Best Bg monitor? What works for you?

KevGr said:

Im new to all of this and just wondering which monitor does everyone use?

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I have used a Accu-Chek Performa meter which was accurate enough, but the software for it was expensive.

I have been using a Abbot Freestyle Freedom Lite meter for a couple of years now, which is very good, and the software was free. Very accurate when compared to pathology shop readings.

Have trialled a Contour Next One meter which is a excellent style meter, but is inaccurate reading a >1.0 mmol/l over when compared to pathology shop readings.

Abbot's aftercare service is excellent as well.

All meters are a similar accuracy.
If you are based in the uk and your doctor has given you a meter, I would stick with that meter as you should get test strips on prescription.

I loved my Abbott Freestyle Lite but the local commissioning group has bulk bought into Aviva Performa Nano meters and I was told they wouldn't prescribe the Abbot strips anymore, but that they were happy to supply the Aviva ones. I can understand that buying loads of one sort works out cheaper but I wish they'd bought Abbott meters!

I found the beyer to be very inaccurate. All the others seem to be quite accurate. Then again it’s only a guide as 20 min latter your BGL could be sky rocketing up or down so plus or minus 7mmol/l.
All have their advantages and disadvantages
The strips that come in the cylinders are more convenient as less waste to clean up, but they rattle.
Some have a near painless pricker, but are more expensive (for those of us whom live in countries that do not have universal health cover) to replace the lancet.
Some are smaller, some allow for computer downloads and the list goes on.

Hi,

I've had a lot of meters in my time. Lol, most of which I can't remember the names. One even had a glowing backlit test strip for use in the dark?? An Abbot meter I think.

The Accuchek Mobile is my weapon of choice. Pretty much a one stop shop with a cartrige of 50 tests on a cassette. It rolls on to the next test with no disposing of strips. & a pricker containing a drum of six lancets. The offset positioning of the hole for the lancet takes a little getting used to. But it all bundles into something the size of an early 1990s Nokia phone..
The only downside is it reads 15% higher than any NHS Nurse issue calibrated meter.

Meters are like any other device, tool or even cars.. We all have our individual personal preference.
Hmmm, Apple or Android...?

If you're new to diabetes? Just focus on your getting to grips with the diagnosis & work out what best suits you as you get more comfortable integrating your lifestyle with the meds & regime.

Hope this helps!