If you are in the market for a new Bilevel or Bipap Machine, then you must check out the AirCurve 11 from ResMed. This brand new Bilevel gives you a ton of great new features as well as keeping the “good ‘ol” features that you loved from the previous model. It is always nice to have upgrades without sacrificing the things that have always worked well. In this blog we will discuss the details of the AirCurve 11 that set it apart from other options available.
What is new on the ResMed AirCurve 11 Bilevel?
ResMed is always leading the way in the sleep world, and the AirCurve 11 Bilevel is a great example of that ingenuity. This new machine keeps many of the excellent features from the AirCurve 10, but there are also some significant upgrades. Let’s look over a few of those improvements.
AirCurve 11 Upgrades:
Connectivity– You now not only have the ability to stay connected to your app for daily therapy details, but now the AirCurve 11 will allow for updates to internal software automatically. It also has the ability to Bluetooth when cell coverage is unavailable.
Touchscreen menu– No more turning and twisting knobs. The touchscreen on this new unit makes navigating your menus incredibly simple.
Oximetry integration– Connect a pulse oximeter to pair your detailed Blood Oxygen levels and heart rate with your CPAP usage and compliance data.
New modern look– The all-white look and low profile give the AirCurve 11 a great modern look on the nightstand.
Size– The dimensions of this new model make it much easier to travel with and to find space for on the nightstand.
AirCurve 11 Bilevel Cons:
As with anything that has been updated, you will find a few things that you don’t prefer. Those are pretty hard to find and maybe I am splitting hairs, but there are a few things that you will want to consider before the upgrade to the AirCurve 11 Bilevel.
AirCurve 11 Downsides:
New Heated tubing– If you are upgrading from an older ResMed Bilevel you unfortunately will not be able to use your old heated tubing on the new AirCurve 11.
New Filters– You also will not be able to use your old filters from the Air 10 or S9. Those two previous models had the exact same size filter, but that has changed now in the 11.
Auto off can be tricky– I am not a huge fan of the “Auto-off” feature in the 11 models. It seems a bit sensitive, and many customers have reported the unit turning off while in use due to large leaks. We have a great blog detailing that and how to fix it here.
My thoughts on the AirCurve 11 Overall:
Whenever ResMed releases a new product it deserves some attention. So, we have eagerly awaited the arrival of this new Bilevel. We have used the AirSense 11 CPAP for a couple years now, so the “look” of the new AirCurve 11 was no surprise. Visually, it is an awesome nightstand upgrade. It just looks way more modern. Operationally, the proven algorithm has stayed the same from the 10 to the eleven which is a great thing. Additionally, the ability to update and upgrade wirelessly is a huge plus. I would say that this new model is 100% worth the upgrade if you have enjoyed the AirCurve 10 from ResMed.
The DreamStation 2 CPAP from Philips Respironics is a big time game changer in the CPAP market. It isn’t very often that we get to debut a new CPAP from a major sleep manufacturer, but today we get that pleasure. It features some great improvements over the predecessor as well as some completely new and innovative options.
The DreamStation 2 name is a little disingenuous to us here at CPAPmyway. It really should have had a completely unique name, because it is a completely different CPAP from the original DreamStation line. Here are some of the headline features that make the DreamStation 2 so much more than an upgraded model.
Way Smaller and Lighter
The DreamStation 2 is 25% smaller and 50% lighter than the original. It weighs in completely assembled at just 2.29 lbs. That is as light as some of the Travel CPAP models we carry. Additionally, the DreamStation 2 is just 10.78″L X 6.24″W X 3.34″T. This makes it way smaller than the original, meaning that you have way more room on your nightstand. On top of all that the travel case is much smaller as well. At just 6″ X 6″ X 15″ you will not only notice the lighter carry-on, but you will have a much easier time finding a spot to put your CPAP on your next flight.
DreamStation 2 Color Touchscreen
The DreamStation 2 features a full color touch screen operation. Access all of your patient menus with ease, and adjust with just a swipe. No more knobs and extra buttons. When your Auto-on and Auto-off feature is enabled, you may never touch another button on a CPAP again. The real change operationally is the simplified menus. You still have access to the necessary patient level adjustments, but you don’t have all the extra icons for irrelevant adjustments that nobody ever used.
New Modern look
The DreamStation 2 CPAP is all-black with a very sleek design. We all know that black is slimming (which is why I wear it quite a bit), but it is also way less noticeable on the night-stand. This gives a much less “medical” feel to your CPAP as well as a more modern look. The touchscreen is on the top of this CPAP which is also nice, because you don’t have yet another screen staring back at you every night.
DreamStation 2 Integrated Humidifier System
This is another big advancement on the DreamStation 2. The integration of the Humidifier system is one of the biggest reasons for the smaller size. Because Philips made the humidifier part of the CPAP, the size and complications have been greatly reduced. What is really cool about the humidification portion of the the DreamStation 2 is the new 15mm heated tubing that is available. This new heated tubing is by far the thinnest and lightest heated tubing available. Ensuring not only that you will maintain perfect moisture without the rainout, but much less hose-drag as you move in bed.
RampPlus Ramp Feature
This feature on the DreamStation 2 was a little surprising to us. You can now adjust your starting ramp pressure up on your own. A high as 10cm in fact. Of course this will only last throughout the ramp portion of the therapy, but for those thinking about upgrading from an old-school fixed pressure CPAP to an Auto, you will be glad. One issue that we encounter from time to time is when an existing fixed pressure CPAP user upgrades to an Auto-CPAP we get the “there’s not enough pressure” or “not enough air” response. This is usually because the Auto CPAP is going through a learning process and it starting out the pressure lower than the user is accustomed to. That won’t be an issue on the new DreamStation 2. You are now the captain of your own starting pressure.
DreamStation 2’s Simple Connectivity
The DreamStation 2 has everything built in to one device. In the previous model you had the options of cell modem, wifi, or bluetooth connectivity. It has simplified this to just one model featuring cell modem and bluetooth connection. This ensures that you have the communication that you need back to your provider, physician, or employer. Whether you want to use the DreamMapper app or not, the data will flow seamlessly.
DreamStation 2 CPAP in a nutshell
The DreamStation 2 is an awesome CPAP. It is much smaller and lighter than it’s predecessor, as well as the competing home CPAP models. It has all the amazing comfort and performance features that you expect, plus some great new additions to make life easier and more comfortable. With the completely new design and layout your nightstand will have way more curb-appeal as well as much more open space. The DreamStation 2 will be a welcome upgrade to the CPAP world.
