Fisher & Paykel Brevida vs. Opus 360?

I'm looking for a new mask, probably gonna do pillows or a hybrid. I'm a beardy guy, and can occasionally get away with a full mask but it doesn't usually work for me. I've been using the Respironics Dreamwear cushion mask now for years. Previously had a Wisp but I hated it, always felt choked for air, even at higher airflow. The Dreamwear is a good mask and I like it, but the headgear is problematic for me and slides off all the time, leaving it to droop and blast air into my eyes while I sleep. I have to tighten it so much it marks up my face to prevent this. None of the cushions are "perfect" for me, since I have a somewhat small nose, but large, flaring nostrils. So small is a bit small, but medium is too large and leaks or slips.

Hence, my thought to try out pillows. I've already purchased the gel pillows for the Dreamwear to test out, waiting for them to ship, but I'm thinking of getting a dedicated pillow mask.

After watching and reading a bunch of reviews (and more than a few from Lefty himself), I've narrowed it down to either the Fisher & Paykel Brevida, or the Opus 360. These both seem like they'd be a good choice. Does anyone have experience with either of these masks? I like the look of the Brevida's pillow, as it almost looks like a hybrid between straight up pillows and something like the dreamwear's cushion, but otherwise they seem similar. I pay cash for my supplies though, and the Opus 360 is a bit cheaper, and otherwise similar in design. I do like the hose loop at the top though, and really don't like sleeping with hose nose, so that's a factor. I'm currently leaning toward the Brevida, but would like some input in hopes of not regretting the decision.

Any thoughts on these? Thanks.

Of the two and having tried both....I vote for the Brevida trial. I found the Opus headgear a bit more problematic and unstable when compared to the Brevida headgear. Plus the Brevida has the optional diffuser which the Opus does not and that diffuser is pretty sweet.

There is a way to route the hose upward and anchor it....I did it and showed it a while back but don't have that example handy but it can be done. I will poke around and see if I can find that example. It's been a while and I don't know if that link is still active or not.
But it can be anchored overhead with a bit of DIY ingenuity. Any little strip of velcro will accomplish it. Make your own little ring and wind it through the top of the headgear strap and hold the hose up.

Thanks Pugsy. How would you rate the comfort level of the pillow on the Brevida? And is it similar to a standard pillow, or does it being sort of a cushion/pillow hybrid make any difference?

As far as comfort ....the silicone of the Brevida is super nice. Much more comfortable touching the skin than the Opus pillow....it's super soft and silky feeling. The overall pillow itself is maybe a bit larger than some of the others which for me was a negative since I have a small nose and small nostrils but I can sure see how it would be a positive for others. It tended to wrap around my nostril just a bit. Remember I am someone who wants as least amount of stuff on my face as possible but that's just me.
My own little quirkiness. It's why I am a Bleep user now.

I would think with large flaring nostrils...that it would be ideal for that kind of situation and in fact back when I had the Brevida (I had kept it because I thought it was so nice I might want to go beyond the 2 week trial I gave it) I ended up selling it to someone with large flaring nostrils because none of the other nasal pillows seemed to fit so great. He had really big flaring oblong nostrils...I met him...we laughed about it because I had thought he was exaggerating but he wasn't. While they weren't quite gorilla nostrils...they were pretty close. The pillows are pretty forgiving in terms of nostril shape and the softness of the silicone allows for the pillow to sort of wrap around a bit and help with sealing without putting undue pressure on the skin.

It's more comfortable the the Opus for sure....hands down in that regard. I think I have an Opus pillow I could send you so you could feel and see the difference in silicone...send me a PM with your name and address and will drop it in the mail to you.
If I had the entire Opus I would just let you have it but all I have are a few random sized nasal pillows. It's a fairly stiff silicone.

The Opus headgear was a real PITA to fit correctly....I had an awful time getting it situated just right and I had a lot of experience with various nasal pillow mask trials. Finally got it done but it wasn't nearly as easy as the Brevida was to fit. The Opus is old school...the Brevida is new school and is just better all the way around IMHO.

The Brevida routed over the head pictures. The little white circle thing on top I just made with some velcro and mounted it on the top of the strap.

Awesome, you've convinced me. I was already leaning toward getting the Brevida. I'm gonna pull the trigger on it and see how it goes.

Thanks again.

tomkatt wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:57 pm

The Dreamwear is a good mask and I like it, but the headgear is problematic for me and slides off all the time,

Have you tried the new "Headgear with Arms" for the Dreamwear? It completely solved the issue your describing for me and a lot of other users on this board.

Something Id like to mention about the Brevida. Make sure you have the straps equal length on both sides. If you dont, it will destroy the inside of one of your nostrils. Ive had that happen to me twice and have had to stop using it for multiple days. The inside of my nostril now is just about healed up to the point I can try it again. Be aware of the strap stretching. Thats what's gotten me. When I adjusted it for stretch, I didnt get it even and it kind of tilts the pillow.

When it works, tho, its a great mask.

JXG wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:09 am

tomkatt wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:57 pm

The Dreamwear is a good mask and I like it, but the headgear is problematic for me and slides off all the time,

Have you tried the new "Headgear with Arms" for the Dreamwear? It completely solved the issue your describing for me and a lot of other users on this board.

This is the first I've heard of it. Just checked it out and that looks so much better than the standard headgear. Thanks for that.

JXG wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:09 am

Have you tried the new "Headgear with Arms" for the Dreamwear? It completely solved the issue your describing for me and a lot of other users on this board.

I picked this up and it's been life changing, in a good way. No more mask slipping and so far no more folliculitis and bumps from the mask tugging and shifting over my scalp.

Thanks so much for the suggestion.

tomkatt wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 04, 2020 3:08 pm

JXG wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:09 am

Have you tried the new "Headgear with Arms" for the Dreamwear? It completely solved the issue your describing for me and a lot of other users on this board.

I picked this up and it's been life changing, in a good way. No more mask slipping and so far no more folliculitis and bumps from the mask tugging and shifting over my scalp.

Thanks so much for the suggestion.

Awesome! Happy to hear it's working so well!