TRavel CPAP Recomendations

I'm new to the forum and tried to search for other posts but couldn't find any so I apologize if this has been answered recently. I am looking for a small travel CPAP that can be charged without using an AC 110V plug. I believe the Phillips DreamStation Go Auto does. The reason is that I will be in Vietnam and I know you can plug with or sometimes without an adapter, but don't need a power inverter. This would be similar to charging my MacBook or iPhone.

Second, I'm hoping the CPAP allows humidity, either built-in or as an add-on, but doesn't require using distilled water, maybe not requiring any water.

Third, being able to use a battery would be a nice extra feature.

Fourth, I have a ResMed home unit and like the mask I use so I'd hope the CPAP would allow me to keep using it for travel.

Thanks for any suggestions. I really appreciate any help you might provide.

ron34 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 20, 2020 1:45 pm

I'm new to the forum and tried to search for other posts but couldn't find any so I apologize if this has been answered recently. I am looking for a small travel CPAP that can be charged without using an AC 110V plug. I believe the Phillips DreamStation Go Auto does. The reason is that I will be in Vietnam and I know you can plug with or sometimes without an adapter, but don't need a power inverter. This would be similar to charging my MacBook or iPhone.

Second, I'm hoping the CPAP allows humidity, either built-in or as an add-on, but doesn't require using distilled water, maybe not requiring any water.

Third, being able to use a battery would be a nice extra feature.

Fourth, I have a ResMed home unit and like the mask I use so I'd hope the CPAP would allow me to keep using it for travel.

Thanks for any suggestions. I really appreciate any help you might provide.

1) I think you can make almost any modern unit work most anywhere. Yes, you might need a plug adapter (or better yet, a power cable with the appropriate plug.) The specs for an autoset 10 are: 100–240V, 50–60Hz . Google says Vietnam is 220v at 50hz. So no issue there.

2) No humidifier requires distilled water. I would use any plain unflavored potable water. You may need to clean mineral deposits later but that is easy. ResMed has their HumidX -- that is the only water free humidifier I am familiar with. Doesn't work with all masks though.

3) Again, you can use most any modern PAP with a battery. But some use much more juice than others (and all will suck battery with a humidifier cranked up). You need the proper adapter -- and there is a deep dive on battery choices. Lithium ion is great for weight but the power to $ ratio is not great. And there are serious limits on air travel (most must be carry on, and very large batteries are not permitted). But an AGM scooter batter is n something for a plane either...

In general, travel machines:
The good: Smaller and lighter. Typically better battery life.
The bad: Noisier. Humidifier may not be as robust. For ResMed, need a third party adapter unless you are using one of the few masks it works with. Cost (given you can take your current one as an extra carry-on under FAA rules -- at least for US airlines or US travel).

The ResMed air mini is the only travel mask that makes it more difficult to use the mask you currently use. Requires an adaptor.

There are "humidity devices" that go inline with your cpap hose. HDM has one, air mini has one, maybe another or two. I use(d) the HDM version and could not tell it worked at all. So, I simply don't use any form of humidification. I miss it, but do ok without it. There are machines that accept humidifiers that use water....but you don't/cannot use those when on battery power as the power draw for heating the water is high.

There are two or three travel machines that have a good battery system available as options. HDM Z2 is one I am familiar with for instance.

ALL travel machines are noisy. There are things you can do to mitigate that, but they are far more noisy than your home unit.

My home CPAP (Dreamstation Auto) and travel (Dreamstation Go) both can use 110-220 without a voltage converter. I think most modern CPAPs are that way.

The Dreamstation Go has a good humidifier, and I'm very happy with it. I use bottled water with it, not distilled. Sometimes I use tap if the water supply is safe.

You can get batteries for just about any CPAP. One specifically made for them is expensive and I don't have one. There is a battery made for the Dreamstation Go, but you cannot use the humidifier with it. If you travel with the battery and humidifier, you end up with a fairly large package. I don't have the battery. It's too expensive for me and not worth the occasional times I would need it.

Other than the Resmed Air Mini, you can use any mask with any machine. I use the Resmed P10 with my Dreamstations.

I purchased a Dreamstation Go because I live most of the year in Brazil where I travel somewhat frequently for work. Luggage allowances are different there, and the less luggage I have the easier it is to be flexible. Having a machine that offers the features of my home unit but in a smaller package that fits in my carry-on ticked all the boxes for me. Here's my review of it. viewtopic/t178168/My-experience-with-Dr ... on-Go.html

All travel machines are a compromise. The Dreamstation Go beat out the Air Mini for me, but not by much.

Thanks everyone - your comments were very helpful and i purchased a DreamStation Go without the humidifier since I don't travel that often to make it worthwhile until I find out if I really need one. I also opted out of getting a battery since this unit can plug directly into the Vietnam 220 with just the adapter and I won't need the inverter. Ron

You might want to do a test all night run at home with the DreamStation Go just to make sure you are okay with it as it is right now.

Might be kinda awkward if the first time you use it is in Vietnam and you find you aren't happy with the noise or lack of humidity.
Would sure put a damper on things.

Yes sir, I'll test it for several nights.

ron34 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 21, 2020 2:31 pm

Yes sir, I'll test it for several nights.

m'am, pugsy be she.

she who must be obeyed.

ron34 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 21, 2020 1:58 pm

Thanks everyone - your comments were very helpful and i purchased a DreamStation Go without the humidifier since I don't travel that often to make it worthwhile until I find out if I really need one. I also opted out of getting a battery since this unit can plug directly into the Vietnam 220 with just the adapter and I won't need the inverter. Ron

The Dreamstation Go is noticeably noisier than the Dreamstation. It's noisier again without the humidifier.
As Pugsy says, worth checking at home first.

Thanks for warning me about the noise issue. I've got a 15 day trial and my other option is the Z2.

zonker wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 21, 2020 6:03 pm

ron34 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 21, 2020 2:31 pm

Yes sir, I'll test it for several nights.

m'am, pugsy be she.

she who must be obeyed.

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2020 10:20 am

OBEY.jpg

Can anyone else comment on the efficiency of the no water humidifier technology used in the Z2 and the AirMini? For me, good humidification is a must since I get dry air passages to the point of bleeding without humidification. Should I just ignore the no water units and get the DreamstationGo if humidity really matters to me? My issue with that device is it will take up a large portion of my suitcase.

I have the AirMini. For me the standard Humidx cartridge is maybe the same as a 3 or 4 setting on my Airsense Autoset.
I haven't tried the Humidex Plus cartridge.

First I admit I seldom fly anywhere, my arms get too tired.
By the time I pack my mask and hose, a multi outlet adapter, the power brick and cord my phone charger ( yes I pack it in my CPAP case), bringing my full size PRS 1 960 with humidifier is no big deal. It is now my backup unit, so I can even keep it packed and ready to go. I also like to bring a second mask, just in case.