Difference between revisions of "Comparison of Altitude Training Systems"

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There are various hypoxia (altitude) systems on the market that vary widely in price. Here are some notes I've made while looking at the market place.  
 
There are various hypoxia (altitude) systems on the market that vary widely in price. Here are some notes I've made while looking at the market place.  
 
 
==Mechanical Hypoxic Generators==
 
==Mechanical Hypoxic Generators==
 
 
Mechanical generators<ref name="hypo"/> either use Pressure Swing Absorption<ref name="psa"/> or a semi-permeable membrane<ref name="semi"/>. These generators tend to be expensive to purchase, but require no ongoing maintenance. Apparently CAT, Hypoxico, and Higher Peak use generators from the same supplier.  
 
Mechanical generators<ref name="hypo"/> either use Pressure Swing Absorption<ref name="psa"/> or a semi-permeable membrane<ref name="semi"/>. These generators tend to be expensive to purchase, but require no ongoing maintenance. Apparently CAT, Hypoxico, and Higher Peak use generators from the same supplier.  
 
 
===Hypoxico===
 
===Hypoxico===
 
 
Hypoxico systems is an established manufacturer. The prices shown below were what I was quoted in 2009. There are no published prices on http://www.hypoxico.com/  
 
Hypoxico systems is an established manufacturer. The prices shown below were what I was quoted in 2009. There are no published prices on http://www.hypoxico.com/  
 
 
* Everest Summit, $4,900. Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter.  
 
* Everest Summit, $4,900. Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter.  
 
* HYP123, $5,500. Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter. Upgrade to HYP100.
 
* HYP123, $5,500. Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter. Upgrade to HYP100.
Line 14: Line 9:
 
* Conversion for use in exercise - $700
 
* Conversion for use in exercise - $700
 
* Tents - $350+
 
* Tents - $350+
 
 
===Go2Altitude===
 
===Go2Altitude===
 
Go2Altitude focuses on systems for intermittent hypoxic training rather than sleep systems and appear to use a semi-permeable membrane technique. The cheapest system is their One Person / Portable.
 
Go2Altitude focuses on systems for intermittent hypoxic training rather than sleep systems and appear to use a semi-permeable membrane technique. The cheapest system is their One Person / Portable.
 
 
* One Person / Portable 2010, $5,990 (6,500 delivered). Provides 21,000 ft and comes with pulse oximeter, PC software and hoses/masks
 
* One Person / Portable 2010, $5,990 (6,500 delivered). Provides 21,000 ft and comes with pulse oximeter, PC software and hoses/masks
 
 
===Higher Peak===
 
===Higher Peak===
 
An established producer of competitively priced products. http://www.higherpeak.com/  
 
An established producer of competitively priced products. http://www.higherpeak.com/  
 
 
* MAG-10, $2,550. Provides 20,000 ft. Base price for generator only
 
* MAG-10, $2,550. Provides 20,000 ft. Base price for generator only
 
* MAG-10 with tent, $3,050
 
* MAG-10 with tent, $3,050
 
* MAG-10 with mask, $2,800
 
* MAG-10 with mask, $2,800
 
* MAG-10 with mask, Oximeter (to measure blood oxygen saturation), $2,900
 
* MAG-10 with mask, Oximeter (to measure blood oxygen saturation), $2,900
 
 
===Altitude Tech===
 
===Altitude Tech===
 
This Canadian company produces competitively priced products. http://www.altitudetech.ca/  
 
This Canadian company produces competitively priced products. http://www.altitudetech.ca/  
 
 
* 8850P, $2400 (delivered). Provides 10,500 ft and comes with tent and tubing
 
* 8850P, $2400 (delivered). Provides 10,500 ft and comes with tent and tubing
 
* Summit, $2,900 (delivered). Provides 20,000 ft and comes with tent and tubing
 
* Summit, $2,900 (delivered). Provides 20,000 ft and comes with tent and tubing
 
* Conversion for use in exercise - $300 (includes humidifier)
 
* Conversion for use in exercise - $300 (includes humidifier)
 
 
 
===Simulated Altitude Technology===
 
===Simulated Altitude Technology===
 
http://simulatedaltitudetech.com
 
http://simulatedaltitudetech.com
 
 
* ALT-7, $2,000. Provides 9,000 feet. Comes with hose and mask.
 
* ALT-7, $2,000. Provides 9,000 feet. Comes with hose and mask.
 
* ALT-10, $2,300. Provides 13,000 feet. Comes with hose and mask.
 
* ALT-10, $2,300. Provides 13,000 feet. Comes with hose and mask.
 
 
===Colorado Altitude Training===
 
===Colorado Altitude Training===
 
Colorado Altitude Training provide a wide variety of systems, but do not publish prices.  
 
Colorado Altitude Training provide a wide variety of systems, but do not publish prices.  
 
 
==Chemical Hypoxic Generators==
 
==Chemical Hypoxic Generators==
 
Chemical generators use a chemical reaction to either remove oxygen from the air,or to remove the carbon dioxide from the air that you exhale, which is then breathed again. These systems are cheaper to purchase, but require the ongoing purchase of the chemical cartridges. These systems are only used for intermittent training, not for sleeping.  
 
Chemical generators use a chemical reaction to either remove oxygen from the air,or to remove the carbon dioxide from the air that you exhale, which is then breathed again. These systems are cheaper to purchase, but require the ongoing purchase of the chemical cartridges. These systems are only used for intermittent training, not for sleeping.  
 
 
===AlitPower===
 
===AlitPower===
 
AltiPower uses a system that removes the CO2 from the exhaled air that is then rebreathed. It is not clear how long the cartridges last, or what altitude is achieved. http://www.altipower.com  
 
AltiPower uses a system that removes the CO2 from the exhaled air that is then rebreathed. It is not clear how long the cartridges last, or what altitude is achieved. http://www.altipower.com  
 
 
* AltiPower Pro Kit, $1,000. Comes with 2 cartridges and Oximeter  
 
* AltiPower Pro Kit, $1,000. Comes with 2 cartridges and Oximeter  
 
* Replacement cartridges $100 each, $300 for four
 
* Replacement cartridges $100 each, $300 for four
 
 
===AltoLab===
 
===AltoLab===
 
AltoLab uses a stack of AltoMixers, with each AltoMixer diluting the oxygen to provide the equivalent of 5,000 ft. The AltoLab system also requires a CO2 scrubber which has to be replaced and lasts 2-3 hours. The running costs would be $10-15 per hour. http://www.altolab-usa.com/
 
AltoLab uses a stack of AltoMixers, with each AltoMixer diluting the oxygen to provide the equivalent of 5,000 ft. The AltoLab system also requires a CO2 scrubber which has to be replaced and lasts 2-3 hours. The running costs would be $10-15 per hour. http://www.altolab-usa.com/
 
 
* The elite kit is $850 and contains 8 AltoMixers giving 5,000-40,000 ft of elevation, 12 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 24 hours of usage, a pulse oximeter and the masks.  
 
* The elite kit is $850 and contains 8 AltoMixers giving 5,000-40,000 ft of elevation, 12 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 24 hours of usage, a pulse oximeter and the masks.  
 
* The performance kit is $580 and contains 6 AltoMixers giving 5,000-30,000 ft of elevation, 6 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 12 hours of usage, a pulse oximeter and the masks.  
 
* The performance kit is $580 and contains 6 AltoMixers giving 5,000-30,000 ft of elevation, 6 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 12 hours of usage, a pulse oximeter and the masks.  
 
* The starter kit is $190 and contains 3 AltoMixers giving 5,000-15,000 ft of elevation, 2 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 4 hours of usage, and the masks.  
 
* The starter kit is $190 and contains 3 AltoMixers giving 5,000-15,000 ft of elevation, 2 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 4 hours of usage, and the masks.  
 
* Replacement silos (CO2 scrubbers) are $30
 
* Replacement silos (CO2 scrubbers) are $30
 
 
==Oximeters==
 
==Oximeters==
 
A pulse oximeters measures the level of oxygen saturation of the blood by shining a light through the skin, usually at the finger. Standalone pulse oximeters are available from Amazon for less than $100. Two popular oximeters are an unbranded model for $55 [http://www.amazon.com/Finger-Pulse-Oximeter-SM-110-Carry/dp/B000GEBU9K Finger Pulse Oximeter SM-110] and the $100 [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CAPUWY Nonin GO2].
 
A pulse oximeters measures the level of oxygen saturation of the blood by shining a light through the skin, usually at the finger. Standalone pulse oximeters are available from Amazon for less than $100. Two popular oximeters are an unbranded model for $55 [http://www.amazon.com/Finger-Pulse-Oximeter-SM-110-Carry/dp/B000GEBU9K Finger Pulse Oximeter SM-110] and the $100 [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CAPUWY Nonin GO2].
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
 
<references>
 
<references>
 
<ref name="psa">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_swing_adsorption</ref>
 
<ref name="psa">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_swing_adsorption</ref>

Revision as of 13:25, 3 May 2010

There are various hypoxia (altitude) systems on the market that vary widely in price. Here are some notes I've made while looking at the market place.

1 Mechanical Hypoxic Generators

Mechanical generators[1] either use Pressure Swing Absorption[2] or a semi-permeable membrane[3]. These generators tend to be expensive to purchase, but require no ongoing maintenance. Apparently CAT, Hypoxico, and Higher Peak use generators from the same supplier.

1.1 Hypoxico

Hypoxico systems is an established manufacturer. The prices shown below were what I was quoted in 2009. There are no published prices on http://www.hypoxico.com/

  • Everest Summit, $4,900. Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter.
  • HYP123, $5,500. Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter. Upgrade to HYP100.
  • HYP100, $4,900. Provides 9,000 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter. Upgrade to HYP100.
  • Conversion for use in exercise - $700
  • Tents - $350+

1.2 Go2Altitude

Go2Altitude focuses on systems for intermittent hypoxic training rather than sleep systems and appear to use a semi-permeable membrane technique. The cheapest system is their One Person / Portable.

  • One Person / Portable 2010, $5,990 (6,500 delivered). Provides 21,000 ft and comes with pulse oximeter, PC software and hoses/masks

1.3 Higher Peak

An established producer of competitively priced products. http://www.higherpeak.com/

  • MAG-10, $2,550. Provides 20,000 ft. Base price for generator only
  • MAG-10 with tent, $3,050
  • MAG-10 with mask, $2,800
  • MAG-10 with mask, Oximeter (to measure blood oxygen saturation), $2,900

1.4 Altitude Tech

This Canadian company produces competitively priced products. http://www.altitudetech.ca/

  • 8850P, $2400 (delivered). Provides 10,500 ft and comes with tent and tubing
  • Summit, $2,900 (delivered). Provides 20,000 ft and comes with tent and tubing
  • Conversion for use in exercise - $300 (includes humidifier)

1.5 Simulated Altitude Technology

http://simulatedaltitudetech.com

  • ALT-7, $2,000. Provides 9,000 feet. Comes with hose and mask.
  • ALT-10, $2,300. Provides 13,000 feet. Comes with hose and mask.

1.6 Colorado Altitude Training

Colorado Altitude Training provide a wide variety of systems, but do not publish prices.

2 Chemical Hypoxic Generators

Chemical generators use a chemical reaction to either remove oxygen from the air,or to remove the carbon dioxide from the air that you exhale, which is then breathed again. These systems are cheaper to purchase, but require the ongoing purchase of the chemical cartridges. These systems are only used for intermittent training, not for sleeping.

2.1 AlitPower

AltiPower uses a system that removes the CO2 from the exhaled air that is then rebreathed. It is not clear how long the cartridges last, or what altitude is achieved. http://www.altipower.com

  • AltiPower Pro Kit, $1,000. Comes with 2 cartridges and Oximeter
  • Replacement cartridges $100 each, $300 for four

2.2 AltoLab

AltoLab uses a stack of AltoMixers, with each AltoMixer diluting the oxygen to provide the equivalent of 5,000 ft. The AltoLab system also requires a CO2 scrubber which has to be replaced and lasts 2-3 hours. The running costs would be $10-15 per hour. http://www.altolab-usa.com/

  • The elite kit is $850 and contains 8 AltoMixers giving 5,000-40,000 ft of elevation, 12 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 24 hours of usage, a pulse oximeter and the masks.
  • The performance kit is $580 and contains 6 AltoMixers giving 5,000-30,000 ft of elevation, 6 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 12 hours of usage, a pulse oximeter and the masks.
  • The starter kit is $190 and contains 3 AltoMixers giving 5,000-15,000 ft of elevation, 2 silos (CO2 scrubbers) proving 4 hours of usage, and the masks.
  • Replacement silos (CO2 scrubbers) are $30

3 Oximeters

A pulse oximeters measures the level of oxygen saturation of the blood by shining a light through the skin, usually at the finger. Standalone pulse oximeters are available from Amazon for less than $100. Two popular oximeters are an unbranded model for $55 Finger Pulse Oximeter SM-110 and the $100 Nonin GO2.

4 References

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoxicator
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_swing_adsorption
  3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-permeable_membrane