I am so disappointed in this because I feel I was deceived by the packaging. I was looking for a meter WITH the test strip vial, because my doctor prescribed an Accu-chek Guide and it had no vial, plus the pharmacy hasn't given me any strips yet(a mix up that is taking days-the pharmacy initially gave me the wrong strips/strips for the Accu-chek Plus, and those of course didn't fit). According to the package front it says it has the vial("Quick and easy testing at a low cost +spill resistant Smart Pack vial). Written right on the front. Since you can't see the sides of the box I took it at face value. They talk so much about the strips and vial, and nowhere in the whole discussion does it say "Strips and vial NOT included"! With my next day shipping I figured, no problem since this meter will have a few test strips like others do that can tide me over, and it never hurts to have a second meter as backup. But wow- this is the only meter I have received in 20 years as a diabetic that had absolutely NO strips at all included-how do you test to see if the meter works (this is my first Accu-chek meter)? So I didn't get the vial and I'm still waiting on strips for using either meter now. Bummer...

Nice and I like that's in a case

First off, I am not diabetic, but have several diabetic friends. I am 52, healthy, active, swim 6 days a week for 30 minutes. I have bad habits when it comes to sugar and wanted to see the effects of sugar at home. In addition, I just wanted a baseline for today. So, I called my friend, he recommended this device.

I am so happy I purchased this, I purchased the strips separately. So, for roughly $35, I started testing my blood sugar. The hardest part by far is generating the courage to stick my finger, but it doesn't hurt, it is definitely a mental obstacle to be overcome. I tested when I woke up, before a meal, after a meal. My numbers are solid as a rock! I am very happy that I purchased this.

It is easy to use, there is a "pen" for drawing one drop of blood, the strip goes in the machine then touches the drop of blood, and TADA! The number appears on the screen.

I have used it 4 times so far, just to see where I am at, and everything is good. For those of you just investigating, it is well worth it. $35 for Accutech or $500 to visit the doctor and answer the very same question. Of course, this is one small part of a diabetic assessment, and I am not saying to not go to your doctor if you have suspicions, for $35 though? Who can argue with the piece of mind I have found just checking my blood sugar and getting an answer within seconds. Lots of folks are diabetic and prediabetic, thankfully, I am not one. Catch it early, and there is hope to reverse prediabetes through diet and exercise. This unit will help me check now whenever I want. Thank you!

The Meter is quite easy to set up & use. Directions were helpful. However, the Lancing device stopped working after using it twice. Taking the cap off to put in lancet or remove the lancet, is difficult. You have to be careful you don't poke yourself. Have contacted seller about broken Softclix Lancet device. They sent me new one in a few days.

I gave 4 stars because of the seller. I didn't get the product I ordered; instead, I received the AccuCheck Guide. The meter works fine and is the more expensive between the Guide and the Guide Me. However, the case for the Guide is not as nice (zipper pouch) as the one that comes with the Guide Me (hard case; don't have to remove meter) which is disappointing since it is the more expensive meter. The Guide, I received, did not have strips with it, so it was good that I ordered a box.

I contacted the seller whose only comment was "you got the more expensive one; thanks for letting us know." I decided to keep it since it is the first meter I purchased and don't have anything to compare it to. Plus, I got it for a cheaper price. Make sure to order lancets, since only 6 come with the meter.

I will need to purchase another hard case because the one that came with the meter is too soft, and it is easy to turn the meter on in the case unaware.