Mike, I am in the same situation, I have not put in my G4 order yet because I have enough 7+ sensors to last me into January. I am curious though, where you already have your new G4, (and not using it yet) is the warranty (one year reciever/six months transmitter) time limit "in effect" on the G4 as of right now?
I can't answer your question about the warranty. Worst case I'll eat up six weeks of it. I have not, however, pulled the transmitter out of its shipping carton. There's a big warning about not removing it until you're ready to pair it with the receiver. Somehow pulling it out also turns it on and causes it to start drawing power from the battery. Since the transmitter package is sealed I'm guessing there's a magnet or something in the carton. I'll investigate more closely when I'm ready to use it.
I'm less concerned about the receiver since its life is more than likely limited by charge cycles. I just pulled out my previous Seven Plus receiver which was replaced over a year ago and it still works fine. I doubt that the matching transmitter still works - I'll have to see.
Please give us feedback. Am still trying to decide whether or not to upgrade. Do you think it's worth it?
There is a magnet in the package.
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I wonder if putting it back on the magnet will shut it back off then? That would be useful for those people who aren't full time users.
Can someone comment on what changes there are in the Alerts/Alarms ?
1. Are there options to get an alarm that is LOUDER than Dex7 ?
2. Can a more specific value be selected (eg 75 for low, rather than 70 or 80 ?, 150 instead of 140/160 for high ?). What are the highest/lowest numbers allowed ?
3. Can the rise/fall alarms be set for a lower rate - eg, when it shows the slant arrow, rather than only the single/double down arrows ?
4. Are there any new alerts that are not on Dex7 ?
5. Any improvement in the 'snooze' ? I would love to have the ability to 'override/extend' the snooze time for certain situations. (Used to have an old alarm clock that let me do that !).
Is the improved accuracy noticeable (eg, less false alarms) ?
Still trying to decide if I want to pay for an upgrade, or wait for my warranty next year.
Mine is coming tomorrow! Really looking forward to a sleeker, thinner and more accurate CGM. None of these are perfect, but they do keep getting better and better.
My rep told me that even though the transmitter is only warranted for six months, it could ("and should") last up to nine months. Dex will replace it afterwards.
I will report back after I have some numbers and let everyone know how accurate it is for me.
I received my G4 about 4 days ago and I did pull out the transmitter. :o( I still have 3 7+ sensors but I might just hook up the G4 and put in the 7+ sensors inbetween. I wouldn't have upgraded if my plus had still been in waranty but my 7+ is over 18months old and still going strong. They sure did make them to last. I remember the 3day one was only waranted for 6 months as well but lasted me well over a year. I think when they are new and they don't really know how long they will last they just don't want to put a year on there and then have to replace them. I've been very happy with the monitor. Is the G4 pretty self explanatory if you have been on the other systems?
1. There's a setting called ATTENTIVE that plays a little set of tones musically (instead of just beep-beep-beeping at you), and then NORMAL and SOFT. NORMAL is pretty loud, but not louder I don't think (at least not by a lot) than the loud setting on the 7+.
2. Low goes from 100 to 60 in increments of 5; Hi goes from 120 to 400 in increments of 10.
3. Does not appear so—the 2 and 3 arrows are the only choice.
4. Not that I see.
5. I don't know—honestly I gave up on the snooze on the 7+. Just never figured it out to my liking, so I never used it.
6. I think so. Seems like it is tracking pretty well, but I don't see a huge difference in this unit over the 7+ in that regard.
hth
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Thanks !
That's great to hear they changed the increments, and hopefully changed the alarms enough that I will actually hear them, especially at night.
I saw the demo on their website, and didn't see mention of Normal vs Soft, but did get to hear the musical tones. Of course my computer speakers made it sound incredibly loud !
I did download the new software, and it automatically imported my 7+ data. The charts were pretty much the same, but a few good improvements.
Still undecided, but this helped !
Finally got insurance stuff straightened out and I will be getting my Gen 4 next Wednesday.
Had a brief in service from our clinical rep and a couple points they made…
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Don’t take the transmitter out of the packaging until you’re actually ready to wear a sensor as it’s packed in something that keeps the battery from activating. Once you pull the transmitter out it starts transmitting. Since the life of the battery in the transmitter is shorter you don’t want to waste it. For example say you plan to use up your Gen 3 sensors first and you have 3 or 4 of those left. But you’re curious about the Gen4 and you wear it for a week first or even just pull it out and look at it. You’re basically losing a full month or more of transmitter life by doing that. (However long the transmitter sits unused once out of the package is essentially active time lost from use.) Once you take the transmitter out of the package there is no stopping it from activating and draining.
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The receiver has a screen that tells you the transmitter battery charge. I can’t remember where that is, but she showed it to me. You are supposed to get a warning when transmitter battery is dying and it’s time for replacement. Apparently you only have a week though to get a new transmitter. Which is why Dexcom is submitting for authorization for 2 transmitters instead of just one. This may be an issue after a year if your insurance requires preauthorization etc. I know with my insurance it still takes 3 or 4 weeks to process anything even though this is just a continuation of previously authorized therapy.
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The sensors look identical on the outside but are not interchangeable so if you still have Seven Plus sensors don’t get them mixed up.
Hi Michael, 2 G4 questions. can you set a high alert at say 150 versus 140 or 160? Can you charge off the usb or does it still have to be via plug in the wall? I think I can upgrade next month and I can't wait. Let's hope Animas and Omnipod have their stuff in already with FDA for approval to combine. Thanks in advance.
Mike, just saw this so thanks for answering all the questions, I hadn't gotten that far in the postings.
The G4 seems to fall a little short. The transmitter life is shorter, the transmitter is taller (more likely to get bumper and or dislodged). A trade in program is non existent. $500 dollars for a receiver that should be your smart phone at least as an option (one less device to carry around). There is no justification for the cost of the a transmitter, an insert molded battery and chip (feel violated?). I guess the question is would you rather sell razors or razor blades, but do you have to gouge us on transmitters too ate not sensors priced high enough? I would rather see J&J get off of their bottoms and get the Vibe approved as it seems that Dex can get it done on their own. I suspect they may have a little too too much upgrade liability with a pump customer base. CGM's reat tool but I really feel that the user group gets victimized by the pricing and upgrade options. No wonder insurance companies don't like them.
I have been wearing the G4 for almost a week now, and I am mostly happy with it. I don't find it difficult to read (even in sunlight) as someone mentioned and I don't think the transmitter's increased size is that big of a deal. Overall, it seems to be more accurate than the seven+ and I know better than to expect miracles. The first five days - it was very accurate with my meter. Yesterday, it was all over the map (but so were my numbers - which may have a lot to do with it). I am greatly appreciative for the tools we have, and am hopeful that they will continue to improve over time. I guess how much people have to pay is totally based on their insurance- some don't pay anything for the upgrade, while others pay $500. Not sure what we can do about that!
Ugh - that's where we are too. We have the G4 sitting on the table and my son likes to play with the fun alarms, but it's not until the end of November that we get sensors . . .
Well I do know that kids are more likely to wear something that doesn't necessarily look like a medical device. And if kids won't wear it, it doesn't matter how amazing of a tool it is. My son is only 12 and has never really cared about that, but I know others who do - and so from a parenting perspective there is some value to the look.
Sorry -- missed this , David...
As I mentioned, the HIGH settings are in increments of 10, so you are good to go with 140, 150, 160, etc.
Not sure about the USB thing -- it is a mini-USB connector on the G4, but no USB cable was included in the package. Call Dexcom and find out!
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Ha! Okay -- so now in looking through here this AM I see you asked earlier. And now I have answered twice (and hopefully the same!). Good to go.
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Ate this am. Bolused (overbolused a bit actually). Started at 102 on G4/106 on fs. An hour later...157 on G4 and 156 on FS!!! No false lows during the night either. I'm amazed at how accurate it's been.