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Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 12:12 am
by Rich
Related to the likely OR -> CO flyin this summer I figure I'll bite the bullet and get me a portable O2 system. I've gotten by without one all these decades but I've never been this damn old before. The logical choices are Mountain High and Aero-Ox. I figure to go with the MH, mostly because of the headset-mounted cannula option and the EDS gizmo. I was looking at the relative price between the MH and AO systems. There is a kind of a gap. But then I realized this was silly, as my investment portfolio alone is currently about 1000 times what the MH system would cost me. My only question is whether there are any operational downsides to the MH approach. Any first-hand gotchas I should be aware of for either system?

Re: Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 12:36 am
by Chris
We've used the Mountain High (without O2D2) for years, and it's a nice system. MarkA created a clever foam stand for the canister that fits behind the center console. The first stage regulator is solid and the quick-release connectors work well.

Everybody who uses the O2D2 seems to love them, and you can find a couple of technical write-ups on the web that show that it works as well as or better than the other pulse-demand systems.

I've been trying to purchase an O2D2 for the past 2+ months, but they are back-ordered. If you manage to snag one somewhere, let me know how. When I called them earlier today they gave me a two week horizon, but that's the same thing they told me two weeks ago.

Re: Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 12:46 am
by Rich
I plan to drive over there (just a few miles from me) and see what I can do. There is some constraint on what I can order online.

Re: Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 1:04 am
by smoss
Besides considering the brand, think hard about how big a bottle to buy. My home field charges $45/fill, regardless of the bottle size, or how much it needs to be topped off. I really only use it now when I need it, always thinking about what a hassle it is for me to fill it, and pay $45 for $0.50 worth of O2. It does make me feel a ton more alert though in the 11,000+ MSL range. Once you start using it, you will get used to the brain feeling of a pulse ox < 90 or so. I am a healthy, fit, 51 year old, and I drop under a pOX of 90 around a density altitude of 11,000. I don't get short of breath or anything, just a bit fuzzy headed, like being under-slept. Pop on the O2, and 2 minutes later I feel great! I've got the Aerox size C bottle, which I bought for its short stature for the size. If I got another one, I'd probably opt for the next size up, for considerable more volume at not much more weight, and the same cost to fill anywhere. The Aerox has worked great for me for the past 3 years. My friend has the MH system, which also works well, but don't think it's worth the extra cost.

Re: Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 1:17 am
by Rich
I'm planning on a D size bottle. The last time I checked I had 92% at 11,000 ft. I live at 3,600 ft. (and get 98-99% here) but I figure on not relying on what I could do even 2 years ago. I'm also figuring on 2 consumers - myself and mia sposa.

Re: Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 3:00 am
by dmloftus
Rich wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 1:17 am I'm planning on a D size bottle. The last time I checked I had 92% at 11,000 ft. I live at 3,600 ft. (and get 98-99% here) but I figure on not relying on what I could do even 2 years ago. I'm also figuring on 2 consumers - myself and mia sposa.
I LOVE our Aerox system. I have an M bottle with a convenient bag that can hang behind the passenger headrest https://www.aerox.com/aerox-deluxe-seat ... e-systems/. The Oxy Saver cannulas are wonderful, draw about 25% of a normal cannula. My son and I flew to a bunch of National Parks out west last summer and we only had to fill it once. Spectacular product.

Re: Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 11:56 am
by AndrewM
I bought the Inogen system as I did not want the hassle of getting refills... just plug it in and re-charge. I did not want to feel constrained in when to use o2 with a tank system because of the refill hassle/inconvenience. I did a series of very long XC's a week or so ago and had it on all the time above 6,000 feet and I have to say I was much less tired than I have been in the past doing similar long flights.

Re: Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 1:25 pm
by smoss
Andrew, does the Inogen system create enough oxygen to suffice at higher altitudes, or does it max out at some level?

Re: Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 2:16 pm
by photoSteveZ
I’ve used Mountain High pulse demand regulators in both gliders and airplanes, with both portable bottles and built-in systems. I already owned an O2D2 and a boom cannula for my headset when I bought a used DA62 with the Aerox built-in system, but the Aerox uses a higher pressure at the outlets than the MH can handle so I got a Mountain High step-down regulator in order to use the O2D2.

Works for me, and I’ve seen the bottle pressure drop only a few hundred psi in over 80 hours logged, mostly on oxygen in the mid-teens (I live in Colorado), and with up to four people using oxygen (I had a bunch of MH cannulas on hand and disliked the single Aerox cannula that came with my used airplane, so I bought a second O2D2 for the back seats, as well).

Re: Portable Oxygen Systems

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 2:45 pm
by cptndavid
A trip to your local welding supply shop is the way to get your tanks refilled. Inexpensive and the o2 is the same as you get at the airport for one third the price. I pay $15.00 to fill my tank.