There are various Altitude (hypoxia (altitude) systems on the market that vary widely in priceand function. Here are some notes I've made while looking at Some manufacturers do not state prices openly, so the market place. I believe that Higher Peak offers prices below reflect the best value in mechanical systems, but quotes I purchased was given and may be out of date. If you have a chemical based price quote, [[AltoLab]mailto:feedback@fellrnr.com please let me know]and I will update this page. ==Mechanical Hypoxic GeneratorsTypes of Altitude Systems==Mechanical generatorsDifferent altitude systems work in different ways<ref name="hypoequip"/> either and are suitable for different [[Altitude Training Approaches]], so be sure which approach you want to use Pressure Swing Absorptionbefore you buy. {| {{table}}| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Type'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Mechanism'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Suitable for'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Manufacturers'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pros'''| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Cons'''|-| Semi-permeable membrane (SPM) <ref name="psasemi"/> . ||Separate N2 and O<SUB>2</SUB> using a 'sieve' ||Intermittent Hypoxic Training at rest or a semiwhile exercising||GO<SUB>2</SUB>Altitude||Minimal running costs, Stable 02 levels||Expensive to buy, Lower flow rates than PSAS|-permeable membrane| Pressure swing absorption<ref name="semipsa"/>||Different gases are absorbed at different rates under different pressures ||Live High, Train Low, Altitude tents or altitude rooms||CAT, Hypoxico, and Higher Peak (same generator, different prices)||Minimal running costs, High flow rates at moderate O<SUB>2</SUB> concentrations||Expensive to buy, Poor performance at low O<SUB>2</SUB> concentrations|-| Rebreather||Use of scrubber to absorb exhaled CO<SUB>2</SUB>, which then contains less O<SUB>2</SUB> and is rebreathed||Intermittent Hypoxic Training at rest ||AltO<sub>2</sub>lab, AlitPower||Cheap to buy, Cheap to run (refilling cartridges)||Harder to control O<SUB>2</SUB> concentrations|}==Recommendations==I believe that the [[AltoLab]] system is the most cost effective solution. These For those wanting a sleep based system, Higher Peak offers the best value. ==Rebreathers==Chemical generators tend use a chemical reaction to either remove oxygen from the air, or to be expensive remove the carbon dioxide from the air that you exhale, which is then breathed again. These systems are cheaper to purchase, but require no the ongoing maintenancepurchase of the chemical cartridges. These systems are only used for intermittent training, not for sleeping. ===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 CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber which has to be replaced and lasts 2-3 hours. The running costs would be $10-15 per hour, but you can buy the CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber in bulk, reducing the cost down to $1 per hour; see [[AltoLab]] for details. http://www.altolab-usa.com/* The elite kit is $850 and contains 8 AltoMixers giving 5,000-40,000 ft of elevation, 12 silos (CO<SUB>2</SUB> 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 (CO<SUB>2</SUB> 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 (CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers) proving 4 hours of usage, and the masks. * Replacement silos (CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers) are $22===AltiPower===AltiPower uses a system that removes the CO<SUB>2</SUB> 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==Pressure Swing Absorption==
Note: Apparently CAT, Hypoxico, and Higher Peak use generators from the same supplier, but at significantly different prices. The units appear physically identical.
===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
===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
* Conversion for use in exercise - $700
* Tents - $350+
===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
===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
===Altitude Tech===
This Canadian company produces competitively priced products. http://www.altitudetech.ca/
===Colorado Altitude Training===
Colorado Altitude Training provide a wide variety of systems, but do not publish prices.
==Chemical Hypoxic GeneratorsSemi-Permeable Membrane==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. ===AltiPowerGO2Altitude===AltiPower uses GO2Altitude focuses on systems for intermittent hypoxic training rather than sleep systems and appear to use a semi-permeable membrane technique. The cheapest system that removes the CO<SUB>2</SUB> from the exhaled air that is then rebreathed. It is not clear how long the cartridges last, or what altitude is achieved. http:/their One Person /www.altipowerPortable.com * AltiPower Pro KitOne Person / Portable 2010, $15,990 (6,500 delivered). Provides 21,000. Comes ft and comes with 2 cartridges pulse oximeter, PC software and Oximeter * Replacement cartridges $100 each, $300 for fourhoses/masks
===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 CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber which has to be replaced and lasts 2-3 hours. The running costs would be $10-15 per hour, but you can buy the CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubber in bulk, reducing the cost down to $1 per hour; see [[AltoLab]] for details. http://www.altolab-usa.com/
* The elite kit is $850 and contains 8 AltoMixers giving 5,000-40,000 ft of elevation, 12 silos (CO<SUB>2</SUB> 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 (CO<SUB>2</SUB> 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 (CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers) proving 4 hours of usage, and the masks.
* Replacement silos (CO<SUB>2</SUB> scrubbers) are $22
==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 $45 [http://www.amazon.com/Finger-Pulse-Oximeter-SM-110-Carry-Wrist/dp/B003TJH3LI Finger Pulse Oximeter SM-110] and the $100 [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CAPUWY Nonin GO<SUB>2</SUB>]. (I purchased the SM-110 and I'm very pleased with it.)
<ref name="psa">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_swing_adsorption</ref>
<ref name="semi">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-permeable_membrane</ref>
<ref name="hypoequip">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HypoxicatorAdapted from Equipment and Regimes for Intermittent Hypoxia Therapy, Bassovitch and Serebrovskaya</ref>
</references>
