There are a couple of issues. First is whether or not you need an AutoSet machine or not. I believe the CPAP model is a fixed pressure. If you are happy with the fixed pressure mode, then there is no need to get an Auto machine. I have an AirSense 10 AutoSet but I use it in fixed pressure CPAP mode. For me that seems to behave better than in Auto mode.
The second issue is whether or not you use or need the MyAir feature. My machine supports it on 3G but I do not use it. I find OSCAR much more helpful. The only advantage I know of the ResMed AirSense 11 is that it supports 4G, which I guess is important if you use MyAir, and 3G is no longer supported in your area. If you don't need 4G and MyAir then there is a stripped down AutoSet machine called the Card to Cloud that does not have the cellular built in communication. ResMed brought it out as there has been a shortage of the chips needed for the cellular communication, and it sells at a much lower price. It would work perfectly fine for my needs.
Here is a link to one of the on line vendors that sells it. It can be set to Auto or fixed pressure CPAP mode.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed-airsense-10-autoset-humidair
Thank you for your comments. Since I start using CPAP it came with the fixed pressure settings, so I don’t have any ideas using an Autoset machine. Is there any way I can guess which is best for me? I use MyAir app every day and it helps me through my treatment and I can’t go without it. Thanks for the link too.
If you are not having any sleep issues and have a low AHI, I am not sure there is any value in the AutoSet version of the machine. However, that said, the last time I checked there was not much difference in cost between the AutoSet version and the CPAP version. The AutoSet can be set to fixed CPAP mode and that is what I am currently using.
I prefer the OSCAR report over the MyAir as it gives so much more information which is helpful in adjusting the pressure to an optimum value. Here is an example of a daily report of my machine which is on a fixed 11 cm pressure.
And here is an old one of my wife's before it was optimized in AutoSet mode. It lets you see what type of events are happening, exactly when, and what the pressure was when they happened. In theory you can set the AutoSet with a minimum pressure of 4 cm and maximum of 20 cm and then just let it adjust pressure as it likes. The problem is for it to adjust pressure, events have to happen first. For that reason with experience it is better to increase the minimum pressure and reduce the maximum to limit what the machine can do, and get the pressure up to a reasonable value before events occur.
I see that the A11 AutoSet machine sells for only $44 more than the fixed pressure A10 CPAP. See this link: https://www.cpap.com/plp/apap-machines/ZT0yNzI
Probably worth getting the AutoSet 11 model. You could let it run in Auto for a while to see if any opportunities for improvement exist. Just choose a minimum 2-3 cm below your current fixed pressure and a maximum 2-3 cm above and see what it does.
The other feature the A11 machine has is the For Her mode. If your pressure requirements are less than 12 cm it may work better than the standard AutoSet mode.
Thanks again. My CPAP pressured was set to 9 since I have started using CPAP. At the beginning ramp time was 20 min but I changed it to 5 min few years ago with the starting pressure of 5 cm. I use a nasal pillow mask since the beginning and I’m using my CPAP all night every night. No issues so far. All MyAir stats are excellent. Regarding this information I may be a good candidate for CPAP only machine but if the price difference is not significant I may consider an Autoset as well. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Thanks!
There is no downside to the AutoSet other than price. Or, if you are dealing with an insurance company they may play difficult. Call their bluff and say you will pay the $44 difference. The upside is that you may discover that the machine gives you an improvement in your AHI in Auto, or it may let you find a better pressure than 9 cm possibly higher or lower. My wife started with a much higher AHI at diagnosis and with a pressure around 13.6 she averages 0.48 for AHI. I unfortunately suffer from central apnea which is not well treated with a CPAP, but I still manage a 0.88 AHI long term average with a fixed pressure of 11 cm.
I like a higher starting pressure and use 9 cm at the start of the Auto Ramp. With the newer machines you can set the Ramp Time to Auto. The machine holds the pressure at the ramp start pressure setting until it detects that you are sleeping. Then it ramp up to your set pressure or goes into AutoSet mode and adjusts pressure as required.
If you go with an AutoSet machine you could try a Ramp Start Pressure of 5 cm along with a minimum pressure of say 7 cm, and maximum of 11 cm. Then you could watch it with OSCAR to see where your events are happening to see if you can go to a better fixed pressure, or just stay in Auto if it works well for you that way.
My 4th machine was an AirSense 11. I had to return it due to it producing a smell like that of insulation burning on an electric wire. I replaced it with an AirSense 10. I had used AirSense 10 for five years without a recognized problem. The new AirSense 10 works similarly well and seems to be a more robust design than the AirSense 10.