Simplified Testing
Pros:
Easy to use, small, accurate, comes in colors
Cons:
No upload to computer, no averaging
The Bottom Line:
Simple to use, but don't expect bells and whistles.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
The OneTouch Ultra Mini is Lifescan's (successful) attempt at simplifying testing. However, the simplification didn't come without some draw backs.
The first fun part about this meter- colors! Choose blue, green, pink, or black. It comes in fun colors! Very cool, instead of some generic color Mr. Sumdood at the meter company picked out.
Included in the package is the Mini meter, a carrying case, a minature lancing device, 10 lancets, guides, and a logbook. No strips are included.
The Mini got it's name from it's small size. It's smaller than most meters. It looks quite a bit like a pregnancy test stick, actually.
To use the Mini, you set the date and time first. When you insert a strip, the meter powers on, and the code shows. Match the code to the code on the bottle of strips using the up and down keys and you're good to go.
The result displays in 5 seconds with 1 ul of blood.
Lifescan's motto for this meter is "just the basics of testing." And they are correct- it is basic.
The meter stores 50 results on the meter that can be flipped through using the arrow keys. Compare that to 3,000 results stored on their UltraSmart meter. It does no averages, compared to before and after meal averages by 7, 30, 60, and 90 days on the UltraSmart. They are definitely different ends of the spectrum.
There is also no backlight, like there is on the UltraSmart and Ultra2.
This meter would be a great meter for putting in my purse on the go for me, except from one fatal flaw- you can't upload it to a computer. I love being able to upload my results for analysis, and this meter doesn't allow it- a step backwards in technology, in my opinion.
Further minor problems with the meter include that the test strip slot seems to be too thin- it can be hard to push the strips into the meter at times.
Also, if you are not careful when you first get it, it can be easy to mistake the top for the bottom, making a result like 96 look like 69, or 82 like 58. So be careful here.
The meter, like all Lifescan meters, seems accurate.
Overall, this is a great meter for someone who wants a small, fun-colored meter, or who just wants simple testing without bells and whistles.
