Thanks for the input. It does sound like I may need the larger reservoir, and a smaller size would be better for me, too. I am also very hard on my toys–can’t coexist well with very fragile stuff. I’ll see what the rep has to say when she calls back. So far, she’s been very helpful. I just don’t want to be pressured into a decision.
Interesting you should say the Revel is more durable MyBustedPancreas. I have seen and personally had the exact opposite experience. Regardless, they are both electronics and as such break. It doesn’t matter which pump you are talking about- the screen is scratchable. Just like a cell phone. In fact Animas now puts a high quality durable screen protector on the pump that is replaceable. Since Medtronic does not do this and offers no such product I took one of the Animas ones and put it on my Medtronic pump after I got a scratch on it despite trying to be careful with it. It is way too big and despite cutting still comes way off the screen but it still does the job. I am surprised that if hiding the pump was an issue you wouldn’t have been drawn to Animas with the meter remote so you do not have to dig out the pump from wherever you are hiding it to give a bolus. I guess we each have our own reasons for choosing one vs the other. I think they are both great pumps and I have been happy with both when wearing them. Actually ALL the current pumps are great, each having its own weaknesses, but a vast improvement over MDI in my opinion.
Petite- The larger reservoir MM pump is larger than the Animas pump. I highly suggest trying to hook up with the reps or going to your Docs office and seeing if you can look at them all side by side so you can look at and hold each of them. For you, the larger reservoir may be a deal breaker but again changing the reservoir is not really all that big of a deal. I would agree that regardless of what you choose make sure you choose it because YOU want it.
Even with the longer tubing I get about 176 units after priming when wearing the Ping.
I spoke with CCS today. They sent me the Revel, and it arrives tomorrow. Then I am to be contacted for training, etc. I told them I might want to change my mind. The problem is, I’m in a small city, far from any reps, so it’s not easy to see everything together. However, I will make the request when they get in touch. I feel I’m at such a disadvantage, never having actually SEEN an insulin pump before! I’m very grateful you guys are here to advise. Will post again after I actually see this thing. 
I know that Medtronic has training reps around the country, and I believe they will come to you (if you want) to train you; though I’ve always declined and used my doctor’s office instead for training.
Does Animas offer the same type of training? This may be an important thing to consider. (Note that I’m not suggesting Animas does or doesn’t offer training, but if you can’t get it, the pump is no good for you, is it?!)
Animas does. They have what they call Certified Pump Consultants who depending on the person will say how far they are willing to travel to train people. Should there be no one willing the Clinical Rep that works directly for Animas will.
I am not sure that if once the pump has been shipped you have the option of choosing something different. Did CCS say you would? In any case I am sure you will be happy with the Revel.
The pump and all its accouterments arrived this evening, and I’ve been studying the workbooks and manual. I must say, it looks complicated, but I’m reserving judgment. The purple case is a disappointment; it looks black. According to the invoice, I can return it for exhange within 30 days. I really DO wish for a more legible screen. :-/ I have no idea where I will wear this thing–I don’t use belts and prefer elastic waistbands and usually have no pockets–and the bra is already full! LOL! Maybe a bandolero with insulin vials instead of cartridges? 
I was going to ask if they bothered to ask you what color you want. Tell them you want to exchange it for a different color - you don’t want the color to hold you back from wanting to use the pump. Think about what color clothes you wear and if the purple will clash. Once you use it, you can’t exchange it for a different color - you can return it for good, but you will be stuck with purple. That doesn’t surprise me that CCS did that!
I did ask for purple, but I didn’t expect it to be almost black. I am more a “flaunt it if you got it” person than a discreet person, so I wouldn’t care if it were…colorful. I haven’t heard anything yet from the training folks, so I think I’d have time to exchange it. One thing I wondered about was that it says “recertified” on the box. I hope that doesn’t mean it’s not new.
Boy that sure sounds like a word you would use if it weren’t new…
If I were you I would be calling them to see why you were sent a re-certified pump. That is what you get whenever you have to get a different pump because of a problem, but I have never heard of someone getting anything but a new one to start with. Maybe it is a Medicare thing? If you told them a color, then they must have assumed that you understood that they were ordering a Minimed for you.
Only mm has a 300? nope… Accu chek spirit does too, its 300ml, though its not popular in the us since the pump doesnt do the bolus calculations for you. Animas is around 200ml. You really need a try before you buy on choosing the pump and even getting a hold of a rep and having a demo can tell you how the company is to deal with.
You were snookered
Well if cafephama is any indication, medtronic rep has to sell 50 pumps a month or will be reprimanded. Know the number is less for both Animas and Roche.
I also know that the pressure is FAR less for Roche and Animas. I think this pressure leads to shady things and people, both in the medical field and patients, getting pushed to get their pumps. In my area the sales reps have been coming and going (as in getting the letter tha so and so is no longer with Medtronic) a ton lately so I think the pressure is on.
That’s what I thought. 
I’ll call them Monday.
Petite- Let us know what they have to say.
OK, dear helpful folks, I started pumping today. So far, so good, other than for some minor discomfort at the catheter site.
I did discuss the question of getting a “recertified” pump with the Medtronic nurse. She said that this was apparently CCS agreement with Medicare for rental pumps. She assured me that the pump is fully warranted beyond the Medicare replacement date, so I accepted it.
As some have pointed out, the screen is just awful–the backlight helps a little, but I have to use my reading glasses to see anything. But I can already see that I do need the larger reservoir, and the Revel has some other features that the Ping doesn’t. So maybe I’ll check the Animas line next time around, especially if the one with the built-in CGM gets aprroved in the States.
I must say, the Medtronic nurse was great. Very thorough, knowledgable, and accessible. Not only that, but she got me an appointment with a great endo practice that she works with a lot: young, aggressive, and very smart. Besides that, she loved my German Shepherd–she’s had them most of her life–and the feeling was mutual. I’m always afraid that meidcal personnel will be phobic or allergic when they come to the house. LOL!
Monday’s my first changeout, and she’ll either come by or talk me though it. I like the fact that the other things are simple, especially that the meter communicates with the pump and the pump reminds me to test.
Very oool not to have to shoot myself.