Dexcom Open Choice upgrade shipping soon

At the end of April I posted about the Dexcom Open Choice model. I was fortunate to get a loaner model for a short while. Since then I've been waiting impatiently to get the software update.

Dexcom had been offering a new system for an upgrade price. But I really didn't want to spend even more money on my third system upgrade in 15 months. Yes each of these have introduced useful new features, but knowing that they were going to allow you to upgrade for free made me want to wait. Apparently the delay was in getting FDA approval to allow this type of home update for an existing device.

Last week Dexcom contacted me and asked me to try out their software update process. They sent me two CDs with a new system manual and a new version of their DM system software. The upgrade also came with several pieces of paper including an important letter from Dexcom marketing with several steps that you need to complete before starting. I cover those below.

In a nutshell, the software update works well. I am now the owner of a Dexcom Open Choice model and I've switched to the WaveSense Keynote meter full-time. Goodnight OneTouch and the terrible cable (meant to sound like Goodnight Moon). From start to finish the whole process took about 15 minutes, including the download of about 3 weeks of reading from my receiver.

Dexcom marketing has told me that they're going to send upgrade kits to Dexcom Seven customers in order of purchase. Those of you who first bought the Seven will get these first, and folks who bought in February will get them last. They're going to send a letter out next week explaining the process.

There are a few gotchas to this update and I'll explain these as I show you some of the upgrade screens below. I'd recommend reading to the end of this post before starting.

You should:

• Download all the readings from your receiver (it'll save time later).
  
• Get the transmitter serial number from the receiver screen that's used to change it. It will be something like JTJLR, and you can see it without changing it. During the software upgrade process your receiver is completely reset. So you'll have to re-enter this number. You'll also have to restart your sensor, or change to a new one.
  
• Make sure your receiver is fully charged. There are dire warnings about disconnecting during the upgrade and the process does drain the batteries some. If your receiver battery went dead in the middle of the update I think this would be a bad thing.
  

You'll have to connect to the internet to do the update. As part of the upgrade Dexcom gives you a keycode that you'll enter to get the new software. The value is similar to 2ABD-E512-3210 (this is not valid).

When you install the new version of the DM software and run it, there's now a new option under Tools menu in the upper right.



After you connect your receiver the update process starts and you'll see a screen with six steps on it, you cannot disconnect your receiver until all steps are completed.

At step 3 you're prompted to enter the code and the new receiver software is brought to your PC.



You can then download all your data readings from the receiver or just skip this step if you're downloaded beforehand

The receiver update then starts.



Several minutes later the update is done and you now have an Open Choice Dexcom model.

You'll need to re-enter the transmitter serial number and insert a new sensor (Dexcom's advice) or just restart the one you're using (my advice). After the usual 2-hour startup period you can now calibrate using whatever meter you wish. My YouTube video shows how this is done (skip forward to about 3:10).



I did this update five days ago and I've been using my restarted sensor since then. Being able to calibrate with the meter of my choice is a wonderful feature, but I've even more excited that Dexcom can now issue future software changes that we can make at home.

Note: I currently own shares in Dexcom. I try to make sure this ownership doesn't influence what I say about their products and technology.

Labels: Dexcom, Dexcom Open Choice, software, upgrade

posted by Bernard @ 7:37 AM 2 Comments Links to this post  

Dexcom SEVEN - I've ordered one

I've spent a good deal of time over the last week on the phone with the local sales rep from Dexcom. I was trying to negotiate either a loan of the Dexcom SEVEN, or a deal where I could purchase it and return it if I wasn't satisfied with the new features promised.

I was disappointed before by a promise made by the previous Dexcom representative and I really didn't want this to happen again. But thanks to the great posts on the Dexcom SEVEN by Clemma, I'm now more confident that I'll really like the new features, and I can live without an improved display for now.

The big outstanding question is how long the new Dexcom SEVEN sensors will last for. I'm on day 11 of a current 3-day Dexcom sensor. So to get the equivalent performance from a 7-day sensor, I'd need to be able to wear it for about 25 days. I don't see this happening. So I'm going to work my insurance hard about reimbursement.

It looks like the new software is much better. The representative tells me that you can export the Dexcom data to an Excel spreadsheet - he'd better be right. The waterproofing will be nice and the reduced gauge needle.

What else should I tell you about? Oh yes, the upgrade price. Officially the entire new system (receiver, transmitter, cable, software, One Touch meter) is $800. They currently have a special upgrade offer for July. Over the last week, I got three versions of the upgrade price.

Last week Dexcom sales told me it was $350. Yesterday the Dexcom representative told me it was $450. But late yesterday when I called Dexcom sales to order the system, I was told the price was $150!! So that was what I paid. I also ordered 4 sensors at the special price of $175 (instead of $240). So for about $343 plus tax I'll get the new sensor, receiver, and software. I'll have to return the old ones.

Other minor piece of new is that they're all out of upgrade kits. So right now I need to wait for about 2 weeks to receive it. Once I do, I'll be sure to let you know what I think of it.

Note: I currently own some shares in Dexcom, I work not to let this ownership influence what I say about the company or its products.

Labels: Dexcom, Dexcom SEVEN, pricing, upgrade

posted by Bernard @ 8:49 PM 7 Comments Links to this post