Small Oxygen Concentrator info

I currently have a Oxygen concentrator that is considered by my DME to be "portable" (O2 Concepts Oxlife Independence https://www.healthproductsforyou.com/p- ... rator.html). While it is on wheels and is relatively easy to move about it certainly is not what I think is "portable." Part of its limitation is battery life (about 2-3 hours in continuous mode delivering 2 LPM). The smallest unit I have come across that fits the size criteria and provides not only the pulse mode often used when using a cannula but the continuous mode demanded by xPAP seems to be the Respironics Simply Go. However, it seems to be discontinued. I have found one listed on Craigslist in the Tampa Bay area in Florida for $900 - is that a reasonable price and is it a reliable and efficient machine? Are there alternatives I should consider? How does one evaluate usage history and other factors in order to separate the wheat from the chaff? Guidance, please.

If you seriously need a life saving portable o2 concentrator, stay out of craigslist in particular and the secondary market in general. These things have a definite life cycle, after which you are getting unreliable output and must have internal parts repaired, probably at a premium price. If you can't afford to buy brand new, stay with the dme which will test/repair and/or replace the machine. IMHO.

The simply go is still available at DirectHomeMedical along with other "portable" units that provide both pulse and continuous O2 flow.
They are quite pricy. Have you investigated the EverFlo concentrator for use at home and one of the really small pulse models for when you are out and about?

greatunclebill wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 09, 2018 7:15 am

If you seriously need a life saving portable o2 concentrator, stay out of craigslist in particular and the secondary market in general. These things have a definite life cycle, after which you are getting unreliable output and must have internal parts repaired, probably at a premium price. If you can't afford to buy brand new, stay with the dme which will test/repair and/or replace the machine. IMHO.

Respironics are harder to repair than other brands, you can buy parts for most other concentrators.

Many concentrators these days have oxygen sensors built in, to verify their output.

Also, I can't speak for the portables, but home units are designed for years of use. The first one we had here wasn't even supposed to be serviced until 35000 hours.

JDS74 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:58 am

...Have you investigated the EverFlo concentrator for use at home and one of the really small pulse models for when you are out and about?

That was actually my first thought. The problem came when I factored in the fact that often "out and about" included travel and nights spent away from home. Consequently, that meant either forgoing adding O2 to my CPAP while sleeping or taking along a continuous flow unit as well - neither are acceptable solutions. Given that "pricey" is an understatement when considering O2 units, it seems saving my pennies looms over the foreseeable future.

JimW159 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 09, 2018 5:30 pm

JDS74 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:58 am

...Have you investigated the EverFlo concentrator for use at home and one of the really small pulse models for when you are out and about?

That was actually my first thought. The problem came when I factored in the fact that often "out and about" included travel and nights spent away from home. Consequently, that meant either forgoing adding O2 to my CPAP while sleeping or taking along a continuous flow unit as well - neither are acceptable solutions. Given that "pricey" is an understatement when considering O2 units, it seems saving my pennies looms over the foreseeable future.

I recently picked up an everflow opi for 100$, it had 41k hours on it, but had been serviced, sieve beds replaced, etc, about 6 months previously. Deals can be had.