MiniMed Software

[Barcino]

Hello I'm new to the MiniMed 715 but have had a Disetronic D-Tron Plus for 4 years now. I see that MiniMed sells their software for $70 online, but I was wanting to know if there is a "Free" or web-based version of this software or similar software where I can d/l my pump and blood sugar info.

thx

[ricardo]

Hello I'm new to the MiniMed 715 but have had a Disetronic D-Tron Plus for 4 years now. I see that MiniMed sells their software for $70 online, but I was wanting to know if there is a "Free" or web-based version of this software or similar software where I can d/l my pump and blood sugar info.

thx

you don't need to buy anything.

Just go online: https://carelink.minimed.com

Ricardo

[middnite03]

minimed send with i's pump, a software program to track some info, it's a bit limited, but it will keep a record of things for you. the software you are talking about is the full featured software... check the box the pump came in, mine was at the bottom....

[ricardo]

minimed send with i's pump, a software program to track some info, it's a bit limited, but it will keep a record of things for you. the software you are talking about is the full featured software... check the box the pump came in, mine was at the bottom....

You are talking about the Pal software. That's just for settings. see my other post

[Jorj Gaidin]

http://carelink.minimed.com

the web version is exactly the same as what you will receive for $70. Do not buy. If you would really like a copy, you might be able to find someone with a used copy they no longer use; just ask around. To download your information however, you do need the cable that usually comes free with the software. I'm guessing though since you get one with the Pal software, you already have it. I've been using the web software for some time and actually really like it. I enjoy the portability of being able to access the information from any computer.

[Barcino]

http://carelink.minimed.com

To download your information however, you do need the cable that usually comes free with the software.

Is this the IR cable that says BD on it that came with the meter? The picture on front of the PAL software shows the pump talking to the meter, then the meter hooked up to this cable.

Thanks for all the replies, I truly appreciate it.

[ricardo]

Is this the IR cable that says BD on it that came with the meter? The picture on front of the PAL software shows the pump talking to the meter, then the meter hooked up to this cable.

Thanks for all the replies, I truly appreciate it.

The cable is NOT "IR".

all communication between the pump and computer is done via the meter. You can use either the USB version of the cable or a serial cable. You get those cables from MM. A cable should have come with the pump & meter.

[Jorj Gaidin]

I think the cable you are thinking of is the right one. It plugs into the meter and USB into the computer. There is no plug for the pump since it connects to the meter wirelessly through the meter (so make sure the meter is connected).

[Barcino]

The cable is NOT "IR".

Thanks. I figured this out when I saw that the end of the cable opened up and it plugs into the meter. I have to say that this "setup" is one of few things about the MiniMed that I don't like. In fact, this is an extremely convoluted and ignorant way to do this. I don't use the BD meter, so why should I be dependent on it to d/l my pump readings? Disetronic had a lot of failings, but one great thing about their d/l is that you had 1 cable that was IR and connected to the PC and the pump via that IR link - no middle men.

Speaking of meters, does anyone know if I can upload meter readings from a different meter? I use the One Touch Ultra.

thx,
Chris

[ricardo]

Thanks. I figured this out when I saw that the end of the cable opened up and it plugs into the meter. I have to say that this "setup" is one of few things about the MiniMed that I don't like. In fact, this is an extremely convoluted and ignorant way to do this. I don't use the BD meter, so why should I be dependent on it to d/l my pump readings? Disetronic had a lot of failings, but one great thing about their d/l is that you had 1 cable that was IR and connected to the PC and the pump via that IR link - no middle men.

Speaking of meters, does anyone know if I can upload meter readings from a different meter? I use the One Touch Ultra.

thx,
Chris

I wouldn't say that using the meter is an "ignorant" method of communicating with the pump. Any way you cut it, there has to be an IR device to receive the signal from the pump. I fail to understand your unhappiness with the fact that the meter serves as the IR link!

You'll become even more unhappy when you find out that the batteries won't last 2 months in the meter, even w/o using it. There's a large drain on the battery while the meter is idle. And the batteries are EXPENSIVE.

Ultra upload? No. I also use the Ultra.

Ricardo

[Barcino]

Any way you cut it, there has to be an IR device to receive the signal from the pump.

Yes, so why can't the cable be an IR cable? This is what Disetronic uses.

I fail to understand your unhappiness with the fact that the meter serves as the IR link!

I don't use the meter, so why should we have to haul it out just to upload my pump?

Ultra upload? No. I also use the Ultra.

Great, I'll add this to the list of "ignorant".

Thanks Ricardo!

[ricardo]

Yes, so why can't the cable be an IR cable? This is what Disetronic uses.



I don't use the meter, so why should we have to haul it out just to upload my pump?



Great, I'll add this to the list of "ignorant".

Thanks Ricardo!

I get the distinct feeling you wish you'd gotten a Disetronic pump. :) In four years, the pump will be out of warranty and insurance, if you have it, will be up for helping you buy a new pump.

Ricardo

[duck]

Dave, you're killing me...

[Barcino]

I get the distinct feeling you wish you'd gotten a Disetronic pump. :) In four years, the pump will be out of warranty and insurance, if you have it, will be up for helping you buy a new pump.

No, I've had a D-Tron for the last 4 years. Very few things I really like about it, but 2 were:

1 - uses prefilled insulin cartridges - no need to fill resivours
2 - uploads via IR cable to the web site (although the software is next to useless)

It couldn't hold a candle to functionality in the MiniMed though, so I'm very happy with my 715 and appreciate everyone whose helped me out with getting going on the software part. :thumbsup:

Cheers

[ricardo]

No, I've had a D-Tron for the last 4 years. Very few things I really like about it, but 2 were:

1 - uses prefilled insulin cartridges - no need to fill resivours
2 - uploads via IR cable to the web site (although the software is next to useless)

It couldn't hold a candle to functionality in the MiniMed though, so I'm very happy with my 715 and appreciate everyone whose helped me out with getting going on the software part. :thumbsup:

Cheers

You are welcome (I'm assuming you were referring to me telling you about the online version of the software, as well as others who responded).

I like my 515 a lot; I wish I could say the same for the company that produces it. :)

Ricardo

[middnite03]

I have not tried the software yet, but from what I understand from the rep, as long as you have the cable for your particular meter, you can use it with the software to upload the meter readings..... but ya still need the bd meter to have the pump talk to the computer.... I just wish minimed would use a better meter, like the precision, or accu-check models, at least they tell you when you'r low, the bd always reads abouve 90 when I am in my 60's....

[ricardo]

I have not tried the software yet, but from what I understand from the rep, as long as you have the cable for your particular meter, you can use it with the software to upload the meter readings..... but ya still need the bd meter to have the pump talk to the computer.... I just wish minimed would use a better meter, like the precision, or accu-check models, at least they tell you when you'r low, the bd always reads abouve 90 when I am in my 60's....

I haven't used the BD meter enough to comment on it's accuracy, but...I can tell you it's **** on batteries. They drain in less than 8 weeks and they aren't cheap to replace. Last week, since I use the meter only for it's link feature, I removed the battery. I'll only install the battery when it's time to upload data from the pump to pc.

[dixiepixie64]

I just wish minimed would use a better meter, like the precision, or accu-check models, at least they tell you when you'r low, the bd always reads abouve 90 when I am in my 60's....

Yep, I was whining about this last week in a post in the monitoring section. Ya just can't trust 'em! Those BDs are NOT reliable at low numbers. I always retest with another meter if it does not give a result that matches the way I am feeling. One day it read 99 when I was really in the low 50s. :mad:

I have been using my BD tho since early December and still on the same battery.

[ricardo]

I have been using my BD tho since early December and still on the same battery.

That's odd. BD confirmed that the batteries don't last any longer than my complaint about them. They sent 3 or 4 free batteries. They also replaced the meter. same problem--the batteries last just a bit over a month.

Ricardo

[Clint]

I dont use the BD meter either but I dont mind having to use it to have my pc talk to my pump... I cant comment on the battery problem as I havent even pulled out that meter in about 2 or 3 months...

[ricardo]

I dont use the BD meter either but I dont mind having to use it to have my pc talk to my pump... I cant comment on the battery problem as I havent even pulled out that meter in about 2 or 3 months...

I'm betting it's totally dead by now. Stock up on DL2450 Duracells! :)
Ricardo

[dixiepixie64]

My BD must be a zombie or something having run seven months on the same battery. :- Attack of the Living Dead BD Meters.

Well I am glad we had this discussion because I will definitely go buy a spare battery before I leave town for vacation in a week....

[ricardo]

My BD must be a zombie or something having run seven months on the same battery. :- Attack of the Living Dead BD Meters.

Well I am glad we had this discussion because I will definitely go buy a spare battery before I leave town for vacation in a week....

Is your BD meter the one that came with a Minimed pump? Since I've had 2 that ate batteries and got confirmation from BD that they last "about 4-6 weeks, typically", I wonder how you've been so lucky!

Dave

[dixiepixie64]

Is your BD meter the one that came with a Minimed pump? Since I've had 2 that ate batteries and got confirmation from BD that they last "about 4-6 weeks, typically", I wonder how you've been so lucky!

Dave

I dunno, either. Yep, it's the very one that came in the box with my MM515 and I've used the link feature to my pump and tested 6-8 times a day, sometimes more, from 12/10/04 until today on the same battery. Weird. I never even really thought about it until I saw this discussion today because the batteries in my trusty Accuchek always lasted awhile too. Now I am scared to even pry open the battery compartment and peek for fear I might jinx myself :)

I think I'll just do what I said and buy a spare battery so that I am prepared.

[ricardo]

I dunno, either. Yep, it's the very one that came in the box with my MM515 and I've used the link feature to my pump and tested 6-8 times a day, sometimes more, from 12/10/04 until today on the same battery. Weird. I never even really thought about it until I saw this discussion today because the batteries in my trusty Accuchek always lasted awhile too. Now I am scared to even pry open the battery compartment and peek for fear I might jinx myself :)

I think I'll just do what I said and buy a spare battery so that I am prepared.

isn't that weird how the meters can vary so much? I asked BD if there were any settings that I could adjust to reduce the battery drain. "no" was their answer. My Ultra needs new batteries so seldom that I can't remember how often I change them. Maybe once a year and I test a LOT.

[JasonSmithMT]

Uploading data to Solutions and Pal drains the battery fast. When I was playing around trying to figure out the computer codes that was sent from the meter and the pump to the computer I drained a fresh battery in one day. People who upload data more frequently are going to go through batteries faster.

Jason

[Clint]

yup, thats because the pump and meter use a radio transmission to send data back and forth. Downloading from the pump also drains the pump batteries pretty quickly too.

[ricardo]

Uploading data to Solutions and Pal drains the battery fast. When I was playing around trying to figure out the computer codes that was sent from the meter and the pump to the computer I drained a fresh battery in one day. People who upload data more frequently are going to go through batteries faster.

Jason

What brand of battery? I argued vehemently with Minimed that it should be fine to use Duracells. Turns out they were right. The 515 series will stop after 6-8 days SUDDENLY when using Duracells. Energizers go over a month (no vibrate or bg meter mode). I didn't believe it until I used both brands over and over. the duracells are perceived by the pump to be dead when they have approx 1.46 VDC still left in them. The Energizers go down to around 1.36 when the pump decides they are dead. Crazy, bt true. I'm never shy about admitting that I'm wrong.

Morale of the story: use ONLY Energizers. I got a bunch of them cheap at Home Depot.

Ricardo

[JasonSmithMT]

I have been only using Energizer batteries in my pump and meter.

[ricardo]

I have been only using Energizer batteries in my pump and meter.

How often are you downloading data? The few times I've done it, it only takes about 2 minutes. On no day that I've downloaded has the battery died. About the only reason I download is to see total insulin usage per day and the ratio of boluses to basals. when I overeat, the ratio goes out of bounds.

[duck]

Wow, I prefer Energizers but there really should be nothing chemically different 'tween the two...BTW, look on eBay. There are some crazy deals for batteries on eBay...I stopped ordering my 357's from MM since I could get them in huge lots for a lot cheaper on eBay (and they last about 3.5 weeks like the MM version).

[ricardo]

Wow, I prefer Energizers but there really should be nothing chemically different 'tween the two...BTW, look on eBay. There are some crazy deals for batteries on eBay...I stopped ordering my 357's from MM since I could get them in huge lots for a lot cheaper on eBay (and they last about 3.5 weeks like the MM version).

I agree there SHOULDN'T be any difference, but seeing is believing. I couldn't go more than 8 days on a Duracell before the pump would jump from 3 bars to zero in a few seconds. One time it alerted that the battery was dead. Moments earlier it had 3 bars! the energizers have all lasted over 4 weeks. I went back and forth with their tech support about what a crock it was that they told me to use Energizers. Now I know there is a reason; and it makes no LOGICAL sense, but empirically, Minimed is correct. sometimes you just have to make mistakes because you are convinced you are right, and then suck it up and say "I was wrong" when new experiences show you that your thinking, however LOGICAL, is in error.

Ricardo

[JasonSmithMT]

How often are you downloading data? The few times I've done it, it only takes about 2 minutes. On no day that I've downloaded has the battery died. About the only reason I download is to see total insulin usage per day and the ratio of boluses to basals. when I overeat, the ratio goes out of bounds.

Ricardo - typically I download every month. I wasn't real clear on my previous post what I was doing to drain my battery in one day.

About a year or so ago my intention was to write a bit of software that I could use to automatically download my meter results and push the results to my database server through the internet. That way my results would be stored on the same place and it wouldn't matter what computer I was using or where I was at. I was never a big fan of the Solutions software. To make it work I needed to figure out what codes and such was sent to the meter and pump to retrieve the data out of it. So I was constantly reading data from and sending commands to the pump and meter via the computer cable and the meters RF radio. I knew I was going to drain the battery fast doing what I was doing so I put in new batteries at the start.

Of course, before I got really far along with the software I was writing minimed released the 515/715 pumps that came with an online data download site. I haven't tried minimeds online thing yet. I'm not even sure it works with the 512 pump that I have.

One thing that I learned for sure is that if you use the RF functions and download frequently it will drain you battery faster.

Jason

[ricardo]

Ricardo - typically I download every month. I wasn't real clear on my previous post what I was doing to drain my battery in one day.

About a year or so ago my intention was to write a bit of software that I could use to automatically download my meter results and push the results to my database server through the internet. That way my results would be stored on the same place and it wouldn't matter what computer I was using or where I was at. I was never a big fan of the Solutions software. To make it work I needed to figure out what codes and such was sent to the meter and pump to retrieve the data out of it. So I was constantly reading data from and sending commands to the pump and meter via the computer cable and the meters RF radio. I knew I was going to drain the battery fast doing what I was doing so I put in new batteries at the start.

Of course, before I got really far along with the software I was writing minimed released the 515/715 pumps that came with an online data download site. I haven't tried minimeds online thing yet. I'm not even sure it works with the 512 pump that I have.

One thing that I learned for sure is that if you use the RF functions and download frequently it will drain you battery faster.

Jason


Thanks for the clarification of why your battery would be exhausted from downloading. The online program is cool. Minimed didn't tell me about itduring repeated calls over a 2 month period while I waited for back ordered software that I thought I needed to purchase. Finally, someone at MM told me I didn't need to buy anything, and then they gave me the URL.

[dixiepixie64]

Well I jinxed myself bragging about my BD battery life last Friday. Sat. a.m. on my first check of the day it threw an E-3 error when nothing was wrong and then on the re-test I noticed the lo battery indicator.

So anyway what was in the meter from the manufacturer was a duracell. I replaced it with an energizer because that's the brand the store carried. We will see if that affects the battery life. I do use exclusively energizers in my pump.

[ricardo]

Well I jinxed myself bragging about my BD battery life last Friday. Sat. a.m. on my first check of the day it threw an E-3 error when nothing was wrong and then on the re-test I noticed the lo battery indicator.

So anyway what was in the meter from the manufacturer was a duracell. I replaced it with an energizer because that's the brand the store carried. We will see if that affects the battery life. I do use exclusively energizers in my pump.

Let us know. I must tell you that BD told me in no uncertain terms to use a Duracell. I told them I was gonna go to Radio Shack, and they practically choked when I said that. They emphatically said those batteries don't work well in the meter. I don't recall what they said about Energizers, but Energizers seem to be the ONLY brand that works properly in a MM pump. I'm still in awe over that fact. And chagrined that I had argued with them that it shouldn't make any difference in longevity which brand I use. Boy, was I wrong!

Ricardo