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Overview
The Ascensia DEX meter from Bayer Diagnostics was the first blood glucose monitor to store multiple test strips inside the meter. The DEX2 is the latest version. In the case of the DEX2, strips are stored in a disk-shaped cartridge about 2.5 inches across that holds ten test strips. With each test strip held safely inside the meter, there's less to carry and less chance of losing or dropping the test strip. The Ascensia DEX2 uses similar technology to the highly-rated Ascensia Elite and, like the Ascensia Elite, the Ascensia DEX2 test strip sucks the drop of blood (2.5 to 3.5 microliters) up into the test strip but without the difficulties of opening and inserting a test strip into the meter. This means that there is no aiming of the drop--just touch the end of the test strip to the finger and the test strip does the rest. Tests results are displayed in 30 seconds. While the DEX2 and its predescessor the DEX were highly rated when they first came to market, there are meters today that offer less blood volume and substantially shorter test times.
Testing
Testing with the Ascensia DEX2 is exceptionally easy and can be done with one hand. Our tester used the following procedure:
- Perform a finger stick to obtain a blood drop from a finger on one hand.
- Holding the meter in the other hand, use the thumb to move the blue slide over and up to expose a test strip.
- When the blood drop symbol appears on the meter, touch the test strip to the blood drop. Testing begins automatically.
While the DEX2 is cleared for alternate site testing, the blood volume requirement of at least 2.5 microliters will be challenging to meet for many people.
Features
Key features of the Ascensia DEX2 include:
- 10-strip cartridge that is held within the meter
- Automatic calibration for each test strip cartridge
- Capillary action test strip that sucks the blood into the strip automatically
- Blood volume of between 2.5 and 3.5 microliters
- Test results in 30 seconds
- 100 memories for storing blood sugar readings
- Two week average, plus average at 6:00 AM, 12:00 noon, 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM
- Computer interface
- Uses two standard watch batteries (rated for approximately 1,000 tests)
- Displays blood sugar readings in mg/dL or mmol/L
- Five year warranty
Win Glucofacts is software made by Bayer specifically to work with the Ascensia DEX2. The software is excellent and very easy to use.
Summary
If you value the convenience of storing the test strips inside the meter, then the Ascensia DEX2 is a good choice. However, its slow test time of 30 seconds does not stand up to 5-10 second times of the leading meters. Also, the 2.5-3.5 microliter blood volume, while once remarkable, is now large compared with some other meters that require as little as 0.3 microliters. With that said, the DEX2 is very easy to use and the test strips wick up blood quite easily. The DEX2 can easily be used by young children by themselves.
Ascensia DEX2 Rating
- Ease of use: 10 (Capillary action strip, cartridge)
- Features: 10 (100 memories, data port, averaging at multiple times of day, strip cartridge, common batteries)
- Speed of results: 4 (30 seconds)
- Suitability for use by children under ten years old: 8 (test time, blood volume)
- Suitability for use by children over ten years old: 9 (test time)
- Cost: 4 (about US$75 per 100; about $1,094/year @ 4 tests/day)
- Overall Rating: 45
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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
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The Ascensia DEX2
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The DEX2 open, showing the 10-strip disk. Click for a larger image.
The Ascensia DEX2 (left) and Breeze (right). These meters use the same 10-strip disk. Click for a large image.
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