The SimplyGo portable oxygen concentrator is the latest edition to the respiratory product line from Philips Respironics. Recognized immediately as an improvement over the EverGo, the SimplyGo is gaining popularity since receiving FAA approval effective November 1, 2012.
The SimplyGo comes standard with the SimplyGo concentrator in an attractive carry bag, matching accessory bag, AC and DC adapters for home and car, one (1) rechargeable battery, and a mobile cart. Most retailers will provide additional batteries at a discounted price when you add them to the purchase of your SimplyGo. Other optional accessories include a desktop battery charger, humidifier bottle pouch, and airline power cord.
What makes the SimplyGo stand out from all other portable oxygen concentrators available on the market today is that it provides a continuous flow setting up to 2 LPM in a unit that weighs only 10 pounds. Until the arrival of the SimplyGo, one could not get a continuous flow unit under 17-20 pounds.
Respironics SimplyGo – What I like about it:
- Lightest POC that delivers up to 2 liters continuous flow – only 10 lbs.
- Nearly half the size of other continuous flow models, providing greater portability
- Very dependable – over 15,000 hour motor life
- Noise level – OK
- Continuous flow settings of 1 and 2 LPM
- Pulse flow settings of 1-2-3-4-5-6
- Runs on continuous or pulse flow, and charges the battery, when plugged into an automobile outlet with the DC adapter
- Takes up less space in the car than other continuous flow POC’s
Respironics SimplyGo – What I wish were better about it:
- Battery time – 3.3 hours on pulse setting 2; only 45 minutes on 2 LPM continuous. All portable oxygen concentrators have shorter battery times when set on continuous flow because the motor must run harder to produce higher levels of oxygen. However, the small size of the SimplyGo battery makes the continuous flow setting almost useless when on battery power. So if you need continuous flow only and night, when you would likely have access to an electrical outlet, then the SimplyGo is still a great unit.
- Too heavy to carry – We all have dreams of a portable oxygen concentrator providing continuous flow and still being under 5 pounds. For now the SimplyGo is as good as it gets. However, 10 pounds is still pretty heavy to carry, and the mobile cart would be necessary for most oxygen users. So if you’re looking for a super-portable unit that you can carry, you must still turn to the pulse-only models. One exception: one company, OxiMedical, offers a mesh carry backpack that will hold the SimplyGo, as an option for those who are able to handle the weight on their back.
- Higher settings are a bit misleading – Like its predecessor, the EverGo, the SimplyGo’s higher pulse settings of 5 and 6 are a bit misleading. Yes, it can product sufficient oxygen for those settings; however, it can only keep up the demand for 15 breaths per minute. Since most people breath around 20 breaths per minute, the SimplyGo will max out its oxygen capacity for many at the higher settings. The SimplyGo works best for oxygen users who need 4 liters or less.
All-in-all, I like the SimplyGo and would not hesitate to recommend it to many oxygen users.
I agree with the reviewer’s assessment. I bought the SimplyGo and love its portability. But it is indeed heavy, especially when out and about for the day when one must carry not only the unit but three other batteries and the electric cord with its transformer. Also, after a year’s use, I find the batteries don’t last anything like their stated times. In fact, they now last about half that.
We purchased a Simply Go a year ago. It is loud. Could not take it to church or movies. The battery chargers get very hot. I would be afraid to use it while sleeping.
Jan, that is not normal for the SimplyGo. It sounds as if the motor is not functioning properly, thus drawing more current that it should. The unit needs repair and the company from which you purchased the unit should assist you with getting the necessary repairs. If they are not cooperating, I recommend you contact Respironics directly at 800-345-6443 and tell them your experience. They should direct you to an authorized dealer that will assist you.
Hi Allison,
I have called Respironics several times. Everyone I talk to says to call the dealer back. The dealer, of course, says the battery charger is only under warranty for 90 days. I started talking with them about this last year right after we bought it. So now they have sent a shipping tag and we have sent it to Atlanta to be analyzed. I have to pay shipping back from the company I bought it from however. Too bad.
Hello,
I received a call that the machine is ready to be shipped back to me. They want
$45 shipping. I have already spent $3700 in purchasing this. Respironics report
“couldn’t reproduce the problem.” I have phoned the Respironics number you list several times over the past year. They always tell me to call my dealer.
So guess we are stuck with a doorstop.
Jan, did you return the whole unit, or just the AC adapter? I would ask them for the official report from Respironics to verify what issue was reported and tested. Other than requiring that you go through a dealer (just like a car manufacturer requires you to go to a dealer for auto repairs), Respironics is one of the most helpful companies with regard to their repair department.
And while $45 is a bit high for shipping, it is normal for dealers to charge for shipping. However, you should have been informed of this by the dealer when you purchased the equipment.
I would not suggest simplego for oxygen dependent who litter flow is 5 and higher when walking, because the setting is set by the machine not by the patience breath that they take, therefore leaving them without oxygen during critical moments and then there’s a warm up period even after it skip a flow, yes that same warmup you have to tolerate when you turn on the machine. Also the volume is too soft and the pulse is to slow. I am still part of the working class 10 hour a day pushing wheelchair, lifting and changing grown men diapher at a high school I am a teacher assistance in the special education program.
Thank you for providing your personal experience with the SimplyGo. Indeed, the SimplyGo is not able to handle the higher pulse flow settings when your breathing rate increases to above 20 breaths per minute. It is possible to out-breathe the machine, meaning you are breathing faster than the machine is able to produce oxygen. This is rarely an issue at lower pulse settings, but as you have experienced, it is a concern at higher flow settings. If a higher capacity of oxygen is needed, then a SeQual Eclipse 5 would be the best choice.
Allison : My serviceman for the SimplyGo says the pulse flow setting represents a 3L flow on 3 but i have argued that it only represents the bolus flow in ml. Who is correct?
Setting 3 is a rough equivalent of the liter flow and most people use the same pulse setting as they would continuous flow setting, which is most likely why your serviceman said it was the same. However, you are correct, the pulse flow setting 3 actually represents a particular bolus size in mL. This bolus size varies from one POC to another, with the SeQual Eclipse and eQuinox having the highest mL at each pulse setting using a 3:1 conserving ratio, while the SimplyGo provides less using a 4:1 conserving ratio. Of course, it gets even more complicated when you factor in the delivery method, which is why I wrote a guide to understanding pulse flow settings. Ultimately, a pulse oximeter is needed to determine which pulse setting is needed to achieve a desired blood oxygen saturation level.
The car charger for the simply go gets very hot when in use. I have swapped out poc and chargers, but it still gets hot. Is it trying to pull too much power from the outlet in the car? Owner’s manual says it needs 13-19 volts for dc/ car battery is 12 volts. Is it dangerous to run this unit in the car? I find it hard to believe that respironics would make a poc that requires more voltage than a car can put out.
It is normal for a DC adapter to get warm, but it should not be too hot to be touched. I recommend that you contact Respironics technical support for assistance. You can reach them at 800-345-6443.
The price of the replacement batteries has almost doubled in the past years. No improvements. Still a miserly 90 day warranty, now for a unit which costs at least $200. We have a battery still functioning but the charge lights have failed. No sympathy from SimplyGo or the retailer. BTW the batteries are manufactured in Asia, not the USA as touted in ads promoting the SimplyGo. The unit itself is very reliable.
Thank you for your sharing your experience. Batteries for portable oxygen concentrators are more expensive than most people realize, ranging from $200 to $500. The SimplyGo batteries are actually at the lower end of the price spectrum; however, the 90-day warranty is shorter than many other manufacturers who offer a 1-year warranty. Fortunately, batteries are usually pretty reliable and most people do not experience an issue with their batteries prematurely. Lithium ion batteries general last about 3 years before noticeable decline in capacity.
Has anyone had any problems with your car charger for Simply Ho blowing your fuses in the cigarette lighter?
SAME PROBLEM BOUGHT NEW CHARGER SAME THING
Hi, not blowing fuses but inconsistent charging of the unit. Might even need to install a dual battery system on my car to get it to work. The charger makes a beep that is not in the manual and it keeps going, then stops, charges, stops etc.
Oh yes, Nigel,
I know what you’re talking about I think. That occurs frequently for me on DC and AC power. I think it is when the power to charge the battery dips/cuts out then it beeps 3 times when the unit starts to recharge again. In my case it can occur when I am breathing a little harder so the unit is trying to draw power to run the unit and power to recharge at the same time. If that makes sense. I find the number of alarms this unit has really annoying too, and wish the silence button would just keep the alarm silent and stop resetting. It is forever beeping at me. It’s a beeping world it would seem.
Plug the charger into the car first and then plug into the concentrator after the green light is on. It seems there is a surge that blows car fuses if the car adapter is hooked to the concentrator before plugging into the car. We went through a few fuses until we changed to this method.
I have owned a SimplyGo portable concentrator for 3 years and I think I have experienced all of the problems above and more. On the whole this machine has some pluses but also some terrible fails.
I have recently experienced the car fuse problem taking out both the auxiliary DC outlets in my car. I replaced the DC cord and auto electrician replaced the fuses. Since then I am no longer able to use the machine on DC power on 2 litre continuous flow. Fuses don’t blow but machine de faults to 1.0 continuous flow. Have not received any valid response from Respironics dealer except to send for a service. $300 minimum charge as starters.
The most frustrating and limiting problem I have had is with the battery life. It comes no where near the suggested time rates when using in a controlled BPM situation on designated settings for projected times. Long ago I gave up complaining regarding this which I believe turns the SimplyGo into Simply don’t Go too far or for too long. I have 4 batteries but on 2 litre/ min with 20 BPM I am lucky to get an hour out of each battery. If I can assure to be able to plug into AC power then it is ok, otherwise too unreliable for longer outings. I believe the rates stated are misleading. I have used other brands of portable devices and they have performed closer to the mark. I don’t believe with this product you are getting what you think by the listed specs. Buyer beware.
Some other features I like eg the in car recharge of battery which is so necessary considering how long the battery charge lasts?,
I believe that although it was innovative to produce a portable unit with a continuous flow setting, the poor little machine is not quite up to the task and after 3 years use I may well have outlasted the product. Well done me and Philips, keep your researchers working on the next generation concentrators. Not quite there yet.
Ann.
Thank you for sharing your experience. The batteries last only 50 minutes on 2 LPM continuous, but should last about 3 1/2 hours on Pulse 2. Be sure you have the setting on pulse 2 for longer battery times. If you are indeed getting only an hour on pulse flow then there is something wrong with the unit. The motor may be running too hard and draining the batteries prematurely. I recommend service if this is the case.
Thank you. Yes it is on pulse dose. It has been the case since purchase and although I complained no action was taken. It has been very disappointing as the other features of the unit have mostly been good. After 3 years of use it has become much more noisy with motor surges and sounds sick. Along with other problem mentioned above of no longer running on continuous 2 LPM on DC. Yes I will save some money and send it away when I can afford to be without it and find the money. Breathing can be expensive for those of us with lung disease. Treasure the air.
Hello, I cannot get the car charger to charge the unit properly, It beeps and makes all different sounds, then charges for a bit then stops charging. Eventually the battery goes flat as the unit is not charging properly. This is with it plugged into the rear 12V outlet on my car which has a larger cable and fuse. In the front of the car the unit would not charge at all. Like the person above said is the operating range 13-19V and a car is 12 why would they even design the unit this way? Does anyone else have these issues? We have swapped the charger over once already.It restricts us on going on any long trip and defeats the purpose of having a poc in the first place.
My unit will not run on continuos flow above 1.0 LPM on DC charge. It will run on pulse dose on DC charge however. The pulse dose settings draw less power. My machine does seem to struggle on the continous flow 2LPM. I understand your complaint. Having it recharge the units batteries and running off the DC while driving was a selling point for me too. I agree. Disappointing.
The portable unit lights up and beeps 4 times every minute, How can I Stop it from beeping. Reads 2.o and is working ok.
The next time it alarms, check the screen for the alarm symbol, which is located to the left of the battery. If it says NB, then it means no breath is detected. If it says O2, then it is a Low Oxygen Concentration Alarm and it would need service. You can check your User Manual starting on page 19 for a full list of alarm Indicators and Screen Symbols.
Thanks for all the comments here, it is helpful to know. But I am curious if anyone has experienced what my father is observing now – he regularly set to continuous mode with 2PM, it was ok for the first few months, but then the machine started to behave this way: it automatically turned to 1PM with some beep, but it didn’t show any alarm sign. Some times I can set it back to 2PM, sometimes the buttons wouldn’t respond and I have to wait for 1-2 minutes or shut it down to reset it to 2PM. This started to happen more often now.
I called up Philips and also the place I bought the machine, they didn’t know what is going on but sent me a new machine to try out. We got the new one, and tried out, but the same thing happened.
Just wondering if any of you have this experience? Or any suggestion what might be causes?
Thanks!
I’m sorry that I cannot be of help with regard to the issues you are having with your SimplyGo. The manufacturer would be your best source of information. Perhaps others reading hear can also provide some insight.
I use the SimplyGo twice a week, and carry 4 or 5 batteries. The issue: in the last year two of them failed, they don’t run in the car and they don’t recharge in the outlet. There are literally dead. They have less than two years of use. Any explanation? May I have them repaired? I’m in Mexico now
Unfortunately, batteries cannot be repaired, so if they are truly dead then they would have to be replaced. Before you give up, I recommend that you recalibrate them. You can do so using the SimplyGo Desktop Battery Charger.
Same frustrating problem. Blows car battery fuse on DC after a few minutes even when using Pulse 1.5.
Incredible that there was not more planning by the designers!
That issue is not common with the SimplyGo, especially on the pulse settings. You may want to try it in another vehicle to see if the vehicle is source of the problem. I suspect, though, that the there may be something wrong with your DC adapter. I recommend contacting your provider about getting a replacement DC adapter.
My unit will not go over 1.5 for nighttime continuous flow. On 2lpm it beeps continuously. Help.
When you unit beeps the display screen will indicate the problem. You can check the symbols on the display against the ones shown in your manual beginning on page 19. Your unit is probably unable to maintain the purity at 2 LPM and is giving a low purity alarm. I recommend contacting your provider for service.
I’ve had my Simply Go for almost 2 years then had to get it replaced because the old one stopped working,
well my new one isn’t working right either, the pule setting isn’t pulsing when I breath, it pulses after I breath or when I am breathing out any way I can fix this?
You would first want to check your cannula to make sure it is not obstructed or more than 30 ft. long. If you continue to have an issue, then I suspect there is an issue with the unit and it would require manufacturer repair. Since the unit is new, your provider should be able to make arrangements for warranty repair.
I thank all of you or yourwonderful comments. I have chronic pulmonary embolism . I use Phillips everflo at night with a setting of 2L/min along with a Phillips CPAP mask . In the morning pulse oximeter shows 90-91%. blood sturation.During day time, I need anout 3 hrs of oxygen support of 2L/min ( at least three times one hour each a noon, afternoon and evening ) to keep my oxygen level around 90.. If I dont use at daytime, it falls within a few hours to 85-86% and I begin to feel week
MY question is would Simply GO be good for me if I take a flight from Kolkata to New York.which include a 4 hr flight to QATAR and after a 2 hr break, a 16 hr flight to JFK. QATAR airlines says that they will provide inflight oxygen of 2 or 4L/min as per Doctors prescription. But during waiting periods at he airport in KOlkata and QATAR while changing planes , will simply go serve my purpose safely?
Yes, the SimplyGo will meet your needs as long as you have access to an electrical outlet. While the unit does work on battery power, each battery will last only 50 minutes on 2 LPM continuous, requiring a lot of batteries to provide the oxygen you need. If you can use pulse flow, then the batteries last much longer (3 1/2 hours on pulse 2).
Thanks but please let me know if the Simply go can be used overnight with my Phillips CPAP machine with an electrical outlet at home using a cannula in the nose covered by full face amara face mask from the CPAP machine .
Thanks
The SimplyGo has a continuous flow setting so it can be used with a CPAP machine. However, it is not usually used with the cannula covered by the face mask. Usually, the oxygen is bled into the CPAP mask tubing using an Oxygen/Pressure Adapter for CPAP.