• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Freestyle Mini versus Freestyle Lite

LittleSue

Well-Known Member
Messages
647
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Abbot have sent me a new meter after my Freestyle Mini went through a set of batteries rather quickly. The new one's a Freestyle Lite, apparently they don't make Minis any more. They use different strips.

I already have 2 spare Mini's (one went wrong before but the replacement didn't arrive, so I bought one, then a month later 2 arrived). So if I started using one of those I'd still have a spare Mini and could keep the Lite for the future.

Has anyone used both Mini and Lite? Is the Lite significantly better?

Seems a waste to throw away 2 Minis completely unused (with the hassle of getting my prescription changed as well) if there's not much advantage in the new model.

Thanks
Sue
 
Perhaps Sue, you could re-home them if you decide not to keep them. I love my mini. Haven't trie the LITE. I do find Abbotts service excellent though.
 
Hi LittleSue

I have had a Freestyle Lite since diagnosis and had no problems with it - usually do a duplicate between new pots of strips and it's always giving results within 0.3 of the other pot.

I did get one of the Free Bayer meters and used that with the free strips (25) so I could get more tests done without worrying the doctor with too many repeat prescriptions. I then went back to the Freestyle Lite as it just seemed friendlier - may be familiarity?

The value of meters is minimal as this is determined by the manufacturers marketing policy - what they want to sell is the test strips, and their price is kept artificialy high.

If you can get a free meter with test strips I'd say use it and dump it after you've used up the strips - if they see their policy not working they'll soon change to making meters more expensive and strips cheaper so we can all get on and do more life saving testing.
 
Thanks for your replies.
Decided to use the new Lite machine and get a spare one (currently £6.50 at Boots). Have taken the prescription change slip to the surgery. I will indeed offer the two unused Minis for rehoming - but in view of previous pattern that when I change machines they put me back to 1 pack of strips and the wrong lancets, and I end up having to make (waste) an appointment with my doctor to get it sorted, I'll wait till I get the new prescription Friday evening before making them available. Depending how long this takes to sort, some Mini strips may be going spare too, along with cases, fingerprickers etc. (Don't you just hate that drawer full of assorted stuff you no longer need but will just be destroyed if you return it to the chemist?)
Will post an update over the weekend.
Sue
 
Will hopefully be able to tell you by tomorrow how accurate the freestyle lite is, had my 1st HBA1C done since diagnosis....by my own calculations - based on numerous tests at various times of day - it should be under 6.5, fingers crossed :?
 
Hi Sue

Think the only real difference between the 2 meters is that you dont have to change the number for the new set of strips. That and battery life!

Ed
 
As I suspected, my prescription hasn't been adjusted properly - in fact not changed at all. Fortunately an understanding pharmacist gave me the usual quantity of the new strips "just this once" so I'm using the new machine while I argue with the surgery. (When sorted I'll offer the spare Minis for rehomin, but don't hold your breath!) Waiting for the doc to ring me back....

Have started using the Lite, seems much faster than the mini but that's probably down to not having to wait while it thinks about its coding - just asks for the blood straight away.

Interesting comments on battery life. That's the reason Abbott sent me the new machine, the mini had gone thru a set of batteries faster than before. Seems most meters last about 18 months before they pack up for some reason, even pre-DAFNE when I used mine far less.
 
My "lite" certainly seems accurate enough, had calculated an hba1c of 6.33% based on readings while accurate hba1c came out at 6.8%...close enough as a guide i suppose.
 
Hi,
I have used both meters and my lite registers significantly higher than my mini eg lite-5.2 mini -4.3.
Has anyone else experienced this and do you know why? The Abbott people havent been much help so far.
Jan Eadie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…