Glucometer Choices Please Help!

had1 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007, 07:49 PM

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetis and my GP told me to start testing my BGL. What is the best Meter to get. I did some research and the One Touch Ultra 2 or the Freestyle Flash seem like good choices. Please help!

Tattoo azz · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007, 08:16 PM

i have a one touch ultra but you could try the onetouch ultrasmart that connects to your pc and is a sort of palm pc as well
oh and welcome to DF the guys here are great

gettingby · #3 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007, 08:27 PM

Any of the Ultra's are good. That's all I use.
And welcome to the forums.

trpack · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007, 08:32 PM

I have the One Touch and it is great but because of cost I bought the Walmart special $9.88 (reli-on) and compared it to the One Touch and the results were very similar so I am using the Reli-on because the strips are about half of the cost to me. The MOST important thing though is that you test, test,test, and then test some more so that you can learn about your body and how you react to everything. Good Luck.

Funnygrl · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2007, 08:44 PM

I love my Freestyle Flash! I've been using Freestyle products for 7 years now.

iron999mike · #6 (**permalink**) 01-27-2007, 12:46 AM

I got an OneTouch ultra2 when i was dx'd and was told that my insurance covered OneTouch strips the best. Not impressed with Onetouch Ultra2 at all. I looked around at other meters, but thought I was stuck because of strip price and to be honest, not much else impressed me either. All the meters looked the same: too big, limited features, and way overpriced for the technology inside. I ended up buying an Onetouch UltraMini just because it was small.

When I got looked into getting my pump, I found out it used freestyle strips in the integrated meter and found out they were the same price as the Onetouch strips. I wanted to get a backup meter in case I had problems with the pump so I looked at the Freestyle meters and bought the Freestyle Flash just because it looked good. Man, I wish I would have had the Flash the entire time. It is sweet compared to the onetouch meters. Smaller, cheaper, more features, and is better thought out in my opinion. I only got to use it a week before I started using my pump, but man, I almost wish my pump would have problems so I could use the Flash some more.

Harold · #7 (**permalink**) 01-27-2007, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by had1

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetis and my GP told me to start testing my BGL. What is the best Meter to get. I did some research and the One Touch Ultra 2 or the Freestyle Flash seem like good choices. Please help!

From the previos responses there are are basically two criteria on meter choices. The first cost, and the second whatever flips my skirt or in this case your skirt. Check your insurance, if you have it, and see what they cover and the cost of what they partially cover. Go to a pharmacy and look at the meters and the strips cost. Eliminate those you do not want to pay that much for. Then have them pull out the ones your interested in. Open the boxes hold the meters, turn them on and look at the displays. Pull out the instruction booklets and see which ones are clear to you and which ones are not. By this time you should have a good idea which one(s) you like. Remember a year or two and you will probably be looking for another so if you don't like the first one no problem.

had1 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-27-2007, 06:35 AM

Thanks for the advice. I have BC/BS HMO and I was told they cover 100% of the cost ( we'll see) so I just want to get a "sysytem" that offered altrnative site testing, high accuracy and minimal discomfort. That's why I focused on the One Touch 2 and Freestyle Flash.

typeone · #9 (**permalink**) 01-27-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by had1

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetis and my GP told me to start testing my BGL. What is the best Meter to get. I did some research and the One Touch Ultra 2 or the Freestyle Flash seem like good choices. Please help!

I vote for the Flash. It has a backlit screen and also a little light which shines on blood sample. This means you can easily test in a dark theater. No other meter has this capability.

am1977 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-27-2007, 05:00 PM

Yeah, either the One Touch products or Freestyle are good picks... I've used both and I like them.

sweetcheeks · #11 (**permalink**) 01-27-2007, 06:06 PM

i prefer ultra2 over any other meter...... i think the ultrasmart if more for people who use insulin... it has more buttons and such to use on it than most meters....

and onetouch is generally approved by all insurance companies where as freestyle is not.....

alot of people get better results also on onetouch rather than using the cheaper models... relion etc..

but you can get meters for free most of the time by visiting there website or checking this forum for links...that way you get them free for one, and for two you test them out seeing which one you actually like best lol

before buying strips for either one

GrammyByer · #12 (**permalink**) 01-27-2007, 06:57 PM

I use the freestyle and am very happy with it. Welcome to the forum!

schub229 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 06:28 PM

Hi, I'm new to the group, but have had type 2 since 1999 and have used a number of Glucometers along the way, but am now using Accuchek Compact Plus and Ascensia Breeze. We have 2 houses so I have sets of everything in both places, CT and ME. Now what I'd like to do is download my tests to my computer, but most of them say their programs are only compatible with Windows. Has anyone found a program compatible with a Mac? If you're downloading your info to a computer, do you find it worthwhile?
:>)

iron999mike · #14 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schub229

Hi, I'm new to the group, but have had type 2 since 1999 and have used a number of Glucometers along the way, but am now using Accuchek Compact Plus and Ascensia Breeze. We have 2 houses so I have sets of everything in both places, CT and ME. Now what I'd like to do is download my tests to my computer, but most of them say their programs are only compatible with Windows. Has anyone found a program compatible with a Mac? If you're downloading your info to a computer, do you find it worthwhile?
:>)

I have the same problem except with linux. A few meters work with it, but my pump isn't even close. It will though, just might take some time.

princesslinda · #15 (**permalink**) 01-30-2007, 02:29 PM

I would ask my doctor for a free one. The drug reps give plenty of monitors to offices (they make their $$ off of strips). Anyway, they probably have a closet full. Try it and if you like it great, if not, you can buy the one of your choice. I was given a Freestyle Freedom and like it just fine. BTW, I didn't ask for a monitor, they just gave me a kit along with other diabetic pamphlets and coupons for s/f things. If they don't offer, ASK.