March 18th, 2010 
admin 
- Nο coding required
- 5 second test time
- Pre/post meal test mаrkіחɡ fοr better glucose control
- 0.6 blood sample size, alternative site testing, palm οr forearm
- 480 test result memory wіtһ 14 day average
Product Description
Bayer HealthCare LLC ԁοеѕ חοt warrant υѕе οf tһе Ascensia Contour Blood Glucose Meter wіtһ аחу strip οtһеr tһаח Ascensia Contour Blood Glucose Strips. Fοr complete warranty information, refer tο User Guide. Fοr іח vitro diagnostic υѕе. Store meter аt room temperature 50 -86° Fahrenheit. Tһіѕ kit contains tһе following Ascensia Contour items: *Blood Glucose Meter*Qυісk Reference Guide*User Guide*Ascensia Microlet Adjustable Lancing Device wіtһ 5 lancets*Ascensia Cli… More >>
Bayer’s Contour Blood Glucose Monitoring System
Popularity: 83% [?]
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I received a free contour meter and tried it out a couple of times. I have been a user of the Lifescan OneTouch Ultra Mini meter for about 4 months and several hundred samples.
What I liked least about Bayer Contour system:
- I didn’t care for the shape of the meter. It felt awkward in my hand and like the shape was not conducive to operating it with one hand.
- I didn’t like the functionality and shape of the lancet device which felt less “sure” when it fired the needle. This sounds dumb but feeling in control of the “stick” is important, especially for brand new users. That alone could really change how much you test.
- I also found by comparison to the Onetouch lancet, it had 1/2 as many available settings for depth of the stick, and those were not numbered on the lancet. I find the numbering useful on my onetouch as I can get good samples with very different depths of sticks depending on which finger or alternate test site I’m sticking.
- The general form factor (size and shape) of the carry case, and contents is too large for me. I am a guy so I don’t carry a purse around. Mine goes in my pocket or in a laptop bag when at work. I like that I can stick it in my pocket without too much bulk. The Bayer Contour would be too bulky for that, in it’s case.
- The diameter of the test strip bottle is too large, making the case “fat”.
- Operation of the meter was not intuitive to me. I had to read the manual to figure out how to turn it on and cycle through 5 readings.
- The basic and “advanced” modes were a joke. Advanced just meant I could set customized high and low markers, basically.
- I did not review any software but the meter appears to have a data port.
- meter read 20 points lower than my other meter, out of the box, on first 3 tests. My other meter has been compared to 4 lab tests and been within 2 points of the lab every time. So I believe this contour meter is not very accurate. Reading 20 points low is kind of dangerous and certainly could cause you to eat when you shouldn’t. It might also give you a false sense of what hypoglycemia feels like.
What I liked best about Bayer Contour system:
- I like the idea of the adjustable alarm for post meal testing. I would use this if my one touch meter ultra mini had this.
- I liked the more advanced adjustability of the high, low, etc.
- no test strip coding – although honestly, that has never EVER been an issue with my ultra mini which is coded.
-It has a data port. And if I could try that out without buying cables and software, I might try it but I have low faith bayer’s product is any better than the onetouch product.
In short, if you are new and choosing a meter, I recommend the OneTouch Ultra Mini because of its size, shape, and simple functionality. Also the software that you can buy (and cable to connect it) works “decently”. Its not great, but not bad. I was not really a fan of the Contour meter from Bayer. Its ok, but I liked the onetouch better.
On a related note, what I do really like from Bayer is their A1C NOW self check for A1C home testing. I find I can buy that on sale for about half of the “retail price” if I shop around online. It appears to work well, though I have not calibrated an A1C NOW reading with a lab A1c reading, yet.
Rating: 3 / 5
Dec 07, 2009: Someone posted a comment suggesting the “problem” might relate to trying to install Windows 7 64 bit drivers on a 32 bit system, or vice-versa. Thats a non-issue. In fact, the device is not compatible with ANY version of Windows 7, period.
I called BAYER again today. Another clueless rep told me they would give me a refund if I sent the worthless cable back. No apology; no indication when if ever this device will work as advertised.
If one visits the bayer home page, and downloads the software, there is NO MENTION WHATSOEVER about system compatibility or driver versions. (In fact, the rep told me that it works fine with Windows XP (she apparently thinks its still 2002).
I continue recommending against purchase of BAYER DIABETES MANAGEMENT products until they acknowlege the facts about this product line. As far as I’m concerned, this is about plain-old honesty. This is a health care product after all, not a toy.
Nov 17, 2009: After ordering and paying for the data cable and software, I was advised by Bayer’s Customer Service that their software is not compatible with Windows 7, and they have no idea when/if it will be. So if you intend to use the meter and your computer to maintain records, avoid this device. One of the more clueless customer service reps I’ve ever dealt with.
Rating: 1 / 5
They sent me a different product than what I ordered or what they show on Amazon. The model number is also completely different.
Rating: 1 / 5
I’ve never owned a blood sugar measuring device before. In fact, I still don’t. You see my mother bought me this computer for x-mas ’07, and now I’m responsable for deleting unwanted e-mails and making internet purchases. Alligning itself with those tasks seems to be the inevedable burdonsome quandry known as the “Amazon Review”. Is it me? or should these people be paying me. Needless to say I might sue for pain and suffering if the medical bills start to accumulate. (I’ve got a very bad “delete callous”.) Anyhoo, enough of my yackin’. The Contour actually is a simple and accurate device. I’ve tested good ol’ mom three times already and it just gets easier every time. nice item
Rating: 5 / 5
i ordered this as a gift for my grandma, who is suffering from diabetes now. She hasn’t started to use it so i am not so sure about how it functions. But when she opened the pack , she found out that there were only 6 pieces of testing paper or whatever, she was sort of disappointed. Because that means she can only do 6 tests before i get her more testing paper.
Well, anyway, i am looking for the testing paper which is selling separatedly now~~and hope there are some~~
Rating: 3 / 5