Accu-Chek Aviva Expert - Update on discontinuation

[Kaylz]

I know Mike (@everydayupsanddowns) has already mentioned the discontinuation but I want to make everyone aware that the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert is being discontinued and only available via DSN's until December, the strips however will still be available and should there be any faults Roche will replace with the same meter until supply runs out, for those that don't have the Expert meter but would like the ability of a bolus calculator they are recommending the Accu-Chek Mobile meter along with the MySugr app, I've just had a look at the NHS indicative price and the cassettes for the mobile are £9.99 whereas the Aviva strips are over £16 for a pot of 50 😱

I know there is at least 1 that uses the Mobile but cant remember which one of the ladies it is either @Ljc or @eggyg if memory serves me right, so if it is one of you lovely ladies, is it a good meter? (If not I'm truly sorry for tagging and wasting your time!) As I'm highly considering asking to be switched to it
xx

 

[Lisa66]

I’d be interested to know too Kaylz as I use the Aviva Expert..and really like it.

 

[Kaylz]

I’d be interested to know too Kaylz as I use the Aviva Expert..and really like it.

oh yeah I absolutely love my Expert but if the Mobile is just as good I'd be willing to ask about switching, not just for the fact the Expert is being discontinued or just the price but the fact that the cassettes would be so much easier than trying to handle single strips when hypo, know what I mean xx

 

[MrDaibetes]

Kind of sad that they are getting rid of the aviva expert, this was my first bolus calculator meter.

 

[trophywench]

At least 1 other lady also attending the UHCW Diabetes Centre at Rugby St Cross hospital uses the meter used with the A-C Insight pump, but without the pump. I don't know how or why, only that she does. I assumed it was 'commonplace' because the Expert meter was used alongside the fore runner to the Insight pump, ie the Combo pump. You can use either meter without 'matching' it to a pump and with the Bluetooth (with which pump and meter communicate) turned off - same as us pump users have to do, when flying anywhere.

 

[Ljc]

I know Mike (@everydayupsanddowns) has already mentioned the discontinuation but I want to make everyone aware that the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert is being discontinued and only available via DSN's until December, the strips however will still be available and should there be any faults Roche will replace with the same meter until supply runs out, for those that don't have the Expert meter but would like the ability of a bolus calculator they are recommending the Accu-Chek Mobile meter along with the MySugr app, I've just had a look at the NHS indicative price and the cassettes for the mobile are £9.99 whereas the Aviva strips are over £16 for a pot of 50 😱

I know there is at least 1 that uses the Mobile but cant remember which one of the ladies it is either @Ljc or @eggyg if memory serves me right, so if it is one of you lovely ladies, is it a good meter? (If not I'm truly sorry for tagging and wasting your time!) As I'm highly considering asking to be switched to it
xx

Thanks @Kaylz , it’s not me I use the Libre and it’s test strips .

 

[Kaylz]

Thanks @Kaylz , it’s not me I use the Libre and it’s test strips .

Sorry Lin! Xx

 

[eggyg]

It’s me @Kaylz! I use the Accu-chek mobile. I like it because of the cassette and the adjoining finger pricker which uses drums. It’s a good all in one machine, no faffing with test strips. I don’t know about any bells and whistles I just test my BG and put it away! It obviously records your previous tests. Mine’s pink to make the boys wink! 🙂

 

[Kaylz]

It’s me @Kaylz! I use the Accu-chek mobile. I like it because of the cassette and the adjoining finger pricker which uses drums. It’s a good all in one machine, no faffing with test strips. I don’t know about any bells and whistles I just test my BG and put it away! It obviously records your previous tests. Mine’s pink to make the boys wink! 🙂

is it the fastclix drums it uses? looks like it to me, the cassettes seem better for using whilst hypo and that's part of the reason I'm considering asking if I could use that instead xx

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks for this update @Kaylz. I’m sorry to see the Expert go too, I had a really good few years with mine, and learned a lot about making small tweaks to doses based on what was going to happen in the future etc.

Interesting that they are suggesting mySugr (Roche bought the company a few years ago). Of course that means you aren’t tied to any of their meters, and can use whichever brand you like!

I’m also interested to hear about the mobile being comparatively cheap - I had a recollection that it was much more expensive than regular strips. ISTR members who liked it having grief from their GPs who wanted them to switch to non-cassette meters.

 

[Lisa66]

I’ve only had a brief look at this on line, but am I right in thinking that the actual meter doesn’t have the calculator and that for bolus calculations you need MySugr app? The new meter is obviously bigger than the nifty Aviva Expert, but if I then need my phone with app to calculate bolus it’s actually less convenient isn’t it, especially when out and about?

Hopefully I’ve misunderstood and not being overly negative.

 

[AndBreathe]

So the cassettes and pots of strips have the same number of testing opportunities? On other words, can the drums carry out 40 tests?

I don't use either, but I seem to recall there's a bit of a wrinkle there somewhere.

 

[Kaylz]

So the cassettes and pots of strips have the same number of testing opportunities? On other words, can the drums carry out 40 tests?

I don't use either, but I seem to recall there's a bit of a wrinkle there somewhere.

there are 50 tests in a cassette, the same amount of strips that are in a pot xx

 

[Kaylz]

I’ve only had a brief look at this on line, but am I right in thinking that the actual meter doesn’t have the calculator and that for bolus calculations you need MySugr app? The new meter is obviously bigger than the nifty Aviva Expert, but if I then need my phone with app to calculate bolus it’s actually less convenient isn’t it, especially when out and about?

Hopefully I’ve misunderstood and not being overly negative.

unfortunately you've not misunderstood but I don't really see it as any less convenient, no worry of dropping strips etc is a plus as well but if you feel it would be less convenient then you can stick with the Expert as the strips are still available xx

 

[Flutterby]

I will delete my other post as it duplicates this. Just to add that my DSN isnt impressed with the my sugar app. It doesn't use health settings or take account of insulin already on board from what she says. She is very upset to see the Aviva expert go.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I will delete my other post as it duplicates this. Just to add that my DSN isnt impressed with the my sugar app. It doesn't use health settings or take account of insulin already on board from what she says. She is very upset to see the Aviva expert go.

I’m not sure why your DSN thinks mySugr doesn’t calculate IOB, because it seems to according to this: https://assets.mysugr.com/lib_boluscalculator/common/2.0/manual/en/chapter_calculation.html

Perhaps it didn’t in earlier versions, but does now?

I might have to do a little playing, as it’s not a function I use. I will let you know what I find.

 

[grovesy]

I don't use Insulin and use the basic mysugr, I use it to record my blood pressure, weight. I find it quite comprehensive.

 

[Flutterby]

I’m not sure why your DSN thinks mySugr doesn’t calculate IOB, because it seems to according to this: https://assets.mysugr.com/lib_boluscalculator/common/2.0/manual/en/chapter_calculation.html

Perhaps it didn’t in earlier versions, but does now?

I might have to do a little playing, as it’s not a function I use. I will let you know what I find.

I agree with you Mike, she did say that they are having ongoing talks with the company's involved so maybe things are being improved. Thanks for your help.