In the beginning of the year I loaned a few FFMs: F20 F30 F30i Dreamwear. Hated them all, and was convinced they were not for me. (I have now come full circle.)
I spent most of this year convinced I needed a nasal mask, and settled on N30, N30i, and P30i
The P30i is my favourite nasal mask: no leaks to dry the eyes, but OH the mouth leaks......
Collar, full tape, partial taping, what a hassle and Still have the Dry Mouth: so for me this does not work. I really did try hard to make it work, maybe at some later stage of my PAP-evolution.
So after 9 or 10 months I decided I have failed xPAP therapy with a nasal mask. Pity.
Back to trialling the Dreamwear in different sizes, Amara View and now finally having the lowest leaks of any mask with the F30i.
Early days, but I have good success with the F30i as the leaks go.
At the end of the day you have to try them each. For long enough. Make many adjustments. Read these boards about leak management. Even try different cushion sizes with different headgear sizes.
And yes, with a soft pillow I can easily sleep on my side with the F30i which is the same as the F30 you are considering, only difference is it has the hose at the top of the head. I prefer that for two reasons.
1. No hose getting in the way of my arms.
2. For me the front hose pulls the mask down, away from the seal around the nose and blows air into my eyes. Not a good idea.
The tips in these threads may give you some further things to consider:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...-They-Work
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...lem-solved
Hopefully you can make this work with your preferred 1/4 trimmed beard!
All the best and let us know how you progress.