We are about to switch from Navigator because of various issues it has (though I still like the product). The Dexcom alarm thing is making me a bit nervous as this is for my teenage son. Navigator had controllable alarm volume which was so good. I just don’t understand why designers can’t think for the users! What does it take to put an alarm whose volume can be controlled? When you charge $1000+ dollars, please be a little sensitive to your customer’s needs. This is where the Japs are way ahead of the rest of the world.
Completely agreed! As one user put it, a $10 toy kids phone from Toys R Us has more volume features. While still annoyed by the lack of suitable alarm options, I have learned to deal with it. I place it under my pillow, or on my nightstand, and it usually wakes me up - but not always! I think they toned down the alarm because of the inaccuracies at night still for some people. However, if this issue has not been fixed in a year when I am eligible for a replacement, I will look at Medtronic or Navigator very strongly.
It is more than disappointing, it is ridiculous! Is it really that expensive/difficult to design a powerful alarm with user selectable volume with many increments so any user can have the perfect volume?
I suspect that many people would hear it if it were a lower tone. High frequency loss is very common as people age, so why not add an option for a lower tone?
I sure hope its not because FDA would require a whole approval process.
I don’t hear the alarm, but I keep mine on vibrate. The vibration wakes me right up. I have several Scrubs® surgical pockets that I belt around my waist. Since ladies’ pj’s don’t have pockets, this is where I store my pump. Now the Dexcom goes in with it. It looks like Scrubs doesn’t make the pockets anymore, but anything on an adjustable belt will help keep things in close proximity. HTH, Darice
Trouble with Alarm System
When I bought my DexCom Seven Plus continuous glucose monitor I was pleased with it until I found out it would not wake me up when I was sleeping.
The reason I got a continuous glucose monitoring system was to avoid going into an insulin reaction while I was sleeping.
If I was going to keep my DexCom Seven I needed to resolve this problem.
I looked online for some type of alarm that would respond to vibration. I found the GLASS GUARD VIBRATION ALARM it has a 101 db ear piercing ultra decibel sound alarm which will awaken most individuals.
At night time I put my DexCom Seven Plus receiver on my night stand next to my bed with the vibration alarm sitting on top of it. When the DexCom vibrating alarm goes of it sets off the ear piercing vibration alarm which wakes me up.
I got the GLASS GUARD VIBRATION ALARM for $14.38 from Amazon at this link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002675V9A/ref=oss_product
This is just an interim fix until DexCom resolves this problem which I am sure they will do in their next model update.
I have a web site sowing an intermin fix for this problem
https://sites.google.com/site/dexcomseveninterimfix
Lance Wakefield
If you have questions my email is samuell.wakefield@gmail.com
What we use and several people that I know of is a product made for people that are deaf or hard of hearing. Someone on these board told me about it and it solved our issues when a baby monitor and karaoke machine didn’t work well enough. It costs just about 100 dollars but in my opinion is well worth it. You need the Sonic Alert SB1000ss along with a Sonic Alert Baby Cry Signaler. It comes with a bed shaker and you can use that along with the alarm or either of them separately. It is more expensive, but the alarm can be changed in both tone and volume. I wouldn’t want an ear piecing alarm going off all of the time.