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I have been using the Resmed S9 APAP (Automatic CPAP) on my Caminos. It weighs about 5 Ibs. Hunting for a lightweight device and came across 1) Z1 Auto CPAP 10 oz $875 and 2) Transcend auto cpap with ezex, $530. Both weighing less than a ib without the charger or battery pack.
Anyone has experience using these or any other similar lightweight models.
I am hesitating also because while the weight may be light these lack in performance. Most of the reviews i read confirm that the Z1 has noise issues. Apparently, a fix is going into production this month. At the $875 prize point, if the Z1 does not perform as good as my S9 it is a rip off. The Transcend, a bit cheaper, seems to be more stable, but still noisier than our Resmed. Will i like these without the humidifier?Have not pulled the trigger yet but I'm looking seriously at the Z1. The non-auto model. I use the same model Resmed you use but had mine reprogrammed to a steady 12lbs of pressure and I sleep much better than when it is in the automatic mode. But that is just me. So for me I'm considering the $575 model.
For travel purposes I could not imagine bringing the Transcend humidification system. I have no clue if the Z1 sponge gizmo actually works to moderate humidification but for travel there is no way I'd backpack with the Trancend system.
I am hesitating also because while the weight may be light these lack in performance. Most of the reviews i read confirm that the Z1 has noise issues. Apparently, a fix is going into production this month. At the $875 prize point, if the Z1 does not perform as good as my S9 it is a rip off. The Transcend, a bit cheaper, seems to be more stable, but still noisier than our Resmed. Will i like these without the humidifier?
I have been in touch with my apnea clinic about this. And they pointed out to me that the S9 model i have can be used without the humidifier at about 3 ibs, it becomes a travel model just like Z1/Transcend.
So, for me these travel versions need more work. May be ok for short trip. But for Camino 6 wks to two months i am not sure it will be enough.
Of the two, Z1 is attractive if it can function like the S9. So, i am not sure when you are walking, you might want to wait till there is a fix for the noise on the Z1. There is also a 21 day trial offer on the Trancend.
Thank you for confirming my suspicion. Whenever my humidifier runs out of water, i wake up with a dry nasal pathway. The other issue i have with these travel cpap is that its noise can actually affect other persons in the room. And i don't want to do that to fellow pilgrims. My current system is so quiet even the person next to me does not hear much.I use an elite 11 system . Last year I went without the humidifier in an effort to save a few ounces of weight. I felt miserable for the entire trip, my throat dry every morning. Next time I'll leave my extra pair underwear at home but take the humidifier.
Good luck
I have used mine without a battery on the Frances, Norte and part of the vdlp. My cpap came with a 3 meter cord. I don't think you need to worry about battery. I had trouble in the city once. Because the apt was programmed to shut off electricity when no movement like those automatic lights. But on the Camino i did not have any issues.I have a Transcend portable CPAP by Somnetics. I plan to use it w/o humidifier. I use a nasal spray. Any idea if I will need a battery some nights if no plug in at the albergues? How long of an extension cord?
Your Camino is probably over by now. I'd like to know which of those CPAP machines you ended up taking and how it worked out for you. I had a Z1 but was completely unsatisfied with it and sent it back and I'm curious about the Transcend.BTW, I also researched these lightweights and decided to stick with my regular cpap mainly for a) humidifier b) noise which is real. I don't think they have invented a quieter motor for these compacts yet. The noise matters for others in the alberque and the humidifier matters for me for such a long trip. If I go for short trips and stay in hotels then these would be perfect. Just my 2 cents.
Saiprem: I did the Camino François route from St. Jean to Santiago. I took my Transcend but no humidifier.Your Camino is probably over by now. I'd like to know which of those CPAP machines you ended up taking and how it worked out for you. I had a Z1 but was completely unsatisfied with it and sent it back and I'm curious about the Transcend.
Saiprem: I did the Camino François route from St. Jean to Santiago. I took my Transcend but no humidifier.
I used a nasal spray each day and I never got a nosebleed.
I also took the Transcend P4 "overnight" (7 hour?) battery. I used the battery twice.
I only had one complaint on the sound of my CPAP from other pilgrims.
In conclusion, I was glad I had my CPAP even though the extra weight was a small burden.
Blessings on your journey!
Brave Dave
Curius, what is the total weight of the Transcend + charger + battery pack?Saiprem: I did the Camino François route from St. Jean to Santiago. I took my Transcend but no humidifier.
I used a nasal spray each day and I never got a nosebleed.
I also took the Transcend P4 "overnight" (7 hour?) battery. I used the battery twice.
I only had one complaint on the sound of my CPAP from other pilgrims.
In conclusion, I was glad I had my CPAP even though the extra weight was a small burden.
Blessings on your journey!
Brave Dave
Janet,Rajy62,
My husband has the Transcend and the charger and battery pack. We bought it for the camino, but he has used it several times this year for camping and traveling. He has the longer life battery. I can tell you it is a miracle for tent camping--very quiet. He has found and now uses the filter/moisture adapters so he does not need the water reservoir. He will not take the battery on the camino as it adds weight and takes a full 8 hours to charge each day. CPAP, hose, and charger weigh about 3 pounds in the case, so I am sure it would be somewhat less if transferred it to a lightweight stuff sack. It comes with adapters for various configurations around the world. He purchased a "reconditioned" one from a company since he knew he would only use it for traveling and it was only $240 through SecondwindCPAP.com. He checked today and they have a factory refurbished for $280-$350 depending on whether you need the auto setting or not. They also sell Z1 used models for $375, but they are temporarily sold out. The battery, car charger, and filter/moisture adapters were extra and he bought them later through our regular CPAP supplier here in town. He keeps the "regular" heavy CPAP here at home.
Good luck!
Janet
Janet,
Good to have a positive endorsement on Transcend. I am going to have to try the nasal spray at home before i take it on a long (30-40 day) walk. Good suggestion on getting refurbished unit also.
I ended up taking my regular cpap (Resmed 9) on two caminos. Never needed a battery, My cpap clinic convinced me that my regular cpap could be used withoud the humidifier and the weight then be reduced to 3.5 ibs, very close to a portable device with charger + battery etc.
I sure will pick up a Transcend and try it out.
I've heard horrible things about the early Z1 units and am hoping they have fixed the problems.I traveled with the Z1 for a while and was so dissatisfied with it that left it behind at one stop and eventually sent it back to where I bought it. The Transcend sounded much better to me but due to space (the cpap, hose, mask, and power supply) I gave up on the idea of cpac and am just going to use a dental insert for my sleep apnea on my next Camino, which starts next week.
I used my Transcend on all my Caminos. If you let it sit inside its carry bag (left open and on the bed rather than a chair or bedside table) it doesn't fall off the bed.Yes, the adapters for humidity are from Human Design Medical. They fit on the Transcend and you can buy them from Amazon in packs of 10. Each filter lasts about a week. Phil keeps it in a plastic ziplock sandwich bag between uses so it will not draw humidity. This was much better than the nasal spray although you would have to carry several filters along with you on the camino depending on the planned length of your journey. For the comfort he plans to do that. He is also considering some kind of velcro loop or other arrangement for the actual machine so he can attach it to a bedpost. It is so light that pulls off the bedside table easily if you roll around much.
I used my Z1 and never got a single noise complaint from anyone EXCEPT MY WIFE. On the first night we had a bunk in an alcove of a dorm, there were 4 of us in the alcove. I honestly believe the Z1, in that confined space, was audible enough to cause a minor distraction. In a regular dorm situation it was a non-issue, I think people preferred its whirring fan to the thunderous ruckus of snoring.I used my Transcend on all my Caminos. If you let it sit inside its carry bag (left open and on the bed rather than a chair or bedside table) it doesn't fall off the bed.
Only one person complained when I forgot to explain about the machine before bedtime. It helps to choose a noisy dorm, where the snoring of other pilgrims drown out the quiet whirr of a cpap. The machine next to my head is like "white noise" so other people snoring never bothered me.
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