I’ve been using minimed pumps for as long as I’ve been a pumper (close to 15 years). I’ve never felt the need to look elsewhere until I received and started to use to 670 system.
I use the Dexcom and love it. I don’t want to get into all the reasons I can’t stand the 670 but I am seriously considering to switch to the Tslim. BUT I know the grass is always greener on the other side so I need a reality check on day to day Tslim usage.
Other than the fact that I’ll be able to pair with my Dexcom please fill me in on the differences. Thanks!
I’d fill u in on the differences, but I haven’t received my X2 yet. The paperwork is in process to get one, because I too, am not enamored of the 670. The flange around the reservoir on my 530G broke off about a week ago, so duct tape is securing the reservoir for the time being (out of warranty since last December).
Not many people here have used both the 670 and X2.
I know I am very happy with the X2. But it is my first pump.
A lot of people complain that loading the cartridges takes longer. I don’t have a comparison, but I really don’t feel that it is something to NOT get a pump over.
The touchscreen works very well, the dosing is accurate and the entire system works good. If you are on G5, you will only be able to see you numbers on the screen, but if you have the G6, Basal-IQ works great! I know there are a few people that do not like it, but I think that will go with anything out there.
Hammer, for comparison, it takes me less than 2.5 minutes to change a Medtronic pump set (Sure-T). Sometimes less than 2 minutes. That includes clearing off the counter of all the packing and putting the insulin back in the cabinet. It’s an easy process. I’m not looking forward to changing sets for the X2.
I would guess it doesn’t take me that much longer. I can do it pretty darn quick if I need to, but I don’t usually rush it.
I have seen the videos for changes for the medtronic, and the did look pretty easy and straight forward.
The X2 does have a few more steps, but I am not bothered at all.
My only thing about doing changes with the X2 is to make sure you pull a vacuum and get all the entrained air out, and you will not have any problems.
Yeah, I read that! I had the same thing happen to me - each time I would change the reservoir another piece would chip off. I was in warranty so they replaced it right away. That was last summer.
And now (December) they offered to “upgrade” my pump. Oh what a mistake that was.
I requested a brochure from my Dr a few years ago and one of the things that made me reconsider is the usb charging. I love being able to just pop in a new disposable battery when I need to.
How long does the charge take and how long does it generally last?
The TSlim does the same thing when paired with the Dexcom 6. I have the 5 right now BUT even without the auto mode I’m strongly considering it.
The 670 CGM results cannot be read anywhere other than the pump. That means if I’m at an even where I’m wearing a dress I have to excuse myself to the ladies room to go check the pump.
At work I can whip out my little remote G5 receiver to check numbers and my customers are none the wiser. It just likes like a small device - no tubing.
It’s so silly that the results can’t be read on an alternate device.
Forget the fact that I couldn’t get the 670 sensors to work properly. They kept me up all night - kept me back and forth to the ladies room at my cousins wedding b/c the darn thing kept buzzing for a calibration. When I thought they were working (and it wasn’t bothering me with alerts) it was not always accurate. I think the longest span I got was 4 days.
So right now I use the 670 as a regular pump and my dexcom for CGM on it’s own. Even that’s annoying b/c coming from the older MM pumps, this one is huge.
It’s not really an apples to apples comparison right now. Once Tandem releases their software update and enables their version of the loop system(not sure about the name at this point because they’ve changed it multiple times), then a real comparison can be made. I chose the Tandem X2 over the 630 when it came out because I hated just about everything with the Medtronic 600 series. They omitted the function to connect to a smartphone, thus eliminating the ability to notify loved ones/friend that the users BG levels are crashing. My 530 has this feature, it’s very useful. This particular feature loss was enough for me to return the pump immediately. The form factor of the pump was not pleasing, the weight was significantly increased. The long overdue color screen in my opinion is way too small. I was not interested in the loop function, there was no way I was going to keep the 630 and then pay to upgrade to the 670 when it released with all the negatives the pump had for me personally. The Tandem paired with the G5 was amazing, the software upgrade to the G6 with low glucose suspend feature was a game changer. Tandem/Dexcom have all the features I was looking for, including Dexcom share, which has saved my life more than once. The Dexcom Clarity app is wonderful, and requires no interaction from the user whatsoever. It just runs in the background, when I’m at my Endo’s office, I generate a code for them, they print all the reports. The reservoir/infusion set change on the Tandem is not as fluid as the Medtronic. Once you’ve done it a few times you don’t even notice the extra steps it takes to change the set. I can do it in less than 5 minutes now. The longest step is getting the air out of the cartridge with the syringe. The whole process is no big deal, seems to be greatly hyperbolized. Don’t forget, that the Tandem pump is completely software upgradeable. Whenever they release a new feature, you don’t have to upgrade to a new pump. Sorry for the long post, but I would not trade my X2/G6 for anything. These two products ticked all the boxes for me. I would highly recommend to do as much research and ask all the questions you have before you make a decision.
Thank you! This is what I wanted to hear. From what my needs are I feel like it’s a really good option.
When you’re used to one way of doing things (like changing the reservoir) you just assume that other companies use similar strategies, which is not so. Even the site insertion is so different. So these actual daily use issues are what has been holding me back.
Please tell me about charging the pump and how long a charge typically lasts.
Thanks
If the pump is connected to the Dexcom, you’ll get 5 days of battery life. Tandem recommends to charge the pump everyday, usually when you take a shower. I’ve let my battery go down to 15% a few times, it took about twenty minutes to fully charge the battery. The site changes were exactly the same for me. I used the Medtronic MiO sets, Tandem has the exact same product. The differences in the reservoirs between Medtronic and Tandem are the reasons why the process is so different. The Medtronic uses a clear syringe for their reservoir. Tandem’s design is more like a magazine for a hand gun. It’s made of rigid black plastic that contains a bag which holds the insulin. There are videos on YouTube that show what the Tandem reservoir looks like when it’s taken apart. I was apprehensive about the pump when I first heard of this type of reservoir, but I’ve had zero issues from the the pump in this regard. Tandem will be introducing a lot of cool stuff in the next few years. They were talking about having the pump connect to a smartphone, so it can be used and controlled from the phone. I haven’t seen anything about this since they first mentioned it. They are a very forward thinking company, who’s products showcase that in every way.
I did the same as you in regards to watching the vids before I committed to ordering it. We reached the same conclusion. Like I said, once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes muscle memory and you don’t even notice the extra steps anymore. The Tandem pump trainer will walk you through all the steps and thoroughly explain how everything should be done. It’s not that complicated or time consuming compared to other pumps.
It takes me five minutes with the X2 including what you mentioned. And I never rush it.
So agreed. The X2 is slower with cartridge changes. Three minutes longer every three days.
Maybe that is a minor point but worth knowing before the purchase.
And if that is a major point then it is great there are options available.
Agreed. Battery on the X2 should last 5 days when integrated with the Dexcom and 7 days when not integrated. We find shower time (when disconnected) to be ideal for charging.
I expect the first version of the Tandem Mobile app to be released concurrently with the Control-IQ update. Total conjecture on my part. The Canadian version of the X2 already has the X2 screen required for this. The first version of the Tandem Mobile App will be READ-ONLY and will not allow any control of the pump (per my understanding). The second version of the Tandem Mobile app will be released concurrently with the t:sport and will allow full control of the t:sport. Hopefully (but not sure) the second version of the Tandem Mobile app (with full control) at the time of the t:sport launch will be backported and released for the X2.
It is interesting to get a feel for how many 670g users have switched over to the X2.
And then get a feel for how many X2 users have switched over to the 670g.
No hard stats that I know but reading enough from many sources and the picture rapidly comes into focus.
So I don’t mind that it takes an extra few minutes. I learned long ago not to rush through bc inevitably I’ll make a mistake at some point. As long as it’s not a finicky and tedious process w/ so many variables that I’ll kick myself.
I’m curious as to the breakdown for ppl switching between women and men. Remember, one of the main issues (like even if I could get the Guardian to be accurate) is that there’s no remote or share option. It’s so not practical to take my pump out to check my numbers. Are there no dress wearing women on the design team???
The Dexcom has the ability to use a smartphone(iOS or Android) as a receiver. I use an iPhone paired with my Apple watch. All I have to do is look at my watch to see my BG level. This could be an option for you.
Yes I know. I have been using the Dexcom for a few years. I love it. When I go out somewhere “fancy” I just slip the receiver into my evening bag and no one is the wiser when I take a peek at my numbers.
The paperwork is in process to get one, because I too, am not enamored of the 670. The flange around the reservoir on my 530G broke off about a week ago, so duct tape is securing the reservoir for the time being (out of warranty since last December).