Wisp Mask: Plastic Or Fabric?

[player]

I am buying a new Wisp mask. The fabric frame of my old one started falling apart I would say prematurely. They offer the face straps part in both fabric and plastic.

Does anyone have experience with the plastic face frame and how durable it is?

Thanks.

[Spy Car]

I have a Wisp mask with a fabric headband and a plastic (silicon-like) mask frame.

As to durability, I suspect it would last a very (very) long time. Seems indestructible. The weakest link is the slot where the lower buttons on the headgear snap in. They under-engineered the slot. However, it looks like it would take abuse to break this slot.

The downside is plastic frame can (will) leave face marks for side sleepers. The upside is the frame generally bows away from the face when one is not lying directly on it.

Bill

[player]

I was thinking about lining the inside with the soft side of Velcro to put a material between the plastic and my face.

[Spy Car]

I was thinking about lining the inside with the soft side of Velcro to put a material between the plastic and my face.

That might undermine some of the upside of the plastic frame generally bowing around the face by adding thickness that would likely fill the gap.

I don't think it would make for an improvement.

Bill

[player]

The problem with the fabric frame is it falls apart. That's why I am switching to plastic. Padacheek makes a covering for the Wisp face frame as well...

[Spy Car]

I'm confident you'll be satisfied with the durability of the plastic frame.

I'd be curious to know if you like the Padacheek cover (if you get it).

Bill

[pholynyk]

One advantage of the plastic frame is that you can see any cracks that develop before the frame breaks. My DME spotted a crack starting where the frame changed thickness - needless to say I left with a new frame!

[player]

I picked up the padacheek cover today locally, waiting for the mask to come in from online seller. While at the local DME getting the cover I saw the Resmed Airfit N20. It looks great. I may have to pick one up. But when I asked how much the girl said $350(CAD)!!! What? They are $118CAD from an online supplier.

[player]

One advantage of the plastic frame is that you can see any cracks that develop before the frame breaks. My DME spotted a crack starting where the frame changed thickness - needless to say I left with a new frame!

I pay for my stuff so I like to fix it. If plastic cracks, drilling a very very small hole right at the end of the crack can stop the crack from getting worse.

I am going to try a small plastic welder that is selling at a national hardware store for about $20 that is supposed to repair plastics.

[Spy Car]

I picked up the padacheek cover today locally, waiting for the mask to come in from online seller. While at the local DME getting the cover I saw the Resmed Airfit N20. It looks great. I may have to pick one up. But when I asked how much the girl said $350(CAD)!!! What? They are $118CAD from an online supplier.

I'm actually quite keen to try the ResMed N20 myself. While getting good results from the Wisp, I dislike the intensity of the exhaust and (more critically) I'm struggling with it causing a pressure point sore on the bridge of my nose.

The N20 is so new that my insurance does not have it in their dispensary list of approved devices so I'm dealing with a grievance procedure. *Sigh*

It is hard for me to imagine the plastic frame on the Wisp cracking. The material seems extremely durable with a silicone-like mixture of strength and flexibility. Perhaps I misjudge?

Bill