Yet another happy Dexcom 7+ user here 
I got my first Dexcom 7 in November of last year after having bad experience with the MM CGM. Then I upgraded to the 7+ in March when it became available. This device has not let me down. The readings are very accurate with the exception of those few times it is not. Iāve only had 1 failed sensor in almost a year. To me these things are acceptable since no CGMS is perfect yet. I saw the Navigator at an expo last fall and there were a few things that helped my decision for the Dex - like some already mentioned. 1) the start up time for the dex (2 hrs) is a lot shorter than the nav (10 hrs) 2) the transmitter on the dex is a lot smaller 3) I did not want to give up using my one touch meters for the freestyle one integrated in the nav 4) 7 day lifespan of the sensors for the dex are longer than that of the nav. I have heard good things about the Navigator so I guess itās what features are more important to you. Good luck deciding! I hope you will be happy with either that you choose
Those of you who talked about the Omnipod and Dexcom eventually intergrating. I talked to both the omnipod and dex companies about it and apparently you will still have to carry the extra reciever. At least thats what I think they said?
Thatās why iām leaning more towards the nav. Just because the range I have heard is FANTASTIC and I really have no issues with my pod coming loose or the cannula coming out. Even though EVERYONE seems to have positive reviews of Dex, I talked with my doctor some more she mentioned how she also had some other patients that had issues with Dex. And I live in Minnesota so the hot weather thing isnāt to much of a problem just during the summer.
Any CGM decision puts you into a bind for just a year. Then the warranty is up and a new game starts. I have based my decision on what I think is best NOW. I have no CGM brand loyalty. Whoever has the best CGM when my warranty is up gets my business.
Hi Amanda,
When your doctor talks about problems with the Dex, ask her if she is referring to the first generation Dexcom STS, the second generation SEVEN or the newest SEVEN Plus. Unlike the competition that is still on their first generation, Dexcom is currently on its third generation.
There were issues with the STS that were resolved with the SEVEN and SEVEN Plus.
Note also that one disadvantage of the Navās range is that you will have to periodically recharge the transmitter. The Dex has a lower range, but it does not need to be periodically recharged.
Both are good CGMs. Choose the one that best fits your needs.
David, I hear people talking about the range of the cgm, could
you explain what the range means in relationship to the cgm ?
Ray, range means distance between sensor and receiver.
Thanks, Helmut ! Wouldnāt you have the reciever on your person at all times.
How else would you hear the Alarms and see what your Glucose is doing ?
Is the receiver big or small on the Dexcom, can you put in your pocket ?
The receiver is the size of a cell phone. I carry the receiver in my pocket at all times. At night I leave the receiver on the night stand. This causes the receiver to lose the signal sometimes for hours. In the morning when I get dressed and I am without pockets I have to carry the receiver in my hand which is annoying. I wish I could leave it either in the bedroom or the bathroom.
There a many videos on YouTube about the dex.
The range is that little that when you put it on a night stand
you lose reception. That donāt sound too good to me. How far
is the range on the Navigator. Thereās always something that puts
me off. Thanks, for your help.
The Nav takes batteries. You do not have to recharge the transmitter.
I can have the Navigator receiver on my nightstand and be three rooms away in my kitchen and hear the alarms. I can be anywhere in my house and the receiver will pick up my sensor.
Ray, go check out their websites. You have a lot of questions that could be answered quickly if you researched the products.
Dexcom: http://www.dexcom.com
Navigator: http://www.continuousmonitor.com
Thanks Melissa, but I rather get the personal feedback. Iām
an old fashion type of guy. Iām glad to hear about the range
in your house. I was all set to buy the DexCom till I heard
about the short range. I like my one touch blood meters,
do I have to use a freestyle meter with the Navigator.
You can go crazy trying to figure out which cgm suits
oneās needs best ! Itās hard for me to believe that DexCom
would make the range so shallow.
I may be one of the few, but Iām dumping the Dex7+ and switching to the Nav.I have had nothing but problems with the Dex and cant use it anymore. Iām not saying it is a bad product, only that it does not work for me. In the recent past I had 5 sensors in a row fail within 3 hours of insertion. I have had multiple times when I would get a high alert and acknowledge it only to have the receiver reinitialize itself. Support told me it was a sensor issue, the district manager told me it was a receiver issue. They replaced the receiver and I still had reinitialization issues. I also found hat more often than not, the accuracy was way off. I had one time for example where the Dex said I was 308 and multiple finger sticks showed I was at 83. Just a bit more than I can tollerate, so Iām going to have a go with the Navigator.
Hi Melissa,
My mistake. The MM transmitter battery must be recharged weekly. The Navigator battery is replaced monthly according to the following web site:
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/continuous.htm
The Dexcom transmitter battery is said to last for 18 months without recharging. The con of this feature is the 5 foot range.
The Navigator transmitter battery probably needs to be replaced twice a month, in my experience. Each box of six sensors (one month supply) includes 1 watch battery, but I often need an additional one to operate the transmitter at a fuller battery life. I prefer to keep the battery life between 75-100% at all times.
Iāve been a Nav user since they first came out. I use it off and on because of expense. As far as range Iāve experienced the same long range as previous posters (30-40 feet), and that is important to me. I find it to be very accurate, you just have to be aware that it measures interstitial fluid, and that lags behind Bg if Bg is moving. I often change the alarm settings depending on which way Iām trending, ie. when going to sleep and Iām high with an expected drop Iāll have the low alarm set at 120 (interstial) because I know the Bg is much lower (probably in the 90ās). Most cells get their glucose from the interstitial fluid not blood so in a way interstitial glucose readings are more important than Bg as far as cell health is concerned. I know blood cells get their glucose directly from the blood but wonder about endothelial cells and brain cells, anybody know?
I had sensor tape problems at first but now use a layer of āOpsite Flexifitā tape then apply the transmitter. I do cut a little hole in that tape so the short needle doesnāt have to penetrate that tape. This method keeps the sensor in place. Iāve been able to get 30 days use from a sensor. The needle is so short it hasnāt caused much irritation or any infection. Not perfect readings but still within reason.
The 10 hour calibration is a downside for sure, and a few times I couldnāt get it to calibrate and had to reset it and wait another 10 hours.
Iāve had excellent customer service from Abbott, a couple replaced sensors and both the transmitter and receiver have been replaced once. Replacements came overnight.
CGMās arenāt perfect but itās one more piece of info to help control, I would probably be happy with either Dex or Nav
If I have it right, there is a wireless sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver ?
How big is the transmitter and what do you transmit ?
How big is the receiver that gives you your results ?
Iām talking about the Navigator.
I ask myself is this idea with its inadequate functionability really
better then testing oneās glucose with a blood meter ?
http://www.freestylenavigator.com/ab_nav/url/content/en_US/10.50:50ā¦
Photos, size comparisons, etc.
For those of you curious, I posted a video on the insertion process for the Navigator sensors.