I have downloaded the glucose tester app on my phone for the iBG Star but found that is sells for around £46 in Boots, so loathe to pay out for something that I am unsure about needing. Just wondering if anyone has experience with this, if so, what are your findings please?
Any one tried iBG Star
- Thread starter HpprKM
- Start Date
Sunny
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 93
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Hello. I have got the iBGstar & really like it. I have 4 sons in their early 20's & they persuaded me to buy it because it was cool & they like gadgets of course!! It's the first monitor I've had so nothing to compare with as I was only diagnosed in April. I like the fact that it's so small, I like the way it stores & displays the info & that you can email it straight on to your GP or anyone who might be interested & agrees with you testing!!!! It's also a bit of a talking point - people are interested in what it is- that may be bad if you arn't keen on people knowing your diabetic- it doesn't bother me.
I wouldn't say for a minute that you 'need' it but if you do decide to get one you can get the VAT off that price at Boots. I thought I might have to get the strips from Boots too which wouldn't have been convenient for me but the pharmacy I always use got them for me for the next day & now order them in.
I wouldn't say for a minute that you 'need' it but if you do decide to get one you can get the VAT off that price at Boots. I thought I might have to get the strips from Boots too which wouldn't have been convenient for me but the pharmacy I always use got them for me for the next day & now order them in.
Thanks for reply, I think I may buy it, I have two questions that you may like to answer - how much do the strips cost, and you say that it is VAT excluded to diabetics - is this already deducted from shelf price, or do they deduct upon purchase - if so what proof do they require?
Kathleen
Kathleen
serendipity
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 116
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
-
Needles!
Liver
I have the BG Star
The only problem I fine is sometimes the needles dont grip or if they do they sometimes bend.
The only problem I fine is sometimes the needles dont grip or if they do they sometimes bend.
Sunny
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 93
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
The strips are about £26.50 but again you can get the VAT back. If you search VAT exemption form there is a form there you can print off & take with you. Apparently they should have them but looked totally blankly at me!!
Yes some needles do seem to bend occasionally but then others I re- use multiple times. Hope this helps.
Yes some needles do seem to bend occasionally but then others I re- use multiple times. Hope this helps.
I have the iBG Star.
I think its a great meter and- as a 'boy-and-his-toys' geek I love being able to slot it into my ipad and iphone and transfer the readings automatically several at a time (yes I know). The 50 tube test strips are reasonably priced- and I did not know about the test strip VAT exemption: hat tip for that :wink:
HOWEVER: the lancet that comes with it is TOTAL PANTS! It was taking me 4/5 needles to get a reading despite trying all the various gauges.
So I buy a box (100) of 'Unistik 2 comfort'' disposable lancets- identical to the one the GP will use for a finger prick test only pink rather than yellow. Works every time with a single lancet.
I think its a great meter and- as a 'boy-and-his-toys' geek I love being able to slot it into my ipad and iphone and transfer the readings automatically several at a time (yes I know). The 50 tube test strips are reasonably priced- and I did not know about the test strip VAT exemption: hat tip for that :wink:
HOWEVER: the lancet that comes with it is TOTAL PANTS! It was taking me 4/5 needles to get a reading despite trying all the various gauges.
So I buy a box (100) of 'Unistik 2 comfort'' disposable lancets- identical to the one the GP will use for a finger prick test only pink rather than yellow. Works every time with a single lancet.
I just got one of these half price (20) at Boots after seeing it advertised on here - it is awesome! I'm tempted to get one for a friend of mine for christmas but not sure about giving a glucose meter as a gift?! :crazy:
I have the iBG star and find the meter to be fantastic. It's great to be able to work out tends with the graph displays.
I use alternative site testing, and have to say the lancet isn't great for that. It usually takes a few attempts to get a sample from my forearm, but I still prefer it to finger pricking.
I also find that the meter or strips don't like low temperatures. If the temp in my room is below 21 Celsius I often get a false reading - and that can be costly.
All in all though I do like my iBG star
I use alternative site testing, and have to say the lancet isn't great for that. It usually takes a few attempts to get a sample from my forearm, but I still prefer it to finger pricking.
I also find that the meter or strips don't like low temperatures. If the temp in my room is below 21 Celsius I often get a false reading - and that can be costly.
All in all though I do like my iBG star
