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Dexcom vs xDrip

zjed

zjed

Well-Known Member
Messages
110
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Lazy Doctors and Endos
Started my 2 week Dexcom trial on Friday and it's pretty impressive. Being able to see the trend makes a huge difference in predicting where you're heading.
I also got the last of my xDrip parts and made my xDrip hardware (xBridge2 version) so I can check the accuracy and reliability of the xDrip against the Dexcom receiver. I intend to use the xDrip rather than buying the $810 Dexcom receiver if it's reliable and accurate enough.
So far, the xDrip and Dexcom always seem in sync, variation is rarely > 0.3 different and the trend is always the same.
The xDrip app UI (experimental version) on my phone far exceeds the UI on the Dexcom receiver, decent graph and the ability to view the last 2 days of data. The experimental version also displays the bridge battery status and you can enter the Dexcom transmitter Id in the settings.
I started logging reading differences between BGM, Dexcom and xDrip but stopped as it seemed pointless after < 1 day, the Dexcom and xDrip are alway so close and they seem to lag the BGM by about 5-10 minutes, all pretty good.
At this point I'm bolusing from the CGM reading, I think this will work well as long as there's not a lot of movement in your trend.
I've also setup a nightscout service, just to see how it looks/works. Fantastic for parents with young T1s and probably worth it for sharing data with your D team. Here's mine if you want a look :- my Nightscout portal.

I think I'm sold on CGM already, xDrip will be my preferred option if it can prove its reliability. Currently it's missing a few readings overnight, I'm not sure if it's because phone/xDrip is charging or there's a distance issue or there may be interference from other devices (my BT DAB clock radio looks suspicious), I need to do a bit more testing to find out.

It all looks good, I better start saving my pennies for those sensors.


xDrip_app.jpg

xDrip_hardware.jpg
 
Is that a TicTac box? Very neat
I've been using the Dexcom for around 18 months & the xDrip app & box for about 4 months & can't praise them highly enough.
I really wouldn't want to go back to life without a CGM. Like you, I've found very little difference between the xDrip app & the Dexcom readings - I really couldn't say which is better.
The Dex is small, light & the battery lasts about a week.
xDrip is limited by phone battery life. The xDrip box battery life depends on the battery you put in there. My 1200mAh lasts about 3.5 days.
If you restart your sensor (& you should if you are self funding) then xDrip continues to work during the 2 hour Dexcom warm up - great. It keeps the previous calibration whilst the Dex starts all over again. xDrip also continues reading when the sensor readings are too erratic for the Dex which shows "???". Often the sensor settles down to good figures ages before the Dex restarts.

I'm playing around with NightScout as well. I had my niece monitoring me for a week, very interesting if slightly "Big Brother is watching you". As you say for parents or carers it is surely a "must have".
I've been looking out for a cheap Pebble watch on eBay to try that option but no luck yet.

I rarely lose the signal but I've read that some people have a problem when lying on the sensor in bed.
 
Yes it's a tic tac box, 3d printer file on xDrip wasn't quite right but dremel fixed it, maybe they have bigger tic tacs in the US.
I'm liking nightscout, I have it loaded in a browser tab while working so I can easily see readings, I also find it easy to change the js for a few minor UI changes.
I also added a 'website daydream' app to my phone so it shows nightscout while charging overnight.
 
I assume you can calibrate xDrip from a BG test with no issues?
 
Sounds as though xDrip is a cheap way to go Dexcom, which might explain why AT have stopped selling the Dex Transmitter and Sensors without a receiver.
 
Hmm I wondered if that would happen. You have to log in so they can see if you've bought a receiver. When my receiver dies I won't be replacing it at £600 or so.
Of course the upcoming G5 won't need a receiver but will connect to a mobile anyway.
 
Or we can speak to someone like your good self and order a transmitter and additional sensors... ;)
 
tim2000s said:
Sounds as though xDrip is a cheap way to go Dexcom, which might explain why AT have stopped selling the Dex Transmitter and Sensors without a receiver.
Click to expand...
Really, that sucks.
I have an AU 'new customer' order form here which has receiver,transmitter and sensors listed as separate items. I'm thinking of trying to order a box of sensors. After they're processed, I can try ordering a transmitter at 'subsequent order' price ($100 cheaper)
 
This xDrip is intriguing... I will really have to look into it!

In Canada, I am able to order anything individually at any quantity. So i don't know how the prices work in the rest of the world but a box of 4 sex sensors is 340$ Canadian (our dollar is tanking right now too) the Transmitter is 800$.

I would be hesitant to bolus from the dexcom reading if your flux is great, i have woken up thinking my BS has been stable at 5.5mmol/l ALL NIGHT, and did my morning calibration to find my BS is actually at 7.4mmol/l...

I think over time the Dex sensors begin to get less and less sensitive and don't detect small changes. After the first week i pretty much never see a double arrow lol
 
Canadian prices look similar to AUD.
I just bought 4 sensors and transmitter for $910. No receiver required. Had to pay the inflated "1st time" transmitter price though.
I will use the xDrip until I get a G5.
Also picked up a 2nd hand pebble on the weekend for $60. I like it. You can get readings from xDrip or nightscout (different pebble app). Gets all the xDrip notifications.

pebble.jpg
 
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