A Great Meter!

This meter, the Accu-chek Aviva, is one of Accu-chek's newest meter's. And the features prove it is worthy of use.

Background info:
I have type 1 diabetes and wear an insulin pump to manage my blood sugars. This means I must test my blood sugar 6-10 times a day, everyday. Furthermore, I must be able to rely on those results to be accurate so I can properly dose my insulin.

Because I test a lot, I am constantly looking for ways to make it easier. I also know all the tricks to getting a free meter. So I have tried most meters on the market.

I picked up my Aviva as a "kit."

Included:
Aviva Meter
Multiclix Lancing Device
2 Lancet drums
50 strips
User Manuals
Log Book
Warranty Card
Case

The starter kit was about $40. I really wanted the Multiclix lancing device (more on that later), which wsa $30 by itself. So I decided $10 more for a meter and 50 strips (most meters include 0-10 strips) was a justified purchase.

My first impression was that the meter was pretty cool looking. It is bigger than other meters, especially my Flash (http://www.epinions.com/content_144436072068) I usually use. But it just felt cool. It's color scheme of silver and navy blue was modern, and it fit nicely in my hand. The anti-skid grips on the back are nice if you test at a desk or something along those lines.

Setting the time and date on the meter was easy, since there are back and forward buttons. There are also beeps that can be turned on and off. The time and date is important to have set, since the meter memory holds 500 results with date and time. These can later be uploaded to the computer for analysis using IR (cable extra). The meter gives you 7, 14, and 30 day averages on screen also. Great for the geek in you.

Once the time and date are set, you are ready to test. All strips come with a code key that slides into the side of the meter, this calibrates the meter. You only need to do that once per bottle/box of strips, so every 50 or 100 tests.

The strips are big and easy to handle. Putting a strip in the meter turns it on, then you just apply blood (.6 microliters- very small amount) and in only 5 seconds you have a result! A 5 year old could do it. It is fast and easy.

But wait- don't you have to prick yourself?

Why yes, you do. That is where the Multiclix Lancing Device comes in. I am gonna go ahead and call this thing one of the best diabetes inventions of the year. The thing is amazing. The Multiclix doesn't take standard lancets. Instead, it holds a drum of 6 30guage (really small) lancets. You slide the drum into the lancing device, cock the device, and press the button to use the lancing device. When you are ready to change the lancet, a change of the dial moves the next lancet forward. After using all six lancets, you take the drum out and put a new one in. Once you take a drum out the side of the drum shows red markings, indicating it is used, and it changes shape slightly so it will not fit in the lancing device again. No sharps are ever exposed- the lancets stay in the drum the whole time except the moment they prick your finger. The Multiclix has 11 depth settings, making it very painfree to use on fingers, but if you choose alternative site testing, your Aviva and Multiclix can handle that as well. The Aviva is approved for alternative sites- palm, forearm, thigh, upper arm, or calf. And the Multiclix includes a clear cap for alternative sites.

If you get this meter for no other reason, get it for the lancing device. It's the best thing ever- totally painfree in my opinion.

Accuracy wise, I haven't done any lab comparisons on my Aviva, but it seems to match my other meters well, and I have no reason to question it's accuracy.

Customer service wise, Accu-chek goes unsurpassed. When I first used my Multiclix, I thought I put the lancet drum in, pulled it out, then tried to put it in again to find I couldn't. I had wasted the drum. I called Accu-chek to see what I was doing wrong, and they told me this is a common mistake (especially when you don't read the manual like I did!) and sent me TWO new drums to make up for the one I wasted. Bravo Accu-chek!

I have no complaints about this meter other than the bigger size. It's fast, easy to use, accurate, and comes with the Multiclix.