GCE Zen-O Portable Oxygen Concentrator - Unboxing & Review

If you tuned into our blog last month, you probably saw our unboxing and review video for the GCE Zen-O Lite. This machine is one of the top-selling pulse dose portable oxygen concentrators on the market weighing in at under 6 pounds and providing oxygen patients with up to 1,050 milliliters of oxygen per minute (ml/min of O2). The Zen-O Lite is ideal for people who want to be able to get out of the house and enjoy their freedom while still receiving the medical oxygen they need to stay healthy.

On the other hand, if your doctor has prescribed you continuous flow oxygen, you’re going to need either a stationary oxygen concentrator or a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator. In the video above, you’ll see us unbox the GCE Zen-O continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator and you’ll learn about its specs. If the Zen-O Lite caught your eye but doesn’t provide you with enough oxygen, read on as we take a look at some of the benefits of the GCE Zen-O. In the meantime, if you have any questions about supplemental oxygen therapy or oxygen devices, please reach out to our specialists either by phone or email.

More Freedom for More Oxygen Patients

One of the struggles that most oxygen patients have faced is maintaining their freedom and independence while they are on oxygen. While oxygen tanks have provided them with a reliable source of oxygen for many decades, they’re simply too heavy and bulky to be practical in day-to-day life. Even if you use a rolling cart to alleviate some of the weight, you still have to deal with the tank potentially getting caught on something or bumping into someone as you’re navigating crowded areas.

Liquid oxygen tanks were a huge improvement over traditional oxygen tanks in that they were much lighter and smaller. It was now possible to carry an oxygen device on your shoulder that was reliable. However, these tanks still had several glaring issues with them. The units themselves were costly to buy and they were even more expensive to refill week after week. As a result, many people had to rule out liquid oxygen tanks as an option.  

The thing that’s unique about continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators like the GCE Zen-O is that it provides oxygen patients with the versatility of traditional oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen tanks but it rules out many of the downsides that they have. For example, the GCE Zen-O does not need to be refilled like an oxygen tank, you simply need to have access to either a wall outlet or a car outlet where you can recharge the batteries. This eliminates the hassle of having to stop what you’re doing and run home or to your nearest oxygen company to have your device refilled.

Another benefit of the GCE Zen-O is that it provides both continuous flow and pulse dose oxygen delivery in one unit. This differs from oxygen tanks which require something called an oxygen conserving device (oxygen conserver) which helps you extend the duration of your oxygen supply. As an oxygen patient, this just adds one more thing that you have to worry about when you should be out enjoying your life.

One of the Lightest Concentrators of its Kind

Weight is a major factor to consider when it comes to choosing an oxygen device. Generally speaking, most people are not satisfied with the weight of their oxygen device, because the more you carry, the more energy you exert, and thus, you’ll need more oxygen in order to compensate. This is a vicious cycle and it’s one of the main reasons many people choose to simply stay home to avoid the hassle of using medical oxygen on the go.

Fortunately, the experts at GCE have worked hard to ensure their concentrators are both lightweight and provide patients with the oxygen they need to stay healthy. The GCE Zen-O weighs in at just 10 pounds making it the lightest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator on the market (alongside the Respironics SimplyGo). Despite the low weight, this concentrator provides users with between 0.5 and 2.0 liters of oxygen per minute (LPM) and pulse dose settings 1 through 6.

The GCE Zen-O is one of the few continuous flow concentrators that can be carried on your shoulder comfortably. However, many people still prefer to wheel their Zen-O rather than carry it. This is why every package sold comes with both a custom carrying case with a padded shoulder strap, in addition to a travel cart that does all the heavy lifting for you. Be sure to assess the situation and choose whichever method is best for you. 

A Breeze to Operate

In this day and age, ease of use is a must-have for any electronic device. You likely already have a cell phone, computer, and other electronic devices, so trying to keep them all in order and remember how each one works can be really challenging. Luckily, GCE designed the Zen-O to be as simple and streamlined as possible. There are only six buttons on the interface and they are each clearly marked with a symbol so that you know what each one does.

With the six buttons on the interface, you’ll be able to turn the device on and off, display the battery life, mute or unmute alarms, switch between continuous flow and pulse dose, and adjust your flow setting up or down. The battery is installed via the top of the unit so you won’t have to stop and flip your oxygen machine over just to get the battery out. Finally, the oxygen output is located on the top of the unit. This is where you will insert the oxygen tubing.

It’s not just the oxygen machine itself that’s easy to use, the accessories it comes with also provide the same ease of use. The custom carrying case which comes with the device, for example, is designed so that you can fully operate your concentrator without removing it from the case. This means you’ll have access to the user interface, the oxygen output port, and the charging port. It also has an extendable handle so that you can either roll your concentrator around or wear it on your shoulder or back.

Conclusion

Whether you have COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or another respiratory condition, your oxygen device is your lifeline. As such, you need an oxygen machine that both matches your lifestyle and meets your oxygen needs as prescribed by your doctor. While the GCE Zen-O is a great choice if you need a continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator, we highly recommend speaking with one of our oxygen concentrator specialists before making any decisions.

When you reach out to us here at LPT Medical, we’ll take the time to understand your situation and answer any questions you may have. Then, we’ll apply our knowledge of oxygen therapy to find you the right oxygen concentrator for your needs. But that’s not all. We will also walk you through your buying options like new, used, or refurbished concentrators, and financing options to make your payments more manageable. If you don’t have the necessary paperwork to purchase an oxygen concentrator, we’ll reach out to your doctor and handle it for you. Give us a call or send us an email today to get started.

GCE Zen-O Specs