The WaveSense Blood Glucose Meter

Since I'm no longer on my pump, I have the freedom to search for a new meter of any brand!  I think I'm gonna try a couple of meters and see how each fits into my lifestyle and more importantly how it operates!  

I'm starting with the WaveSense, since they were kind enough to leave a comment about the cost of their strips, and I was already looking at their meter because I've already been using the WaveSense iphone app.

WaveSense makes 3 blood glucose meters.  The Keynote, Presto and the Jazz.  

All 3 meters have these features in common:

Test results in 3 seconds.

Small sample, even smaller than what I use for one touch.

Backlight.

14, 30 and 90 day averages.

6 user settable alarms to help remind you to test! (no more forgetting my bedtime test!).

Hyper/hypo glycemic warning alarms.

Rubber grips and feet for easy holding.

AST, alternative site testing, to allow for testing in the forearm, palms or fingers. (Thus the reason for the clear cap they give you for lancing device.)  

The differences between the 3 meters:

Keynote requires coding for the test strips.  That's that little number on the bottle of strips. This is their basic model, not many bells and whistles, perfect for many people, like me! Cost for a system kit was 12.03 on Amazon.  Strips 50 ct were $16.95

Presto requires no coding, but features are exactly the same as keynote. The Presto is what I ordered. My total purchase for the WaveSense system kit, which is their starter kit, and strips was $41.24. Test strips were $21.25 for a 50 count bottle.  The starter, or system kit was 19.99, but you can also order just the meter for $14.99.

Jazz is their cadillac meter. Read David Mendosa's post on the Jazz. The Jazz requires no coding, has large display numbers for easy reading, backlight, pre/post mealtime markers, Daily Digest, 1,865 test memory. There will be a wireless Jazz for wirelessly uploading your info to your computer, but it is waiting for FDA approval. The Jazz was not available on Amazon, but through Diabeticexpress.com, the system kit $39.95 and strips 50 ct were $44.95.

Keynote Pro/Presto Pro- has a test strip ejector. These are designed for institutional use, but can be used for home use if you prefer, not to handle the used strips.

Another reason I was anxious to try WaveSense was their accountability on accuracy! Wavesense uses technology unique to them called Dynamic Electrochemsitry, which is coupled with algorithms to correct for the number of errors that are common in blood glucose meters, like chemical interferences such as vitamin c from orange juice, or environment conditions such as altitude and temperature and manufacturing variations. There is also a data page for more detailed studies. 

So without hesitation, I went to Amazon.com and bought a WaveSense Presto Meter and a bottle of 50 strips. There is a free meter offer available now from Wavesense Direct. Additionally, if you have health insurance and order through WaveSense Direct they have a program to reduce your copay!