Side by Side Comparison of: active1st vs Ascensia

I am not diabetic but rather someone who is health conscious. I like to check my blood sugar occasionally just like I check my blood pressure occasionally. This is a great kit and came with everything I needed to get started. It seems accurate enough I have used it throughout the day to see how my body reacts to certain foods and how long it takes my blood sugar levels to return to normal after eating. I also use it to check my fasting blood sugar in the mornings periodically.

This blood glucose measuring kit is awesome I bought it because I have a risk of developing diabetes so I have used it and it's easy to operate and a cool thing about it is it memorize the result of every test you make with the time and date so the next time you need to go to vist your doctor just take it with you and your doctor will find the test results that you have made since your last visit I LOVE IT

I bought a couple of these meters at different times to replace our OneTouch Ultra minis - mainly due to the high cost of the OneTouch test strips. I use this meter every morning to get my fasting blood sugar as does my spouse. The strips are so inexpensive that I tested multiple fingers (every day) for the first few weeks. I track my readings and chart them in MyMedical which gives me a 3 month average - which SHOULD correlate to my A1C. I've been doing this for over 2 years and the OneTouch never correlated to my A1C (which I check every 2-3 months via lab tests).The OneTouch Ultra was always low and even though that made me feel good - it was wildly inaccurate. I tried different OneTouch meters, new strips - nothing helped.These Bayer meters always read higher than my OneTouch (I tested them side-by-side for a few weeks) by 10-20 points. However, using this meter I was able to predict my A1C to 0.1 because they're so much more accurate than the OneTouch ever was. My doctor was amazed since he's never seen a patient able to accurately predict their A1C.My methodology is to test every morning and if a reading is abnormally low or high then I retest another finger. I've done this a dozen times and every single time, even using different batches of test strips, the readings are always within 1 point of each other or the exact same reading. The repeatability of this small cheap meter is exceptional as my OneTouch meters never were repeatable to within even 10 points.This is as scientific as I can get - or at least enough to convince me that this is a very good meter and it's dirt cheap at that. Unfortunately according to this meter (and my lab tests)I need to make more progress in lowering my A1C and I thought I was there (using the OneTouch meter). :-(Would have though that chocolate covered almonds aren't good for your sugar levels - aren't almonds good for you? :-)

Once you read the instructions, it's actually very easy to take your blood glucose measurement. I don't have diabetes but my doctor said I might be pre-diabetic so I thought it would be useful to take some readings of my fasting and post-prandial (after meal) sugar levels. So far they seem to be a little higher, but not in diabetic range. In a way, this tool is acting as an inspiration to cut down on sugar to keep my levels in line and reduce the chances of diabetes later. Comes with everything you need to do like 100 tests.

I really like this portability of this kit. It has almost everything I needed included with it. I got really accurate readings and it was so easy to use. I also enjoyed the small travel bag which conveniently holds all the different supplies one needs to test on the go. All I needed to add was some alcohol wipes and a container for the sharps.I do recommend picking up more of the test drops because the one included in this kit is really small. I find that it really helps to use the drops every so often just to make sure the machine is giving accurate readings.This is a small portable kit so you will need to replace the supplies as you go through it. How long the supplies last depends on how often you test. I tested my blood 6 to 8 times a day, so I knew I would need to order refills with a couple of weeks.I think the price is really good considering the quality and portability of this kit.

Nice kit, includes the meter which is made in Japan and appears to have good quality. It's simple and easy to use.Test strips are the cheapest at around 25 cents if you buy in bulk. I was previously using the one touch ultra 2, nice meteras well but test strips range from $1-1.37 which is outrageous plus you needed a twice the amount of blood and if you did notit would throw an error and the strip had to be thrown out.Bayer test strips actually draws the blood into the strip and only a small amount is needed plus it scans it multiple times and takes the average.I have not had a bad strip yet or any errors.Included nylon bag is simple, nothing fancy.Microlet 2 lancet device is simple to use with the bonus to eject the lancet without handing it.I registered the meter through Bayer to get the 5 year warranty plus a upgraded zip back for free and free batteries for life.I'd have to say this is the best meter so far for being accurate and simple to use, it certainly is the most reasonable.

Husband uses the same system. reliable readings, compared to X-brand that Kaiser hands out to my sister, which I tried several times.

Have always used this type of meter, and glad I found it on Amazon for a good price.

Compared the new contour to the old one relative to the readings. Readings matched pretty close. We are very happy with Contour and the way it functions. The item was shipped quickly and as advertised.Thanks

My son loses his meter like nobody's business unfortunately so we always try to have an extra on hand since checking himself about 5 times a day is a must. This seems to be the cheapest for this model and the strips are cheaper then the next. Our insurance doesn't cover enough for the next meter and strips to be worth the price.

Pleasant surprise! I am new to the world of diabetes and find Amazon to be an excellent source, especially with free shipping from Prime. I expected just a meter, but got a starter kit with test solution. I tested the new meter and my existing meter (also a Contour) and both tested exactly the same! Sure a great relief that accuracy is no longer a worry. Terrific buy

First time buying one of these. Things to know - it does come with 10 lancets, microlet lancing device and a carrying case. It also has an excellent user guide which is worthwhile reading. Bayer's website has about 6 videos on how to use the meter and microlet lancet device. Very nice for the first time user and again, very worthwhile watching. Note: NO Test Strips are included. Neither is the control solution which is suggested for use each time you begin to use a new batch of test strips. Very easy to use. Not even really an ouch - more like "Did I actually stick myself?". Very pleased. Also came very quickly.

Works well. I like that it comes with a coding solution to make sure that the reading is accurate. I tested twice one morning, got 102 then 107. Compared with the one from CVS it read 102. The one from walgreen's read 130. Since I've got all three, I line them up and use them all to compare. So far, the one from CVS has been very close to the Bayer tester.

Easy to use, seems accurate. However, if you want to use the available Glucofacts software to download your stored results on a Mac, don't bother. I spent an additional $18 for a USB cable directly from Bayer, and never got it to work. The cable drivers are only for Windows. So I love the meter, but would have probably bought one that interfaces easier with my Mac had I known it wouldn't work.

I'm familiar with hospital testing equipment due to my career, but this meter is the first for me. I wanted to follow my blood sugars, after three A1c's were consistently a hair away from being pre-diabetic. I'm managing my diet, trying to move the numbers into a healthier zone.What I was immediately impressed with is how simple this kit is to operate. Within a few minutes, I had run a solution control test (right in the middle of the range), plus my own stick. My result was actually right where I would have anticipated it to be.I had no problems with the lancing device. Truth told, first stick, I held my breath. I had experienced my workplace lancer and I swear, that one felt like driving a ten penny nail into my finger. I was relieved when I hit the trigger and could hardly feel this stick (and NO finger soreness afterwards), but I had lessened the depth of strike which is a great adjustment, too. I was also pleased that very little blood is required.Overall, I'm very pleased with this kit. It has everything you need to get started. Those new to testing need not be intimidated. It's about as simple as it can get.My only complaint is that on arrival I had an almost dead battery icon. I was afraid it wouldn't even make it through the second morning of testing. So, I was off to purchase new batteries. And, the lithium batteries aren't cheap, adding to the initial cost of the kit. For this reason only, I deducted one star, simply because of the immediate inconvenience.

The Bayer Contour Next EZ is a convenient way to monitor glucose blood levels and is one of the higher rated by Consumer Reports. It appears to be accurate for trending, however, when tested informally for repeatability it gave 97, 102, 98, so one should not be too alarmed if an unexpected reading occurs, simply take a 2nd. The display is easy to read, however, during set up it is easy to misread the "month/day" versus "day.month" setting as it is so small. The main difference between the Contour Next EZ and the Contour Next appears to be that the EZ does not have a fasting selection, only "before" and "after" meals which should not be an issue as before meals in the a.m. is the usually the same as fasting. The kit as received was all Bayer marked items except the "lancets" which were Active 1st, but fit the Bayer lancing device which has multiple lance depth settings. Bayer sold the rights to this product to Panasonic earlier in 2016 and it will be marketed in the future under the name "Ascensia", not Panasonic. The free Glucofacts software download is a convenient way to track readings over periods of time and can be adjusted to divide the day into 3 or more segments, however printouts could use a larger type font. Use of the software requires a cable which can be purchased on Amazon, the one listed on the company website is not currently available. Overall, this is a great product and was marked 4 stars rather than 5 because it has less capability than the Contour Next.

Overall, a good reliable product that works well and is easy to use. One drawback is the lancing device. The lancing device that comes with it is different from the Bayer Microlet lancing device shown in the picture and in the instruction manual. It is manufactured by Active 1st, not by Bayer. It works fine, but the Bayer Microlet or Microlet 2 lancets will not fit in it; they have a ridge on the end that makes them just barely too big. I have not been able to buy replacement lancets that will fit it. When you use up the initial 100 lancets that come with the package, you will have to buy a Bsayer Microlet or Microlet 2 lancing device (about $5 on Amazon) in order to use the Bayer Microlet lancets, which are the only ones that I can find in a store or pharmacy or on Amazon..

This test kit is ok, but the lancet device is not the one pictured, and it is next to worthless. Also, the carrying case is too small for all the stuff needed to test regularly. On the plus side, the meter is accurate. I've had to order my favorite lancet device and carrying case from One Touch, which is what Bayer should have included in their kit.Update - The lancet device is better than I first thought, but carrying case is very poor for a company like Bayer. Giving one more star.

Still working with it, first test done will do another in a few days to get a base line.

Works well, and can find semi-cheap test strips through Amazon. Seems reliable, and that's all that really matters!

Works as it should but it wasn't as intuitive as accu-check. Also, I cannot change the reading to mol instead of mg, which annoys me. Otherwise, it is ok.

Worked as expected, but I'll be honest. The instructions aren't as clear about how to do things and fully utilize the machine as you would think.

Does what it's supposed to do and the best thing about it is that the strips are much cheaper than other meters. (Except the Walmart meters, which BTW are a POS and are not dependable). Will stick with this one until my insurance ponies up the $$ for something else.

A nice compact unit that provides test results in 5 seconds and stores hundreds of tests for review. The unit comes with good instructions and lancing device but no test strips. When you register the device with Bayer, they send you a startup supply of test strips. Good device delivered quickly at an excellent price.

After talking with my doctor, I don't think this brand name meter kit is better than the really cheap versions at Walmart and such. Go for the cheap ones. The strips are proprietary to the meter. I think it is time to standardize on the strips since they are no longer covered by most insurance plans. They should be made as inexpensively as possible.

As another or others have noted, this package includes lancets and a lancet spring device. The lancets (available separately, too, in various sizes) are too large for the spring device. After a few chuckles, I packed the spring device away. I just poke my finger with the lancet. The meter and test strips are quite easy to use.

Lancets are not compatible with lancing device. I have been using them without the device which probably hurts more than necessary. I'll have to find another lancing device or buy new lancets. :(

I have been testing my blood glucose several times a day to help with Insulin Resistance for health and weight loss. This method combined with Intermittent Fasting of 16-20ish hours has helped me to lose about 12 pounds. This meter has been 10-15 points lower than my other meter, Relion Prime. I tried them at same time and get this issue every time. I guess i should take both to my dr, and find out which one is right. My goal is to have readings under 100. I was getting in the 120's, but if I fast, i can get it down to 106 and under.That doesn't sound very good, but I'm thrilled that I have some control without using meds. Oh, and doing low carb, moderate fat, moderate protein.

The provided lancing device and lancets weren't able to bring up a usable drop of blood. After ~10 attempts on my finger tips, sides of finger tips, and even forarm (All on the highest setting), the best I could get from the lacets / lancing device was a tiny little amount of blood. Just enough to make the area around the puncture red.I haven't been able to get enough blood to actually use a test strip. I think I'll end up buying a separate lancing device.

Battery was not low at arrival. <-- This was my mistake.Reseated the batteries and checked with the control solution again. This time, 128mg/L. It is within the spec limit. After checking the user guide, I found it is +/-20% with level 2 solution (>=75mg/dL). The test strip shows the range of 109 to 136mg/dL for the level 2 solution so the center is 122.5. 122.5 +/- 20% gives 98 to 147. All of my previous tests are within the spec limit. I didn't know the test variation was this wide. There was nothing wrong with the product. It was made this way. This one may be OK for checking average over time.

Fine. Could be more accurate but equally accurate as other brands.

I'm not sold on it's accuracy, I even called to complain but was told that it was within tolerance.

The monitor arrived fine, but the battery was low already, with the indicator showing it needs replacing. I expected for it to arrive with a fully charged battery. Disappointed.

Don't know if there is really one good glucose tester. This one is ok, but I can get hugely varying readings at any given time. So I only barely trust it to give me somewhat here my glucose resides.

I would have thought a kit should come with sample strips and a lancet. This one doesn't so keep that in mind. Some of the reviews are confusing since they are describing another kit that came with strips/lancet. I overlooked that. The reason why this is cheap is because you have to purchase the strips separately. I have yet to see if it works good or not -- for further review

When compared with One touch ultra-2, this meter uses almost half the blood sample, that's it.The ultra-2 has the very nice option of logging pre-defined comments with the test results (e.g. illness, vacation etc) which tells somewhat about the results.The carrying case for Contour is poor quality and design and makes testing difficult. The meter has to be removed from the case were you to use the middle or next finger for testing.Its ok for the price but if you can afford, go for the Ultra-2.

My test kit started making significantly erroneous readings after about a year. I used the testing solution (following the instructions carefully) on three new containers of test strips and all failed accurate readings. Inaccurate tests can be dangerous, so buy carefully!

It works but the results read high 20 - 30 points high. Could be a big problemif you are trying to balance your blood sugar.

It gives me errors about half the time, so I typically need to do at least two finger sticks to get a reading, and this is with a nice large drop of blood. Don't know if it is because unit is defective, but I will be returning it and trying something else...

I ordered this meter to replace an old meter that I could no longer receive strips for. I noticed immediately that my readings were a good bit higher than my old meter - at least 30-40 points! I talked to the pharmacist, who said that was definitely a problem. I did a control test and it was within range. I thought maybe my old meter had gone bad (or the strips) and my blood sugar was getting much worse! I decided to invest in another well-known brand and my readings were back as expected. My A1C also confirmed that my blood sugars had NOT gotten much worse. I read other posts about readings being off and should have listened, I guess...I did like the price of the kit, though.

My kit was incomplete. The Solution is missing. The testing I have done are incredibly high for someone who is not diabetic. Fasting readings have ranged from 142 to 107 but I can't test the meter. Not a happy camper.

I assume the readings are accurate. Whoopee. It works.What I don't like: the instruction manual is atrociously written. Trust an engineer to make it complicated and confusing instead of concise and clear. Bayer should hire someone from Apple to show them how to do it right. To wit: it's a 61 page booklet to basically say, "lance your finger, get a drop of blood on a strip, and look at the reading.' Moreover, the instruction of 'Oh by the way, you need to calibrate the machine before using it' is written on page 20, long after such information is needed. That wasted 4 strips and a couple of punctures on my finger.The mechanical gadget that holds the lancet is poorly designed - in that when you trigger it, nothing happens. No lancing of my finger. Maybe it's the wrong length lancette that was put in the box. Maybe it's poorly designed too, and I'm inserting it wrong, but how many ways can you stick one piece of plastic in to another piece of plastic? Bottom line: quality control is poor, whether as to wrong lancettes being included, or simply a stupid design for the lancette gun that had too sloppy tolerances.The directions for other gee whiz features on the gadget leave me befuddled. I'm not a techno geek. I don't like wasting time trying to decipher and memorize '1 button push for this, and 2 for that, except when you want something else accomplished.' More unnecessary confusion and complexity by engineers. Nothing is intuitive. Again, hire Apple.

Package is nice, comes with a bag. The problem is you get many error codes that require retesting. You will need much, much more blood than shown in the manual in order for the test not to fail. At the cost of the test strips-this is not a good.

I purchased this in order to monitor my ketogenic nutrition program. It works as expected but the batteries it cane with are junk. They are in need of replacing and I've only tested my levels twice.

Does not have the automated pen for fingersticks.

Used 4 strips to test at the same time and numbers read 138, 202, 110, and 127. What number should I trust? I have tried many times it sometimes have number +/- 20.

Bayer is a local company and has a very good reputation. So I was surprised when I kept getting inaccurate readings from this meter, even after control solution. 167,143, 132 within seconds of each other. Told by customer service that this is to be expected. Also told that they would replace meter with a newer model at no charge(along with test strips 50 VS 100 I had just purchased) So dodgy meter, but great service mostly.

The system is easy to use and the results come fast.However, after trying 3 different measures at 1 min intervals, the results were spread apart: 148, 110, 126. I called bayer customer support, and they confirmed the accuracy is only +/-20%. So a difference of 40 between measurements is to be expected.I was expecting better especially with the "accuracy made easy" statement on the box.

It didn't work out of the box. Called tech support and they wanted me to return the entire unit back to Amazon and then they would send me another one however with less items in the box. I got frustrated and ordered another brand.

I must have had a faulty device. I went through at least 10 attempts (at different times in the day) and kept getting an error message. Fortunately I was able to return it.

Unit nicely packaged and complete. Defective on arrival. Unit indicated test strip improperly installed, however, I am an experienced user and the strip was inserted exactly to included instructions. Multiple test strips from multiple containers attempted without success. Removed batteries and reinserted to reset, same results.

REALLY horrible~! I never WAS able to get a read on my Mom with this!!! Thank goodness I was able to find more wheels for her Breeze on here. Tiny drop with Breeze reads just fine. No matter how much blood this stupid thing always gave error message.

It says it's complete out of the box. I received lancets that were the wrong gauge for the lancer, so it is not "complete out of the box". I am rather frustrated by this negligence.

I bought TWO of these, one for work, one for at home. I have a Precision Xtra but the strips are very expensive compared to these and I wanted something cheaper as I experiment with how various foods/meals effect my blood sugar. For the record, I am not a diabetic, I do not have diabetes. I am however in ketosis (keto dieting - high fat, very low carb) and I am by my blood measurements and breath measures currently in a state of ketosis. I have been for about 8 weeks now.These Contour NEXT meters read all over the board with the calibrating solution and with my blood. Each draw is a different reading on both meters. I did a comparison using the same finger prick at almost the same time and there was a 24 point difference between the two pulls. I hit the same prick twice with two different test strips on the NEXT and it was a 8 point difference between pricks.I did the calibration thing last night with their solution. The first calibration was well outside of the spec by 12 points. I did a second as per the manual's direction and it was 12 points lower and in spec. The spec is a range too!?!? It's not +/-10 points, it's 25 point range.Frustrated with this I did a similar test with the unit I had at work. Same results. I checked my blood sugar twice on the same prick and it was 9 points different and 10 points difference. I do not have these inconsistencies with the Precision Xtra. Perhaps I'm ignorant to blood sugar testing but I'm not exactly sure how diabetics rely on these devices with such inaccurate accuracy.

with identical blood sample, results did not repeat at all. it could be any number from 116 to 131.

this is not accurate. but it is difficult to return so i have to keep it.

Despite following instructions exactly, this monitoring system gave an inconclusive result with almost every reading. Out of 10 test strips, only one worked. Not sure if it is a problem with the unit or the strips themselves, but I wouldn't recommend this.

this is the third or the fourth one I buy; this one works so far, but all the previous ones failed after some time. :-(

Not as advertised - Received a "Not for Resale" version with no lancets or sample test strips. Unless. Have initiated return/refund process. Very disappointed.

The kit is incomplete. I just reached the meter and manuals. But missing the MICROLET 2 control solution , lancets and test strips to test. I am very disappointed . I feel I lost some of my money. The worst is that I need it for my mother who is diabetic .