Suggestions for O2 masks

[William Munney]

Folks:

1996 Mooney Ovation with integral O2 system.

Which masks or cannulas do you recommend?  Are regulators needed for each mask?  Is there a a specific tip that’s required to connect the mask/regulator to the outlets on the overhead center panel?

Happy Thanksgiving and Thanks all!

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by William Munney

[Brandt]

I like the Precise Flight cannulas with the x3 conservers. You need one for each user. Conservers lower O2 costs and are easier on your nose than constant flow.  No need for a full face mask below FL180. 

[Marc_B]

I think this depends on how frequently you need it and how much you'd like to spend.

The simple choice is the Aerox oxysaver cannulas that come in 2 parts, a Scott connector with a flow meter/adjuster, and the "moustache" style cannula that has a small reservoir on either side of the cannula.  The reservoir allows you to use a lower flow setting and still get a full sniff of oxygen from the reservoir for better efficiency.  For infrequent use (and for my backup/pax use) this is what I use.

To make your oxygen supply go further between refills there are the "demand pulse systems" i.e. Mountain High O2D2 and Precise Flight X3 Demand Conserver.  These units use different methods to avoid constant flow oxygen, but rather give a pulse of oxygen when you inhale.  Each has it's own quirks, and neither system is compatible with the other system's equipment (i.e. choose your pulse delivery system and you have to purchase only those products)

I choose the Mountain High O2D2 system and really like it.  The pulse doesn't both me and keeps me aware that oxygen is actually flowing.  Also I've found out recently that the Precise Flight system uses constant flow with the mask (IIRC) vs the O2D2 is still a pulse system with the mask.  I've found with a Medium Mountain High mask that I can use F1 (lowest enriched setting) and have 98% oxygen saturation at FL250 (YMMV).  I typically use a Mountain High boom mic for less than FL180 and I've found that around 17,500 I'm sometimes clicking to the F1 setting to do the same (with normal modes I'm usually around 93% or so).  I replace batteries at annual and fly with a pulse ox in my bag and one hung on the prop knob.

[William Munney]

Thanks all!  I’ll start looking at both.

[Fritz1]

I like the precise flight boom cannulas and demand conservers, cuts O2 consumption by about 70%, put phone ear buds on the cannula outlets, almost tight seal in nasal cavity when breathing in, increases oxygenation, I typically turn on O2 at 10000 ft and set demand conservers to 2000 ft above cruise altitude when turning on O2, keep oxygenation above 94%

[Pinecone]

I use Mountain High O2D2 with a Mountain High boom cannula for me, regular cannulas for others.

Cannulas are legal for up to 18,000, but some people use them higher.  Above 18,000, you should be using a mask.

[aggiepilot04]

+1 on the X3s with boom cannulas. I feel like I'm always fidgeting with the boom cannula, but it's still better than regular cannulas despite that. I think if I was starting from scratch, I would go with a PreciseFlight mask as well just to keep the connections simple (plug the mask into the X3 as well). That said, I currently use the Aerox masks and don't have any problem with them. In fact, I'm having them rebuilt now. They have a bag on the front, but you don't need the X3 on your belt...so I think it's a wash in terms of clutter/convenience.