Respironics SimplyGo - Unboxing & Review

An oxygen concentrator is an electronic device that draws in ambient air and uses it to administer medical-grade oxygen through a nasal cannula. There are three different types of concentrators including stationary oxygen concentrators, portable continuous flow concentrators, and portable pulse dose concentrators. While each of these operates using the same basic principles, there are some key differences between the benefits that they offer to the user. If you’d like information on this subject, please visit our blog post titled, “Pulse Dose vs. Continuous Flow Oxygen Concentrators: The Ultimate Comparison Guide.”

In this post, however, we’re going to take a look at one oxygen concentrator in particular: the Respironics SimplyGo. This machine has been out for quite some time, yet it’s still considered by many as the “gold standard” for continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators. Read on to learn about what sets the Respironics SimplyGo apart from other concentrators and watch the video above for a full hands-on unboxing of this device. If you’re on the market for an oxygen concentrator but don’t know where to begin, reach out to our oxygen concentrator specialists by phone or email.  

The Lightest Continuous Flow Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Simply put, a continuous flow oxygen concentrator is a device that puts out a constant stream of oxygen. This is similar to an oxygen tank where if you loosen the nozzle, you’ll receive a constant flow of oxygen until the oxygen in the tank is depleted. But a continuous flow concentrator will administer oxygen until it runs out of battery life. If you keep it plugged into a wall outlet, you’ll be able to run it 24/7 without interruption.

Despite how old the Respironics SImplyGo is, it’s still the smallest and the lightest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator on the market. The dimensions of the SimplyGo are 10” H x 6” D x 11.5” W and it weighs in at only 10 pounds. In other words, it’s one of the only continuous flow devices that’s light enough and compact enough to carry comfortably on your shoulder. Regardless, every SimplyGo unit comes equipped with a rolling cart for your convenience. 

Something you’ll likely notice right away about the Respironics SimplyGo is that it has a carrying handle built into the top of the unit. This is a simple design choice but it’s not offered with many other oxygen concentrators. This handle makes it much easier to pick the device up and move it around without having to grab it from the bottom or the sides where you risk dropping it. 

The form factor is another thing that should be noted about the Respironics SImplyGo. Most continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators use the term “portable” very loosely in that they’re still about as bulky and awkward to maneuver as a standard oxygen tank. Most people find that they need help from loved ones in order to move their concentrator around safely. However, with the SimplyGo, you’ll have no problems on your own. The rolling cart has an adjustable handle making it easy to store whether you’re at home, in your car, or on an airplane.

Power and Versatility On The Go

One of the biggest problems oxygen manufacturers have faced is creating a small, lightweight oxygen device that also meets the needs of oxygen patients around the world. Every oxygen user is different, so it’s important to make oxygen machines that are versatile enough to satisfy everyone’s wants and needs. Luckily, the Respironics SimplyGo provides more versatility than most portable oxygen concentrators out there.

Firstly, the SimplyGo offers both continuous flow and pulse dose options. On continuous flow, you’ll have between 0.5 to 2.0 liters of oxygen per minute (LPM) and on pulse dose, you’ll have 6 flow settings to choose from. In other words, you’ll have a lot of different options for how you want your oxygen delivered. For example, if you’re at home with your concentrator plugged into the wall, you might want to use the continuous flow setting which consumes more battery life. However, when you leave the house and you’re trying to conserve battery life, you might choose to use the pulse dose setting.

Before you make any changes to your oxygen delivery, you should first contact your doctor. Everyone’s needs are different, so receiving too much or too little oxygen may be harmful to your health. Be sure to ask your doctor how many liters of oxygen per minute you need as well as how long you should be on oxygen each day. If you enjoy exercising, also ask him/her if it’s okay to increase your oxygen intake while exercising.

Another thing that makes the SimplyGo so versatile is the fact that it can operate using either one or two batteries. If you know that you’re only going to be out of the house for an hour or two you can simply take one battery with you as opposed to two. This will help you cut down the weight of your device and make your life a little easier. If you’re going on a long trip, add the other battery into your device and you’ll have twice as much battery life to work with.

Unlike other concentrators which have their battery packs on the bottom of the unit, the SimplyGo batteries slide out of the top of the unit. This makes it incredibly easy to swap out your batteries on the fly without having to flip the device over or lay it on its side. It’s also less of a hassle because you won’t have to take the device off of your shoulder when you do it. 

Fully CPAP and BiPAP Compatible

Many people are unaware that you’re actually able to use your Respironics SimplyGo in conjunction with your positive airway pressure device (PAP device) as you sleep. PAP devices are used by people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who have problems with their airways closing up as they sleep. This can be very dangerous when it’s combined with the side-effects of COPD and other respiratory conditions so you should speak with your doctor to see if you should use both CPAP and oxygen therapy while you sleep.

Unfortunately, pulse dose oxygen concentrators like the ResMed Mobi or the Activox 4L cannot be used with CPAP devices. This is because they rely on slight changes of pressure in the nasal cannula in order to determine when to deliver oxygen. The CPAP device can interfere with this, so you’ll need to use a continuous flow device like the Respironics SimplyGo. Since the SImplyGo has a pulse dose option, you’ll just want to make sure it’s set to continuous flow before you go to bed. For more information on setting up your SimplyGo with CPAP, be sure to consult the user manual.

Conclusion

There’s a reason we recommend the Respironics SimplyGo to oxygen patients time and time again. It’s the smallest and lightest continuous flow oxygen concentrator on the market and offers plenty of power and versatility that people expect in this day and age. With the SimplyGo, you’ll be able to regain the freedom that you once had before starting oxygen therapy and finally start enjoying activities outside of the house whether it’s taking a walk or taking a trip across the world.

While the Respironics SimplyGo is an incredible oxygen device, we want to get you the exact device that matches your wants and needs. If you’re shopping for a new, used, or refurbished oxygen concentrator, reach out to our concentrator specialists, and we will walk you through the whole process from choosing a concentrator to receiving your medical paperwork and even receiving financial compensation through Medicare or another health insurance company. Give us a call or shoot us an email today to get started!

Respironics SimplyGo Specs:

Respironics SimplyGo Battery Life: