Oh gosh. My son used the Medtronic pump and sensors for about 7 years, and now has been on the Dexcom and t:slim for about 6 years. We’ve also had an Omnipod system that we’ve used for backup and for days when he’s swimming for long periods of time. They all have their pluses and minuses, except in our experience, the Dexcom CGM is superior to the Medtronic CGM in virtually every way.
I really thought charging the t:slim was going to be a hassle when we switched, but we quickly realized that if we just put the charger in the bathroom and he plugged it in when he showers, we really never have to charge it otherwise.
Edited to add: I was just diagnosed myself and am currently using my son’s old Omnipod. My work wardrobe consists almost entirely of dresses, so at this point, the Pod is probably my best choice. I’m also strongly honeymooning, so I also don’t need the Control IQ features of the t:slim as much as some folks do. I’m very interested in the Tandem t:sport patch pump that is supposed to be coming out within the next year.
I am in this same boat. My Medtronic pump is out of warranty. I was definitely planning to switch to Tanem/dexcom, but now hearing about the 780G has me rethinking. I’m torn!
I recently switched to a Tslim pump after 8 years on two medtronic pumps. I’m really liking it. It is quite compact compared to the medtronic. If I had to get another pump right now, knowing what I know, I’ll probably go for the tslim again. It has a number of things I don’t like but generally I feel it’s more forward thinking and user friendly than the last few versions of medtronic. But both brands do the job well, i don’t think you can go too wrong with them.
I did write my initial impressions of the tslim in this post which may help you:
CGMS on the medtronic is hopeless for me. I’m yet to try the CGMS on the tslim. Good luck on your choice.
I was on animas and minimed and now tslim.
It’s the best pump I’ve had. Mixed with the dexcom and it foes very well. I don’t calibrate my dexcom at all. When I check it it is generally spot on. The tslim makes its own corrections, but I do it faster so I generally bet it to the punch.
I think the Medtronic pu ps still require twice daily calibrations don’t they? That’s why I switched off anyway. I can put a new sensor on and go to bed. It starts working in 2 hours.
On my Medtronic, I had to wake up after 2 hours and calibrate with finger stick and then again several hours later.
Two of the three devices I’ve operated over 15yrs are no longer in the game, so I suppose pros / cons about them are of little value: Smith’s Cozmo, and Animas Vibe w/ Ping Meter.
Currently, driving Tandem t:slim x2, with Dexcom G6.
Tandem: love the small size, well designed user menus, pretty easy to learn and navigate. Very well written UserGuide if you like to read that stuff. And integration with G6, seeing immediate improvement in control, TIR. Also, NO batteries: USB charging is delightfully easy to accommodate.
Carb calculator is a nice touch, enter carbs like a calculator: 10+12+23+14+…= total gm C, and insulin bolus. Simple, easy.
Cons:
odd design of insulin cartridge is more complicated to fill, use.
Touch screen will kick you out back to the lock screen, if you touch the erroneously screen twice, that does not open a menu, or execute a function, the interface will kick you out. Must re-enter the [1,2,3] unlock sequence, and resume your activity from the spot where it kicked you out. Rather aggravating, but you get used to accurate finger pressing.
There is also plans for future medtronic+dexcom integrated system and new algorithms for automated insulin delivery.
I recently started tandem after 20+ years using medtronic. Used the early medtronic sof-sensors, but switched to dexcom Seven instead of going to Enlites. Now using G6 with Tslim X2 as of this year.
So next pump decision will be 4 years, and expect lots a new choices by then.
But for now, I think Tandem is best option.
I was on animas then Medtronic then Tandem.
My favorite was Animas as far as the pump itself. But back then there was no cgm or looping.
I’m very happy with my Tandem now. Just little things that are annoying. Overall a good system
My favorite pump of all (I’ve had 8) is the Deltec Cozmo. I hated to see them go down the tubes. And that makes me a little nervous about Tandem, since thay are also a one-trick pony.
You are only in the game 4 years. If the company went under you have at most 4 years and someone would take over the supplies. And probably offer you a new one to switch to.
Tandem product seems pretty solid unless something changes drastically w Medtronic sensors, I don’t see the company going under.
hehehe… … don’t worry, be happy.
15yrs pump experience, made the following observation: .
my 1st pump = Cozmo. Agreed, fabulous, company bailed
2nd pump: Animas. Not as good as Cozmo, company bailed…
3rd pump: t:slim x2, w/ Dexcom G6: less than 100hrs experience… … we shall see. My two other providers stopped providing!!
I have great hope, 3rd time is the charm! This is the best of the three, I will say.
My first insulin pump was the Cozmos by Deltec which I bought because it was a local company. I used it until I was unable to get supplies for it. Only after I switched to the large capacity Tandem did I understand how feature-rich the Cozmos insulin pump was compared to its competitors. It was very user-friendly and 20 years later it would still compare very well with current insulin pumps. I do not recall ever having any technical failures or mechanical problems with the Deltec Cozmos pumps.
I decided to try a tubeless pump and then switch to the Insulet OmniPod system. They revise their tubeless pumps to the Dash version. But the older version is the only one that works with the do-it-yourself automated insulin looping application which I am currently using so I went back to the older version.
I have had more failures and problems with both Tandem and OmniPod than I ever did with my many years with Deltec.
