Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite CPAP Battery Backup Power Supply, 95Wh, for ResMed AirSense 10, AirMini, S9, and select compatible 24V PAP devices vs Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right kit component for your needs.
Medistrom
$339
Retevis
$340
Spec Winner
Wins on 2 of 3 spec categories
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite CPAP Battery Backup Power Supply, 95Wh, for ResMed AirSense 10, AirMini, S9, and select compatible 24V PAP devices | Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater |
|---|---|---|
| Kit Role | Dedicated CPAP battery backup: UPS-style failover for compatible 24V PAP machines without relying on the main power station | GMRS repeater hub |
| Category | cpap-battery | gmrs-repeater |
| Renter Install | no install | permission required |
| Building Fit | bedside | licensed RF relay |
| Max Power | N/A | 5 W |
| Channels | N/A | 8 |
| Clear LOS Range | N/A | N/A |
| Coverage | N/A | N/A |
| Battery Life | 8 hrs | N/A |
| Water Resistant | No | No |
| SOS Button | No | No |
| Weather Alerts | No | No |
| License Required | No | Yes |
| Subscription Required | No | No |
| Subscription/mo | 0 $ | 0 $ |
| Price | $339 | $340 |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite CPAP Battery Backup Power Supply, 95Wh, for ResMed AirSense 10, AirMini, S9, and select compatible 24V PAP devices
Pros
- Seamless UPS-mode failover: the Pilot-24 Lite passes AC power through to the CPAP normally and switches to battery in milliseconds on power loss — no buttons, no action required from a sleeping user
- 8–16 hours runtime at typical CPAP pressures (up to 10 cmH2O), covering a full night in most outage scenarios
- Purpose-built for ResMed AirSense 10, AirMini, and S9, with select other 24V PAP devices supported by separate cable kits
- 95Wh capacity sits under the FAA 100Wh spare-lithium threshold, so it is practical for carry-on CPAP travel
- Recharges in 2–3 hours; lighter (1.3 lb) and smaller than a general-purpose power station
Cons
- Works only with compatible 24V CPAP/APAP devices — not universal; verify the exact CPAP model and cable before buying
- Heated humidifiers, heated tubing, mask leaks, and high pressures can cut runtime sharply
- At $339 it is expensive per watt-hour versus a general power station, but the pass-through UPS function justifies the premium for CPAP-critical use
- 95Wh is not enough to run other devices simultaneously — single-purpose
- Not compatible with ventilator BiPAP or high-flow oxygen concentrators
Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater
Pros
- Adds a real RF relay layer no handheld can provide
- Purpose-built GMRS repeater with built-in duplexer
- Portable AC/DC format can support temporary building or neighborhood drills
- Pairs with repeater-capable handhelds like the BTECH GMRS-V2
- Best fit for licensed building captains and prepared neighborhood radio leads
Cons
- Not a renter gadget; needs permission, antenna placement, and power planning
- No organization-wide license shortcut; unrelated GMRS operators still need their own licenses
- Shared repeater use needs a responsible licensed operator, call-sign discipline, and written operating rules
- Bad antenna placement inside concrete can erase the benefit
- More complex and easier to misuse than simple handheld radios
Our Verdicts
Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite CPAP Battery Backup Power Supply, 95Wh, for ResMed AirSense 10, AirMini, S9, and select compatible 24V PAP devices
The Pilot-24 Lite is the best secondary layer for a CPAP user who needs automatic overnight failover without relying solely on a larger power station. It sits in-line with a compatible 24V PAP machine, passes wall power through while the grid is live, and switches to battery when power fails. The catch is compatibility and runtime discipline: confirm the exact CPAP model and cable, test the real pressure setting, and plan to disable heated humidification when runtime matters.
Retevis RT97S Portable GMRS Repeater
The RT97S is the advanced GMRS product OutageKit was missing: a repeater for a licensed building radio lead trying to make floor-to-lobby or neighborhood RF coverage more reliable. It is not for casual renters, condo-board blanket use, or internet-linked networks, and it does not bypass GMRS licensing or station-identification rules. It belongs only when a responsible licensed operator can place the antenna, power the unit, and run a written channel plan.
Medistrom Pilot-24 Lite CPAP Battery Backup Power Supply, 95Wh, for ResMed AirSense 10, AirMini, S9, and select compatible 24V PAP devices
$339