The original Freestyle Freedom glucose meter has given way to the newer FreeStyle Freedom Lite Blood Glucose Monitoring System. This meter is one of the latest glucose monitors from Abbott Laboratories. The Freedom Lite is very similar to the Freestyle Lite, but does have some notable differences.
The Abbott family of meters also includes several other well known models, including the Precision XL and the Flash. Abbott is well regarded and offers its products throughout the world.
Key Advantages
The Freedom Lite display is bigger and the meter is more ergonomically shaped. Many of the other great benefits of the Freestyle Lite are also included in this meter
- Small and Easy to Hold. The Freedom Lite is only slightly larger than its Freestyle Lite cousin, but it is still easy to handle and take with you.
- Large Display. The slightly larger size is offset by a larger and easy to read display. However, unlike the Freestyle Lite, the Freedom Lite does not have a backlight or test strip display.
- No Coding Required.
- Fast and Small Sample Size. Five second testing and 0.3 microliters (smallest sample size in the world).
- Alternative Site Testing. The Freedom Lite allows you to “spread the wealth around” when it comes to lancet pricks. It has the most AST options available: finger, palm, forearm, upper arm, upper leg, and calf.
Disadvantages
Curiously, users have both complained about and praised the lancet device used by the Freedom Lite. Some claim it is painful and extracts too much blood. Others rave about how easy he device works and the lack of pain when testing. We suppose that maybe pain is relative and varies from person to person. I do know that pricking oneself multiple times a day for months on end, gets old fast for most people.
What seems to be universal is that while the meter gets very high over all marks, the carrying case is not well liked. Maybe, the best option would be to purchase the meter, but look for a custom carrying case that better reflects your personality!
Test Strips
The Freestyle Freedom Lite only uses Freestyle Lite test strips. Complaints range from them being too small to being too expensive. Depending upon where you buy your strips, prices do seem to run several cents higher per test than some of the other competitors.
To Compare the BEST prices on strips, check out our Diabetic Test Strip Price Comparison
Bottom Line
The Freedom Lite is small, simple and quick. The display is great for those who need a little extra help seeing test results.
While we would have like to see a backlit display, most meters do not have this feature, so we can’t overly fault the Freedom Lite. Overall, the total package offered by the Freedom Lite is excellent.
Other Considerations
We liked the owner’s manual and Abbott website better than other glucose meter manufacturers, on average. The call center staff was knowledge and spent additional time to help us answers questions we had related to their meters.
We did not like their policy of asking for detailed contact information prior to responding to our glucose meter questions.
However, with some discussion, we were able to get our inquires answered without providing all of our contact information.
Abbott Laboratories product support is available 24/7 and they have an “Ask the Expert” program. His Expert program is staffed with Certified Diabetes Educator’s and they are available to answer your question concerning diabetes. Their online diabetes article center is very good.
The company also offers free data management software, called Co-Pilot, to help you download and track your glucose test results. The data cable is an additional charge of approximately $30 dollars.
You can check out other reviews and see discounted pricing at Amazon.com
Technical Information
| Model | Freedom Lite |
|---|---|
| Auto. Shut Off | 2 minutes |
| Battery Type | One CR2032 |
| Battery Life | 1,000 Tests |
| Alternative Site Testing | Yes |
| Memory Capacity | 400 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 | 5 seconds |
| Weight (battery) | 1.5 oz. (yes) |
| Size (Inches) | 2 x 3.3 x 0.63 |
| Backlit Display | No |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Coding Required | No |
| Software Available | Yes |