"Just to tidy this up, I finally had an in-person review by my sleep clinic yesterday, who agreed the ResMed AirSense 10 was "wheezy" and replaced the machine."
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Resmed Quattro FX Review
Well, I've had a Quattro FX for a few nights now and have given it a good go.
Good points:
Very soft and balloon-like seal - this mask is definitely the most gentle silicone mask I've tried so far. The seal is made and secured by the air pressure inside the mask with the strap pressure holding it in place spreading the physical pressure over a larger area, making it very comfortable. The size of the seal makes it fit my face very well, I have a short, shallow nose and a wide face. Other than an overtightened first night I've had no facial marks in the morning. It's a great seal too, a seal that's comfortable at 15hPa doesn't collapse at 4hPa for the ramp, so once adjusted for your pressure it's a nice quick fit at night.
Fits low on the nose - it secures into the indentation under the bottom lip so isn't up between the eyes but is kind of halfway up your nose, if you've got a sore there from your other masks, this could help provide relief, and there's no hard plastic in that area either it's bridged from the sides with ultra thin silicone.
Clever spring frame - this seems to move the pressure from the straps away from the front of the face and spreads it more evenly, I've only had any facial marks from the straps on the first night because I overtightened it. The springy plastic has a fabric cover that is very soft on the skin.
Noise - this is as quiet as the Sleepweaver and by far quieter than the rest of my collection.
Quick release - always handy.
Bad points:
Being picky really, if you don't get the seal just right it will slide up your face and then leak from the nose into your eyes, it's really important to have a dry, clean and grease free face and seal before fitting.
The low fit means if you nostrils collapse easily this may make it worse, move it up a bit (or possibly try a bigger size)
Venting - your bed partner may not want quite that much air hitting them in the face, but it's not really a side-sleepers mask so maybe not a problem
Other observations:
The "Swing down to fit" is great, until you really need to itch your nose and have to remove and refit it during the night, it's not an easy thing to refit as you have to undo both bottom clips to fit it properly.
I'm not yet comfortable sleeping on my side with this mask, the seal is easily disturbed by sideways pressure but I'm in a Hotel at the moment and my firm sculpted pillow is at home, so I'll reserve judgement until the weekend.
Headgear is a bit small for me, but I'm told they stretch with time (Thanks TF!) so again will reserve judgement for a while...
Compared to other masks:
Far more quiet than the F&P Forma, and less heavy and cumbersome. Slightly heavier and bigger than the ZZZ mask type cheapies but a much better fit.
Conclusions:
I really like it, I don't need a full face mask most of the time but sometimes just can't get to sleep due to congestion or hay fever stuffing up my nose and I prefer not to over use decongestants. The complete lack of marks on my face is a revelation, the Forma leaves mask marks, the sleepweaver leaves strap marks, this has for the last four nights left none at all. No face marks and a great night's sleep make a great combination.
Good points:
Very soft and balloon-like seal - this mask is definitely the most gentle silicone mask I've tried so far. The seal is made and secured by the air pressure inside the mask with the strap pressure holding it in place spreading the physical pressure over a larger area, making it very comfortable. The size of the seal makes it fit my face very well, I have a short, shallow nose and a wide face. Other than an overtightened first night I've had no facial marks in the morning. It's a great seal too, a seal that's comfortable at 15hPa doesn't collapse at 4hPa for the ramp, so once adjusted for your pressure it's a nice quick fit at night.
Fits low on the nose - it secures into the indentation under the bottom lip so isn't up between the eyes but is kind of halfway up your nose, if you've got a sore there from your other masks, this could help provide relief, and there's no hard plastic in that area either it's bridged from the sides with ultra thin silicone.
Clever spring frame - this seems to move the pressure from the straps away from the front of the face and spreads it more evenly, I've only had any facial marks from the straps on the first night because I overtightened it. The springy plastic has a fabric cover that is very soft on the skin.
Noise - this is as quiet as the Sleepweaver and by far quieter than the rest of my collection.
Quick release - always handy.
Bad points:
Being picky really, if you don't get the seal just right it will slide up your face and then leak from the nose into your eyes, it's really important to have a dry, clean and grease free face and seal before fitting.
The low fit means if you nostrils collapse easily this may make it worse, move it up a bit (or possibly try a bigger size)
Venting - your bed partner may not want quite that much air hitting them in the face, but it's not really a side-sleepers mask so maybe not a problem
Other observations:
The "Swing down to fit" is great, until you really need to itch your nose and have to remove and refit it during the night, it's not an easy thing to refit as you have to undo both bottom clips to fit it properly.
I'm not yet comfortable sleeping on my side with this mask, the seal is easily disturbed by sideways pressure but I'm in a Hotel at the moment and my firm sculpted pillow is at home, so I'll reserve judgement until the weekend.
Headgear is a bit small for me, but I'm told they stretch with time (Thanks TF!) so again will reserve judgement for a while...
Compared to other masks:
Far more quiet than the F&P Forma, and less heavy and cumbersome. Slightly heavier and bigger than the ZZZ mask type cheapies but a much better fit.
Conclusions:
I really like it, I don't need a full face mask most of the time but sometimes just can't get to sleep due to congestion or hay fever stuffing up my nose and I prefer not to over use decongestants. The complete lack of marks on my face is a revelation, the Forma leaves mask marks, the sleepweaver leaves strap marks, this has for the last four nights left none at all. No face marks and a great night's sleep make a great combination.
Views: 2320
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Pippa Gore on
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That's disappointing news Tigers Fan, I've had my swap out since the beginning of May, and already my headgear is stretched. I'm hoping Sarah will replace mine too!
As a matter of interest - how much is the headgear on it's own? Do you use your 10% discount with ResMed?
Tigers Fan said:To bring the thread back on topic:
I've just been on the phone with Resmed Realsleep's Sarah. She tells me that there is not any feedback from Australia about the Quattro FX headgear problem. Worse yet, she tells me that only I and one other (Pippa, I guess) have complained about the headgear and that she cannot see the problem!!
Anyone else with stretching straps and/or curling velcro, please write Resmed (RealSleep, 96 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RY attn: Sarah Chapman) detailing your problem.
On the other hand, Sarah offered to swap-out (we love you, America) my stretched and curled headgears. Generous offer accepted with thanks.
Sarah sent me two new large headgears last April 4th - say, four months ago. Since then, I have streched/deformed and/or curled to the point of uselessness, the two large headgears and thge medium that the mask came with. Total three headgears. £70 in four months or £210 per year. I just couldn't afford that so full marks for Sarah sending me replacements.
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Permalink Reply by Tigers Fan on
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Hi Pippa
I can't find a price on-line - everything but. I know they were £30 - big whinge about buying a mask which comes with a headgear that's too small and having to pay a further £30 to get the right one. However, this morning Sarah said thney were £23 - which I assume is the discounted Advantage price. I received one headgear with the mask (too small in the original, unstrtched size), I paid £30 for my original l argeheadgear, $30 for one from the States and Sarah has supplied the rest as swap-outs.
Sweetheart, I use any sized discount I can obtain from anyone to whom I am paying money!
Something I forgot, Sarah said that Resmed are incresing the size of medium headgears after several complaints that they were too small.
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on
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http://shop.realsleep.co.uk/quattro-fx-ffm-headgear-small-p-384.html
Is this the link you're looking for?
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TY, will probably phone Sarah tomorrow about swap out and order a new one at the same time, I need a spare, although clinic will send me one
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Thanks for that link, Kath.
I'm hanging on till my annual review when I will discover if my written request for a Quattro FX instead of a Quattro has been actioned. I'm impatient to have a spare 'spider' so I can wash a complete 'holding arrangement' without disturbing the velcro fastenings. This seems to be a 62113 Frame at £35 before discount so it may well turn out to be an advance 2024 birthday present to myself.
Pippa - and everyone else - please phone Sarah and complain about stretchy headgear with curling velcro fastenings. 0800 917 7071 RealSleep by Resmed
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This is the first time I've posted a reply on this forum, I have had a FX mask for 3 weeksa and was having difficulty in having a whole nights sleep because I the mask was leaking mostly through the top into my eyes, the reason that I wanted a different mask was because my previous mask was narrow at the bridge of the nose and was uncomfortable this was a Quatro Xsmall, before that I had a Quatro small which fited nicely on the bridge of the nose but was too long and slipped off my chin causing leakage. My pressure is very high It's over 15 because my original sleep test showed that I was waking over 100 times an hour and was beginning to think that the FX could not cope with this, which was a pity because this mask fitted my face well, comfortable on the nose and the bottom fitted nicely in the crease between my bottom lip and chin. I read in this forum about using other headgear, tried it last night using my old strap, joy of joys I slept all night with much less marks on my face.
Thank you very much for the tip
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Yes, indeed! I can echo Carys sentiment. Last night I tried a brand new medium headgear on my Quattro FX and had the usual leaks-due-to-stretching. The second time I was woken, I remembered the tip about a Quattro headgear fitting the FRX and tried it in desperation. Last thing I remember till I woke naturally and later than intended. The Quattro headgear on a Quattro FX is the way to go!
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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I am glad that my tip worked for you. We have had a surge of returns on these masks for this reason.
Tigers Fan said:Yes, indeed! I can echo Carys sentiment. Last night I tried a brand new medium headgear on my Quattro FX and had the usual leaks-due-to-stretching. The second time I was woken, I remembered the tip about a Quattro headgear fitting the FRX and tried it in desperation. Last thing I remember till I woke naturally and later than intended. The Quattro headgear on a Quattro FX is the way to go!
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Hi Rock
Would you do me a favour, please - and maybe many other people. Resmed UK kinda don't believe that the problem is real because very few folk (they say two) have complained about it to them. Would you write a Quattro FX review, mentioning the number of returns and why, and sign it with all the letters after your name - my intention would be to copy it to Resmed UK.
And thanks for the headgear tip. It worked again when I decided on a kip this afternoon to make up for last night.
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Permalink Reply by RealSleep on
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Background to the Quattro FX
Following the success of Mirage Quattro Full Face mask, late last year saw the launch of the new Quattro FX – a new lightweight unobtrusive mask to compliment our other full face masks.
During the design of Quattro FX Full Face Mask, it was found there to be no direct correlation between face size and the size of headgear. So, in the interests of simplicity, ease of fitting & adjustment and cleaning, a decision was made to provide a standard headgear with the three sizes of Quattro FX.
Fitting
It’s important that you have the correct size of Quattro FX for you. Sizing templates are available or you can visit one of ResMed’s Centres for Healthy Sleep for a fitting (£25) with an experienced clinician.
Correctly positioning and fitting the Quattro FX is also very important. The Quattro FX is designed to sit mid-bridge, avoiding an area often sensitive in CPAP mask wearers –the bridge of the nose. The soft, contoured cushion of the Quattro FX should roll over your nose and inflate rather than stretch over it and apply pressure. If the mask pinches your nostrils, position it slightly higher on your face. If you’re not able to see over the top of the mask, lower it a little.
Many people who have moved from another style of full face mask, like the Mirage Quattro, to the Quattro FX tend to position the Quattro FX too high on their nose. This is likely to lead to leaks into the eyes. For a good fit, make sure the mask sits mid-bridge and doesn’t encroach on the eyes.
When fitting, undo both lower headgear clips and hold the top of the mask cushion at the bridge of your nose, with the mask at an angle. Swing the mask down onto your face, hold it securely, bring the headgear over the back of your head and clip the lower clips into place. Adjust he headgear so the mask is secure but be careful not to over-tighten. ResMed masks have dual wall, Spring Air cushions –air inflates the cushion and creates a soft seal. If you over-tighten your headgear, the cushion won’t inflate and the mask is more likely to leak. The easy way to remember the fitting of the Quattro FX is “Size, Swing and Seal” or further details can be found at http://www.quattrofx.com/quattrofx/pdf/fitting-guide_english.pdf.
As other forum members have mentioned, keeping the mask cushion clean and washing your face before bed will help achieve a great seal. It’s normal for skin and oils from your face to gather on the mask cushion but this makes the mask slippery, as silicone is very absorbent and more likely to lose its seal. We recommend washing your mask cushion ideally every day, using warm soapy water (only use a mild dishwashing detergent). Rinse the cushion and allow it to air dry.
The headgear has been designed to be used with the spring frame, reduce tension at the back of your neck and fit snugly on the crown of your head. We don’t recommend switching the headgear with other masks.
Improvements
All feedback is logged and listened too, and the research & development team make improvements based on this feedback (such as increasing the Standard size headgear). We’re sorry to hear that some of you have experienced problems with your ResMed mask, and of course any defective products within warranty will be replaced free of charge, but it should be re-iterated that correctly sizing and fitting the Quattro FX mask is the vital key to a good night’s sleep.
We love hearing from you so please don’t be afraid to call RealSleep 0800 917 7071 or visit the ResMed RealSleep website on www.realsleep.co.uk for further information, hints and tips on our masks and machines.
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What an excellent, political respsonse that has, in common with Westminster's political reponses, entirely ignored the point in question!
The Quattro FX mask headgear stretches because of the material and the small cross-section of the material. The velcro-like fastenings peel back on themsleves, starting with the un-hooked tips.
I'm successfully using a Quattro headgear, inspite of the angles of force not being correct for the FX, becuase the material and the fastenings are robust enough to do the job.
For the sake of a few pence, Resmed have both weakened the FX headgear beyond its ability to do the job and thus seriously compromised the ability of the FX to do its job.
Don't get me wrong, I think the Quattro FX is a brilliant mask. My campaign is to persuade Resmed that the high price of the headgear would still afford them massive profits even if they produced a headgear fit for purpose - bulked up to the same dimensions as the Quattro headgear.
Call me a liar if you can, but as far as I am aware Resmed have always (since I've been a PAPer, anyway) taken the nonsensical (from a consumers point of view) of supplying Quattro's of all sizes with a medium headgear. Why won't they supply masks £30 cheaper and without headgear, so we can decide for ourselves what is the correct size of headgear.
Having said all that, RealSleep have repalced my stretched headgears without a fuss. Thank you for that. The problem is that the new headgears are at their stretchiest and slack off to the extent that the mask leaks withhin a couple or three hours of falling asleep. I know fine well how to wash my face and fit a mask. The headgears stretch! That's the problem!
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Yeah I have a couple of days off coming up. Ill do it then. maybe you will have better luck. They seem to have a no-contact order in Colorado.
Tigers Fan said:Hi Rock
Would you do me a favour, please - and maybe many other people. Resmed UK kinda don't believe that the problem is real because very few folk (they say two) have complained about it to them. Would you write a Quattro FX review, mentioning the number of returns and why, and sign it with all the letters after your name - my intention would be to copy it to Resmed UK.
And thanks for the headgear tip. It worked again when I decided on a kip this afternoon to make up for last night.
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