Accu-Chek Guide

The test strips should come with 30% extra free to compensate consumers for all the faulty strips which show error codes when the consumer has done everything correct to test their blood sugars. I've noticed it's ALWAYS the first few strips in the container that have error codes and then randomly after that. Very annoying given how expensive they are. If this continues I will be looking for a new BGM.

Very frustrating. I have used for several years. Always found them to be accurate. I have wasted many strips getting the E11 error message. I've had trouble with the meter recognising there is a strip in it. I replaced my old one with only a few months ago, but it is already having trouble recognising the strips. Ready to bin it. 8/6/25 I had to… Read more

update this review. Turns out, the problem with the stips was moisture related, not the fault of the manufacturer. I was keeping the strips in a bag, in my esky when I went to work. Replaced the strips, started keeping the strips/meter in a sealed plastic bag, problem solved.

Not happy Jan – I'm finding it difficult to remove the test strips with out touching them on the test end, much preferred my old Accu-Chek Performa- if it ain't broke, don't fix it Show details

On the market for a different glucometer – I have had two separate Accuchek glucometers over the period of 4 years. This Guide Me one being the most recent for the last 4 months. Neither have been impressive, and to be honest I am completely done with this brand and looking for something superior. Any recommendations? When it did work, it was great. Didn’t need as much blood, fast… Read more

readings, relatively easy to use, however I do feel like it wouldn’t be as optimal for someone who is vision impaired or has arthritis/not as nimble hands.

My problems: - you can’t leave the storage container for the testing strips open even a smidge. The humidity of summer must have got into the testing point of each strip, because no blood was being “sucked up” effectively anymore. Every strip was now displaying an error. Proceed to throwing the majority out, which makes me upset. It’s such a waste of money and plastic. I never had this issue with the previous glucometer and testing strips. - battery life is abysmal. I know it comes supplied with batteries, but even after replacing seems to last only 2 months? My other bone to pick is, now this glucometer requires two batteries where my old one only needed one. - only 4 months old, and this is displaying error 7 this morning, meaning an electrical issue? Follow the troubleshooting and it is still displaying the same error. Now I have no way of checking my BSL.

This glucometer shouldn’t make managing diabetes this hard. It honestly makes me not want to bother testing the majority of the time, as I never know whether I will have a successful testing experience.

Any other recommendations for other glucometers are welcome.

I find the units made by the Germans to be way better than the Cheapi China Units – BUT - oddly enough - I do some fairly extensive experience in electronics - even in places where it's -35*C. My units stop working when it gets down to 3 to 5*C, in the refrigerator --- and they don't resume working, until they warm up to around say 15*C. The unit just stops working.... It will not turn on with the power button and it will not… Read more

activate with a warm test strip.....

I guess that means if you leave it on the dash board in the car and it gets down to near zero - and want to test yourself while the car warms up - the unit has to be stuck in your throbbing body temperature trouser pocket for 5 minutes, to warm it up - so it resumes working.

I thought - unless there is a very specific circuit design that has to be kept near 12 to 15 *C + body heat temperature, to do the analysis, the design has a flaw.

Unless there is a technical reason - just stopping working as in OFF and will not switch on, out of the refrigerator - well why not store it with the insulin right....

So I sent them an inquiry about this...

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Query: I have a few Accucheck guide meters - one to use, one spare and one in the back pack and one in the car.... And I have noticed that when they get cold they stop working. I am not talking about say 90*C below zero at the coldest camp on earth... I am talking about 3 to 5*C in the refrigerator. Once they warm up say 12 - 15*C - they work just fine.

I kind of think a) there is no notification about this issue, with or on the product - and I don't mean trawling through miles of mm high fine print, I mean b) and it's not written on the unit;

But conking out when it's not really very cold at all is - maybe there is a temperature control in the unit / correlation with warm fingers and glood flow etc., maybe it's part of the design... the temperature sensitivity of the analysis circuits etc... it's not very good.

Sure you need warm fingers and good blood flow to extract the blood from the finger for analysis, but the unit needs to be able to work in almost any environmet - if it's sitting on the bench and it's minus 20*C well my fingers just out of my gloves are warm, and the cold meter on the kitchen table ought to operate...

But conking out at refrigerator level temperatures is pretty poor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Their reply:

On 6/1/23 14:49, Accu-chekextra, Sydney wrote: > Hi TPT, > > Thank you for contacting us. > > Low temperatures will affect the performance of the power supply in the meter. > > We recommend that both the meter and your test strips are stored as close to room temperature as possible. The test strips can only be stored between 4 - 30 degrees Celsius or they will be damaged. > > Neither the Accu-Chek Guide meter or the Accu-Chek Guide test strips are designed to be stored in a refrigerator. (error - the specs say different - see the closing notes below) > > Storage temperature ranges can be found on the box of your Accu-Chek guide meter** and the container your Accu-Chek Guide test strips. --- (note he does not tell me what it is supposed to be) > > > If you require further information, please feel free to contact our Customer Care team on 1800 251 816. > > > > Our office is located in New South Wales and our Customer Care line is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). We look forward to hearing from you. > > > Kind Regards, > > Accu-Chek Enquiry Line > Roche Diabetes Care Australia > PO Box 6266 > North Ryde NSW 2113

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Reply:

I said the machine stopped working in the coolness inside the refrigerator - (Irate and Fed Up - pay attention comment).

The batteries are rated to -20*C, and I never said anything about the test strips.

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The closing thought - since insulin has to be stored between 3* to 8*C - in a refrigerator - why not store your blood glucose testing gear with it?

It's the fact that the METER - will stay stuck in "OFF" - the on switch will not turn it on, nor will inserting a test strip activate it - until it warms back up to near body temperature.

This is the issue....

Refrigerators, the insulin, AND the whole system - ought to be compatible.

It's not.

So I asked them to FIX IT - and they basically give me lip service in the form of a non technical reply devoid of solid reasons and information - and the go look it up yourself - is less than ideal.

So I went and looked it up and this is the specs.

https://www.accu-chek.com.au/meter-systems/guide

System Operating Conditions: 8° C to 44° C (46° F to 111° F) Test strip storage conditions: 2° C to 30° C (36° F to 84° F)

Works very well, don't understand all the bad reviews! – I have been using my Guide (purchased from my local pharmacy) for nearly 4 years. Over that time it has worked very well, the results are repeatable and align closely with the Contour Next (no Bluetooth) that we also have, and also my new Dexcom G6 (once the G6 sensor has settled down!). The only time I have got errors was when I _knew_ I had too… Read more

little blood but for whatever reason failed to re-stab myself.

Bluetooth pairing has never been an issue, and the data is transferred to MySugr without issue. I did, on a couple of occasions, think that the battery life was a bit short, but I'm still talking months not the days that some other reviewers have mentioned - I've used perhaps 4 or 5 sets of batteries over the last 3.5 years. The supplied "stabber" works well - it is specifically designed not to allow the user to go back to old/used needles, and the instructions make this very clear.

Like all such devices, you need to wash your hands thoroughly to avoid contaminants on the skin affecting the reading.

Overall my particular Guide has performed very well, and I have no complaints.

uh... what did they do to an average meter to make it THIS bad? – I've had the accu-chek meters for nearly 5 years. Until recently, the only problems were the dismal battery life. But I knew about that, and I could just keep tons of battery 'snacks' for the meter. Then it started getting totally bad readings - that HAD to be about 50 points too high. I'm diet controlled, so I'm not toooo worried about this -… Read more

if I had to use it to make insulin decisions, I'd be terrified.

Finally, I decided to get a new one - and since I still had all the supplies, I opted to purcase another Guide. When it works, it's great. But.... I cannot open the battery compartment. The redesign which must be 'child resistant' is IMPOSSIBLE to open. I literally can't get a battery into it. My husband and I have been trying for weeks.

I guess time to look for a new brand?

Accu-chek guide me – This is the worst metre I've ever used; so many errors. The strips?? My god. I watched their tutorial about how to get the strips out. The strips are damn hard to get out. No ease there. I even looked at the tutorial on how to get them out of the canister. I loved my Accu-chek mobile; it was everything all in one! This one, and countless others,… Read more

you have to take out the metre, then the lancing device, and then the strips. It's okay at home but out and about you needed ten hands to manage getting a reading. Would not recommend the Guide Me at all

Worse machine ever used as a diabetic – I think they have designed the machine to sell strips. It is constantly showing errors for strips. I literally had nearly 10 strips in error before I had a reading. This seems to be a way to sell strips. It really bothers me when companies use other people's misfortune to make a fortune. Show details

Accu-Check Guide Me – The machine seems to have significant issues, I am going through multiples testing strips and repeat stabbing fingered because they keep giving me errors an no reading. I have only recently moved from the Freestle Lite and never had issues with the testing strip enough blood etc with that machine. I was also concerned that my readings were not… Read more

accurate and so repeated the test with significantly different results. I don’t think this machine is fit for purpose.

Terrible product – Constantly getting “Reset Strip” messages after I put the blood on the end of the strip. Have tried replacing the box of strips at the chemist but I’m still getting the same messages. It is so frustrating!!! Show details

Useless product – Just tested salt content on properly sealed bottle. Had water tested at pool store and salt content was effectively zero and required nearly 5 bags of salt.. Aqua Chek didn't even change colour -still yellow let alone head towards a zero reading. Expensive rubbish Show details

Poorly designed dispenser – I guess some 20 year old designed the dispenser for the test strips because my old fingers have a hard time getting one out of the thing. Your fingers slip, and I've bent one trying to get it out. It's a real waste of plastic as far as I'm concerned.

Worst machine for senior, badly packed strips ,very difficult to put back in pouch . Very difficult to use – Worst machine for senior, badly packed strips ,very difficult to put back in pouch . Very difficult to use because of its tight pouch. Will never recomemmend to seniors or disabled people . Show details

Getting unuseable – Been using this for about 30 tests. I still have difficulties in putting the pricker back in position. Both are jet black and have no location marks to aid me. I have to give it to my wife to do and she generally manages it. The other thing that's hard is to locate your finger between the 2 small lugs above the sensor strip. It comes up with error… Read more

5. Seems it does not like bright lights. In order to get my little finger in a correct position, I need to hold it up to the light. So I cannot use my little finger to test. So 50percent of my tests are useless. The rest of its functions when you manage asuccessful test are brilliant. Needs a better way to locate the spot if blood on the sensor. It was supplied free by the NHS, so the price is right. The manual is very comprehensive. It took me half an hour to read. But if I had to pay for it I would not.

Hate the strip container, love machine – The strip container is the worst container I have ever used, and I've been a diabetic since 1976 and check my blood sugars up to 12 times a day. I've owned just about every kind of meter there is out there. And though this one seems very accurate with my One touch Verio, Contour Next,the strip container is atrocious. I know people who are taking… Read more

their strips out and dumping them in another container.

I've called and complained about it several times. Extremely difficult to remove one at a time, and Lord have mercy if you dump them, it's next to impossible getting back in there.

Someone who's a senior, and has been checking their blood sugar for years and years, has calcifications, and dry skin on the tips of their fingers makes this very difficult to pull one strip out.

I thought about switching merely because of that issue, but because of the subscription I have, the ones I supplement with, since Medicare cut me down to three a day, cost me less this way. Otherwise? I would switch back to my Contour next as my supplemental. I hope they consider changing the container. It sucks!

Frustrating – Lancet function is poorly explained and you can’t go back if yo make a mistake. The pairing with my phone is inconsistent and frustrating. I often get strip errors and now the thing has locked up! I am getting another brand. Show details

Frustrating and not worth the angst. Im looking for a new glucometer – Frequent error messages and despite following the instructions for resetting to solve battery issues I am constantly having to replace the batteries making it expensive to maintain.. it should have been recalled and replaced with one that is more efficient. Show details

Absolute Rubbish – I have been diabetic for 18 years and i'm afraid to say this is the worst piece of Garbage i've ever used The strips give Errors much of the time the Battery life is very short the design itself makes it awkward to hold The Lancet is awkward and it's unreliable used it 4 times one after the other and got a different reading every time within… Read more

0.5-2.0 constantly loses pairing with the App and the case is a cheap load of rubbish that holds nothing in place. going back to my reliable one touch select

Super easy to use – Great little device ,good easy to follow instructions. Easy to read and use even for dummies. Works well and comes in handy zip pouch. Highly recommend to anyone wanting quick glucose test without any fuss. Show details

Terrible lancing device – The meter is ok. But the lancing device is terrible. It uses some kind of rotating drum that you can't click back. Went over to a Contour Next and am happy now. Show details

Unreliable! – Pairs intermittently to the My Sugar app even though it's right beside my phone. Consistently comes up with E-11 error. Wasted so many strips. Readings can be unreliable. Test twice in a matter of seconds and get 2 different readings the second up to 2 points higher! Luckily I have my old monitor Accu Chek Performer. Easy, reliable but it doesn't connect to the My Sugar app. Bought a couple of months ago in Brisbane for $45. Show details

Don’t waste your time – I’ve had continuous issues and annoyances with this meter: - sends reading to my pump half the time? - so many wasted strips when it’s not 100% perfectly filled - inaccurate readings - the case is so flimsy and doesn’t hold the case of strips well Not worth the effort of using this meter. Was given it for free when I upgraded my pump but I’m going to buy a different one.

Worst meter I ever used – Every time I turn around I am changing batteries, even have spent top dollar on well known batteries. This meter isn't worth a crap. I have wasted more strips than anything, going back to my old reliable meter.  Show details

Inaccurate readings, very dangerous – I'm a type 1 diabetic. I bought the Accu Chek Cuide meter about 13 days ago. Today, around lunch time my Accu Chek Guide reading was 6.1, yet my body felt like my sugar level was lower and heading into hypoglycemia. I then tested with my old tester (Optium Xceed) and it read 4.4. The 2 readings taken were within 30 seconds of each other taken from… Read more

the same finger tip. Had 2 teaspoons of honey and my next reading using my old tester after 10 mins was 3.7. I can't say all my Accu Chek Guide readings were false but I now have no confidence in this unit at all, as I could have passed out and hurt myself or worse.

Don't use this BSL Meter - it's BSL results are not accurate – Stay away from this meter. Buy another brand. Since being diagnosed Type 2 I have tracked my BSL religiously, & I have an excellent diet & exercise regiment. I have my HbA1c tested every 3 months, and it's consistently around 5.5. I started using the Accu Check Guide meter. The readings were consistently around 6 mmo/L. I thought nothing of… Read more

it - it was still an acceptable result, and I appreciate that the meters have some degree of error by design. But...a few weeks ago I visited a friend & forgot to take my meter, so I used their theirs (Freestyle Optium). My BSL was 4.8. So I bought a Freestyle Optium & for the past 2 weeks I've been using both meters to test my daily BSL - the Accu Check Guide test result is consistently 0.5-1.0 mmo/L higher than the Freestyle Optium test result. I use the same drop of blood to test on bother meters at the same time. I've put fresh batteries in both meters. I've bought fresh test strips for both meters. Same variance in results. I've thrown the Guide away. I won't be buying any Roche product again.

Wasted more strip with this guide – Went threw 10 stops at one time showing "Er 3 use new strip" gave up another day used 2 strip said replace battery, did went threw 7 more strips used my old one no problem week later 1 strip ok two days later went threw 8 strips more, not purchasing any more, Dunn ! p/s blue tooth didn't work. Show details

Unreliable connectivity – Doesn't hold pairing . difficult to pair. massive amount of time required to keep re pairing . Not a good product in my view. Customer support worse than BOT. really frustrating experience over the years with Roche products . Show details

I hate this stupid accucheck guide meter – I hate this stupid accucheck guide meter. I would rather manually enter my sugar readings than wait for this stupid meter to sometimes send and others not. The strips are small. I can't figure out how to get the blood on the stupid strips. I have used 4 and 2 were wasted because, I couldn't get the right amount of blood on the meter. I loved my freestyle light. This accucheck guide is garbage. Show details

Worst battery life- accu chek guide – Everytime you use you need new batteries. I tried all good quality brands of batteries ( Duracell, Panasonic,energiser) but results are same. I don’t recommend accu-chek guide to anyone. Worst product.

Accu-check Guide monitor is not good – I wouldn't buy this monitor. The battery life is horrible. It keeps coming up with error message change your battery whenever I turn it on. Even though it has been batteries. Strips are very sensitive if you touch on either ends it will ask you to change the strip. Super annoying. Show details

Battery would only last for two days if lucky. Regret not reading choice review on this product. Will not buy this brand again.

inaccurate readings – very disappointed with the machine, very inaccurate. not recommended. I went back to use my onetouch machine. Show details