Nova Max Glucose Meters are excellent in some respects and severely limited in others. Glucose monitors for consumers is not the primary business of the company, Nova Biomedical.
Instead, Nova is a leader in commercial glucose, ketone and lactate testing equipment.
The two consumer oriented meters it does produce, the Max Link and Max Plus, have a fairly narrow focus. Let’s look at each meter to see what I am getting at.
Nova Biomedical Glucose Meters
Max Plus
The Max Plus is a very good meter. It is relatively inexpensive, fast, accurate and utilizes a small amount of blood. The smaller the blood sample typically means the less painful testing is.
This meter is also great because it can test your ketones. Experts recommend testing your ketones whenever you are sick or your glucose levels are between 250 and 300mg/dL. What is a little odd about this meter is that despite being rather sophisticated, the company does not offer a data management software solution.
Key Advantages | Key Disadvantages |
---|---|
Ketone and Glucose Testing | No Data Management Software |
Fast Testing | Ketone Strips are Pricey |
Very Small Blood Sample | |
Thin Lancet (less painful!) |
Max Link
The Max Link is a sophisticated meter only available for use with the Minimed Paradigm Insulin Pump. The great feature of this meter is that it beams the glucose test results automatically to the insulin pump.
Key Advantages | Key Disadvantages |
---|---|
Small Blood Sample | Use Only With Paradigm Insulin Pump |
Fast Testing | |
Auto Coding | |
Data Transfer to Insulin Pump |
Test Strips
Both meters use the Nova Max Test Strips. The Max Plus meter also uses the Nova Max Plus Ketone Test Strips. For a price comparison of all test strips, check out our Test Strip Deals page.
Data Management Software
There is none. Get over it! You will have to find a third party option, or write it down in a log book.
Company Overview
Nova Biomedical is really a commercial medical device company. This is readily apparent from its website.
The site is very utilitarian and does not highlight or really market its glucose meters well. The consumer meters are simply two of many other very sophisticated devices they sell.
Despite this, I really do like the Max Plus meter.
The company is over 30 years old and is located just outside of Boston in Waltham, Massachusetts. They have over 800 employees, with offices worldwide.
Technical Information
Model | Max Plus | Max Link |
---|---|---|
Auto. Shut Off | 1-3 min. | 1-3 min. |
Battery Type | 1 CR2450 | 1 CR2450 |
Battery Life | 1,000 Tests | 500 Tests |
Alternative Site Testing | Yes | Yes |
Memory Capacity | 400 Tests | 400 Tests |
Storage Temp. | -13° - 115° F | -13° - 115° F |
Operating Temp. | 57° - 104° F | 57° - 104° F |
Result Range | 20 to 600 mg/dL | 1.1 to 33.3 mmol/L |
Sample Size | 0.3 microliter | 0.3 microliter |
Test Time | 5 seconds | 5 seconds |
Weight (battery) | 2.65 oz. (yes) | 2.65 oz. (yes) |
Size (Inches) | 3.6" x 2.3 x 0.9 | 3.6" x 2.3 x 0.9 |
Backlit Display | No | No |
Warranty | 3 Years | 3 Years |
Coding Required | No | No |
Software Available | No | No |