Accuchek compact test meter

[April Smart]

I've just treated myself to a new test meter so that I could use other test sites. It has a drum holding the test strips so you don't have to load them individually each time. Unfortunately it seems quite fiddly and threw a wobbly half way through the first set of strips so I had to reload the drum. Haven't tried other sites yet as I'm waiting for the free adaptor. Has anyone tried this meter? What did you think of it?
April

[Linda57]

Oh April,
I do hope you're wrong about them being fiddly as I just bought my elderly Dad one so he wouldnt have to fiddle with the strips one at a time!

I have had one for some months now, and get a long pretty well with it. Dad says he thinks people will think he is holding a mobile phone!

Is th adaptor so that you can download to your PC? I am very intersted in that, when it comes, could you let me know more?

Linda

[HeatherP]

I participated in a research study last year comparing two different meters. One of them was the Accucheck with the drum. Seems like I wasted more strips than I used. I didn't care for the thing at all. Sorry. :( And what's with the odd number of strips?

[Funnygrl]

I had it and didn't like it. It was big and load and harder to handle than my other meters. It was near impossible for me to use alternative sites because of the odd angle I had to hold it at to get the blood on the strip. I think the adaptor the original poster refers to is for the lancing device for alternative sites.

[CptHowdy]

I recently tried one and found it to be a bit squirrelly. Sometimes when I pressed the power button nothing would happen,,if I left it alone for a few minutes and tried again it would work properly. ????
Also found it to be pretty loud with the drum rotating and all.
However, it was fast and from what I can tell it was pretty accurate also.

[Poe]

I've been using the Accu-Chek Compact close to 18+ months. I've only tested from the fingers because the manual states results may vary from finger to alternate test site. My only complaint is that the on/off button doesn't always turn on and I have to play with it, mind you this meter has seen a lot of abuse.

As for the strips themselves, yeah, 17 is an odd number and the problems I have had with bad strips might be 1 in every 6 drums?

What adapter are you speaking of? The IR device to download the meter readings?

[may]

My sister has one, and it was hard for me to read hers without putting my reading glasses on.
And, I noticed she was waisting strips..umm
+ the drums are more expensive than buying strips by the 100.
I wouldn't choose it.

[Mark C]

Where do I start??

I had to switch to the Accuchek Compact because my insurance would no longer cover the Ascensia. I am NOT a happy camper! :mad:

First, you are correct... The doggone thing's buttons are about half-#$%*#. They sometimes take five or six times to activate, and I often have fiddle and tilt/press them. The meter size does not bug me though, nor does the drum loading system. I prefer a cartridge type system.

The software? Where do I begin?? It's terrible. It has no way to leave a comment explaining something in a reading or specifying what excerise was, other than time and heavy or mild etc. You are limited in choices of pre-imagined comments. The graphing is terrible, and you cannot print your older readings graphically. The Asensia software was far superior!

Then, you cannot delete a reading off the meter if it was misdated or otherwise wrong. You just have to let it cycle through.

Furthermore, I get readings with about 15% difference with testing my palm versus fingers. Not at all as accurate, but that may not be the meter's fault.

[nomorecarbs]

I really like this monitor. It has performed very well for me, I have not wasted any test strips, it's easy to use, I'm 59 don't wear glasses, and have had no trouble reading the numbers. I like the compact size, the convenience of the drums. The only negative is that the test strips are not as cheap as some other makes.

[April Smart]

Thanks for all your comments - it was reassuring to know that I am not the only one having problems with this meter. I will persevere a bit longer and see if things settle down. We are lucky in the UK that we get our test strips free so cost is not an issue, although I've read that some practices have tried to restrict the number of strips on a prescription. As if anyone would willingly test themselves more often than necessary!
April

[BeadieJay]

We are lucky in the UK that we get our test strips free so cost is not an issue, although I've read that some practices have tried to restrict the number of strips on a prescription.

Hi April

I use a One Touch meter, so don't have anything useful to say in this topic. BUT.....I saw your comment, quoted above, and had to reply to it.

The Department of Health has issued a statement to the NHS instructing it to stop restricting testing strips to people with diabetes. The statement says

"Decisions about the number of testing strips people have access to must be based on individual clinical need, made jointly by the person with diabetes and their healthcare professional."

My doctor told me that I didn't need to test as often as I do - anywhere up to 7 times a day. I've found that it's only when I test constantly that I have good control. So, my doctor agreed to let me have as many strips as I want, but if he ever changes his mind, I'll refer him to the DoH :whistling


(quote taken from the March-April 2005 issue of Balance, Diabetes UK)

[mike9876]

Hi April

I have been using the accu-check compact for about a year now. I agree about the on off button but everything else works fine. I love having the strips in the drum and it works with a tiny amount of blood. The display numbers are easy to read. I tell people its a new mobil and they believe me until they open it up.

I have had a few different meters and this one is the best so far.

[wes]

I've been using a FreeStyle for a year before my HMO sent me an AccuCheck. After using it for a month I found it unacceptable. Wasted a few strips out of every drum, gave really inaccurate readings (tested against a known physicians monitor) and generally unacceptable. I went back to my FreeStyle.

[jeggeman31]

I've been using a FreeStyle for a year before my HMO sent me an AccuCheck.

I wish my insurance would cover my monitor and strips. It is all out of pocket for me. And I test about 5 times a day.

[wes]

I save a bit of money since my HMO pays 80% of the test strip costs, lancets and gives me a new meter once a year. Only thing is - I'm only allowed to purchase 100 strips every 25 days so I usually only check twice a day. When my meter got wet (my fault) TheraSense (Freestyle) arranged for me to pick up a new meter that night while I sent the damaged one back for a free replacement. I now have two meters. 1 for daily usage and one for any special circumstances like having a back-up meter in my airline check-in luggage. TheraSense also supplies free testing solutions when needed. They have terrific customer service in my opinion.










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[Funnygrl]

I agree that Therasense's customer service is great. Lifescan and Accu-cheks are too though. I told Therasense I couldn't find their batteries and they sent me enough for 2 battery changes. They also sent me a new lancing device when mine broke, and will send unlimited control solution and log books. Lifescan replaced my meter when it got wet. Accu-chek walked me step by step through how to use the Compact. They also sent me some control solution, strips, and 100 lancets.

[Poe]

Update on my Accu-Chek Compact.
When I received my Animas IR1250, Animas sent a LifeScan UltraSmart meter and I've picked up a BD meter as a promotional gift. I'm going to switch out of the A-C compact as soon as I use up my drums. These new machines use much less samples are quicker on the results and I give them the ole :thumbsup: .
I'm not saying that I was ever disappointed with the A-C Compact and I still like the drum idea, but technology has passed this meter. I plan on using the BD for work and the Ultra for home.