What is you'r favorite blood glucose monitor?

Bolman · #1 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 01:48 PM

I have had multiple meters and my all time favorite is the One Touch Ultra. Second is the Accu-check Active.

What is your favorite, and why?

I like the One Touch Ultra, b/c of the 5 seconds it takes to get the test result and I love the size of it. The case was also convienant to put drivers lisense or anything else in the little pocket, it came in handy on my honeymoon to carry my money in.

The Accu-check I like also because of the speed, I just wish it was a bit shorter.

Belinda · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 02:09 PM

The one touch ultra b/c 1. the little amount of blood
2. the fact that I have three of them
3. I can check my B/G without looking/dark etc......
4. It is small and easy to transport whereever.

I have tried many different ones and this is by far my favorite

Bolman · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 02:45 PM

can check my B/G without looking/dark etc......

Sorry, but what do you mean? Are you talking about the Ultra plus the one that lights up? It has the charts too, that looks so neat!

lgvincent · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 02:51 PM

I really like the Accu-Check Complete meter and have been using it since 1999. It has a 1,000 memory capacity and can store numerous things such as insulin dose and times of an insulin reaction. It also has a back light which is helpful for my poor vision, although it eats batteries pretty quickly.
I've just purchased a One Touch UltraSmart but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I like the back light, the way information is displayed on the meter, the types of information that can be stored, and the 3,000 memory capacity. I'm surprised at how small it is.
I'd like to get the Freestyle Tracker but it's just too darn expensive for me right now. Maybe some day, although probably not.

Bolman · #5 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 02:55 PM

The complete looks like a great meter. I wish health insurance companies would let us choose which meter we like.

lgvincent · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 03:05 PM

I've found it to be very helpful in avoiding missing an injection or taking too many injections although I did forget to make the entry a few weeks ago and did that very thing. I think the UltraSmart may be the meter you were asking about a moment ago because it has the back light you mentioned and is supposed to give results in about 5 seconds.
I wish insurance companies would give greater freedom of choice too but they seem to put such strict limitations on the amount they'll pay which does limit what can be bought. I got the UltraSmart on e-bay recently and including shipping it only cost $30.99 rather than the $98.00 plus price I've seen in stores. I'm hoping to be able to send in an old meter for the rebate offered and reduce the amount I paid even futher but since I didn't get a receipt I probably won't be able to. However, if you're interested in that meter, they include a coupon good for a $20.00 refund and a rebate of $30.00 on a meter if you send it to them so it will cut the price down around $50.00 if you should decide to purchase one.
One the down side, the Complete meter includes free software and cable with the meter where you have to purchase that material for about $68.00 from One Touch. You can download the software for free but what do you do about the cable to connect to the computer? I'm hoping the cable I've got for the Complete meter will work but I haven't tried it yet and probably won't out of fear I may damage it. On the positive side, I think it uses the same strips as the Ultra meter so if you should get one you should be able to use any strips you already have with it.

lgvincent · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 03:14 PM

Several members like the Therasense Freestyle meter and I know they recently put out a new meter which has a light in the slot where the strip is put into the meter for easier use when in poor lighting conditions and is also VERY small and I think it's called the Freestyle Flash. It looks like an interesting meter too.

am1977 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 05:40 PM

I currently have the One Touch ultra, but I am not as pleased w/ it as some of you are. I find that it does give error messages more than I would like , especially if you don't get enough blood. I had the hardest time with it when I first was dx'ed. By the time I got enough blood, the meter had timed out...so that wasted the test strip. I went through so many of them at first

I also can't use alternate site testing, b/c I cant' get enough blood from my arm.

I would like to try the Freestyle Flash (is that what it's called?). I like that it's so small and I think it requires even less blood. Maybe I'll get it eventually.

Shalyndria · #9 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 05:46 PM

Freestyle all the way!!

Shy

Belinda · #10 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 06:29 PM

One touch Ultra Smart is the one I will ask my Dr. for the next time I go in March. I would like to know.....do any of you get your meters from your Doctors at no cost? If not then I am very fortunate that I haven't paid for a new meter in years (7 plus). If he doesn't have one of the smart ones I hope when he gets one he will put my name on it and save it for me...he has done that too. Speaking about how great I think he is...when he gives you new meds to try he usually gives you at least 3 months of samples so that the next time I see him he will know if they work or not.....my problem is all the different meds for BP. Some are causing me to be dizzy when I stand, others just don't work well or too well.

Sadie252 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 06:35 PM

I have only used the One Touch Ultra. Since I am a newbie I was lost on how to use it. I kept trying to put the blood on top of the strip. I wasted at least 20 strips before I discovered by accident how to use it. I did read the directions first , but for some reason it didn't sink in. I felt so stupid after I finally got it. I have watched my mom use hers and thought mine would work the same way.

Belinda · #12 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 06:46 PM

No they all work in a different way and it takes mistakes to make things work right. We are not perfect.

zookeeper671 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 06:57 PM

FreeStyle Flash for me. Smallest meter available (teeny tiny), backlight, also lighted test strip port, smallest amount of blood needed (3/10th microliter) like the larger FreeStyle, 7-sec test time, free data cable and software, 4 optional alarms with 3 sound settings, and a memory of 250 readings. It's pretty cool.

I've used the One Touch Ultra and liked it a bunch... but it didn't light up, required more blood, the strips cost more than FreeStyle strips, was bigger, and didn't have the optional alarms which I find of use since I'm totally forgetful.

I kind of feel that meters are like shoes. Some people love Birkenstocks, some people wouldn't be caught dead wearing them. lol

Angie

statdeac · #14 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 07:12 PM

I'm with Angie...Freestyle Flash is the best meter for me! Though, I have always gotten meters free through the samples the reps leave for my endo, I actually BOUGHT this one on the website before it arrived in stores or offices...and I haven't been disappointed. It was about $35 after the rebate, though I think you can get one free now with the purchase of 50 test strips.

HeatherP · #15 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 08:55 PM

I've only had 4 meters in twelve years.

My all-time fav was my Glucometer (ascencia now) Elite XL. It beeped at when if turned on, beeped when ready for blood, and beeped when it displayed the reading.

I currently have a Freestyle. It's fast, and as of last March, according to my CDE was the most accurate on the market. It's okay, but I don't like the shape or the way it's weighted.