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New Member from Australia - Ted Dekker - 09-10-2018
Thank you for being here and adding me to your informative site 
I have only just been diagnosed with sleep apnoea (I'm in Australia LOL) and I've had a 1 night test using a CPAP.
Next week (17th Sept 2018) I have an appointment with the hospital to trial one of their CPAP machines for a week at home.
We are nomads travelling around this Great Southern Land (Australia) and I am considering getting a "ResMed AirMini" as it is 'off-grid' 12Volt compatible.
I'm obviously a complete virgin to all this, but learn quickly
and have already downloaded and installed SleepyHead software LOLWhen I start the trial, and gather more information, I will post more.
In the meantime please accept my thanks
Sincerely, Ted ( & Rosie) Nomads Across Australia
RE: New Member from Australia - Walla Walla - 09-10-2018
Welcome to Apnea Board! Recommend you read the following link about selecting a machine. http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Machine_choices
RE: New Member from Australia - Gideon - 09-10-2018
Unless you are backpacking I would get a full sized ResMed APAP. You can buy an DC to DC ResMed adapter for about $80.
Take advantage of your sleep studies to try different masks (ASK).
Read the wiki article New to Apnea? Helpful tips to ensure success
and definitely the Mask Primer.
RE: New Member from Australia - Ted Dekker - 09-10-2018
Thank you both for you quick reply :-)We're renovating a caravan & 4WD (SUV), we'll have 5 X 105Ah AGM deep cycle 12V batteries with 560W (12V) solar on the roof :-)
So we'll have power I reckon.
I'll read all your references soon.
Again, thank you.
Ted
RE: New Member from Australia - Sleeprider - 09-10-2018
The Airmini is purpose built for travel, but has significant downsides, especially for a new user. You won't have much data to start you on optimizing therapy, and the comfort is considerably less, with no built-in humidifier and the use of proprietary masks and tubing which limits selection. The machine is much more noticeable in noise, and comfort features are missing to help a new user. Even though you travel, the Airsense 10 Autoset is also 12-volt compatible with the 12-24 V DC converter, but will give you full comfort features, data and a much easier start. I'm not impressed with the Airmini as a primary machine, but it's great for occasional use as intended...maybe the next generation.
RE: New Member from Australia - ardenum - 09-10-2018
Never get a Mini as a full therapy,mini is designed to 'somewhat' keep you alive when your traveling, long flights being the perfect situation. Being a nomad is not occasionally traveling, its occasionally not travelling, you need a full fledged machine,make no mistake. Get a solar panel and mount it on the roof and a battery that can last through no sun periods, if they are any in Australia mate. I'd personally also get a type of solar panels called Amorphous, its not very efficient but if the sun isn't shining directly on your solar panels or it's cloudy it would possibly provide enough electricity for a full night of sleep.
Since you already have some panels then a DC to DC converter from Resmed.
RE: New Member from Australia - Ted Dekker - 09-11-2018
Thank you 'crowtor' I think you're right with the mini, I think I will go full unit.
Having read a lot more, from the helpful links members have advised and other places I am a lot clearer as to what will be better in the long run.
As for batteries & solar that's already covered, we've got 525Ah in total storage, if we only use 20% of that that's 105Ah available for CPAP, Fridge/Freezer, radio, lights & TV. That's just for the 'dark' hours, so no worries there
Thank you too 'Sleeprider', I am looking at the BMC Luna G2 APAP model E20A-J this unit is fully fledged with (I think) heater humidifier and all the stuff except mask.
It's made in Germany so that is a positive (fingers crossed LOL) and the price is very reasonable.
Thanks too to 'bonjour', yes an APAP with it's variable pressure throughout the sleep cycle may be the better long term approach. As for power & inverters, no worries there
Next week I get a free trial of a machine for a week or so at home, and I will ask many more probing questions from the hospital trained staff then.
In the meantime, onwards & upwards
Ted
RE: New Member from Australia - jaswilliams - 09-11-2018
I would recommend getting the the Resmed Autoset A10 the initial cost is higher than the BMC but it is a great machine yiu can get a deal importing from the US but need to factor in import duty. Take a look at Supplier #2 they have greatdeals on new and open box machines and they will ship internationally
RE: New Member from Australia - Sleeprider - 09-11-2018
(09-11-2018, 01:51 AM)Ted Dekker Wrote: Thank you too 'Sleeprider', I am looking at the BMC Luna G2 APAP model E20A-J this unit is fully fledged with (I think) heater humidifier and all the stuff except mask.
It's made in Germany so that is a positive (fingers crossed LOL) and the price is very reasonable.
In the meantime, onwards & upwards
The BMC Luna is made in China in spite of the misleading BMC Medical Group name being in Germany. There is nothing German about BMC, and they have spent the last 5-years fighting a lawsuit brought by Resmed for patent infringement. It is a huge, clumsy old-style machine that is heavy and just the opposite of what you are looking for in travel. I strongly suggest you will be a lot happier with a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset. BMC is not compatible with Sleepyhead. We don't have a lot of experience with that machine on Apnea Board, but results are mixed. Needless to say, I think your decision should be researched further.
RE: New Member from Australia - Stom - 09-11-2018
(09-11-2018, 10:19 AM)Sleeprider Wrote: The BMC Luna is made in China in spite of the misleading BMC Medical Group name being in Germany. There is nothing German about BMC, and they have spent the last 5-years fighting a lawsuit brought by Resmed for patent infringement. It is a huge, clumsy old-style machine that is heavy and just the opposite of what you are looking for in travel. I strongly suggest you will be a lot happier with a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset. BMC is not compatible with Sleepyhead. We don't have a lot of experience with that machine on Apnea Board, but results are mixed. Needless to say, I think your decision should be researched further.
3B Medical's slogan is literally "Restoring profitability to CPAP". It's right on their website. That doesn't really strike me as patient focused, rather it looks like a pitch to "durable medical equipment" sellers (DMEs) . Here in the US, insurance companies pay DMEs the same for a "CPAP" machine regardless of what unit the patient receives, and the equipment provider gets to keep the extra money it saves by providing the patient with an inferior machine. That, I think, is the market for 3B medical's products. They aren't something patients would generally select for themselves.