Blood glucose meters

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

Comment:

I purchased this just under a month ago for use as a second opinion test, for comparison with the test results from the doctor prescribed meter which I'd received the month prior. It's reported accuracy is allegedly better than the meter I was issued, so in the absence of control solution for accuracy testing, this seemed a viable option for checking the ball park accuracy of the doctor-prescribed meter. Unfortunately, without control solution for the Nova max Plus, I cannot verify it's own accuracy. What I can attest to is that it always show glucose test results ranging from 18-50 points higher than the meter I was prescribed, which itself reads 113-119 using it's recommended Control Solution containing .11% glucose. <br /><br />While I question the purported high level of accuracy of the Nova Max Plus Advanced Technology Glucose/Ketone Monitor, it is very simple to use and requires a considerably smaller sample size than that of most glucose meters. Because of the smaller sample size, the supplied lancing device uses the very thin 33 gauge lancets (and is compatible with BD brand Ultra-Fine 33-gauge lancets) which makes it almost pain-less. The fact that the user can monitor both blood glucose and blood ketones from a single simple to use meter is a great benefit for those who need to monitor their ketone levels. <br /><br />On the downside, while the monitor itself is inexpensive, the two different types of test strips (ketones and glucose) are pricey. The meter kit includes two sample Ketone Test Strips but does not include any sample strips for testing glucose or control solution to check the meter/strips for proper operation/accuracy. Based on my local purchase of glucose test strips, it costs more than $1 per test (which puts it near or at the top of the list for highest over-all operating costs). For anyone needing to monitor their blood glucose levels several times per day, this can be a prohibitive out-of-pocket cost unless covered by insurance. Another issue I discoverd was that while the manual lists a Serial/USB Port in the specifications, there is no instruction for performing data transfer from the meter to a PC. The Nova Max Plus meter that I purchased did not have any data port whatsoever. <br /><br />As a final note, I have not been able to verify the accuracy of the Nova Max Plus meter. There is purposedly 3 different glucose test solutions for this product. Worse is that I cannot find any information regarding these control solutions or why there are 3 types (low, normal, and high) needed. Nor have I been able to find any source, locally or online, where any of these control solutions can be purchased. Given the allegedly high accuracy of the Nova Max product and the atypical test results I've been receiving, I find this disturbing and cannot in good conscience recommend this product.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.