So I’ve had a Ping for a few years now. My first belt clip lasted at least a year. Since then every single one breaks within a month, with the rivet breaking off in the middle of the clip. Animas has been good at replacing them, but this is getting ridiculous (3x so far). Do any other Ping users have a good substitute? I need something that will stay in place while jogging and doing moderate exercise.
I heard from one of the Animas reps that they made the first generation of clips too strong, so the pumps got damaged. It seems like they replaced those with clips made of silly putty that fall apart of their own accord.
I have no suggestions for replacements for the clip, but I am equally frustrated with that stupid clip! It’s just plain old poor design. It needs a spring. And I’ve had my clip for 6 months and it is already starting to wobble. I anticipate it breaking any day now. Other than the clip, I’ve been really happy with my Animas!
My son’s clip broke at the same place as yours on day 2 of a 2 week cruise - he’s only had his pump about 6 weeks - so we had to do some creative improvising until I remembered that we had a Spibelt with us. He wore that for the remainder of the trip, including for a very strenuous hike & lots of basketball and it worked well for him. They make one specifically for pumps with a little opening stitched into the side for the tubing to run through.
I called Animas when I got home and after giving me the third degee (is son twisting the pump? Is son putting the clip on correctly? What was son doing when the clip broke? Was son exceptionally rough with clip?), they finally agreed to send a new one. I mentioned that I had heard of a lot of problems with broken clips and was told that was not an issue they had a lot of compaints about, but the clip is only under warranty for 3 months.
I’m going on 8 months now and i can tell its about to break any day. Is Animas good with replacing these for free or am I going to be stuck buying one every 6-8 months?
It’s not just Animas. I have the same problem with Minimed. The clips have a useful life of about 3-4 months. I buy them 6 at a time and keep a spare with me – just one more thing to carry all the time.
I've had my pump for about a year and haven't broken the clip, but after about 4 or 5 months it "loosened" up and now the gap between the two prongs is like half an inch! It was nice and tight when i first got it, almost too tight.
I haven't had the same problems w/ MM, I've broken a couple, mostly on the seat belt retractor on the driver's seat of my car (twice...) so I'm careful getting in the car, every now and then I'll sit close too it and go "whew" that I've missed it. The one I currently have has lasted since April 2010 though now, 1100 some odd miles of running (plus the times I forgot my Garmin and treadmilling, that I don't bother logging. Logging running is almost as annoying as logging BG...)1100 more miles of bicycling, various other activities, etc. Clearly, when this one breaks, it'll be time for a new pump.
I have only had my pump 3.5 months and have already broken four clips, they the first three replaced free of charge. But on the the last one the company wanted $30..
So I took that $30 to a friend who does leather work and owns a saddlery, she made me a case out of some amazing quality leather built to my specification for $25 ha.
I use that at work etc, but when I am doing sports or slobbing out I just wear my pump round my neck under a t-shirt or something.
I must have an original strong clip, lol. Had my pump since Oct 2010 and still using my first clip - though I did purchase one as a back-up just in case, because I had heard they were weak. Wonder if I'll ever need it?
Sounds like diverse opinions. I meed a new belt clip for my MM. The first clip had the rivet connecting the holster to the clip break. My current belt clip allows my pump to slide out way too easily. My stomach (with the help of the infusion set adhesive) catches my pump a few inches off the ground. Ouch!
I have never considered asking MM for a new belt clip as I thought it was considered an accessory that was not necessary. I will ask for one today, thanks for the advice. If I cannot get one free, I will probably buy 6 new ones.
I replaced my 4-year old Animas Ping in December 2012. My 8-month old Ping belt clip broke yesterday getting out of my car. I didn't snag it on the seat belt or anything. It was just the pressure of me bending and twisting to get my feet on the ground.
I just called Animas customer service thinking that they would replace the belt clip under a warranty. As many of you already know, the belt clip warranty is only 3 months. I put my old belt clip back into service but this policy irritates me. Their clip design is very hokey to begin with. You would think that the clip that holds a $6k medical computer to a belt would have been the beneficiary of thoughtful design and sturdy construction. This design seems like more of an after-thought band-aid!
Instead of standing up and taking responsibility for their poor design, Animas has foisted this irritating burden onto the shoulders of its customers with its super-short three month warranty. This I will remember come repurchase time!
I wonder if the Animas Vibe has the same vapor-ware belt clip. Anybody know?
Sorry, Terry, I don't know about the Animas Vibe. I totally agree it's ludicrous to have this expensive medical equipment in a crappy case attached by a worthless clip. My first clip lasted about 8-9 mos; they wouldn't replace so I bought another which lasted 2-3 mos; bought one more which again lasted 2-3 mos.
Now I stick the pump in my old Dexcom Seven case (not a good fit, and it's pretty beat up, but that clip is indestructible).
I do have to say Animas came through for me recently when I accidentally exposed my pump to radiation and they replaced it. It would have caused me problems if I would have had to go through insurance or out of pocket, so this renewed my faith in customer service.
Shana - Can you expand on the exposure of your pump to radiation? Was it at the dentist, or possibly the airport. I've exposed my pump to many airport x-rays without apparent damage. I know they counsel against doing that.
Terry, It was a mammogram. Animas said that "apron" they put on you is not sufficient protection and the pump should not even be in the same room during your x-ray.
Within an hour afterward, my pump did one of those self checks where it asks you to call for service (may or may not be a coincidence). Once I replaced the battery, the pump appeared to work. But I'm not taking any chances from now on, just in case.
I’ve exposed my pumps to dozens of dental x-rays, with lead apron, over the years and have never had a problem. Maybe I was simply lucky. I wonder if this advice from Animas is overly-cautious. I’m sorry if my inquiry pried into matters personal!
No, I don't mind saying...I like that we can talk about anything on here because diabetes is hard enough, getting our questions answered should be easy. I think U R right about Animas being cautious; they prob have to give that advice due to liability issues. After I talked to them until I got my replacement, I saw no problems with the pump (they told me to stop using it but I didn't because I didn't want to give myself a shot of Novolog every 2 hours day and night!)
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