Respro Mask - Initial impressions

[Nagaraj]

I finally received my respro mask yesterday. I ordered it a few days
ago from their website (www.respro.com). It was shipped to me from
the UK. The whole thing including shipping burnt a hole worth 33 UK
pound sterling on my credit card. There was no customs duty levied on
it by the Indian authorities. It was shipped to me via. Royal Mail.
The packaging was excellent. I ordered the techno model (blue colour,
large size). I got to try it out this morning cycling for about 5 to 6
km. Here is my initial impression of it:-

1. Just like the totobobo mask it forms a tight fit over the nose and
mouth. It is very easy to put on and take off. Very convenient. On
this front it does have a slight edge over the totobobo mask.
2. It seems to be as effective as the totobobo mask in filtering out
the sub micron particulate matter in pollution. And in addition it has
two one way valves on it which ensure that as you breathe out, the
water vapour in the breath goes out without condensing inside or
without leaving a temporary cloudy layer on my spectacles. Because
these are one way valves, when you breathe in, they lock up and the
air passes only through the filter inside the mask.
3. The filter has a Dynamically Activated Charcoal Cloth (DACC) in it
which adsorbs (note this is not absorption but adsorption) which is
supposed to protect you from gases like CO and other gases in typical
vehicle exhausts. I was very keen on testing this aspect of the mask
as the totobobo mask does not have this feature. With the totobobo
mask I can smell the exhaust quite clearly and they anyway do not
claim that it protects you against gases in the exhaust. Totobobo
does claim that the mask filters out particulate matter (upto 94% i.e.
1% less than the N95 NIOSH standard) upto 0.3 micron size (i.e.
anything greater than 0.3 micron size). As I mentioned in my earlier
review of the totobobo mask, the filters turned black for me with 2
hours of usage. BTW I got totobobo on their website and it was shipped
to me from Singapore. Back to Respro mask now. The acid test for it
was going behind a bus which just accelerated from a bus stop.
Obviously the bus spewed out a ton of exhaust at that point. I could
not smell the exhaust a bit. I just could not believe it. The damn
thing is very effective and respro's claim, at least for me, seems
vindicated. I can't say the same about totobobo. Hats off and thank
you respro.
4. According to respro, the filter is expected to last for 30 hours at
a breathing rate of 30 liters per minute assuming WHO guidelines for
ambient levels of pollution. I don't know how many times is the
pollution in Bangalore compared to WHO standards. Surely that factor
must be more than 1. I intend to use my respro and keep a record of my
usage to see how long a filter lasts in the pollution levels we have
in Bangalore. BTW the replacement techno filter pack (2 filters in the
pack) will cost you 16.5 UK pound sterling including shipping to
India.
5. I was of course sweaty inside the mask but surely a lot less than
the totobobo mask because of the one way exhaust valves.

I agree respro is very expensive (4 times almost) compared to the
totobobo mask. I will post more about my feedback on respro after I
use it for a few weeks.

Cheers
Nagaraj

[Navdeep Singh]

Wow.. this is one benchmark review.
I have adsorbed the full review :)

--
 o__
 _>  /  _
(_)   \(_)...

[Rajagopalan Babu]

It is quite interesting to see a detailed initial review. Pollution is
major issue for me as I have started riding bike recently in
Bangalore. I have asked my friend to pick totobobo from Singapore. I
am hoping that it would help me.

I am awaiting for your feedback about the respro after few weeks.
thanks.

[totobobo]

Hi Nagaraj,

Thanks for the useful review. I think it is long overdue for a fair
and factual benchmark between different made of mask.

Do you have further comment after using the mask for a month now?

Best regards,

Francis

On Oct 2, 5:26 pm, Nagaraj <Nagaraj_Puduko...@satyam.com> wrote:
> I finally received myrespromask yesterday. I ordered it a few days

> to me from Singapore. Back toRespromask now. The acid test for it

> was going behind a bus which just accelerated from a bus stop.
> Obviously the bus spewed out a ton of exhaust at that point. I could
> not smell the exhaust a bit. I just could not believe it. The damn

> thing is very effective andrespro'sclaim, at least for me, seems

> vindicated. I can't say the same about totobobo. Hats off and thank
> yourespro.

> 4. According torespro, the filter is expected to last for 30 hours at

> a breathing rate of 30 liters per minute assuming WHO guidelines for
> ambient levels of pollution. I don't know how many times is the
> pollution in Bangalore compared to WHO standards. Surely that factor

> must be more than 1. I intend to use myresproand keep a record of my

> usage to see how long a filter lasts in the pollution levels we have
> in Bangalore. BTW the replacement techno filter pack (2 filters in the
> pack) will cost you 16.5 UK pound sterling including shipping to
> India.
> 5. I was of course sweaty inside the mask but surely a lot less than
> the totobobo mask because of the one way exhaust valves.
>

> I agreeresprois very expensive (4 times almost) compared to the
> totobobo mask. I will post more about my feedback onresproafter I

[Nagaraj]

Totobobo Mask - what I like:
---------------------------------------
1. Simple and largely effective design. What I mean by that is, the
mask is not complicated but at the same time forms an very good seal
on your face and nose thereby cuttting out a lot of crap (essentially
sub micron particulate matter) which otherwise you would breathe.
There is no other mask made in India (A.F.A.I.K) which does this. The
important thing is a mask should form a very tight seal for it to
start being useful. The filters on the totobobo mask do a very good
job. Claire mask in this regard is a piece of crap, essentially for me
it has no design at all. Probably it is the best known mask of Indian
make.
2. totobobo is light weight so almost don't feel its weight on your
face.
3. The breathing resistance you experience (versus say Respro) is very
little. Which means your efficiency of riding/breathing is largely not
affected by it.
4. It is cheap (versus Respro), the filters are very cheap (versus
Respro). This is with a caveat, see more of my review to understand
what I mean by this.
5. Last but not the least, Rohan (BOTS) will sell the filters when I
run out of my stock.

Totobobo mask - what I DON'T like
-------------------------------------------------
1. It does not cut out the CO and other harmful exhaust gases because
it does not have a Dynamically Activiated Charcoal filter like Respro.
Francis correct me if I am wrong on this one.
2. It takes a little bit of time (you need to ride with it a few
times) to get the fit right from the perspective of avoiding
condensation (big time) inside the mask. What I mean by this is, the
only way what you breathe out gets out of the mask is through the
boundary of the mask with your facial skin. This happens if you wear
the mask tight enough (but not too tight) so that the pressure built
up in the mask from your exhaust pushes the mask out just enough from
the skin so that the exhaust escapes out and hence water vapour (and
hence condesation) does not build up inside the mask. If you wear it a
little too loose, then you defeat the very purpose of wearing it.
3. The filters get dirty (they turn black) with about 3 to 4 hours of
usage in Bangalore. This means I am not sure if this can be used as a
signal to change the filters, so Francis your comments are welcome
here. Assuming it is a signal enough, then the filters need to be
changed probably once or even twice a week for regular commuters like
me.
4. The ties on the mask which hold them onto your face are a little
flimsy and not very convenient to adjust to your face. A strap and a
velcro mechanism (like Respro) would have been far more effective. The
current ties as they are DO WORK, please don't get me wrong.

Respro mask - what I like and what I don't like.
-------------------------------------------------
1. It does cut out the CO and other harmful exhaust gases (through a
DAC filter) in addition to the sub micron particulate matter.
2. The design is very effective, it forms a tight seal as effectively
as the totobobo mask. This too is light weight but a tad heavier than
totobobo but not to the extent of being a bother. It has got a velcro
strap to keep it in place on your face which works VERY effectively
and also helps in forming the tight seal (which is so important).
3. There are one way exhaust valves on the mask which let out the air
you breathe out (but don't allow air in when you breathe in); this
feature greatly helps in avoiding the condensation issue inside the
mask.
4. The filters seem to last much longer, it has been around 15 riding
days i.e. 15 riding hours for me until now with my first set of Respro
filter and the filter hasn't turned black yet. So from a cost
perspective i need to do more to compare the cost of Respro filters
and totoboto filters to conclusively say which is cheaper.
5. There is significant breathing resistance with Respro, if you want
to see the good side of this, then it is that you can increase the
training effectiveness (if you are training for a race or something
similar) with this:-), otherwise this is a pain.
6. The discomfort or lack of comfort rather is a bit more with Respro
versus totobobo.
7. As I mentioned earlier the initial cost of Respro is almost 4 times
that of totobobo. Mind you I am not talking about the repetitive
expenses of filters here, but just the initial cost of acquiring the
mask itself with a set of filters or a filter as the case may be.

So what is my final conculsion; I think both have a place, I intend to
use both. Having said that, totobobo is VALUE for MONEY undoudtedly.
Respro is a sophisticated design albeit expensive one. So take your
pick.

Cheers
Nagaraj

> > Nagaraj- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Rajat Agrawal]

What is your breathing pattern?
1. Nose in - Nose out
2. Mouth in - Nose out
3. Nose in - Mouth out
4. Mouth in - Mouth out

To me it seems that the amount of moisture released will increase from pattern 1 to pattern 4...

-Rajat

[Mayank Rungta]

Rajat Agrawal wrote:
> What is your breathing pattern?
> 1. Nose in - Nose out
> 2. Mouth in - Nose out
> 3. Nose in - Mouth out
> 4. Mouth in - Mouth out
>
> To me it seems that the amount of moisture released will increase from
> pattern 1 to pattern 4...
>
> -Rajat

Is there any recommendation on breathing??

I haven't really focussed on breathing but I try to breathe in and out
through the nose as it is better equipped to fight the pollution in the
air! :)

--
Have a nice day,
Mynk

http://ngopost.org/story.php?title=Save_Bangalore

o__
_> /__
(_) \(_)... Cycle along to a healthier life and cleaner world! :)

[Nagaraj]

My breathing pattern is 1. Nose in -Nose out.

On Nov 4, 11:36 am, "Rajat Agrawal" <rajatagra...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What is your breathing pattern?
> 1. Nose in - Nose out
> 2. Mouth in - Nose out
> 3. Nose in - Mouth out
> 4. Mouth in - Mouth out
>
> To me it seems that the amount of moisture released will increase from
> pattern 1 to pattern 4...
>
> -Rajat
>

> > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Rohan Kini]

wow .. pretty much the same thoughts. I have not used a Respro. A friend is getting one for me soon. Nagaraj which Respro model did you have ?

I have used the TOTOBOBO mask the last 1 week of commute i.e around 110Km and like Nagaraj mentioned the filters are kinda Gray now. man Bangalore is polluted ! Not good.
When I got the mask - it looked flimsy (esp the chord) but with daily use I can see that its not an issue. It is pretty strong.
Initially had no idea what a good fit was, but within a day I was able to figure it out.

--
~ ROhan
@ http://blog.bumsonthesaddle.com
awesome cycling group: http://bangalorebikersclub.com

[totobobo]

Wow, this is great stuff, Nagaraj. Your review is one of the best in
terms of objectivity and practical consideration. Cyclist review for
cyclist.

Rajat point out a good point: breathing pattern. In the case of
TOTOBOBO, the preferred pattern is 2 (Mouth in-Nose out). The TOTOBOBO
filter is much more efficient to filter out fine particulates than our
nose :-) Breathe in with the mouth is less resistance and opening the
mouth further improve the face seal- it gives a bigger margin for the
strap tolerance to achieve the one-way-valve effect as you describe
here:

> > > "if you wear the mask tight enough (but not too tight) so that the pressure built
> > > up in the mask from your exhaust pushes the mask out just enough from
> > > the skin so that the exhaust escapes out and hence water vapour (and

> > > hence condensation) does not build up inside the mask.

This is a patented feature, it is not obvious until you use it several
time to adjust the strap to the right tension. I am glad that you
discover this feature by yourself.

Regarding your question:
- TOTOBOBO filter currently don't have an active carbon version. Is it
worth to develop one?
- "turning dark" is a signal to change filter- the filter won't change
color by itself, turning dark is a pretty solid indication that it has
done it's job. (refer to this comparison between a coach and a plane)
http://totobobo.com/blog/?p=164

Now if I may make a summary of your observation, the important
considerations are:

FILTER
- does it cut-out CO?
- effectiveness
FACE SEAL
COMFORT
- ease of breathing
- does it gets condensation?
- light weight
EASE OF USE
- velco easier than strap
- ease of cleaning (for reuse)
COST
- cost of mask (one time cost)
- cost of filter (consumable cost)
AVAILABILITY

I don't know if you can list these consideration according to their
priority ? Anyone want to give it a go?

Francis

[Nagaraj]

Francis
Thank you. The pollution in Bangalore and for that matter in India is
multiple times more than say Singapore (I am assuming that is where
you live). I cannot even dare to guess a number for the multiple here.
Especially the COx and NOx from the exhaust of the vehicles. You got
to experience to believe it. So if you are aiming at this market, it
is worthwhile to develop a DAC Cloth filter. And the other thing is a
velcro strap. Believe me it is so much easier with the velcro strap,
especially to get the tension right especially considering that the
tension is the core aspect of getting the one way valve effect right
with TOTOBOBO.

BTW I could not track the package using the tracking number given to
me, after the package left Singapore. Pretty much the Singapore post
office website does not have a visibility into the package once it
leaves Singapore. So if the cost permits I would urge rather you use
Fedex or UPS.

Cheers
Nagaraj

On Nov 4, 7:30 pm, totobobo <totobobom...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Wow, this is great stuff, Nagaraj. Your review is one of the best in
> terms of objectivity and practical consideration. Cyclist review for
> cyclist.
>
> Rajat point out a good point: breathing pattern. In the case of
> TOTOBOBO, the preferred pattern is 2 (Mouth in-Nose out). The TOTOBOBO
> filter is much more efficient to filter out fine particulates than our
> nose :-) Breathe in with the mouth is less resistance and opening the
> mouth further improve the face seal- it gives a bigger margin for the
> strap tolerance to achieve the one-way-valve effect as you describe
> here:
>
> > > > "if you wear the mask tight enough (but not too tight) so that the pressure built
> > > > up in the mask from your exhaust pushes the mask out just enough from
> > > > the skin so that the exhaust escapes out and hence water vapour (and
> > > > hence condensation) does not build up inside the mask.
>
> This is a patented feature, it is not obvious until you use it several
> time to adjust the strap to the right tension. I am glad that you
> discover this feature by yourself.
>
> Regarding your question:
> - TOTOBOBO filter currently don't have an active carbon version. Is it
> worth to develop one?
> - "turning dark" is a signal to change filter- the filter won't change
> color by itself, turning dark is a pretty solid indication that it has

> done it's job. (refer to this comparison between a coach and a plane)http://totobobo.com/blog/?p=164

[Nagaraj]

Rohan

My Respro model is: Techno Large (size) and I have Techno Gold Filters
with it.


Cheers
Nagaraj

[totobobo]

Nagaraj,

Thanks for your recommendation. I shell look into them.

Hi ROhan, nice to hear your confirmation.

I would list the factors in the following prioritized order:

1) FACE SEAL
2) FILTER (sub-micron, cut CO)
3) COMFORT (light, no condensation, easy to breath)
4) EASE OF USE (easy strap, easy cleaning)
5) COST (mask, filters)
6) AVAILABILITY (local, internet)

What do you think?

Francis

[Rajat Agrawal]

BTW I could not track the package using the tracking number given to
me, after the package left Singapore. Pretty much the Singapore post
office website does not have a visibility into the package once it
leaves Singapore.

My order of totobobo arrived today noon. I faced the same issue of the trail vanishing after it left singapore. However this is what i found out from reading some helpful blogs and making a few calls...

Posts/parcels from Singapore enter India via Chennai... the first point of receipt is the airport sorting office at meenambakkam (044-22560233). They were able to identify my package status as having been received and forwarded to bangalore via the RA number given on the Singapore post tracking page.

Next hop is the sub-foreign post office at bangalore museum road (080-25589993) and then if not subject to customs inspection (which it was not) it is delivered post-haste.

The above information was provided by a very helpful lady at the Bangalore GPO (080-22868652)

I found these links helpful:
http://personalimport.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-does-your-foreign-parcel-travel-in.html
http://www.cbec.gov.in/customs/cs-manual/manual_18.htm
http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Pin/pinsearch.aspx

-Rajat

[totobobo]

Hey Rajat, it's good to know that you received the mask. It is faster
than I expect. Do you mean that now the mail can be tracked in India?
I've got issues with some other packages- they never reach the other
end, so I believe a local dealer will still be a better option.

Please share your experience when you have a chance to use it.

BTW, is there a need to wear a mask riding in the rain?

Best regards,

-Francis

On Nov 5, 1:31 am, "Rajat Agrawal" <rajatagra...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > BTW I could not track the package using the tracking number given to
> > me, after the package left Singapore. Pretty much the Singapore post
> > office website does not have a visibility into the package once it
> > leaves Singapore.
>
> My order of totobobo arrived today noon. I faced the same issue of the trail
> vanishing after it left singapore. However this is what i found out from
> reading some helpful blogs and making a few calls...
>
> Posts/parcels from Singapore enter India via Chennai... the first point of
> receipt is the airport sorting office at meenambakkam (044-22560233). They
> were able to identify my package status as having been received and
> forwarded to bangalore via the RA number given on the Singapore post
> tracking page.
>
> Next hop is the sub-foreign post office at bangalore museum road
> (080-25589993) and then if not subject to customs inspection (which it was
> not) it is delivered post-haste.
>
> The above information was provided by a very helpful lady at the Bangalore
> GPO (080-22868652)
>

> I found these links helpful:http://personalimport.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-does-your-foreign-parc...http://www.cbec.gov.in/customs/cs-manual/manual_18.htmhttp://www.indiapost.gov.in/Pin/pinsearch.aspx
>
> -Rajat