Airsense 10 review

I have a situation where I may be able to sell my new, unused S9 auto and
get an Airsense 10. I have done a quick read through of Airsense posts.
May I get a few quick current reviews from Airsense users?
The ergonomics of the 10 are much improved over the 9.
It will actually work, somewhat similar to my current S8.
Thoughts/comments/suggestions welcome.

carbonman wrote:I have a situation where I may be able to sell my new, unused S9 auto and
get an Airsense 10. I have done a quick read through of Airsense posts.
May I get a few quick current reviews from Airsense users?
The ergonomics of the 10 are much improved over the 9.
It will actually work, somewhat similar to my current S8.
Thoughts/comments/suggestions welcome.

From the basic operational standpoint, ie, function the units are very similar. The big difference is the 10 obviously has the integrated humidifier and the S9 humidifier is not. This design gives it a smaller footprint on the table and the A 10 is taller so that also contributes to a smaller foot print, but more vertical height. I like the fact that the humidifier is integrated, but I don't like the method for filling it.....you have to remove the tub then open it on a hinge, so it is not as convenient as the S9 in terms of filling the tub. I find often when I hinge the A 10 tub open that condensation dribbles on the table from the top lid, so not such a great design when filling with water, especially if you have to add water in the middle of the night like I do, because I can't get a full 8 hours out of either machine in this dry climate (Denver area). Speaking of the humidifier function, on the S9 you had the option of running the machine in "Auto Climate Control" with the ClimateLine hose attached.........in this mode you could simply select your temperature and the machine would automatically shoot for 80% relative humidity. Whereas the A 10 if you leave it in auto with the new Climateline Air hose you can't change the temperature.....you get 80 degrees and 85% humidity. I like my air warmer so I have to go an extra step and run the climate control in "Manual" so that I can control temp and humidity independently.....another extra step that is more cumbersome on the new machine. I will say that I like the new ClimateLine Air hose better because it has a 90 degree swivel connection at the machine which is far better than the S9 with the hose simply sticking out the back of the machine.

Others have mentioned that the screen back-lighting is too dim on the new A 10 and almost unreadable at night in a dark room......I would have to concur with that statement.....If I need to read the screen at night I have to put on reading glasses to do it. I also concur with other's statements that the new auto ramp feature is of no real benefit, and when I played with it just for grins I found that it really can't accurately tell when you are asleep or not..........I felt it ramping up and I was wide awake on several different occasions. The default of 4cm pressure is absurdly low so you have to obviously change that to a higher pressure right off the bat. ResMed has attempted to make this machine with it's defaults into a "plug-and-play" machine that you simply plug in the wall, fill the water chamber and turn it on.......no fiddling with cumbersome settings for a beginner, but the defaults are terrible so in that respect it is an epic fail! You need to get into the clinician's menu and set things up properly........don't understand why they try to advertise this machine as simple to just plug in and use............totally misses the mark there!

With all that being said it seems to be a good machine, as good as the S9, and a little more compact with the integrated humidifier. I have no real complaints with the operation of the machine, but you do have to know what you are doing and set the machine up properly as with any top of the line machines. They have introduced some new features such as the cellular modem communications for compliance monitoring and the DME has the ability to change the settings remotely so that might be a neat feature if you need that. I don't use a DME for my settings so I simply leave the cellular communications function in "Airplane Mode" ..........or in other words off. One possibly nice feature of the new A10 is that the manual states that it is "Software Upgrade-able" it remains to be seen if this will indeed be the case, and if it is I would imagine that would be accomplished via the SD card.....I doubt that will be a feature of the cellular communications, but not sure on that score. I have also read that the new machine draws more power than the S9 so if you were using on battery power in the case of a power failure backup or camping you won't get as much use out of the new A10 compared to the S9.

So it is my opinion if you are spending your own money for a new machine the A10 does not have enough positives to make the change from the S9...........on the other hand if your insurance is paying then go for it..........the A10 is a good machine, but in some respects I think the S9 is a better machine for an experienced user. The A10 has plenty of niggling annoyances that if you switched on your own dime you might regret the purchase.

I ended up buying a second used S9 instead of selling upgrading on my dime. Both would have cost about $500.

I do not like the look of the A10 set up for travel, whereas I know the S9 is rock solid. It'a also great to have a complete duplicate system if I need any spares or repairs too.

Just a thought.

TangledHose wrote: I like my air warmer so I have to go an extra step and run the climate control in "Manual" so that I can control temp and humidity independently.....another extra step that is more cumbersome on the new machine. I will say that I like the new ClimateLine Air hose better because it has a 90 degree swivel connection at the machine which is far better than the S9 with the hose simply sticking out the back of the machine.

Thanks for the review.
As per above, you don't have to set this every night, just on setup....correct?

The mechanics and ergonomics of the S10 come much closer to my S8.
The S9.....is.....just backwards.

carbonman wrote:

TangledHose wrote: I like my air warmer so I have to go an extra step and run the climate control in "Manual" so that I can control temp and humidity independently.....another extra step that is more cumbersome on the new machine. I will say that I like the new ClimateLine Air hose better because it has a 90 degree swivel connection at the machine which is far better than the S9 with the hose simply sticking out the back of the machine.

Thanks for the review.
As per above, you don't have to set this every night, just on setup....correct?

The mechanics and ergonomics of the S10 come much closer to my S8.
The S9.....is.....just backwards.

That is correct - just go into settings and switch Climate Control to "Manual" at which point you set your tube temperature and also your desired humidity level from 1 to 8 on humidity - 8 being high - I have mine set on 7 which seems pretty close to the 80% that I was getting on the S9. Once you have it dialed in for your preferences you're all set. This function is active with the ClimateLine Air heated hose, sold separately of course ;+)

On a different subject I do notice that if you have Airplane mode on for wireless communications (wireless off) then when you turn off therapy in the morning the machine comes up with a screen confirming whether or not you want airplane mode on or off - you have to push the button to confirm before it will let you see your therapy statistics - just one more annoying feature and one additional step that you don't have to bother with on the S9. Can you tell I am a bit bothered by the new machine - LOL

TangledHose wrote:Can you tell I am a bit bothered by the new machine - LOL

if you work diligently at it, you can find something to hate about just about anything!

palerider wrote:

TangledHose wrote:Can you tell I am a bit bothered by the new machine - LOL

if you work diligently at it, you can find something to hate about just about anything!

Oh, I'm Very Diligent.

TangledHose wrote:

palerider wrote:

TangledHose wrote:Can you tell I am a bit bothered by the new machine - LOL

if you work diligently at it, you can find something to hate about just about anything!

Oh, I'm Very Diligent.

*makes the obligatory "dog with a bone" comment*