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. I believe that Higher Peak offers the best value in mechanical systems, but I purchased an AltoLab.

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.

Note: Apparently CAT, Hypoxico, and Higher Peak use generators from the same supplier, but at significantly different prices. The units appear physically identical.

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/ but some prices are shown at http://www.bikemania.biz/Altitude_Trainers_s/185.htm

  • Everest Summit, $5,550. Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter. (Looks physically identical to Higher Peak MAG-10)
  • HYP123, $5,500. Provides 12,500 ft, or 21,000 ft with a $200 adapter. Upgrade to HYP100.
  • HYP100, $4,700. Provides 9,000 ft, or 14,500 ft with a $200 adapter. (21,000 ft for IHT with add on.)
  • 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, but also mentions 9.5% Oxygen, which others claim is equivalent to 20,000 ft. Comes with hose and mask.

These products look physically identical to the Higher Peak products.

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 AltiPower

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 $22 (less in bulk)

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 See Also

5 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
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