Seems I may be forced into switching to a different blood glucose meter and am looking for some opinions on other brands out there. I currently use the Freestyle Lite and what I really like about it is its size (tiny), it doesn't need alot of blood, it doesn't need to be coded, and it has a handy little light that illuminates the test trip which is a feature I really really like.
Are there other meter brands out there that offer any or some of these features. Thanks!
I love one touch. They have the ultra mini which is very small, fits in your hand, requires a little drop of blood, and all their strips now are coded C25 so once you set that code into your meter, it is set. The ultra mini is relatively inexpensive to purchase if you have to pay out of pocket, of course like all meters it is the strips that are pricey. Unfortunately the ultra mini doesn't have any light on it, that WOULD be a cool feature though. But I think if you had to switch overall it would serve your purpose.
The number one reason I would select a new meter would be the reliability of the test results and any little nuances would not even play into the decision. Not all meters are what they advertise. But once you have chosen a new brand or the one your insurance wants you to use, I would reccomend doing tandem tests using your old meter and the new brand one for several days for safety and added peace of mind. My response is based on my past experiences.
Thanks for all the responses. Is there a resource out there to compare meter accuracy?
High.
Well I currently have in my posession..
1) The bayer contour USB, this is a great little meter, very accurate, no coding, it charges via the usb, it is small, has a colour screen and the software is plus and play. 5 second read time, and a small drop of blood. 9/10
2) The glucomen X, this is great, it has a both blood ketone and glucose testing, the fastest read time available and is easy to use. I use this to test blood ketones whenever my sugars are above 275. Again an excellent meter.
3) Accu Chek Aviva Nano, small quick, lightweight, easy to use, comes with code chip. Not as accurate as the bayer or as good in my opinion.
4) The Accucheck Combo/Expert Meter, this is my main meter as it it also a remote for my pump, the model is the same as the standard expert that is sold without the pump. 5 second read time, accurate, colour screen, bolus wizard, carb wizard, BOB function. An excellent meter, but not particular sexy and is quite large and boring to look at, takes alot of the work out and is pretty nifty :) 8/10.o
I think the best meter if you are not pumping with an accu check combo is the bayer USB, this paired with the accu check multiclix lancet is good kit.
But then again, the glucoman X with ketone testing is also useful ha..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvxfTsRDCGo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgBT7CLgMgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDX-umJIeE0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BArXdpKjjWo
Some excellent video review of the meters mentioned above.
This link gives a good review of most meters :)
http://www.menshealth.com/spotlight/diabetes/top-blood-glucose-mete...
Probably haven't been of much help ha.
I'd vote for the UltraMini too. I had had an UltraSmart for a while, thinking the data would be useful, and it was. Then I got a pump and UltraLinked but the CGM didn't "link" and I got as I was starting to run more and I tried a free UltraMini as I didn't want to be bothered w/ adjusting my prescriptions to deal w/ multiple meters and it was small. I like it a lot. It will fit into the pocket of pants very easily. I got a free USB Bayer one too and like the meter but the case wasn't that much smaller and a bit bulkier so I've stuck w/ the Ultra Mini.
Ha ha,
I love the "high" at the beginning of my post instead of "Hi" I had just checked my BG and I was high before I began typing ha ha ha :)