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		Ascensia Elite XL	Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Privacy Policy Search --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Overview The Ascensia Elite XL is an enhanced version of the Ascensia Elite. The XL adds 120 memories, 14-day averaging, date and time stamping of each test, and a data port to connect to Win Glucofacts XL software, which is identical to the Win Glucofacts software written for the Ascensia Dex, but adapted to the Ascensia Elite XL. If you are interested in using a Ascensia Elite, we recommend the Ascensia Elite XL because of the data port feature and diabetes management software. However, there are much better meter available today and we do not recommend the Elite or Elite XL. Like the Ascensia Elite, the Ascensia Elite XL uses test strips that suck the blood into the testing chamber. Bayer calls this Sip-in Sampling and it makes getting a sample as easy as possible. The Elite test strips use 2 microliters of blood, which is less than one hanging drop of blood. There are meters that take less blood -- some as little as 0.3 microliters -- but the Elite test strip wicks blood the best. Since Elite test strips can be handled, even little kids can use the Elite and Elite XL. For parents with very young children, the Ascensia Elite XL is a good choice because of the excellent test strip. Milking baby fingers for blood gets old really fast. And since the Elite strip actually sucks the blood into a small chamber via capillary action, it's easy to get a blood sample from a squirmy child: you simply touch the end of the test strip to the sample by bringing the meter to the finger or heel. With that said, the 30 second test time lags considerably behing the leading times of 5 seconds. Waiting 30 seconds can seem like forever when your child is low. Win Glucofacts XL Software Computer users can download Win Glucofacts XL for free. The download size is approximately 5 MB, and registration is required. The meter connects to your computer using a special serial cable that must be ordered from Bayer for US$29.95. You can also order the software from Bayer for US$49.95, saving the download time. Call 1-800-348-8100 to order. The cable from Bayer has a 25-pin serial connector to connect to your computer. If you have a new ATX style PC, this could pose a problem. On our test computer, a new Dell Dimension desktop, the serial port uses a 9-pin connector and the 9-to-25 pin adapter included with the cable would not fit because of the close proximity of the video connector. Luckily we had a 9-to-25 pin cable which worked fine. If you have a new ATX style PC, be prepared to purchase a 9-to-25 pin cable from your local computer store. The cable should be under US$10. Once connected, the software performed identically to the Win Glucofacts software for the DEX2. The software is excellent and very easy to use. Summary While the Ascensia Elite XL is a good blood glucose meter, its test time of 30 seconds lags significantly behind the leading meters. However, because the Elite XL's test strip is the easiest to use, you may find the meter to be a good choice for use in very small children who have a difficult time sitting still.

The Ascensia Elite XL. Click for a large image. The Ascensia Elite (left) and Elite XL (right). Click for a large image.

Ascensia Elite XL Rating

• Ease of use: 10 (capillary action strip)
• Features: 10 (120 memories, averaging, data port, common batteries, small blood volume, exceptional capillary action)
• Speed of results: 4 (30 seconds)
• Suitability for use by children under ten years old: 0 (test time, blood volume - there are simply better products)
• Suitability for use by children over ten years old: 0 (test time - there are simply better products)
• Cost: 1 (about $90 per 100; $1,970/year at 6 tests/day)
• Overall Rating: 25

Ascensia Bayer Diagnostics 511 Benedict Avenue Tarrytown, NY 10591-5097 (800) 445-5901 Toll Free in the USA (914) 631-8000 Phone (914) 524-2132 Fax

Last updated September 22, 2007

The reviews of products are the opinion of children with DIABETES. Each product is reviewed with a single purpose: to determine if the product is suitable for use by children with type 1 diabetes, their parents, and, to a lesser degree, adults with type 1 diabetes. There are many products aimed at adults with type 2 diabetes that are not appropriate or suitable for children or adults with type 1 diabetes.

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			Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Privacy Policy Search --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Last Updated: Saturday September 22, 2007 15:04:21
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