My very first CPAP mask about 5 years ago was the ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow type. I really liked that it was so quiet and minimal in shape. However, I found the headgear was terrible. It would not stay on my head. It was hard to adjust. And it leaked a lot. After trying different masks I could not find one as good, and I finally modified my P10 by fitting it with a Swift FX Headgear as described here. That worked much better and it served me well for nearly 5 years. But, my original P10 mask was starting to get tired, and it even plugged up as described here. So, I decided it was finally time to get a new mask. I bought the new complete P10 with the new improved QuickFit headgear. While it was tempting to modify it to be used with my Swift FX headgear, I decided to try it as is first to see how good the new headgear was.
I have used it just as it came out of the box for two nights now, and so far this is a major improvement over the original headgear. It stays on my head, and my leaks so far have been lower than I was getting with my modified headgear. See the OSCAR screenshot from last night below. The hose did pull apart once at the connection to the heated hose. I had that issue before with the old mask, and had put a few wraps of Scotch Magic tape to build up the diameter of the hose fitting. If this keeps happening I will have to do that with the new one.
In any case I can now fully recommend this mask. In the past I have always said it was a great mask but had terrible headgear. Now they have improved the headgear it is a complete all around good mask. You do have to keep the vent screen clean though. I have retired my P10-Swift combo mask now but will keep it as a spare just in case....
Well now that I have used the mask for a month or so, and the honeymoon period is over, I can report that the headgear is not perfect. After, the initial trial with it just the way it came, I found the need to adjust the headgear a bit tighter. The problem is that the adjustment buckle thing does not stay put. You can adjust it tighter, but it does not stay put and just slips looser again. If anyone has had that issue and found a good solution, I wouldn't mind hearing about it. I think I may just tape it in place.
I have been a respiratory therapist for 32 years now and a cpap user for over 25 years. I’m not a fan of nasal pillows, first as you mentioned it doesn’t stay on well, the weight of the hose when you move around in bed pulls on the mask and causes leaks, I recommend to my patients nasal masks like the ResMed N20 nasal mask, the headgear keeps the mask secure. I also read in the forum people using tape to keep their mouth closed, I can’t see using tape, I think a much simpler solution is a chinstrap, there is one called a Halo and it stays on well and it has Velcro on the side to adjust it. As for myself I’m a fan of the full face mask particularly the ResMed F20, this mask is comfortable, I am a mouth breather and it has worked for me for as long as I have been using cpap.
I think masks are very personal choice. These are the masks I have tried with some brief comments about each and in roughly the order I tried them:
Chin Straps - Basically I have tried them all including a homemade one. The best was the Breathewear Halo you mentioned. However I found it was just too much with the mask straps and the chin strap to be comfortable. I have also found that using a satin pillow cover makes the pillow slippery enough to help keep the straps on my head, rather than having them "dragged" off by the standard pillow cover.
Mouth Taping - This is my preferred choice and what I have been using for a few years now since I gave up on the chin strap.
As I said in the beginning I think everyone has to experiment to see what they like and can tolerate for a mask. I also think one has to "make friends" with the mask and learn how to live with it. The new P10 does it for me.