Ok so who all has a g4?? waiting for them to put up you tube new training videos this weekend??
I am two days into my G4 Platinum use. I have been a Dexcom user and also Navigator user before and I used the Medtronic CGM for what it was and still is.... a few years back. The new Dexcom G4 Platinum is by far the best of the lot. The form factor on the receiver is very cool, display is great and the range and accuracy is much better than any other sensor I have used, including the Seven plus. The sensor insertion is the same as the previous Dexcom platform very easy and small insertion needle, but the real difference is in the accuracy. It has now captured 97% of all readings for me in the past 48 hours, has a range of about 20 feet even through the walls in my house. and on the calibration value has been within 10-15 points for me, sometimes spot on like this AM 83/83.
How is the visibility of the numbers on the face of the receiver? Just from looking at the pictures provided on Dexcom website, it seems they are easily seen and yet the whole receiver is considerably smaller. Can you share your thoughts Dan?
Seems, perhaps, the place to ask: does the G4 allow input events to display on the screen, and track with the trend graph? This is something that would be of great benefit to get a more real-time display of reaction times/trends. I know it will do so in the external software, but aside from color (an altogether useless addition, save from a marketing perspective), is there any legitimate benefit as to what is displayed, over say, the Seven Plus?
Also, it is hard to discern from the video & images I've seen, but is there a lanyard retainer on the case, or will I be taking apart the G4, as I did the Seven Plus, and adding my own?
Thanks much,
Ray~
Got mine on just now and it is up and running (in the two hour startup window right now). There's no lanyard loop on the G4, nor the case, though you could easily loop one around one of the leather connectors on the case.
Works exactly like the 7+ so far. The only noticeable differences are the form factor of the transmitter and the receiver. The receiver is more modern and sleek in design and styling (and fully color, as noted). The transmitter is higher profile than the 7+ -- it's almost half again as tall, so it is a much bigger bump on my arm than the mounted 7+ transmitter.
More later (after the numbers start feeding in... tomorrow).
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I have the G4 now 2 weeks, it is difficult for me to read, especially outside in sunlight.
The red numbers are almost unreadable, and that is precisely the low numbers.
I think the 7 + clearer. The rest is okay. The program is the same.
I had after 7 + switch to the G4.
It was cheaper for my insurance.
Just got a Seven Plus in June.
After a couple of days with it, I am getting good -- though not stellar -- results from my brand new G4. It's running the numbers adequately for me, but can be as high as 35% off (this morning it showed I was at 76 when a glucose test put me at 109 BUT, I don't invest a whole helluva lot in that differential simply because OneTouch's ain't all that and a bag of chips, either: As mentioned here MANY TIMES before, my OneTouch gives erratic readings). None of these devices is perfect.
My biggest beef with the new G4 however, is that there is an initial 'banner' screen I have to click through when I go low (and I assume the same goes for when I go high, though I don't turn on the high alert). It took me several times going low* over the weekend before I realized I was not at "80" as the banner screen suggested: You must click through that initial warning screen to get at your 'real' number.
As noted above, the G4 beeped at me this morning so I pressed the button and saw that initial banner screen. I then clicked again and was taken to the graph screen where I then saw the G4 had me at 76. Under normal circumstances, you press the button one time to get to your real reading on the graph screen. I'd rather bypass the screen telling me I am low and see my low number immediately. I think it is an unnecessary step too have to go through.
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* - I tend to go low a lot because of my mountain bike riding -- I put in 28.3 miles with several thousand feet of climbing on Saturday morning. The ride lasted about 3 hours and took a lot of carbs to keep me up in the good range. During and after my rides, I can run low for hours on end.
Tx for reporting in. I guess the idea of the banner screen is to really emphasize that a low is happening but then it should report the actual #. A bizarre misplay by Dexcom.
I agree that this aspect of the user interface is poorly thought out. The Seven Plus has the same issue. When a high or low alert goes off you can't see the actual number without pressing a button and in doing so you effectively snooze the alert. On the Seven Plus the alert screens at least have a triangular arrow pointing up or down to let you know you're < 80 or > 140, etc. The G4 doesn't appear to have an arrow but rather shows a graph like this: 
Oh, good to know the G4 doesn't add an extra button press vs the Plus (but could have improved on it by posting actual #).
I'm wondering how you like the belt case (if you use it)?
I like this belt case. The unit is smaller overall, so that helps, but it also is easier to read for me than the way they did it on the 7+. This new one you unsnap and unfold it open, but then it is very easy to see. Having the case already open on the 7+ seems like it would be better, but it made it difficult to read because I was always having the twist it up to actually view it. Kind of a pain.
I like the new one better.
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I don't like the case. I'll probably try to find a cell phone case that will fit it.
Unfortunately I'm not using my G4 yet since I got three months worth of Seven Plus sensors last month. I have to wait until December for my insurance to cover G4 sensors so for now my G4 will sit unused.
Can you tell why you don't like the case? Just wondering...
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Extremely disappointing about various shortcomings of the receiver.
So, its smaller, has a color display, and... offers "vibrant colors for the vibrant personality in you!". Really? This is worth the considerable "upgrade" price, and what came from product development, testing and user feedback? The accuracy may have improved, but will be subjective, as is the whole hobby of diabetes. The facts are that its little more than the same model as last year, but now with an undercoating & genuine nickel-plating. Identical to the blood meter business model.
The splash screen, as with the SevenPlus, is irritating, useless, and as mentioned, an impediment to viable information.
What I find inexcusable, and a further impediment to control, is the lack of any on-screen event markings. From a programming perspective its inanely simple, and boggles the mind why such would be absent.
But hey, the color screen and "vibrant" skin colors show that we're cool- we're hip, which is all that we're looking for here, am I right?
No...
Ray~
Accuracy has improved quite substantially over the Seven Plus. It is also picking up quite a few more readings than the Seven Plus because of the dimension of the transmitter and also the range. I would also suggest more frequent calibrations within the first 12-24 hours on the sensor due to the new algorithm. Calibrate at different levels of blood glucose variability during that time period and the algorithm becomes quite responsive. My blood glucose fingersticks are coming in +/- 5-20 points on comparative finger sticks.
My G4 is arriving today! I will post as soon as I am hooked up and get my first readings! So excited!
I have my G4. I reviewed it on my blog: http://www.sweetlyvoiced.com/2012/10/where-no-d-has-gone-g4.html
I don’t like the belt case because it seems designed for a man’s belt and not a woman’s clothing. I have trouble opening the leather clip wide enough to go over the waist of my pants. It includes an extra snap loop, however, that would easily clip it around a belt.
I don't like the new case because you have to unsnap it to even see the reading. I prefer to be able to just look down at it on my belt after twisting it up a little bit. For those who haven't seen it yet here are some pictures I posted to another thread.