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Overview
Frequent blood glucose monitoring is essential for managing diabetes. However, for people without health insurance, the cost of test strips can be quite a financial burden. Wal-Mart, with its ReliOn Monitor, offers the most affordable blood glucose testing system on the market today. If price is the most important factor for you, you can save hundreds of dollars per year using the ReliOn Monitor and still check your blood sugar as often as you need.
Features
Key features of the ReliOn Monitor include:
- Lowest cost test strips
- 20 second test time
- 10 test memory
Evaluation
The ReliOn Monitor test strips are individually wrapped in foil, keeping each strip clean and fresh. Prior to use, you must calibrate the meter for each package of strips using a plastic strip enclosed with the strips. Once calibrated, testing is simple: you unwrap a test strip, insert it into the meter, apply the blood sample, and see the result in 20 seconds.
The ReliOn Monitor requires 4 microliters of blood, which is higher than other electronic meters (see Blood Volume Requirements of Test Strips). Several years ago, 4 microliters was state-of-the-art. Today, several meters require as little as 0.3 microliters, and many require only 1 microliter. If blood volume is an issue for you, then the ReliOn Monitor isn't the best choice. If price is the driving issue, then it is.
The battery in the ReliOn Monitor is good for about 4,000 tests, at which time the meter must be replaced.
One final point: since the ReliOn Monitor lacks a data port, you'll need to be sure to write down all of your blood glucose readings in a log book.
Summary
The ReliOn monitor is an excellent choice for people who are looking for the lowest cost blood glucose monitor. While there are other meters that take less blood and have more advanced features, test strips for the ReliOn Monitor costs about one-third less than strips for other meters. If the price of test strips is keeping you from testing as much as you would like, you may wish to consider the ReliOn Monitor. Available at Wal-Mart.
ReliOn Monitor Rating
- Ease of use: 9 (foil wrapped strips)
- Features: 2 (10 memories)
- Speed of results: 7 (20 seconds)
- Suitability for use by children under ten years old: 1 (foil wrapped strips, blood volume)
- Suitability for use by children over ten years old: 1 (no data interface, blood volume)
- Cost: 10 (about $43 per 100; about $620/year @ 4 tests/day)
- Overall Rating: 30
ReliOn
338 Main Street
Chester, NJ 07930
1-888-922-0400
The ReliOn Monitor carrying case holds the meter and about ten test strips
The ReliOn Monitor product packaging
Last updated July 6, 2006
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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Last Updated: Thursday July 06, 2006 20:14:50
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