I've been using the Bayer Contour Next meter for about six weeks now, so I've discovered all my likes and dislikes about it.
I was a little intimidated by it at first; however, it was really easy to set-up the meter and begin using it.
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| The initial set-up and charging |
Pros
- The lit test strip area. I can now test at night without turning on any lights and waking Mr. Harer or the mutts.
- It links with my pump and I have the option whether or not to send the result. I can now decide if I want to use the data to calibrate my CGM or not.
- The reminder function (this is my favorite feature, I use it daily!)
- The blood requirement (sample size officially) is smaller than any other meter I've ever used.
- I can add more blood after the fact without wasting a strip.
(on a side note, way back in the day you could trick the old One Touch 2 meter into reusing the same strip)
- I don't have to worry about carrying extra batteries or buying strange size watch batteries because it is rechargeable.
- It is tiny, slightly longer than a pack of gum.
Cons
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| Broken Zipper |
- The case sucks! Big time! It broke the first time I tried to zip it closed. I use an elastic headband to hold it closed.
- The lancet device is noisy and does not have a low enough setting for my fingers. It hurts and the noise makes me cringe. I am afraid of this lancet device and will be using my One Touch Delica lancet device as soon as I can get lancets for it.
- I am too lazy to accurately mark the test results as "Before Meal", or "After Meal". All my test results are "No Mark".
Overall I like the meter very much and the few cons are easily fixed.
That covers all my thoughts on the Bayer Contour Next meter. Thanks for reading.
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| My first test with the Bayer Contour meter. |
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| The pink elastic headband used to keep the broken case closed. |
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| I just like the curled up elastic in this picture :) |
I love love love my Bayer Contour Next meter. BUT I've never used the case - I have a little pouch I bought on Etsy that I use for it. And I've never used the lancet it came with - I always use my Accu-Chek FastClix. And I turned off the meal mark feature because I never use it. So yes, I'm right there with you on all that!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I'm totally on board with your Pros - love those aspects myself. I've been a longtime user of the OneTouch UltraLink, so the link to my pump wasn't anything new. But what the GREATEST thing for me was the backlight. Of course, when I got the new Bayer meter, I still had mass amounts of OneTouch strips so I'm still using those up before making the full switch. I used up most of the sample strips and just don't want to buy a whole new thing of strips for the Bayer meter. I just tossed the Bayer meter into the case I've been using and kept on using the same lancing device as before, so no issues there (but I would have the same issues as you do). Thanks for sharing this perspective!
ReplyDeleteMeter lights are great, especially middle of the night checks. My PDM has a light on in, but the screen is still ridiculously bright.
ReplyDeleteI never use the cases that come with meters and opt to shove everything in a makeup bag instead.
Hi Mrs. H --- glad to find you on DBlogCheck day! I agree with you on pretty much all counts with this meter. The opportunity to add extra blood, even with the smaller blood sample, is priceless! I've also discarded the included lancer in favor of a Delica. You can also call Bayer and ask for a new case (I wrote about it in my own blog; I can help you if you want); they've redesigned it so the strap around the meter is changed to a plastic shell, kind of like the OneTouch UltraMini - though not quite as snug.
ReplyDeleteI have my results sent to the pump automatically (and with the pump, choose whether or not to calibrate the CGM -- a feature available on the 523/723 but not the 522/722 series). Your photo looks like you have the 523. I also turned off the option to even prompt me for before/after meals. It's too much of a hassle.
If there's one complaint I have (now) with the meter, it's that it's quite hard to read in bright sunlight...
Scott, I'd love to know how to get the case replaced. Thank you.
DeleteHey Mrs. H - Hello, checking in & great blog post!
ReplyDeleteWhat's with companies wimping out when it comes to cases for our D equipment?!
k2
Hate the cases for all of my meters, yet for some reason I keep them around! I use a small makeup bag.
ReplyDeleteAlso hate tagging, too!
I've been given so many meters over the years, and yet I rarely try them out. I'm such a fuddy-duddy. I've been using the same meter forever and I just found out it's like the worst meter on the market. Whoops!
ReplyDeleteUh-oh, time for an upgrade. At least meters are quite as expensive as they used to be.
DeleteI've been looking at getting the Next USB meter as a backup. Thanks for the rundown! I also rarely use the meal marker on my meters either. It's too cumbersome. :)
ReplyDelete