ACCU CHEK Compact Plus Diabetes Monitoring Kit

Customer Reviews

SIMPLICITY IS THE KEY

2005-09-25
THIS PURCHASE WAS FOR A SPARE METER, I KEEP ONE HOME AND USE ONE FOR TRAVEL. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS METER IS THAT THE TEST STRIPS ARE IN A DRUM THAT'S LOADED INTO THE METER. ONE LESS THING TO CARRY AROUND. NO NEED TO INSERT STRIPS FOR EACH TEST. THE STRIPS LOAD THEMSELVES AND STICK OUT THE BOTTOM WHEN POWERED ON. READY FOR APPLYING YOUR BLOOD SAMPLE. WHEN DONE, AT POWER OFF, THE TEST STRIP DROPS OUT THE BOTTOM. YOU NEVER HANDLE THE STRIPS . THAT'S WHY I WENT WITH THIS METER. IT'S SO EASY TO USE, I'VE EVEN USED IT WHILE STUCK IN TRAFFIC.

No Wasted Strips AND Tells Time

2005-05-16
I've recently started using the Accu-Chek Compact meter. The previous reviewer states that you cannot "turn on" the meter without a test strip coming out. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I almost didn't get this meter because of that statement. Luckily, I checked it out.

If you want to check previous readings or use the meter "as a watch," just hit the Memory button. The meter turns on, showing the current time, date and previous blood sugar reading. No strip. If you want to test your blood sugar after checking time, etc., THEN hit the On button. All this information is in the instruction booklet and the Quick Reference guide. You can't help but learn this unless you never looked at even the Quick guide.

As for how I like it? I love it. It holds 17 strips and I take it everywhere. It's great to be in a restaurant and not have to fumble with a container or, worse, foil wrap. The strips eject (usually) with the press of a button. It also takes "normal" batteries (two AAAs). The viewing screen is large (1 1/2" x 1 1/2") and displays results in large numerals, which is good for anyone with eyesight issues. The test strip barrels are small--about 1" by 3/4" in diameter--and there's only one simple way to load them, so no worries there. The meter stores 100 previous results and has a feature that allows you to average or "trend" the previous 7 days' readings. It may also download results onto a computer with software and cable (not included).

The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that I find it a little bulkier than my other meters. It's about 4 1/2"L x 2"W x 1"H. I would also like to see it store more than 100 readings. Also, sometimes the strips do not eject and I pull them out--not a true problem for most, but I wanted to note it. And I'm not crazy about the lancet device and lancets that Accu-Check sends with its meters. I find the flat lancets difficult to uncap, load and to work with in general. I'm liking BD's "fat" lancet device and cylinder-shaped lancets a lot. They've made the lancing much softer than previous generations.

Overall? Thumbs up for the Accu-Check Compact.

need a watch

2005-02-03
My husband uses his glucometer as a watch as well, and when you turn this meter on, it automatically shoots out a test strip, so it can't be used for anything other than testing blood sugar. So, he saves it for when fumbling with a cannister of test strips is especially inconvenient, i.e. snow sports with gloves on. It's a really great feature, not having to fumble with extra little things, and it turns out the results quickly, but alas, he doesn't usually use it for above reasons. We got it free at one of the chain drug stores offering the coupon with purchase of test strips.