[EazyE77]

First thing I'd like to say sorry to hear about the issues with Bayer Dave but like you said, their loss. There are plenty of different companies with good meters out there so why not explore the possibilities in front of you with the ones the doc has for you.

As for how many meters etc. I have 3 meters at the moment, the one I came home from the hospital with upon diagnosis which is an Accu check active which is pretty much retired and mainly there in case of need as a backup of a backup. I also have an Accu check compact plus 2 *the blue version* that I got free from accu check merely because I told them I was interested in the meter and liked their company and products so they sent the meter, box of 50 strips, and other supplies for that meter out within a week, that was a little over a year ago, used it through the first set of free strips and retired it to a backup merely because the strips are so expensive and I don't have insurance and am unemployeed etc. I use the 3rd meter I have which is a Walgreens Tru track smart system meter *walgreens is a local drug store to those who are not familiar with the name* and I've been using that like I said just over a year and haven't had any issues with it. I would like to look in to the Ultra line mainly for the ultra mini or some of the others for convenience of carrying them with me etc once I can get some insurance or afford the products.

*edit* just a side note I find funny and yet interesting is that even though I use the walgreens meter I can't get away from the soft click lancet device from accu check it is so nice that no matter what meter I'm using I'll probably be using that for quite some time

[Dewey]

Dave, I think it is wise to have a second meter, just in case of a failure (of the first one) or in the event a reading seems "off" to you.

Whether it's the same brand or a different one, having a backup is always a good idea.

[HelenM]

Definitely feel deprived. I've only got 1 that I can use , I've got a UK accucheck compact but I can't get strips for it in France and as I have to pay for them in the UK, I'll stick with my one.

I've mentioned it before but the policy of the companies depends on where you are. Here the meter is prescribed and paid for by the government at a fixed price but you can only have a new one every 4 years. If they break down within that time, the company has to provide a new one. That price is at the moment about 69€ (it has actually gone down this year) so if you want to buy a new one,out of that period, thats what the pharmacist will charge. Definitely no freebies available (and with less competition fewer available meters)