the revel now delivers 0.025 u/hr for basal or bolus, so that isn’t true anymore. i agree though that the ping still retains some advantages, particularly in design.
i’m also not sure what you mean by 20 min? i get readings every 5 min on my minimed. maybe you’re thinking of an older version of the guardian??
the needle could definitely be smaller and the insertion could be made simpler, but it’s a small price to pay for what you get from it.
you’d have to be waitlisted for about 6 months from what i’m told. but if accuracy is your most important factor then it’s something that might be worth discussing with your endo. or keeping an eye on it for the future which is what i’m doing for now.
it’s form factor, however, is by far the worst. the transmitter is enormous! they seem behind so i’m not sure if integration is in their future, but researchers around here that are working on the artificial pancreas project are using it as the driver.
I think you will be happy with either Animas pump or Minimed (neice has used both). I do strongly recommend the Dexcom Plus over the Minimed cgms. If you are going to use the Dexcom cgms, you may want to go with Animas unless you don’t mind carrying the extra Receiver. Customer service – we did not wait as long for tech support to pick up the line with Animas, but in our experience, customer service is just as good with Minimed (just takes longer). Animas cartridge only holds 200 units of insulin, whereas Minimed holds 300. We will be going back to Animas if they integrate cgms unless Minimed significantly improves comfort of their sensors. Both pumps are good.
Talk to the customer support for both devices, and see how long it takes, and how courteous they are and seem to know what they are doing…
Make sure you have a live demonstration with BOTH pump reps…
Almost all pumps currently have the same water resistance rating as long as they are maintained properly (IPX rating) but Animas does seem to “support” this… don’t know how theyd react to a water ingress…
Try the software for both… Medtronics is web based, the Animas is self contained (supposedly a mac version is avalible)
Ask reps for patient referrals… oftentimes you can talk to a user of the said pump and find out the nitty gritty…
Also realize that CGM is a future option, Animas is going to have a dexcom transmitter on the animas pump frequency, while the Medtronic its already integrated BUT you cant use a remote attached meter with a CGM at the same time with the medtronic, and you have the smaller medtronic screen for the CGM data, plus I personally like Dexcom sensors better 
Also make sure you can reach your pump rep by email and such… they are going to be the one who helps you start with the pump (in most cases, even though your dr will do a lot of it)…they tend to know how to deal with adhesive issues and can often get samples of stuff and help you in a bind (i.e. pump issue at a really inoppurtune time since replacements are usually overnighted)…
Most of the infusion sets are made by one manufacturer, but realize the ones for the medtronic use a propriatary connector, (yes theres a third party cartridge to workaround this), but the animas uses the standard luer lock, which gives you a few more options (disetronic’s sets, orbit by ICU medical, Cleo 90s, a few others in addition to the Unomedical relabled ones)
How is the Ping alot more advanced than the MM other than the remote? Just curious.
I am pumping with the MM Revel and I love it. I also use the integrated CGM, and I personally have excellent results with it. I have had nothing but excellent MM customer service. I do not mind that the pump is not waterproof (it is pouring rainproof I have found out haha) , as when I go swimmimg I would not keep it with me, even if I had the option as my BG drops like a rock with basal on while swimming. I use the most smallest incrememts of basal and bolus of .025U.
Animas will replace your pump if you wear it in the pool (they advertise you can wear it in the water). Minimed… I have heard they will not replace the pump if you wear pump in pool. MM prefers you take the pump off while swimming.
Do you have any pics of the CGM of the demo censor so I can get an idea the difference in size??? I dont want to be in pain as when I give myself shots I get pain and a bruise later on.
I was diagnosed almost 4 years ago and just getting to the point where I am tired of MDIs
I dont go swimming often. If i do, its for a short period of time.
They advise people to take it off but they will replace pumps with water damage. I believe they even state that in their literature.
I usually take mine off but don’t always remember. Most of the time it isn’t a problem because it is watertight. But I had a big crack in mine and it filled with water just a few weeks ago on a sat, had then new pump by sun…unfortunately i was on hold for about an hour to get there.