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Known for its medical equipment and healthcare, Philips makes a line of portable oxygen concentrators under the name of Philips Respironics. There are two models in this line of SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrators, ranging in pulse settings from five to 11. This SimplyGo review will show you how you can breathe easier and simplify your life with the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator line, which currently includes the:
- SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator with Pulse dose and Continuous Flow
- SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator with Pulse Dose
Their features are why this line of portable oxygen concentrators are a super-portable solution for those with breathing difficulties who require oxygen on the go. Is the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator line the right choice to meet your needs? Read on to find out.
Portable, Lightweight and Ideal for Home and Travel
Both products in the SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator line are portable and lightweight, ideal for travel, errands or home.
SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC)
This is only portable oxygen concentrator of its kind that provides:
- Continuous flow mode
- A sleep mode
- A lightweight (9.5 lb.) device
- Pulse dose delivery mode
The SimplyGo POC delivers up to two liters of continuous flow oxygen therapy per minute or up to six liters of pulse dose oxygen per minute. This means it's powerful enough to not only fair well as a home oxygen concentrator, but also meet the oxygen needs of therapy users on the go with its portable design. The manufacturer has run stringent testing procedures on the SimplyGo to ensure it can withstand impacts, vibrations and temperatures. It’s the most reliable and robust portable concentrator out there.
SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Philips Respironics recently released its SimplyGo mini portable oxygen concentrator with its smaller design. The SimplyGo mini POC provides Respironics the opportunity to compete in the lightweight, pulse flow market of portable oxygen concentrators. The mini, unlike its bigger sister product, the SimplyGo POC, provides a pulse flow concentrator only and doesn't offer the continuous flow oxygen like the SimplyGo. The SimplyGo mini is the lightest and smallest portable oxygen concentrator ever developed by Philips Respironics. The SimplyGo mini weighs only five pounds and is easily carried in the carry bag included with a shoulder strap. You also have a backpack option for even greater portability. You can take the mini POC along with you for travel, daily activities as well as use it at home effectively.
User-Friendly, with Durable and Reliable Performance
The SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator delivers both pulse dose oxygen and continuous flow therapy for individuals struggling with breathing difficulties. It has a compact, incredibly stylish and lightweight design that combines all the design, performance and functional features of a high-end portable concentrator available at a reasonable price. Some features include: Versatile Oxygen Modes: With both continuous oxygen and pulse dose modes, the SimplyGo provides versatile oxygen modes. Its continuous mode offers up to two LPM of steady oxygen flow. The concentrator can monitor the patient's breathing patterns through its pulse dose mode, providing oxygen flow through inhalation only. You can set the pulse dose up to five LPM. There's also the sleep mode, which is similar to pulse dose, but comes with a higher breathing pattern sensitivity and longer pulse of oxygen. Sturdy Design with a Non-Medical Look: The SimplyGo POC, on the outside, has an easy to hold, sturdy and appealing non-medical looking briefcase style handle. The unit's long life internal compressor and impact resistant design is made for delivering reliable performance every day. Lots of Accessories: The SimplyGo comes with many accessories. Along with a battery included, it also comes with a shoulder strap and carrying case, a foldable and adjustable wheeled cart, outlet charger, cannula and accessory bag. Because all these accessories are included with the unit itself, patients save a lot of money on accessories. Manufacturer Warranty: The SimplyGo POC comes with a two-year, industry standard manufacturer warranty. But, it's designed to withstand the bruises and bumps of daily living. The mini comes with an innovative touchscreen display integrated right into the unit used to navigate settings and menus. You can view and change things like screen brightness, flow setting, battery charge level and recently triggered alerts in just a few presses on the screen. Rechargeable Battery (Optional Extended Battery) Both units come with a battery included. The SimplyGo uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery you can easily slide into the device. It's simple and quick to swap out additional battery cartridges. It may also run on AC or DC power using either a wall charger or vehicle adapter, which is also included in the standard package. The SimplyGo POC has an approximate 3.4 hours battery life, depending on the oxygen mode and flow. The mini portable oxygen concentrator provides you with up to 4.5 hours of run time. However, there's the optional extended battery option you can upgrade to for twice the runtime. The battery included with the mini POC has a LED charge indicator built right in or you can view the charge level on the concentrator's display.
FAA Approved
The SimplyGo line of portable oxygen concentrators and battery are FAA approved for air travel and meets all FAA requirements. You'll still need to call the airline before your travel date to obtain their specific procedures and policies, since regulations on batteries may change.
Possible Drawbacks
As with anything else, there are some potential drawbacks, which include: Battery life: A fully charged battery doesn't last much more than three (4.5 with the mini) hours on pulse dose mode and it only lasts for around an hour on the SimplyGo POC's continuous flow setting. It will take a minimum of two hours to fully charge a spent battery, using the AC/DC power adapter. This could be limiting, especially while you're traveling. Weight: Although neither design weighs a lot, the SimplyGo POC is still almost 10 pounds. However, the Mini is only five pounds. Some patients may find this difficult to carry easily, particularly for long distances. But, there is a travel cart for the SimpleGo POC included, and replacement travel cart available to purchase. Noise: Both the SimplyGo and Mini have the same level of noise. However, at 43 decibels, they shouldn't be any nosier than the sound of a refrigerator humming. Some owners have reported significant noise so they may not be ideal for quiet environments like formal situations, such as wedding ceremonies.
Takeaway
For those who require oxygen but don't want to be confined to their home, the Philips Respironics SimplyGo line of portable oxygen concentrators makes a good choice. Both models are durable with a tough exterior so they're built to last and can withstand the inevitable everyday bruises and bumps. This makes them a great choice for traveling. They also come with the included cart with the oversized wheels, made for rougher terrain. Overall, both the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator and the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Mini Portable Oxygen Concentrator combine the performance, function and design features of a high-quality concentrator, making them an affordable solution for patients with breathing difficulties. Talk with your doctor or sleep professional to see which one is right for you and your breathing needs. You can read more about the Philips Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator lines and their specifications below.