reefedjib
08-04-2009, 10:01 PM
I had been using the Compact Plus meter for 1.5 months, then I got my UltraSmart about a week ago and have been using that. I thought I would share my thoughts about them.
The Accu-Chek Compact Plus is about 2" x 4" in dimension. It records plasma glucose readings only. It has a memory that remembers 500 readings I think. It is sturdy and has a sturdy lancing device that attaches to the meter. It accepts a drum of test strips and automatically codes them. I did not get their software so I don't know how well it works. Data transfer is through an IR port.
The OneTouch UltraSmart is about 2" x 3" in dimension. This surprised me as I had heard it was bulky, but it is smaller than the Compact Plus. It records plasma glucose readings, as well as recording meals + carbs, fat, protein, and calories, exercise, medications (pills + insulin), and finally health tests. It has a memory but I don't know how big. It is sturdy, but the lancing device doesn't seem as sturdy and does not attach to the meter - it's separate. The lancing device does work well, though. You get a container of 25 test strips which must be manually inserted into the meter. I bought the software and it works really well. The data transfer is over a stereo jack connection. All data is transfered (glucose, meals, exercise, medication, health) and is displayed in a variety of ways - still learning this aspect of it. There is a good summary report which displays the raw data in table form, a graph of readings over time, a daily average by time of day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, night) and a couple of others. The one problem I see is that the software cannot handle more than one after-meal glucose reading. It does record it, but as a separate line in the table, so there are two lines with the same date.
I really, really like the UltraSmart. I would highly recommend it. It's small and full featured. I am not yet taking full advantage; I only record glucose and meals so far. Not really injecting myself at breakfast or lunch. No exercise. Getting there.
Cheers!
The Accu-Chek Compact Plus is about 2" x 4" in dimension. It records plasma glucose readings only. It has a memory that remembers 500 readings I think. It is sturdy and has a sturdy lancing device that attaches to the meter. It accepts a drum of test strips and automatically codes them. I did not get their software so I don't know how well it works. Data transfer is through an IR port.
The OneTouch UltraSmart is about 2" x 3" in dimension. This surprised me as I had heard it was bulky, but it is smaller than the Compact Plus. It records plasma glucose readings, as well as recording meals + carbs, fat, protein, and calories, exercise, medications (pills + insulin), and finally health tests. It has a memory but I don't know how big. It is sturdy, but the lancing device doesn't seem as sturdy and does not attach to the meter - it's separate. The lancing device does work well, though. You get a container of 25 test strips which must be manually inserted into the meter. I bought the software and it works really well. The data transfer is over a stereo jack connection. All data is transfered (glucose, meals, exercise, medication, health) and is displayed in a variety of ways - still learning this aspect of it. There is a good summary report which displays the raw data in table form, a graph of readings over time, a daily average by time of day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, night) and a couple of others. The one problem I see is that the software cannot handle more than one after-meal glucose reading. It does record it, but as a separate line in the table, so there are two lines with the same date.
I really, really like the UltraSmart. I would highly recommend it. It's small and full featured. I am not yet taking full advantage; I only record glucose and meals so far. Not really injecting myself at breakfast or lunch. No exercise. Getting there.
Cheers!