Abbott glucose meters are some of the most popular on the market. The company has a knack for developing products that people want. Like other companies producing blood glucose meters, Abbott Laboratories is a large conglomerate of medical and health related companies. Abbott Diabetes Care is the subsidiary that markets the glucose meters.
Over the years, Abbott has developed its glucose meter product line primarily through acquisitions of other glucose meter manufacturers. In 1996, Abbott purchased MediSense and followed up this acquisition in 2004 with the purchase of TheraSense.
TheraSense was widely considered an industry leader in self monitoring glucose meters. The Freestyle series was originally developed by TheraSense.
ABBOTT GLUCOSE METERS
Abbott has five different glucose meters. Each has slight differences.
FreeStyle Lite. The “Lite” version of the original Fresstyle meter was just introduced in 2007. The meter offers extremely small sample size, automatic calibration, alternative site testing and fast test results.
Freestyle Freedom Lite. Introduced in 2008, the “Freedom Lite” is another fast, accurate and automatically calibrating glucose meter.
Freestyle InsuLinx.The Insulinx has been recalled in 2013. Please check back for updates on this model. This model was introduced to the U.S. market in 2012. It has a touch screen and allows users to record insulin dosages. Unfortunately, it leaves out several key features from the European and Canadian versions.
Precision Xtra. The Precision Xtra is a two-in-one testing meter that checks your glucose levels and Ketones.
Freestyle Navigator. The Navigator is Abbott’s latest monitor and is actually a continuous glucose monitoring system. This system revolutionizes they way diabetics can monitor and control their diabetes.
ABBOT COMPARISON CHARTS
The following charts offer a snap shot of each current Abbott Glucose model in relation to another. Incredibly, this information is not assembled anywhere that we could find, all in one place.
In fact, no company we have surveyed collects comprehensive comparison information for the consumer.
We have assembled all of this data from an exhaustive review of the owners manuals, company website and through calls to the Abbott customer service center.
| FreeStyle Lite | Precision Xtra | FreeStyle Freedom Lite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto. Shut Off | 2 minutes | 1 minutes | 2 minutes |
| Battery Type | One CR2032 | One CR2032 | One CR2032 |
| Battery Life | 500 Tests | 1,000 Tests | 1,000 Tests |
| Alt. Site Testing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Capacity | 400 Tests | 450 Tests | 400 Tests |
| Storage Temp. | -4 to 140 F | -13 to 131 F | -4 to 140 F |
| Operating Temp. | 40 to 104 F | 50 to 122 F | 40 to 104 F |
| Result Range | 20 to 500 mg/dL | 20 to 500 mg/dL | 20 to 500 mg/dL |
| Sample Size | 0.3 microliter | 0.6 microliter | 0.3 microliter |
| Test Time | 5 seconds | 5 seconds | 5 seconds |
| Weight (battery) | 1.1 oz. (yes) | 1.48 oz. (yes) | 1.5 oz (yes) |
| Size (Inches) | 1.57 x 2.9 x 0.65 | 2.94 x .64 x 2.1 | 2 x 3.3 x 0.63 |
| Backlit Display | Yes | Yes | No |
| Coding Req. | No | Yes | No |
| Software Avail. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 4 Years | 4 Years | 4 Years |
| Model | FreeStyle InsuLinx |
|---|---|
| Auto. Shut Off | 2 minutes |
| Battery Type | Three CR2032 |
| Battery Life | 3,000 Tests |
| Alternative Site Testing | No |
| Memory Capacity | 495 Tests |
| Storage Temp. | -4 to 140 F |
| Operating Temp. | 40 to 104 F |
| Result Range | 20 to 500 mg/dL |
| Sample Size | 0.3 microliter |
| Test Time | Varies |
| Weight (battery) | 3.3 oz. (yes) |
| Size (Inches) | 2.4 x 3.8 x 0.6 |
| Backlit Display | Yes - Touch Screen |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Coding Required | No |
| Software Available | Yes |
DISCONTINUED ABBOTT GLUCOSE METERS
FreeStyle. One of the original TheraSense glucose meters, the Freestyle meter is still used by many people today to monitor their glucose levels. Abbott still provides support, including test strips for this model.
Freestyle Freedom. Another original devise, the Freedom has been a steady performer for many years, but has since been discontinued.
FreeStyle Flash. (old review) The Flash was fast, hence the name, generating test results in approximately 7 seconds. At the time the meter was introduced, 2003, this was the smallest and fastest glucose meter on the market. Today, it is discontinued.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Abbott offers its own proprietary monitoring software for use with its glucose meters. They call the program Co-pilot Health Management System and it is free for anyone using their meters. Co-Pilot is windows based and offers significant graphical tools to help learn how well you are controlling your diabetes.
Most user feedback has been positive for the software. While the software is free, don’t forget that you do need to buy a data cable to download your test results from your meter to the computer.
Abbott Laboratories is located in Almeda, California and employs over 65,000 people and distributes its products to over 130 countries. The diabetes care division website can be Found Here.