Does anyone else out there hate all cases that come with meters? Or at least most of them?
I just bought a Contour USB. I hardly ever buy meters. In fact I haven’t bought one in years, because they usually are free with strips. For some reason this one wasn’t, maybe because it’s so new in Canada, but I’ve been drooling over it for a while. So I bought it. I figure the cost savings in not having to buy batteries will eventually pay for it. Plus, I spend that much on coffee every few months, so I might as well spend it on my health.
Anyway, I really like the meter itself. Looks slick, feels solid, has good features. I haven’t tried downloading any readings yet, but I’m sure I’ll like that.
However, the case is horrid. I cannot figure out how to put the meter in so that it fits in such a way that you can test while it’s in the case. The plastic that covers the meter screen is also so opaque that it makes the screen literally unreadable. Who designs these cases clearly doesn’t ever have a need to test on the go! Also, I don’t understand what the point of designing tiny meters is when the test strip containers are so enormous that they are almost three times as thick as the meter itself. Kind of defeats the purpose …
So does anyone know of any place to buy cases that are actually functional? By that I mostly mean the ability to test with the meter still in the case. I don’t know about anyone else, but I test 8-10 times a day whenever and wherever I need to, whether it’s on the bus or while riding the stationary bike at the gym or waiting in line at Starbucks. I don’t always have a nice flat surface I can lay everything out on to test like they do in promotional videos. Any ideas?
Well there is never a flat surface… I bought a nice diabetic bag/kit from Stick Me Designs.
Check it out.
Myabetic bags are nice I hear.
I totally agree with you about the case. I totally think it is useless. I keep dropping something out of the case each time I go to test. I do like the fact that I can put 2 containers worth of strips in one container so I do not have to worry about running out of strips for a few more days. I downloading the information from the meter is easy. I do not care for the layout of the reports.
The cases do stink. I’ve got the USB and if your case is the same as mine, the piece with the plastic is where the meter goes, strip piece facing towards the top of the case. I wish they’d do a test marketing on the cases along with the meters!
I’m curious about the other places people recommended, need to check them out.
I got a myabetic case. The Banting. Then I got 2 more in different colours, to go with my mood/outfit. I love it! It holds everything and fits in my uniform pocket. NonPWDs think it's a wallet. Only trouble is, I had to order it online because nowhere around my hometown has them in stores. Come to think of it, nowhere around here has anything geared towards PWD in the shops. I love my myabetic case! Would totally recommend it to everyone! :)
I'd also like the case to fit 2 insulin pens.
I have the bayer contour case and can't zip it shut ;-(
I've always wondered about this because the case for my one touch mini was kinda bad, it was really small and I had trouble with keeping things in it other than the meter itself , the lancing device and test strip vial were a pain to deal with. My one touch ultra 2 has a better case , but still kinda hard to fit everything in. If you find something decent out of what everyone suggested that'd be great lol.
I agree about the USB case sucking. I got a freebie, thinking "looks neat" a few years ago but need a case that will fit in my shorts (there's a handy pocket...) when I go running and the Contour USB isn't it. I don't get what the point of designing a smaller meter and then putting it in a big, honking case is. I like the One Touch Ultra Mini cases, as they are smaller, thinner (although they could be thinner with a thinner strip holder too...) and fit. I'm a bit concerned that the meter is sort of dated and may not be the most accurate but it's accurate enough. I would think that meter folks would want to market the smallness of the and work to get a case that was just a bit bigger than these small meters.
Does the Contour USB fit inside the OneTouch Mini case?
I'm currently using my Ping meter inside a case for an Accu-Chek Aviva meter. I don't even know where I got the case, because I've never had that meter, but it fits perfectly and is about half the size of the case that came with the Ping. The elastic cord is going to break, soon, so I need to find where I can order a new one soon.
I am old fashioned of course but I am sticking with my OneTouch Ultra Link as long as I can. I do not have to remove the meter to test--never do. And it doesn't have a cover over the meter screen. Since it stays in the case, it has never been scratched. OK, it is 'big' but I don't mind and I prefer batteries to having one more thing to recharge. My cell phone and cgm are enough for me to deal with every week or so. Keeping up with cords on trips is also not fun.
I checked the myabetic site and it looks as if you have to remove the Contour or other small meter every time you check it. Not for me! I also don't want my cgm in a zippered case as I look at it too often for that.
Don't know what I will do in 3 or 4 years when I have to get a new pump. If I stick with MM I think I will have to change to Contour but not sure. I may go against my long tradition and go with Ping if they ever work out the Dex connection. But this is beside the point of this thread. Sort of related to meters though.
I got the Contour Next USB, with a similar flimsy case with elastic band to hold in the meter. By calling the company, or registering on their website, I was able to get a replacement with the molded 'corners' to hold the meter instead of the band. Works better than the original, but still wish it was a bit bigger.
The case also seems to stretch a bit, as it was a very tight fit when I first got it, but now works better. I can fit alcohol wipes, extra pump battery, and extra lancets in the zipper pocket.
I saw this meter at the store the other day. What's the difference between this meter and the previous Contour USB (which I currently use as my backup meter)?
I found the stripes for contour next are a little more pricey.
I just upgraded from an accuchek aviva nano to the contour next USB. it's really neat with all the features. You can add notes like if you are stressed, active, feeling sick or just not right. and you can add carbs eaten or insulin given at separate times. even add them later on to the meter, in case you forgot to do so at the time.
I've also noticed it gives me better numbers, as in lower readings. I checked it with the test solution, just to be sure. So I guess it is more accurate? I like it a lot.
Jen - The Bayer 'Next' meters (USB and non-USB versions) are the 'next generation' meters from Bayer, and use different strips that I think they claim are more accurate. I think the meter features are about the same.
I started using Bayer Next USB when I got the 'Link' version of the meter from Minimed, and it communicates with my pump. Then I got a non-link Next USB to use as backup.
I like that the strips require .6ml sample compared to the 1.0 ml for the One Touch Ultra Link I used prior to that.
I forgot to mention second chance sampling - my old meter didn't offer that. Love 2nd chance!