use, the higher the tier you get for cost per Kwatt. Unfountly my power company does not offer any type of assistance / Break to those running medical equipment. They do however put you on a list to try and have power restored quicker in the event of power loss.

$4.90 a month is not much, considering how much power these beasties eat. On the bright side over the course of a year it might take care of the costs of running the concentrator for a month.