Cozmo or Animas for a preschooler about to pump for the first time?

[tweegalady]

Hi all,

New poster here - first post! I've been spending the last few days reading as much as I can on these forums, and you all are really a wealth of information. I'm hoping you can help me out :)

We're currently deciding on a pump for our 3 year old. I've pretty much eliminated Minimed from the running, as we aren't ready for the CGM yet, and I really hate the BD meter that they offer with the pump (I know I can still enter it manually, but I liked that as a "feature" - without it, the MM isn't my top choice). I'm also not keen on a few other MM issues.

Anyway - we do really like the Animas 1200/1250, for the most part. I'm not crazy about the history the pump keeps and the fact that there's no shortcut to the bolus. I also wish I could customize a few more things - it's not a huge deal though.

Initially, I discounted the Cozmo as it seemed too bulky, but now I'm not so sure! I realize that the look of it is actually great for a child, and as my DD will be wearing the pump in a pouch, I don't know that the bulk will matter too much. I like the idea of the meter always being with her and her pump, too. I love the history the pump keeps, it seems highly customizable......it really is a very, very close decision between the two. So close I just don't know which direction is better. I've heard great things about the direction Animas is headed with pump therapy - how about Deltec?

What I could really use is some advice! If you were me, what would you choose (I'm not saying I'm gonna' go with your decision, but I WOULD love to hear it!! :) ), and why? I'm trying to gather as much information as I can, so really no comment is unwelcome. I HAVE read all the pump comparisons out there, so what I'm really going after is real-life experience and comments - why you think one should be chosen over the other. I take comfort in knowing I can't really make a wrong move - but as we have to pay for the pump ourselves, we do feel some pressure to "get it right" right off the bat. I just don't want to have any regrets after the fact, thinking "....if only I'd known THAT, I would have gone with the other pump!!..." ya' know?

Thanks for reading!!

Jeni

[spike]

Hi all,

New poster here - first post! I've been spending the last few days reading as much as I can on these forums, and you all are really a wealth of information. I'm hoping you can help me out :)

We're currently deciding on a pump for our 3 year old. I've pretty much eliminated Minimed from the running, as we aren't ready for the CGM yet, and I really hate the BD meter that they offer with the pump (I know I can still enter it manually, but I liked that as a "feature" - without it, the MM isn't my top choice). I'm also not keen on a few other MM issues.

Anyway - we do really like the Animas 1200/1250, for the most part. I'm not crazy about the history the pump keeps and the fact that there's no shortcut to the bolus. I also wish I could customize a few more things - it's not a huge deal though.

Initially, I discounted the Cozmo as it seemed too bulky, but now I'm not so sure! I realize that the look of it is actually great for a child, and as my DD will be wearing the pump in a pouch, I don't know that the bulk will matter too much. I like the idea of the meter always being with her and her pump, too. I love the history the pump keeps, it seems highly customizable......it really is a very, very close decision between the two. So close I just don't know which direction is better. I've heard great things about the direction Animas is headed with pump therapy - how about Deltec?

What I could really use is some advice! If you were me, what would you choose (I'm not saying I'm gonna' go with your decision, but I WOULD love to hear it!! :) ), and why? I'm trying to gather as much information as I can, so really no comment is unwelcome. I HAVE read all the pump comparisons out there, so what I'm really going after is real-life experience and comments - why you think one should be chosen over the other. I take comfort in knowing I can't really make a wrong move - but as we have to pay for the pump ourselves, we do feel some pressure to "get it right" right off the bat. I just don't want to have any regrets after the fact, thinking "....if only I'd known THAT, I would have gone with the other pump!!..." ya' know?

Thanks for reading!!

Jeni

I'm a long time MM pumper and so is my wife. My suggestion: get the Animas! Why? ONLY because it offers finer basal rate increments. Otherwise, if that's not an issue, then weigh all the pros/cons, which I won't go into right now, for fear of starting another pump "war". I'm biased towards MM pumps and I DO have my specific reasons.

[Dewey]

Hi Jeni & welcome to the forums. :shakehand

I own both the Animas and the Deltec Cozmore and truthfully, I like both. However, I use my Cozmore more than the Animas, because my Animas was purchased as a back-up pump.

Both have similar features, with the exception of the smaller incremented basals on the Animas. That said, there are workarounds for lower basals on the Cozmore, and it does indeed allow for more personalization. I don't find it to be bulky, and often wear it on my top (i.e. clip it to the outside of my shirt or dress).

Each pumper here has his or her favorites, and this is because each person has found the one that suits them best. The best way to decide is by trialing both pumps (if you're able), but if you can't do that, researching online (looking at comparison charts) and asking questions such as you're doing here will help greatly with the decisions.

In terms of delivery, there's been controversy in the past among members about stinging boluses with the Animas - but there's also a workaround for that, so it's really not a problem. :D I personally like my Cozmore on its delivery, because I've found it to be (for my tastes) very precise. However, this is personal opinion, so what works for me may or may not for others. Smiths medical is also working with Abbott on the Navigator, so hopefully we'll see some kind of connection between it & the pump when it's released.

Likewise, Animas has some great new technologies on the horizon, such as the Micro-pump. This pump will be even smaller than the current one, and plans to release it are Q4 (the last part) of 07.

Forgot to mention....In the past, Smith's medical has Not charged for upgrades. I'm not sure if this will change or not, but it's definitely helpful. Animas does charge for upgrades, but the prices are not outrageous. However, this is another thought to keep in mind when deciding which company to go with...

Ultimately, no matter which way you go, you'll be satisfied. Both companies have excellent customer service, and with each, you sometimes get freebies (i.e. Animas gave me an UltraSmart meter with my pump & Deltec/Smith's Medical came to me to update the software in my pump, gave me the Cozmonitor and provided extra cases over the years, free of charge). Sorry for the long-winded post, but I sure hope this helps you some. Feel free to ask questions along the way, as that's what we're here for. Once again, welcome aboard & glad to have you with us.

[tweegalady]

Thank you for your help! :) I'm primarily torn between the ability to customize the Cozmo so much (ie: custom naming so many options could make it easier for caregivers and teachers), as well as the great history it keeps, and the small size, larger screen (with better contrast, I hear), and food database of the Animas. I guess I know that I'll ultimately be happy either way - I just don't want to find myself wishing for the features of the other once it comes down to actually USING the pump every day.

[samsmom]

Hi Jeni, my son is 5 and uses a cozmo pump. we were torn between the two pumps also....we ended up going with the cozmo for one simple reason ( it really came down to this reason) the pumps menu was easier to navigate through!! I could navigate through both pumps but i looked at it though the eyes of someone else working the pump. Both pumps were wonderful and i was so worried that i made the wrong decision, but in the end, the best decision you could make is to use a pump, which brand just happens to be a personal choice. My son just turned 5 and finally hit the 30 pound mark, so he is a really little guy. I have found that i have no problem fine tuning his basals with this pump. He was also on diluted insulin for a while during the beginning of pumping, and still no problem...my son does not use the attached meter because it does make it a little bulkier. But i think it is a wonderul feature and i know that he will be using it in the future. also at this time he is always getting his pump wet and the attached meter is not waterproof like the pump. i do put the meter on the pump when he is going out somewhere with his dad, one less thing for his dad to remember.
hope that helps, like i said, both pumps are great and you can not go wrong in your decision, just hope this calms any fears you have about the cozmo.

shannon

[MamaCat]

I'm a long time MM pumper and so is my wife. My suggestion: get the Animas! Why? ONLY because it offers finer basal rate increments. Otherwise, if that's not an issue, then weigh all the pros/cons, which I won't go into right now, for fear of starting another pump "war". I'm biased towards MM pumps and I DO have my specific reasons.

Spike, I'm an MM pumper but would like to learn more about your biases and why you like the Animas. I haven't got that much longer on my warranty, so when I change pumps I just want to get something state-of-the-art and flexible to use, and a manufacturer who'll be responsive when I need them. I don't own stock in Medtronix and they certainly don't pay me to use their pump, so tell me more, please...

[spike]

Spike, I'm an MM pumper but would like to learn more about your biases and why you like the Animas. I haven't got that much longer on my warranty, so when I change pumps I just want to get something state-of-the-art and flexible to use, and a manufacturer who'll be responsive when I need them. I don't own stock in Medtronix and they certainly don't pay me to use their pump, so tell me more, please...

If you PM me, I'll copy/paste a couple of LOOONG posts I wrote yesterday on the topic.

[Funnygrl]

If you PM me, I'll copy/paste a couple of LOOONG posts I wrote yesterday on the topic.
I think you were going to PM me those too, but never got around to it. I am also interested.

[jeggeman31]

Wow a 3yo with a cozmo. The pump will be bigger than him. :o The cozmo had a few down falls when I looked at it to start pumping.


The Rep was an hour late
The pump is huge
The Case Sucked


I liked what the cozmo had to offer, but for me they need to slim it down and get a better case. If it was my 3yo I would get them the Animas. But then again it is kinda like buying them a Chevy or Ford. Chevy people will tell you Chevy, Ford people will tell you Ford.


Maybe you can get the reps to let your child test drive one for a week. See how each pump works out with your child.

[Funnygrl]

Wow a 3yo with a cozmo. The pump will be bigger than him. :o The cozmo had a few down falls when I looked at it to start pumping.


The Rep was an hour late
The pump is huge
The Case Sucked


I liked what the cozmo had to offer, but for me they need to slim it down and get a better case. If it was my 3yo I would get them the Animas. But then again it is kinda like buying them a Chevy or Ford. Chevy people will tell you Chevy, Ford people will tell you Ford.


Maybe you can get the reps to let your child test drive one for a week. See how each pump works out with your child.
You can use a cell phone case or a pump case from Pump Wear. And the Cozmo is actually lighter than the Animas and not much bigger dimension wise.

Animas: 74 x 51 x 19
Cozmo: 80 x 47 x 24

That being said, I would like my Cozmo to be shaped more like the Animas.

[samsmom]

Wow a 3yo with a cozmo. The pump will be bigger than him. :o The cozmo had a few down falls when I looked at it to start pumping.


The Rep was an hour late
The pump is huge
The Case Sucked


I liked what the cozmo had to offer, but for me they need to slim it down and get a better case. If it was my 3yo I would get them the Animas. But then again it is kinda like buying them a Chevy or Ford. Chevy people will tell you Chevy, Ford people will tell you Ford.


Maybe you can get the reps to let your child test drive one for a week. See how each pump works out with your child.

My son wears the cozmo pump and it is not huge at all.....big misconception!! it is just shaped different from the other pumps..the pump is hardly noticeable. cozmo now has a new holster clip that my son uses when he swims, but besides that, most children wear pump packs, not clips..sorry about your rep, ours is wonderful, keeps in constant contact with news of cozmo upgrades (which i am looking forward too, like the food database), also i am looking forward to cozmo and navigator together, my son did a clinical trial with the navigator and it was excellent...(yes i know you can us the navigator separate from the cozmo) My sons rep is even coming to my sons school to give a presentation to the class.....great customer service

i am glad that you are happy with your pump, most are happy with their pump choice, but i would never tell someone that a certain pump was "huge" if i did not have first hand knowledge of that fact, the pump is wider, especially with the attached meter, but you do not have to attach it, jsut like you do not have to use the bd meter that comes with minimed, it is a very personal choice and one that i am glad we made. If we were offered the choice of pumping when my son was dx (at 15 mo old) i stll would have choosen the deltec cozmo, you have to remember that with children, everything is going to seem big on their little bodies, in reality, i hardly notice that my son is even wearing a pump and he is a 30pound 5yr old so that says a lot.
shannon

[spike]

I think you were going to PM me those too, but never got around to it. I am also interested.

Hmmm....I can do that. the previous poster still hasn't PM'd me YET...

Look in your PM box after 8:30 Pacific time...

[amccrazgrl]

I love my Cozmo.
The best part is the attached meter.
It really isnt all that big ethier. I would say it fits in the palm of my hand.
I used to have comparison pics of the pump and a diet coke can but I seem to have deleted those.

If I get around to it I'll post up comparison pic of Cozmo beside like a cell,house phone or water bottle. (Something)

[spike]

I think you were going to PM me those too, but never got around to it. I am also interested.

Check your PM's. I sent you 3, due to the text limit. the 3rd PM is a continuation of the 1st one (the second PM is independent of the other 2 and was mistakenly marked "2 of 2".)

[Funnygrl]

Cozmo next to an ultrasmart:

http://www.diabetesforums.com/gallery/files/1/1/2/5/camp2006002.jpg

[Funnygrl]

Check your PM's. I sent you 3, due to the text limit. the 3rd PM is a continuation of the 1st one (the second PM is independent of the other 2 and was mistakenly marked "2 of 2".)
Got them, thanks!

[amccrazgrl]

I just added some comparison pics.
Click on Photo Gallery and look under Insulin Pumps
I used a 16.9oz bottle water,obrit gum case,my hand,laptop, and t-mobile sidekick3.