The Elite XL is definitely one of the more superior choices in blood glucose monitors. I Is comparable in price to some of the other machines. On the average this machine will cost around $60. This is more expensive then some but is also better quality. If getting consistent, accurate results is important to you then the amount you spend will be well worth it.
The Elite XL is unique in that there are no codes or buttons that you have to punch in. This machine is designed in a way that automatically turns the machine on when you insert the test strip, from there you test the blood and it displays the result.
If the size of the display is an issue for you, you have nothing to worry about with this machine as the display window and numbers are very large and easily readable.
The Elite XL was designed to be used by children and is consistently being evaluated by these same kids, as to the ease of use and positive and negatives. When ask of kids over 10 years old they have recommended this product, and were very happy with the way it’s worked for them.
If you are having to do blood sugars on a small child; fear not. The test strips for this machine are designed with children in mind also. The required amount of blood is much lower on this machine being between 2-3 micro liters. This is especially important not only for children but also for aging adults. When circulation is poor, blood flow is no longer as strong and therefore it is difficult to produce enough blood to get an accurate reading. Most machines also require that you put your blood sample in the center of the test strip inside a box, with the Elite XL, you have only to touch the end to the blood sample. With squirmy kids, you just poke and slide the strip across their heal or finger. This gets rid of the added stress the kids feel when they are held down or still in order to fill that one small spot on a test strip.
This machine requires that you use the Elite test strips. These strips are individually wrapped in foil and are difficult to open for children and some aging adults. The foil has to be opened slowly until you see the electric contacts. These contacts will be inserted into the machine. When a child rips open the package too quickly the contacts tend to fall out. When polled the kids under 10 years old complained only of the foil packages. Kids over 10 had no problem opening and using them. A company called the Inverness Medical makes a strip called the Excel G test strip and they claim that during clinical studies these strips also gave accurate readings with this machine. These strips are available through them and are packaged in a vial (to safe the cost).
This machine also comes with a lot of extras. There is a 125 test memory with date/ time/ and a 14 day average. The original Elite has a 20 result memory and is about $20 cheaper. The XL can be hooked up to a computer and the results downloaded and Bayer (the company who makes it) offers free download of a program to manage/ organize/ and analyze your diabetes. You can transfer the information from the original Elite and the software is available, but you can only access it after buying an XL cord attachment. The software offers flexible download so you can easily send the results via fax or e-mail to your doctor and the information can be displayed using color graphs and charts. You can mark these samples as blood/ control/ or even delete them. A unique aspect of this software is that you can even get a time of day average.