Customer Reviews

ACCU-CHEK Aviva Blood Glucose Meter

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have been a Type 2 diabetic for the past 8 years. I have been through plenty of meters during this time. I started with the LifeScan One Touch meter. That was covered by my insurance carrier. But then I switched jobs and began going to the VA for my treatments. They use Accu-Chek products, so I had to change meters that I was uncomfortable with because it took took 45 seconds to read the results whereas the One Touch was a 5 second readout. When you're feeling hypoglycemic, time spent waiting for the results REALLY matters. I had been trying other meters in between, and then Accu-Chek came out with what I consider their best meter yet, the Aviva. It uses a very small amount of blood to conduct a test, and the lancing device that comes with it is something unlike any other device I have seen, the Multiclix. Lancets are stored in a drum, 6 at a time. You never have to touch another lancet. Never have to worry about accidentally sticking yourself when you're changing or discarding lancets.

This meter is lot more stylish than the Advantage. It is faster, more accurate, uses an infrared device to transmit testing information stored on a computer unlike the Advantage which needed a cable, and you can even customize the front face with a variety of "skins" that fits your personality or lifestyle.

The Aviva meter takes a giant step forward in technology for Roche, but the Multiclix Lancing Device steals the show. Even if you don't use an Accu-Chek meter, you owe it to yourself to switch to this outstanding lancing device. You even get 2 more lancets in the box rather than the standard 100 lancet package (17 drums - 6 lancets in each = 102). It's pain-free testing and you can even test yourself on your thigh if you want. Not too many other lancing devices can make that claim. In fact, there are 6 locations you can test yourself - finger tip, palm, forearm, upper arm, thigh, and calf.

All in all, I am very happy Roche developed the Aviva and the Multiclix Lancing Device. The VA has made the switch to this much better meter (though they still give you the Softclix Lancing Device with their packaging). If you're a veteran reading this, throw away your Advantage and go to the Pharmacy to get the new Aviva.

I am just starting out testing my blood sugar levels on advice of my Dr. I bought this meter because it was highly rated for ease of use and pain free testing. These points are true, and this rating value is based on that ease of use and comfort. I read all of the reviews before purchasing and learned that I would need test strips and lancets to begin using the product, so I ordered those as well. However, this product is ONLY the meter, and you will need the multiclix device to use the lancets, and the control solutions to test your meter prior to use. This product can be purchased in a starter kit with the meter, multiclix device, starter lancets and an introduction dvd. Even with the kit you will still need test strips and the control solutions. I'm only stressing this point because it took me three orders to get everything I needed, and it was a hassle. I ended up with two meters because the kit which included the multiclix device was cheaper than buying the multiclix device separately! So, you live and learn, and you pass that knowledge on.

I was diagnosed with diabetes last year. I was given the Freestyle Lite monitor by my doctor. I liked it--it is smaller than the Accu-Chek but the lancet is comparatively more painful than the Multiclix lancet device that comes with the Accu-Chek. The main reason I switched is because the Accu-Chek was my insurance company's preferred meter and the copay for the strips was considerably less ($35 for 50 Freestyle Lite strips and $5 for 90 Accu-Chek strips). Both store readings and have alarms. Both require only a small amount of blood for testing, but I found that the Accu-Chek didn't seem to need as much as the Freestyle Lite. Also, the Freestyle lancet gave me little "wounds" from where I had tested, whereas the Accu-Chek did not, and--may I say it again?--the Multiclix was much more comfortable to obtain a sample--it was literally painless compared to Freestyle Lite.

Even if you don't change your meter you might want to just buy the Multiclix (sold separately also). You won't believe the difference!

There is "no coding" with the Freestyle Lite but there is with the Accu-Chek--that was no big deal at all doing that.

All in all, I prefer the Accu-Chek to the FreeStyle Lite. The FreeStyle is smaller, though, FYI.

I bought this to calm my doctor's nerves and my own curiosity when I was pregnant, because I had one high reading on my glucose tolerance test.

The monitor is VERY easy to use, and I can't believe how fast the reading is. The lancet just gives a tiny little prick, and the test strips require just a tiny bit of blood (which I appreciate). Overall, it worked well for my need, and kept my doctor from being too worried that I had gestational diabetes.

My wife was just diagnosed. This purchase was OK but: 1. You get only the meter; 2. You will need to buy the lancet device separately; 3. You will need to buy control liquid separately; 4. None of my three computers have IR input; how about Bluetooth?? Where do I get an IR input? I am still looking.; 5. There is no software included nor available that I can find to buy. (I finally downloaded freeware from CNET); 6. I did buy extra strips and inserts for the lancet device. That was suggested on the amazon site. Amazon could do a lot better identifying clearly what you need extra when you buy this.

I have used this meter for over six months,no problems and I like that the glucose reading is large and has been dependable. The accessories sold separately, I called the number in the booklet and they helped me with instructions for use,sent me a free multi clix lancet device,testing kit and they let me know if I had any problems with their products they would be happy to help. I only use the meter for the current glucose reading, and I use the booklet enclosed to record my glucose because I like to keep it basic, I am not techie inclined.

The multiclix lancet device has adjustable pressure(Not included). Amazon has the best prices for the test strips and lancets.

This item was shipped promptly and packaged well.

I have several family members with diabetes so good luck to all.

The case is OK and the booklet helpful, but the meter died almost at once. I inserted the test strip chip and a test strip and then did a control sample calibration. Everything worked fine. Then, when I inserted a new test strip to do my first test, the unit was dead. The off-on switch did nothing. This type of personal health care product is not returnable.
However, the profit is in selling the strips and my lancet kit included a 'free' meter that was identical except that it has worked well for the last five months. If/when it fails, I will update this review.

I have been using this meter for almost 4 years now. The test strips are expensive UNLESS you purchase them through AMAZON.
I was amazed how much the pharmacy was charging compared to AMAZON.

This meter has worked consistently for me. It is almost as accurate as the blood gas test. However no meter will be
100% accurate. This is why a routine A1C from your doctor is very important.

I rely on this meter to keep me informed of my sugar levels on a daily basis. Glucose levels kept under control mean
a healthier life.

I would say this is probably the best unit I have come across. Its easy to setup and use.

Delivery was on time and in perfect condition. Setup took less than a minute in fact by the second minute we already were done with the first test.

The memory function/feature comes in handy in monitoring both our test results.

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I bought the Accu-Chek Aviva Blood Glucose meter (mfr. Roche) for two reasons: as a backup/comparison test to my Freestyle meter, and because the TV commercials proclaiming this item "manufactured in the USA" (see more below) intrigued me.

Like most modern meters I know of, the meter itself is fairly cheap while the cost of the lancets is "just OK" and the strips -- which always seem to be incompatible from one company's line to the next -- are way expensive. This blood-glucose meter shows good and reliable glucose levels, on a par with my first meter (in fact, they are rarely more than 10 - 15 points apart on the same finger-stick). It is much larger than other meters in that price range, but display digits are only slightly larger than what I'm used to. The carry case is stiff and rather large, not really an efficient fit for these contents. However, the meter is supposed to have infrared capacity to let it read data into a PC though apparently the software to do so is quite expensive. I'll mention briefly that the test strips are goodish size for their type and distinctive, hence easy to insert. Getting blood on the strip involves a yellow center area on the strip but that's not as difficult as it sounds.

Lancets for the Accu-Chek meters are unlike the twist-off-head types I am familiar with: Roche uses a cartridge that takes canisters with a barrel-and-turret arrangement. I just use my old-style lancets, blood is blood, and always stick my left little finger pad. A puzzling factor about this system is that the Owner's Manual is ambiguous if not downright equivocal about contact fluid. At one point the shorter intro. guide mentions a vial of fluid in a list together with other components but* "may not be included" and it wasn't. In the manual not only is a vial one mentioned, but also a vial 2 (apparently for much higher readings). But nowhere is it stated that contact fluid is absolutely essential, and specific use of it is not part of the manual's description for beginners of blood draw, test strip and meter. Hence I am not sure whether I was supposed to shell out ten extra bucks, but since my mg/dl readings have been substantiated by a different brand of meter, I chose to do without. (And besides, the owner's manual never says what the user is supposed to DO if the contact solution+strips test out of normal range, except to call a toll-free number.)

The ambiguity gets downright mystifying and (potentially) ugly when it comes to manufacturing, marketing and politics. TV advertising (using worker testimony) says that the product is "manufactured" in the USA. My version says right on the box that the kit consists of domestic and foreign objects, so perhaps "manufactured" is too much a stretch. Wouldn't "components of USA and foreign origin and assembled (or combined) in [or marketed for] the United States," or words to that effect, be more accurate? After all, the 'core' meter is only one of many extra elements (zipper case, lancet launcher, lancet cartridges, manual, get-started guide and registration postcard) that make any such meter usable; in fact, a more elaborate drugstore version of the kit including some glucose strips costs even more. But I don't make the laws. Despite the TV advertising I have been unable to determine where this American factory or assembly center or whatever is. Roche Diagnostics is headquartered in Indianapolis; in my own kit the registration postcard goes to Strongsville, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The meter itself does not say "Made In" any country on its back but it does say simply "Mannheim Germany"(?). In an attempt to determine item provenance and kit origin, I have tried contacting both Roche Diagnostics and the holding group for all of Roche in Basel, Switzerland, but have not heard from either.

All in all, Roche's Accu-Chek Aviva strikes me as a good but not perfect blood-glucose meter, but my older, smaller one from a different maker is the one that will travel with me. If you need a more sophisticated way of keeping statistics or relating to a computer, this one may gain a point on your list. However, it irks me not a little that any reasonable-man standard would not use the term "manufactured" entirely in the USA; the box says right out that foreign components are part of the kit. I feel that my patriotism was manipulated by a not-quite-accurate sales point. Laws can be tweaked but people shouldn't be.
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