As mentioned, several friends here have suggested we make a thread to detail some of the highlights & lowlights of each pump & company. This is an excellent idea, as it will allow new & prospective pumpers to find answers to questions they may have.
That said, I ask that you please read this post entirely (or at least the First part!!) before submitting a reply:
In this thread, I ask that there be NO competitor bashing/slandering and absolutely
NO "pump wars." What I'm trying to do is gather lists from fellow users who've used one or more pumps. In their posts, they should detail the pump's/company's pros & cons (with ones they’ve had experience with). In a way, it should be objective, but being somewhat subjective (i.e. giving props to one's company of choice) is fine, provided nobody steps on anyone else's toes. We must remember that what may work for one pumper (or soon-to-be pumper) may or may not work for another. Be helpful, but remain respectful. Thanks, and let’s get started!
Listed below are some of the highlights & lowlights of each pump/company I’ve had experience with:
DELTEC/Smiths Medical Pros:
1. User friendly & customizable through PC (can name pump and add emergency info.)
2. Large display screen
3. Universal Luer Lock connection - can use almost any infusion set
4. Can set reminders (BG & Bolus)
5. Comes with Freestyle Flash meter, which attaches to pump
6. Good customer service
7. Can download/upload data to/from pump
8. Upgrades often done free & "in the field" - no getting "refurbs"
9. Can insert used battery
10. Easy to find AAA batteries. They now have Lithium AAA available! YEA!
11. Cool colors available
12. Sturdy pump
13. Offers a variety of bolus options (Standard, extended, combination), and IOB feature
14. Can change Insulin to sugar factor and other features (I.e. IOB), "on the fly"
15. Waterproof
16. Has time and current insulin rate on "screen saver"
17. Can customize delivery and other settings (i.e. set Boluses to deliver from over 1 to 5 mins)
18. Can correct for high sugars based on user-determined input of Insulin to sugar ratios (I.e. how many points will one unit of insulin decrease blood sugar)
DELTEC/Smiths Medical Cons:
1. If alkaline AAA batteries are used, the battery life may not be as long
2. No remote
3. Some do not care for feel of the pump (some say it’s shaped oddly)
4. The software needs to be upgraded so better charts & graphs can be made/used (as Koblenz has mentioned in the past)
ANIMAS Pros:
1. Extremely small pump
2. Large display screen
3. Very user friendly (and cool sounding alarm tones, lol)!
4. Universal Luer-Lock connection - can use almost any infusion set
5. Can set bolus reminders & BG test reminders
6. May soon be able to customize (pending release of software & upgrade)
7. Working on release of Micro-Pump (end of 2007)
8. Longest Battery Life of all pumps (8 weeks or more) AA Lithium
9. Offers Normal, CarbSmart, EasyBG, and Combo boluses
10. Can set desired insulin delivery speed (normal or slower)
11. Excellent customer service!
12. Cool color covers (and customizable ones! )
13. Can adjust contrast (good for users with vision problems!)
14. Working with Lifescan to release CGMS (possibly for use in conjunction with pump)
15. Waterproof
16. Can customize battery type being used (i.e. Lithium, Alkaline, etc...) and can insert used battery without “alarming”
ANIMAS Cons:
1. No Remote
2. No Monitor to link to yet...
3. Software not customizable yet
4. Some users have complained of stinging when blousing (due to swift delivery), but can be remedied with an extended or combo bolus)
MINIMED Pros:
1. Comes with meter, 522/722 work with the CGMS - communicates via RF
2. Has remote (sold separately)
3. Can choose to either use 515/522 with 1.8ml res. or 715/722 with 3ml
4. Has “Indiglo” backlight
5. Small pump
6. Cool colors available
7. Has clock and battery life on "screen saver"
8. Now has pump to sensor communication (instead of using separate meter)
9. Battery life decent
10. Sturdy pumps
11. Insulin On Board feature (IOB) (customizable on 515/715 & 522/722)
12. Multiple bolus options (regular, dual wave, square wave - similar to Cozmo's)
13. Now offers “skins” to put on pumps
14. Has multiple bolus options (Dual Wave, Square Wave, Normal, etc.) & Bolus Wizard
15. Has IOB (insulin on board feature)
16. More good features with each new release…
17. Can set reminders (for Blood Glucose & Bolus)
18. Easy to find AAA batteries.
MINIMED Cons:
1. Remote available (which is a pro), but may be a little steep to some on price ($150)
2. Not Waterproof
3. Some have experienced customer service issues from time to time
4. Complaints about inability to use meter/pump communications on flights. (not a big deal, but may be frustrating to some users).
The cons I’ve listed for each pump/company were discussed at one time or another. Most of the cons have never been a major issue for me, but they may be a factor for some users...Again, I'm trying to be objective as possible, but some of the pros are things that either I or others have experienced personally from each company.
Feel free to ask questions and add your own lists - but remember, play nicely please!
