Update: I have formally informed my CCG of my acceptance of the Spirit Dual meter to replace my NEO meter. Althoigh not on their formal list for selection, nonetheless the price of test strips meets their criterion, and this meter is acceptable. My scrip has been chsnged to the new ones, and I have just arranged for an advance procurement to test the pharmacy route for obtaining them since the new strips are probably not on their computer yet.
I attach a graph showing how it compared to my existing meters, and it generally lies in the middle, which is ok by me since my NEO may have been reading too low, and the Codefree is suspected of reading high.
The Dual has a nice readable screen display, and is illuminated. The memory access is cack handed in that on most meters, the left button scrolls back in time, wherea on this meter that scrolls averages, and it is the right button that scrolls the memory locations. I have not set any bells and whistles yet, but it does have a hypo warning adjustable setting. The Hyper warning is also settable. There is a test strip expiry date alarm too. There are timers for 2hr PP and 3 for time.
I could not get the bluetooth to work with my laptop, although the two did talk to each other, it was not possible to pair the devices, or to integrate with their SmartLog software. It is designed for mobile app version, not laptop. However, I did get their logging software to upload readings using the USB cable (it needs an Apple type USB not PC, available from Customer Care.
I had some misreads with this meter, and the strips are top down loading, not side loading, and the fill window is difficult to see. Hold the meter vertical when applying blood.
Generally a no frills machine, it will probably suit T2D, but probably does not have all the facilities for insulin users. No meal log either. Does ketones (hence the Dual). The test strips are not the cheapest on the market, but reasonable. I think I prefer it to my Codefree, but time will tell.