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The vampire in the format of an iPod: Report of Experience with the Wellion Linus
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The Wellion Linus is one of the latest measuring instruments available on the German market. This measuring instrument for the bloodsugar level works to the dynamic measuring principle.
Details in short:
- weight: 44.1 g (incl. batteries)
- size: 4.4 x 7.7 x 1.6 cm (1.73 x 3.03 x 0.63 inch)
- size of numbers in display: 25 x 15 mm
- measuring range (mg/dL): 20 – 600 mg/dL
- measuring range (mmol/l): 1.1 – 33.3 mmol/l
- sample volume: 0.5 microlitre
- testing method: electrochemical
- batteries: 2 lithiumbatteries
(3V, type “CR 2023”)
- measuring time: as quick as 123
- memory: 300 measuring results with date and time
- computer interface: yes (USB)
- calibration: code
Looks and Workmanship
The Linus does not look like a medical instrument so one could easily regard it as a
new mp3 player or another technical device. It is timelessly kept in silverblack;
whereas the body is silver and the rubber coating on the sides is black. The
workmanship is very good even the buttons made of rubber fit very well.
Buttons and Menu
There are 3 buttons: one on/off button and one left/right button. You switch the
instrument on by shortly pressing the on/off button where you find yourself within the
memory of the results. Pressing the right button you can access the average values for
“breakfast, lunch, dinner, night” while pressing the left button you can leaf through
the memory. If you keep the on/off button pressed a little longer you can access the
menu “MEM, AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4, AL5, AL6, SET”. Choosing “MEM” you can
read back the average values and graphics of the last 14 – 30 – 90 days. “AL1” to
“AL6” are the programmable alarms/ reminders; choosing “SET” you can modify all
necessary basic settings like date, time, volume of signals, hyper and hypo alarms.
One is relatively fast able to negotiate one's way through the menus even if only by
try and error.
Linus in action
Measuring is very easy and quick:
-
insert test strips, instrument starts, check codification
- apply blood (0.5 чl blood)
- after about 3 seconds the result is displayed
- remove test strip
Display
The display is large and the values are shown legibly. The backlight ensures that you
are able to read everything even in bad lighting conditions (e.g. cinema).
Accessory
Pricking assistant: well, it is the same kind of pricking assistant that is used with the
FreeStyleMini ... I would suggest that one should rather use the Softor
MultiClix of
the AccuChek
but that is up to you.
Case: is a relatively slim, flexible case in which you can transport the instrument well
but you cannot put in anything else. You have to know for yourself what you want,
whether you choose this case or another or whether you will just carry it around
without any cover.
Batteries
2 flat coin cells. Other batteries do not fit into the instrument as it is supposed to be as
small as possible. You just have to know what you prefer: standard batteries or a
small instrument.
Transfer of the Measured Values/ Storage
The Linus is equipped with a USB interface which is supposed to make it very easy.
Unfortunately, there is NO suitable software available, yet, but that is likely to be
published soon. 300 values can be saved which should be sufficient.
Costs
The Linus (set) can be purchased at www.FlorianMueller.
de for EUR 49, 95.
The set contains:
-
instrument
- batteries
- case
- 10 lancets
- pricking assistant incl. AST cap
50 test strips are available for EUR 27,90 (if you buy big amounts they get cheaper).
As it is the case with all instruments there are ways of getting hold of it; just ask at the
diabetes mail order company.
Criticism
There is not much to complain about. The instrument itself offers everything one
needs; there are only trivia that could be improved. One of those would be the
codification but if you order bigger amounts of test strips at once it often is not
necessary to codify that often since the packages usually have the same code. Another
extra which probably would be nice as well is the lighting of the test strips to be able
to see where to apply the blood even in the dark (disco) as it is the case with the
FreeStyleMini.
Bottom Line
It is a small, modern, instrument which is sufficient for everyday use – with this you
do not have to hide for measuring – but you do not have to do that anyway ;). I can
really recommend it. It is fun to measure with it and especially when you think back
to the earlier instruments it is definitely faster. It gets the 5 stars because it offers
everything that is important and lacks only some “extras” but
one can live without
those.
Published with kind permission of the author
Translated by Maria Adamiak |
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