Review of the Medtronic 630G Insulin Pump
I am going to break with tradition and state my recommendation at the outset I love the Medtronic 630G. However, please read the entire story because it is worth knowing my full experience with the pump. Because like with most things there are both good and some not so good parts to owning a new piece of technology.
Getting started
When the 630G arrived, there were all kinds of warnings about leaving the pump alone until you call the local trainer. So I immediately picked it up and started messing with it. I also called my local representative and explained that I had my new pump, but due to insurance issues, I could not start the sensor for another month. The trainer suggested I proceed with pump only training and then tag on sensor training when I received it. So a few days after receiving the pump I was in class.
The day of training went very well. The trainer gets a high five for adapting the class to the learner’s level. She made sure it was valuable for me (I have used Medtronic pumps for 17 years) and my wife who seldom if ever touches my pump.
About 30 days later insurance released my sensors, so we took the sensor training in the same place with a different trainer. The sensor trainer was incredibly good. Since I relate everything to the Dexcom experience, she again took me where I was and helped me develop insights about how my new sensor and pump work together.
Wearing the pump
I love the color screen. The operation of the pump is easy and straightforward if you are familiar with prior Medtronic pumps. But and this is a big “but” there are some new features and ways of doing things so don’t blow off training and expect to run the pump well. I have no doubt I could be running the pump based entirely on what I knew from using the 530G, but I doubt I could run it efficiently.
One thing that needs improvement is the belt clip. For some reason, this pump has the clip that breaks easily. In a little over six weeks mine has broken 2 times. I am a belt clip veteran, so I knew how to piece it back together and keep going. I wonder why Medtronic cannot solve this issue. Veterans of the various Medtronic pumps over the past few years know this has been an ongoing concern. Albeit one I thought was resolved in the 530G, since my last belt clip was approaching 3 years of use with no issues. Medtronic will send a new belt clip every time the thing breaks. In fact, if you call their help line for anything it tells you for a broken belt clip press one for replacement instructions. So my first gripe: please this clip design does not work so let’s get it fixed.
What I love about the pump
It is a complex machine that is relatively simple to operate. It does exactly what it is designed to do, and it works smoothly and efficiently. I rate it at 5 times improved over the 530G. The color screen is so much friendlier. I love that it tells me when it is time to do a set change. Not just in days but in hours and minutes on the final date.
For the first time in two generations of pumps, I think they have the pump/meter combination working well. When I use the meter, I am given the chance to calibrate the sensor or not, but on the same screen, I can administer the bolus. I do not have to wait for the pump to do the calibration before I can bolus. I love that. The menu options are clear, even if changing the Basal settings seems a little clumsy. And the sensor integration (a future post) is so well done.
It took some getting used to, but I like the vertical orientation of the pump. For me at least it allows for more information to be packed on the screen without opening a menu to get answers. For instance, there is a battery indicator. I can see with one glance how my battery is doing along with my sensor age, current sensor readings, and active insulin.
Fast delivery is a new option. The pump has a quick bolus delivery mode. You put in your bolus and almost instantaneously it is delivered. The trainer suggested we not use this feature until we are familiar with the pump. I have yet to turn this setting on. I am not certain why I need to do that, especially with such a short cannula, but I bet it may be useful for the next generation 670 G. At any rate, it can be turned on or off, I have just not gotten around to turning it on.
What I dislike about the pump
Nothing is perfect, and this pump is no exception. First, let me say even with what I am going to tell you I still would buy this pump. But I feel the need to be truthful. So here goes, I have used the pump for five weeks, and this is my third pump. So let me explain. Within a week the first pump had a non-delivery error. I called Medtronic, and they replaced it with an overnight shipment. That happened the first week of wearing it.
The second pump developed a critical error that reset my entire pump back to factory settings. I called Medtronic, and they let me know the protocol was not to replace my pump until this particular issue occurred twice. However, since I was feeling skittish about the pump, they replaced it without question. Again I got the package overnight, and I was able to set up the new pump quickly. After all, I was getting to be an expert.
Then less than a week after putting my third pump in service and while on a flight to Dallas the new pump also reset to factory settings with the same error codes as the second one. When I got to my hotel, I called Medtronic, and I was very upset. Once again they offered to replace the pump, but I was traveling, so an overnight shipment was difficult. The supervisor assured me the pump was safe to use and that protocol was to replace the pump, on the second error like this. After a 1 hour discussion, I decided to keep wearing the third pump. I have not had any further issues.
I have not found others who experienced this type of failure, let alone two in a row. I do not have any explanation as to how this happened. With the third error, the question came up about going through airport screening. Did I go through the scanner? No, I always ask for and receive manual pat downs. The last error occurred over a month ago, and I have had no other issues.
So am I unlucky? Is there a pump issue? I do not know. What I do know is that Medtronic’s service was fantastic. I received excellent telephone support and overnight delivery of two pumps. Medtronic did not hesitate to offer a new pump for the second or third issue. Not taking it for the third issue was my decision. And as I said earlier there have been no further errors.
One other thing bothers me about the pump. One has to be very intentional to operate the pump. To do anything with the menus, one must first select a button the pump displays. I think of it as the human test. Then to deliver a bolus one must set the bolus amount, press enter and then confirm the intention by pressing enter again.
I understand this is a safety feature and yes it will prevent accidentally delivering a bolus. But I had a steep learning curve that meant I thought I had delivered several boluses only to discover later they had not been delivered because I did not press the second enter. For me at least it took some doing to get into the rhythm of pressing two buttons to give a bolus (first world problems).
Overall
Despite the various issues I am thrilled with the 630G. It operates in a cool way and I am looking forward to bridging over to the 670 G this summer. I have to take the major errors in stride. I honestly have no idea what happened. The pumps were manufactured at different times so I do not think it was a particular component or code that led to the failures. Maybe it was simply my bad luck? I have stuck with it because of the experience of other members of the diabetes online community. No one else I could find reported these major errors with the 630G. Of course it could be happening that this particular pump is prone to such errors. But I have now used it for six weeks without a new occurrence. So yes, I am all in on the pump, I love the features and ease of use. And I have my fingers crossed (not easy for a guy with RA) on the issue of long term reliability.
-30-
rick
Hello Rick,
I have the 630 too but I have had no problems so far. If I bolus and end up forgetting to confirm the last button, the pump warns me that the bolus didn’t go through. Doesn’t yours do that?? What I don’t like is THE CLIP! The pump has unclipped and fell on the floor several times(and one time even bouncing twice!!) Still worked though. Their former clip was much “studier”. I don’t use the sensors (I use FreeStyle Libre that I pay for myself) I’m not sure when the 670 will be available for me.
Mine does beep if I forget to double confirm the bolus. I think my trouble with it is more annoyance than difficulty. I am so used to the single entry system that I am used too on the previous 4 pumps. But it is getting easier each day.
Then the clip. Grr!!! I had this on one of the Revel pumps. Then I purchased 6 spare clips, and it was fixed. I do not think I had a single clip failure with the 630G. So when I switched pumps I gave my old clips away. Then in the first week, the pin that holds the clip in place came apart once again. I was like ahh man. Then like you, my pump fell off a couple of times (no bounce here however).
I really like the Medtronic sensor. This generation sensor is wonderful. I understand the next generation with the 670G is even better. I am excited to get one this summer. I am hopeful that you get the chance to try it out as well.
I hate the 630g pump. It is bigger, bulkier, black with a lousy clip, and is a terrible system with the enlite CGM. As a woman I love to clip it into my bra. The increase in size makes a difference. Dexcom is far superior and much more accurate. I have had my pump turn off several times for falsely low bl sugars and/or alarm me t/out the night. Calibrating this sensor is ridiculous. It’s 3-4 x day. That I don’t even mind but God forbid you calibrate it and take a bolts at the same time. You are supposed to wait at least 20 to 30 minutes then retest to use that blood sugar to bolus. This pump has made me have to make diabetes my life instead of living with diabetes. I also am a stomach sleeper another no no for Medtronics CGM. Medtronics should be the leader of the pump industry but instead they have made $ off of us. Get it right Medtronics!! That’s why they lost a lot of business to Dexcom yrs ago. And pls don’t get me started on their care link system that has not been upgraded for 11 yrs.
I am sorry you are having such difficulty. That certainly has not been my experience. I really do love the pump and the sensor.
I found the Enlite sensor o be over 2 difference or 60 difference in value a lot of the time. I’ll be in the low 30’s and it says I’m around 100. And if I don’t put the suspend feature low it keeps going off all night saying I’m low when I’m not. Haven’t got any sleep since I started it 1 1/2months ago. Since I can’t get the 670g system in Canada yet, makes me wonder if I should just switch to Dexcom, since you’re allowed to give insulin with their reading. And I’m thinking the omnipod is sounding pretty good with no tubing….I’ve always had Minimed with my other two pumps and this system doesn’t seem that good. I got it so I wouldn’t get low at night and when I’ve been on the low 30’s it has never warned me correctly yet. And it’s shut off a couple of times when I haven’t even been low. I had a BG test at 5am that was 330 or 18.3 last night and it didn’t warn me until it was that high… seems not that good. It’s been 2 years since the 670g came out in USA. What could possibly be the holdup? Oh yah is there any way to see how much insulin is actually left in the reservoir without actually taking it out?
My pumps have always been medtronic so i started using enlite but it gave me such trouble i gave it up for a while. Met with a trainer for tips and tried again. Still iffy but worth a try? Yes overnights were terrible, had to turn the sensor off to get sleep cuz of false lows. Final straw: I was at work feeling good and a good bgl when i arrived. My sensor warns me im 50 and dropping. I test, im 70s, calibrate, back to work. Warning: 40 and dropping fast. Refuse to suspend basal, keep working. More warnings, retest, recalibrate. My bgl is rising while my enlite claims im dropping. I would try to look on my pump for my previous calibration and it was as if i had never taken one. After enough of these alerts the pump suspends against your order. Not safe in the least! Anyway Ive just begun using the dexcom G6 yesterday and it is already showing itself to be FAR superior.
That’s EXACTLY what I thought! And you can’t even get the updated Carelink in Canada yet for an iPad or iPhone, like how they don’t tell you that either!
In Australia this is the 640G. Completely agree with the belt clip. Its pretty useless and falls off the clothing I have clipped it to alot.
I have had a replacement pump due to battery error – but this is easy fix myself. Its a common error with this pump. If you do get a battery error, just take out your battery, wait for the pump to run out of juice & then insert a new battery. I only replaced the pump cos it happened a few times. But not an error to worry about.
Hope you enjoy it – I love mine!!
Ashleigh,
I do love my pump and it is working so well I am anxious to get to the 670G as soon as possible.
A very thorough review, Rick. I’m not a pump user myself, though I used one years ago.
Oh Emma, I think if you used one today you would enjoy it. I did not use one for 28 years and I love it.
Just got the 630G put in today and will wait 2 weeks before using the sensor. The 670G sounds awesome and I wish I could have gotten that now. This is my very first pump. Diabetic since October 1969 and have had problems with lows the past dozen years. I am active and do physical work so this should help greatly.
Jay, I was diagnosed in 1974 and I did not get a pump for the first 27 years of having diabetes. I am closing in on my 43rd-year now and I will never give up on the pump. I do have to offer that there will be a learning curve. After the first 2 weeks, you may say this is not for me. I tell people everything will seem to move in slow motion for a couple of weeks. If you stick with it I promise it will be a great addition to your care.
Please read reviews on the 670g system. It’s three pumps in one and has automatic features that we have no control of. If you are very active this may not be the pump for you. As an athlete, I must go into manual mode because the pump does not respond fast enough to adjust my basal match my quickly changing blood glucose values. It also only corrects to 150 because of possibly FDA requirements. It takes 3+ hours to catch up post workout (my workouts are longer than 2 hours when this happens). When this happens, it takes forever to balance out. It’s great at night though. If you eat the same food every day at the same time and have a regular workout routine that is 1-2 hours, you’ll probably be okay. The 670g is a lot more work though and the user has very little control so please take this into consideration before purchasing.
Emily, This review is for the 630g. I do currently use the 670G, but the 630g is an entirely different system. I wish you well.
HATE MY PUMP! Sensor quit…just sent me a new one (i’ll see if it works longer than 2 weeks). 3 weeks in and i’m not sure why, but bolus doesn’t seem to do anything. My sugar level went to 300, i did the bolus, 30 minutes later i was at 400. another bolus and it went to 420 and I took an injection (same kind of insulin). I’m meeting with my pump educator today, and i’ll try to keep going but I’ve spent too much time on the phone with help desk and i just am not happy with this product—hopefully that changes soon.
Russell, Sorry you are having such issues. Mine is working out great.
I’ve seem that in my case as well. But I can state that that every time it happens to me it is because the infussion set was not installed properly. I’ve found that when installing the set if I feel anything unusual when I fire the pad or if I have to pat down the pad after removing the installer the tube is not under the skin. Replace it.
Rich, I did not have this issue, but I do understand how it woudl happen. Thank you for the comment.
If everything is working correctly it’s great. So far for me, things haven’t been. Have had problems with the pump not pumping. Seems to be my infusion sets. Sometimes it says it is blocked and other times it doesn’t say anything but just doesn’t put insulin into my body. Frustrating. Seems like it should be able to tell and tell you if insulin is not being put into your body. Stupid, imo. It should know. My first sensor was always showing way lower than my meter reading even after calibrating at every meal and at bedtime. So I changed it after 2 days and the next one has been right on. Have ordered the 670G and have been told how awesome it is by my doctor’s RN who had training on it and who is a pump expert.
I am sorry you are having this difficulty. I hope by now things are working out better. If you still need some assistance from other users I suggest you consider http://www.TUDiabetes.org you will find wonderful forums and usually some online help. If that format does not appeal to you might consider http://www.beyondtype1.org which is the new (but still different) owner of TUDiabetes.
I hope you are having good success with the pump.
I just received the 630G pump and after seeing the reviews I am worried about keeping it. I have been using the Medtronic MiniMed Paradigm for many years and love it. This time I thought I would use the 630G insulin pump however after reading the reviews I wonder if I should just stick with the original.
Karen: I hope you will give it a chance. I love my pump and despite a bit of a learning curve I am completely satisfied. I used the 530c as well and found the transition easy, but I do have to acknowledge it is different.
If you like I can put you in touch with a rep from Medtronic to work on any issues.
I just received my pump last week and I’m very disappointed in the cheaply made clip! It doesn’t clip in that well and constantly falls off. Please make a better clip. I’m afraid that it will fall off one day and the pump cracks
Julie, I am sorry the clip is not working. I suggest calling the Medtronic support line at 1-800-646-4633. They have an automated option for clip replacements. What I have found is that if I watch the metal rod at the clip hinge and periodically press it back into position the clip works well. This is sort of like using the older Revel series pumps. But with the clip being new I would replace it right away. Definitely, call Medtronic for a replacement.
Just happened to me. Top of the resevoir just cracked off. It’s not the pin in the clip that’s the problem. It has no spring tension compared to the VEO’s clip. So it slides off clothing continuously. One day I stood up from a meeting and it popped off, swung forward and crashed into my boss’ desk. How embarrassing. This time I don’t even know what it hit, but yup, cracked.
Hi Lisa, sorry for the lateness of the reply, and sorry for the broken clip. I know I am late with the reply but if you do not know Medtronic will send you a free replacement clip. These replacements work just like the original. Meaning, yeah they break just like the original. 🙁
But the good news, they are free and better yet you do not even have to talk to anyone to get one.
I hate my 630g pump. I have experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows with this pump. The infusion site rarely lasts 3 days like it is supposed to do. Just when I think it’s finally working like it should it will stop, error out for some unknown reason and then my BS shoots up to 551! I also got down to a 21 while on this pump. I’m ditching this stupid device and going back to shots.
Gary, this sounds just awful. I have not heard of anyone else with these issues with the infusion sites or 630G pump. If you like I am a Medtronic Ambassador (I was enrolled in August of this year) and I can have someone give you a call? If you are interested give me a note at info@RADiabetes.com and I will have a representative give you a call. I hope by now the pump is doing better. But let me know, if not.
Hi i have just decided to do the same but scared i have the latest medtronic pump and sensors and my control couldnt be worse, i have been diabetic for 36yrs and on a pump for 10of the last years feeling over run with wires major marks all over my body from snesors that scar and leave rings from the tape and my control is hopeless i found a new dr yesterday who is also diabetic type one who users pens and long acting control is spot on im ready to revert not happy
I am sorry you are having a tough time. I was thrilled with my 630g and love the 670g even more. I wish you the very best.
630 G
Constant delivery blocked alarms…is the pump too sensitive to back pressure? Is there a problem with the infusion sets? You cannot get a solution from Medtronic. No problem with the old pump except when the screw mechanism failed.
I think I might try a different box of infusion sets. The sets themselves did not change so if a different box does not help it might be the pump. I know I am a little late responding so I hope things have worked out. If you wish I can contact Medtronic on your behalf and have the issue looked at by a different person. If you do let me know at info@RADiabetes.com
Thankyou for sharing your review I enjoyed the read. Technology can be interesting and frustrating at the same time I guess. Anyway great post Rick. I have never learnt about pumps so Thankyou for educating me on the subject.
Thanks for the kind comment Judith. I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Is the 630G calibrated to stop delivery when back pressure is exceeded at a lower level than the previous Medtronic pump? It appears that the pump shuts down so much quicker than the old pump for blocked delivery. It even does that when you are just trying to prime, then you have to manually prime to get the pump past this point.
James. I did not notice this when I was using the pump. If you like I can have a representative form Medtronic reach out to you on your email or another method to answer the question.
The pump works great for me (when it works).
I received the 530G December 2016 and within a month it died, they sent me out a (New) replacement at no charge and it worked fine for about 7 months it died again this time they sent out a refurbished replacement at no cost and within a day it died as well, received yet another refurbished replacement and you guessed it, it died in 2 days. I am now on my 6th replacement within a year.
I do not have much faith that this unit will last very long either since it too is a refurbished unit.
Has anyone else experienced these constant device failures. lately i use insulin pens more than the pump due to it not working…..
I would have to say I used the 530G with for 4 years with absolutely no issue. I am sorry you have had these issues.
I received the 630G in December and was trained December 18, 2017, which is the day I started wearing it. Within 10 days, I was in ICU with incredibly high sugars, liver and kidney failure. I simply could not get the boluses to work. I did do several rescue injections, which helped, but it got so that I couldn’t eat anything! Went 3 1/2 days without eating because I couldn’t get sugars down with pump boluses. ICU 3 days, hospital room stay 1. Doctors (16 of them) agreed it was due to pump failure. One doctor said he thought the piston wasn’t centered correctly. Medtronic gave me a bit of a hard time about returning for a replacement, but as I was on the phone with them (encouraged by alll physicians who were in the room with me when I called), representative finally gave in and gave me instructions for how to return. I think I will be out of hospital tomorrow. My old pump has things under control now. I think new pump replacement has arrived, but I am still in hospital so cant retrieve it yet or send back failed pump. I did test my sugars often, but just couldn’t get them down with boluses. Warning . . .test every 1/2 half hour after bolus. I am on Medicare and am restricted on number of strips each day, so only tested 4 times. I will definitely test every half hour from now on with new pump . . .purchase strips out of pocket. Warning . . .new 630G owners, test way more often than you think is necessary!
I am so sorry this happened and I hope the new pump is fantastic. Drop me a note at info@RADiabetes.com if I can help in anyway. I am a Medtronic Ambassador and I will be happy to contact them on your behalf if you wish.
Now that I know you’re a medtronic amabassador I probably won’t read anymore of this blog. You should have disclosed up fron in this blog post. You can’t be objective if you’re accepting a position as a representative. I’m very disappointed Rick.
Emily, I wrote this blog in March of 2017. I was not a Medtronic ambassador at that time otherwise I would have disclosed that fact when I wrote the review. I did not become an ambassador until October of 2017 I think it might be important to clear up a few potential misconceptions. As an ambassador, I am not paid. I have received a shirt and a mug, in exchange I have helped numerous people who have questions or issues which have occurred before and after the sale of a pump.
As an ambassador, I am responsible for being a conduit to Medtronic if and only if patients ask me to help. I do not report or communicate with Medtronic unless a person asks me to do so. As for the conflict of interest, I will guarantee that it would take much more for me to lie about something I am reviewing. A shirt and cup are nice, but not nice enough to tell an untruth about a product.
I hope you continue reading my blog, but if not, that is fine. I write this blog for me. If others wish to read that is fine, I welcome input, criticism, and comments, but in the end, it is me that must be happy.
I’ve been with Medtronic for nearly 13 years. Been through the 522 and 2 x Veo’s. I had the chance to try out the 630G and if I didn’t like it I would be able to obtain a brand new Veo. I was on the 630G since just after xmas 2017 and today (1/13/18) I’ve switched back to my Veo.
Although the cool new features, i.e. bolus from meter, waterproof, color screen, this pump’s flaws far outweigh the pro’s. It is super bulky, can no longer wear this clipped into the center of my bra nor can this be put into the bra cup of a dress, the way it clips onto pants (jeans, yoga pants) can no longer be done with the face resting perfect against the body because of the thickness. It has fallen off my jeans numerous times and has taken the infusion set with it (once). It has fallen off my PJ bottoms in the middle of the night when going to the bathroom, that puts a scare in you and wakes you immediately. It has been knocked by the weights I lift at the gym. What bothers me most is I feel like I am wearing something on me whereas with the Veo it felt like it was a part of me and I barely noticed it and neither did anyone else.
I do not like that I have to reconfirm a bolus. If I ask it to bolus an amount, it asks you again and insists you push another button to ACT. Yes, I realize it’s safety but this is ridiculous. I have a high, it warns me on the high so I ask it to bolus, then I get the equivalent to “are you sure you want to” and that to me is just 1 step too much.
Very disappointed in the design….just seems to me like so many things are getting smaller, why did this get bigger?
I am hoping that in 4 years when this pump is up for a change that Medtronic has fixed these issues and if not I am sure there will be something else out there to make my life just as easy with my diabetes.
In the US the VEO system is known as the 530G. I also enjoyed using the 530G while I used it. The biggest improvement for the 630G (in my opinion) is the improved sensor operation. I do agree the 630G is heavier. However I did really enjoy the color screen and the vertical orientation of the pump.
Hi Rick, FYI there are a couple spelling mistakes, on your remark, that you might want to fix about your shirt and you might have left out don’t or not 😄. I was just wondering if anyone else had a problem with the square bolts not working, it’s happened about 6 times and I turned it off and on last night and it still wouldn’t work. Turned off the dual bolts and that’s the only way it would work. And the buttons also were acting a bit odd when the first time I used it too, kept pressing and it wouldn’t move.
Take care Rick!
Thanks Kelly, I tracked down that pesky shirt. I appreciate you tell me about it.
I have not heard about an issue like this. I think I would call Medtronic and and let them know. I suspect if it has happened that many times, they may wish to replace it. I hope it gets resolved, I hate issues like this.
Maybe it was because it was already on a square boltus? I’m thinking that was the problem Rick. Thank you! 👋🏼😊
I am looking for a new pump, I have an animus one touch and love it. I would like to find one that is compatible to it. Size screen and clip. The reviews I’ve been reading are not encouraging
I hope you can find the best pump for yo. I like Mdtronic, but all pumps today are very similar and do the same thing. It is really a more of a matter of style.
Why can’t the trainer train me on both the CGM and pump at the same time? I’ve had two Minimed pumps before and I have to wait a week in between. Can I ask her to show me both when she comes?
Kelly, it may be because the class is full? I know when I trained on the 630G (640G in Canada i think) I had both training’s on the same day. Now with the 670G one does have to have two training’s one week apart. The 670g training requires doing pump training, then having it collect information for one week until one can be trained on auto mode once the pump has collected 7 days of data. Until the data is collected auto mode will not work, thus training cannot be done.
No, she’s coming to my house. It’s a 639g but I would have preferred just getting the 670g. I’m in a different town than her. I’ll send her an email, asking her to do both, but she’s coming tomorrow might be too late. I’ll recharge the transmitter, just in case. Thank you Rick.
Kelly, I hope you are getting along well with the new pump.
Yes it’s working pretty great so far but I have gastroparesis so it’s a bit more difficult. Got the Enlite Sensor last week and I like it so far…still test a lot but it’s nice to see which way it’s going. Wish they would have put an edit option in the reminders tho. So you can set when to take meds 4 times instead of once. Should be able to name all of them, pretty good tho. And should be able to do that with “Events” too. Wish there was a pump that had everything on it, like carb values for everything, notes for writing in. Now I’m keeping track of it in MySugr, CarbSecret, diary and on the pump. Since I can’t get the Carelink app yet. Very nerve racking. Can’t see doing that if I was actually busy doing something. Hurry up app! I’m going to get the new MacBook Pro when it comes out but until then, it’s a big time consumer. Not impressed with that delay. Do you have any of those comfy belts from
Diabete-ezy? They’re perfect!!! Got 2 of those bulky kind at the same time as I got it from the Medtronic store and I LOVE IT!!! I just ordered 8 more last night!😄 I always get one of each color, in clothes, so why not. Heard people used them in the shower, probably swimming too! Have a good day, nice talking to you Rick!
Kelly, I think you can sign up for Carelink at this link
https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/carelink-personal-diabetes-software
If you are using the provided meter you plug the meter into a USB port and then it reads your pump. It does require the use of Java Script, which means that if you are using Windows based system you will want to use Internet Explorer. If you are using an apple based machine there are instructions at this site.
https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/customer-support/carelink-personal/setup-account-mac
You can also call the 24 hour help line and they will step you through it. 1.800.646.4633 I am told you can download the data and likely port it into MySuga but I have not worked with that process. There are many rumors that soon the accu-chk meter will be able to communicate with the Medtronic pumps. I heard that from a representative at Accu-Chk
Interesting, thanks for the thorough review. My 8 year old daughter was diagnosed with T1D one week ago today. Our doctor has started the process already for this pump so I was wanting to read about it. But I find it a bit odd that they already want her on a pump. I feel like my wife and I need to learn everything we can about T1D before getting one. Don’t get me wrong it excites me but I am just scared that’s all. A week ago I had no idea what Novalog was. Our 8 year old is a trooper though. She can already give herself shots with the vial/syringe and has a pen for Levemir. Working on getting her a pen for Novalog but it seems to be an insurance issue right now where they want her to use the syringe. Hope they work it out fast she likes the pen better. Thanks again for the review.
I am glad your daughter is getting along so well. I always say that parents of T1’s are the unsung heroes of our community. I believe you woudl find that a pump (I suggest an OmniPod for children) is a great choice because it automates so much of the diabetes experience. More important is a CGM which improves management many fold over syringes or a pump by itself.
I suggest looking into an online or in-person community for additional support. As a Type 3 (people those of us with diabetes live with) you are almost always welcome. My favorite online community is http://www.TUDiabetes.org . For an in-perosn community I suggest JDRF, who has terrific events for parents and children.
Hi Mike, four years ago my daughter was diagnosed at age 9 and I remember how stressful it was. Our juvenile endocrinologist required that we wait 6 months before getting a pump so that 1) we would be very knowledgable in calculating dosages using syringes and pens and 2) so that we didn’t get too overwhelmed with so much to learn in the beginning. At the time I was angry as I thought the pump would be the best thing for her. We ended up waiting several years and have had a pump for a year ( minimed revel-the only one the insurance would cover) and she loves it. Turns out our Dr was right, I’m glad we waited. I think you should follow your instincts, if your not ready then wait a few months. Good luck!
Thanks Rick, will take a look at OmniPod (will have to Google it). I’ll ask the doctor about it at our next visit. He did call my wife last week and inform us about the 630g and 670g and that is what they are working on. I’m sure insurance may play a factor as well so we shall see. A teacher at my daughter’s school has a 630g and it looked cool but a but intimidating (remember, this is all new to me and the comments about the cheap clip on many review sites — not just here — has me worried about a child breaking the clip).
Hi Mike, I had a big long response to you but it wouldn’t let me send until I renewed subscription. But the gust of it was. I’ve had the 630g since Feb 17, I couldn’t get the 670g in Canada yet. But I don’t like the Enlite because it isn’t accurate, see post below, that I just did when it comes on. And since I’m switching to Dexcom G5 full time now, was wearing both for 2 weeks. I want to try using the OmniPod.My cousin’s son has it and said he likes the no tubing better. I got the 630g because of the suspend on low feature which didn’t suspend properly once. But other than that the 630g is fine, easy to use after a couple of days. Once it is pared with the Enlite ChM it alarms every couple of hours day and night. Very annoying, can’t run it off unless you turn off the sensor and sometimes the sensor only lasts 3 or 4 days. I never had it last 6 days other than once. Anyway there’s $900 Canadian difference between both pumps and other than being able to refill the reservoir (syringe that holds the insulin) which I’ve never refilled between sets. There is supposed to be smaller increments on the basal rates but unless it was for a small child or someone extremely sensitive to insulin that shouldn’t make that much of a difference. Both are waterproof. No tubing for the OmniPod, which sounds pretty good. I just wish they had an app for the OmniPod but then I guess they wouldn’t be able to charge $6k+ for that. One more thing yes it was really slippery, and I got an extra belt clip just in case. So I’m waiting to try the OmniPod before I send back the 630g. Good that I’m trying both before I decide which is better, that being said I’m paying for both until I decide. But better than me buying both Dexcom and Enlite sensors and throwing away the Medtronic Enlite sensors because without the 630g, I can’t read the results. So i’ll just wasted around $500 not to mention all the accessories for the other pump etc.
We have decided on the Omnipod. Our daughter is still not ready for a pump because she is in the honeymoon phase but when the time comes we have already been contacted by Omnipod. We have a Dexcom G5 and love it. The whole family follows her on the app and results are given every 5 minutes. Her being young I believe the Omnipod is our best bet and they did send us a demo and our daughter liked it a lot. So that is what we will do when the time arrives.
Hi, Rick. I have been on the 630G for a few months and I really like it. I have not had the problems that others had. (I don’t like all the button pushing, though. I currently use the Dexcom and wanted to switch to the Medtronic CGM because sometimes I get really low in the middle of the night and don’t hear the alarms. However, everyone here that used the CGM said that it was really unreliable. Now I don’t know what to do. (My other pump broke and I got the 630 instead of the 670 because my insurance doesn’t cover the sensors yet.) Has anyone here had a positive experience with the 630 CGMs?
Susan, I had good success with the current version of enlite sensor and transmitter. I switched from the Dexcom back in January 2017 and then went to the Guardian sensor when I started the 670g in September 2017.
I have to admit that the guardian sensor is better. The good news is that Medtronic sought and received FDA approval in late 2017 to use the Guardian sensor with the 630g pump. They have not yet announced this and they may not (I do not have any special information) but they did seek approval so presumably at some point they will introduce this option. I think if I were you I would wait a bit and either obtain the 670g when you can or until the Guradian sensor si introduced for the 630g. At present the Dexcom is at maximum a 6 month commitment.
If you want to go ahead, I tested the enlite side by side with the dexcom 5 and I c=found them almost statistically equal in producing results.
Hello Rick,
From your comment above it sounds like the 630G pump will work with a MiniLink Transmitter & Enlite Sensors.
Can you confirm?
I currently don’t have Guardian 3 Link Transmitter & Sensors, but have MiniLink Transmitter & Enlite Sensors from my 530G pump which after 5 1/2 years finally died and was no longer under warranty.
I purchased my 630G in Dec 2016 when Medtronic had special pump upgrade pricing and don’t believe Guardian 3 Link Transmitter & Sensors were available or suggested at that time. I just started use of the 630G in the last week, 01/02/19 to be precise, and currently using w/o any sensors. Like you, small learning curve, but overall happy with its functionality so far.
I could ask for Guardian Rx. But since I prefer to wisely spend my HSA money, I’d prefer to continue use of MiniLink Transmitter & Enlite Sensors. I admit I’ve had a few issues with Enlite Sensors, but Medtronic Support has been very helpful. With a better understanding about Sensor calibration, I’ve now significantly reduced Sensor issues, can troubleshot and resolve most issue myself. If not, I again call Medtronic for help and Sensor replacement.
BTW, since I was diagnosed with T1D in 1071, I’m still rather “old school”. I will always believe a blood sugar over my CGM, and will double-check blood sugar if results seems askew. Also if CGM and BS readings are significantly off, I do NOT calibrate but wait until both readings are more congruent.
Bottomline, I would prefer to use the MiniLink Transmitter & Enlite Sensors until the Transmitter fails and want to know if they will work with the 630G.
If not, I have a new 3 month supply I need to return asap.
Thanks in advance.
Yes the 630g still uses the enlite sensor and transmitter. Now I will tell you that Medtronic recently received FDA approval for the guardian 3 to work with the 630g. However they have not yet made any move to implimemt that approval.
To have the guardian 3 transmitter work with the 630g it will require the realease of an a new transmitter. No one I am aware of has projected s release date for that.
I’ve been on ithe 630g since February 17 and it’s alright but the sensor isn’t very accurate for me at all. I’ve worn both the Enlite and the Dexcom G5 for the last two weeks and the Dexcom was consistently more accurate. I’m currently using the 630g pump but I already ordered the Omnipod to replace it, supposed to arrive tomorrow. First of all I was highly disappointed I couldn’t get the 670g and the fact that there is an hour lag time isn’t very good, plus not being able to adjust your insulin dose with those results is beyond irritating. So no, I wouldn’t recommend it. After wasting my money on two boxes that are currently useless. I would have bought the 670g but I couldn’t get it in Canada yet. Extremely disappointed. You need the pump to read the Enlite. So I guess i’ll Be throwing those away. The Dexcom was almost consistently 1 pont difference and the Enlite was never that close for over 3 months. Usually 40 difference but sometimes 90 or over 120 out. And it continuously suspended me when I was hypoglycaemic (when I wasn’t) and I’d be high after. It never actually suspended me or warned me when I was actually low, other than one time I was lowish. The Enlite takes an hour to show what you were an hour ago and the lag time on the Dexcom is 15 minutes. Not good when I go to 19. I always felt low before and checked it while that said I was 120. I got this one because I’ve had two other Medtronic pumps, so I just stuck with them but not impressed. Maybe later after they perfect the 670g but for now I’m switching to the Omnipod and I’ll be using the Dexcom. Good luck Susan. Good wearing both to see which is better though. It was pretty telling. I wish I had seen someone say this before ordering the 630g and Enlite. That is why I got the Enlite because I was scared about not waking up when I went to sleep. But it didn’t solve that problem. The buttons are annoying, but the fact that it didn’t suspend is worse because by the time it would register that I was hypo I would have been dead. An hour difference when you’re at 40 makes a big difference if the Enlite reads 100 I’ve been in convulsions countless times and that is why I got it. Then instead of getting some sleep, it alarmed all night for no reason. So I haven’t slept more than 2 hours at a time since I got it. Then after I stopped waking up because it just went off continuously. Until hours later. And the I used Bluetooth for my iPhone to make the Dexcom alarm louder to wake me up. And I have an Apple Watch and i have the Dexcom app on it. So it vibrates when I’m low and I just have to look at my watch to see what my my sensor say at all times. Really impressed with it.
Sorry Rick, I don’t mean to sound so down on the Medtronic company. It’s better than using drawing up needles every day, the pump part was fine other than the the buttons and annoying tubing. I still love your blog! xxx
It certianily was not my expirence with the 630G but each have different points of view. I adored the 630g and love the 67 even more.
You’re using the same sensor for the 670g? Because I’m wondering how it’s giving the littlebpulses of insulin, when there is such a long lag time. When my blood glucose goes low, it drops very quickly. I’ll see after using the Omnipod it just arrived today. Did you try the Omnipod when you were on the Dexcom or did you use it with the Medtronic pump? The Medtronic one is easy to use but the alarms are driving me nuts when the sensor is paired with it.
No, the 670g uses the Guardian sensor. The Enlite sensor and transmitter will not work with the 670g. However, Medtronic sought and was approved to use the Guardian sensor with the 630g. They have not yet announced any plans to do this but several poeple are anticipating that they will market the Guardian sensor for use with the 630g at some point.
The Guardian sensor and transmitter looks like the Enline, but they are different with improved antennas. Hte sensor is more accurate and is a remarkable improvement over the much improved current enlite sensor and transmitter.
One thing to remeber is that the Enlite has been improved several times since it’s introduction. The current version was released in late 2016.
Thanks for the reply. I am very disappointed because I have had diabetes for 41 years and I have been looking forward to this technology for a long time. I don’s know how a lag time of an hour is appropriate. So much happens in an hour. I gluess I’ll stick with the Dexcom and use it with my 630G.
I guess I do not fully understand. The lag time for the dexcom 5 and the Medtronic Enlite are almost exactly the same. The Guardian sensor is a bit faster because it reports every 7 minutes instead of every 15. The main lag time in any of these systems is the time for the human intestial fluid to reflect actual blood sugar. Scientists predict that is around 20 minutes. But that is the same regardless if sensor.
Both transmitters predict actual blood sugar based on the reading of the instetial fluid plus trend. Since both the dexcom 5 and enlite sensor report each 15 monutes the maxiumun delay is 15 minutes plus the amount of lag of blood to instital fluid. At 14 minutes the lag is approximately 21 minutes for both.
In neither case is the lag one hour.
I’m pretty sure it’s a Guardian Sensor, it says Guardian on the box.
Oh yah you don’t need to buy batteries for the Dexcom G5 but you have buy a new transmitter every 3 months it works out to $1409 Canadian every 4 months. The transmitter is $389 and 1 box ($340) each box has 4 in it lasts 1 month, each set lasts up to 7 days. And the Enlite sensor only lasted 3-4 days most of the time and got extremely inaccurate on the last couple of days. So it’s more expensive than they actually calculate. Their sensor 5 in a box and supposedly wearable for 6 days is $389, the insertor costs $30 a year, and their transmitter is $400, plus you have to buy batteries and I bought the lithium ones because I didn’t want the batteries to leak in either the pump or CGM recharger. I don’t know how much the recharger would cost to replace. But knowing all of this it’s the inaccuracies that bothered me the most about the Enlite. Worked out to $25 a day rather than $15for the Dexcom. Good luck.
*correction:
I called the sensor “Enlite” when I meant to say “Guardian Sensor”.
*correction:
You don’t need extra batteries for the DEXCOM g5 if you’re using your smartphone to see the results. Which you would need to use the cell phone anyway.
I just looked, it is the Guardian Sensor, not the Enlite.
Interested to see so many comments. I felt I had to find forums to let Medtronic know how after 16 years of Medtronic pumping, the 630G is by no means an improvement. I am still under warranty on my old pump and am considering other manufacturers before the old warranty expires.
I will start out by saying that choosing the bolus speed between standard and quick is, BY FAR, the most improved feature of this pump. I cannot describe the immense frustration with bolusing 25 units with the 530G that would deliver both 5 units or 25 units within 5 minutes…meaning that a 25 unit delivery tried pumping so much damn insulin so fast that it would channel out the cannula and leak. One had no choice in the bolus speed with that pump. Today, Minimed returned to allowing 1.5 u/m bolus speeds that earlier generations of pumps delivered. Well done.
The issues I have with the pump: after giving a bolus, you can’t do a damn thing with it until delivery is finished. You can’t check active insulin, or respond to alarms. You can before and after you bolus, so why not during? You can’t turn off the backlight. I don’t understand why there are more steps required to load a reservoir and fill a reservoir when earlier pumps didn’t have to…under what possible scenario would one load a reservoir, but not fill it? Although Medtronic could never condone reusing their tubing as I do, even in this scenario one has no choice but to fill it. Why the discrete steps?
I have not once, in sixteen years of pumping, inadvertently pressed a sequence of pump buttons to inadvertently give me a bolus. Why, after 40+ years of insulin pumps are we now forced to unlock the screen? An FDA mandate or something? If this is a security issue due to the new, less secure buttons, then why would I still have to unlock the screen simply to navigate to the quick status? What possible harm could come from an “inadvertent review of pump status?” I used to be able to deliver a bolus discretely in a meeting, or while driving, and now, no, I have to avert my eyes to unlock the thing before I continue to deliver a bolus. I should remind Medtronic that I have quickly figured out how to deliver a bolus without looking at the pump with the one exception of having to unlock it. I do not believe the unlocking feature has resulted in fewer people inadvertently delivering boluses, but I certainly could be proved wrong.
I loved to be able to simply look at the reservoir of pumps of yore and know how much insulin I had left. Today, the green, yellow, or red indications are not nearly as helpful as eyes-on.
When I see a yellow reservoir indication…is it closer to green, or closer to red? You can’t tell. Perhaps waterproofing had a hand in this design change. While I welcome the idea of waterproofing, I have to admit that a decade and a half of fearing I’d accidentally dunk into a pool with the thing on has led to an inordinate fear of water. Waterproofing now is a sideshow…it really is not a selling point for me as they’ve spent years non-waterproofing pumps while other manufacturers have had it as a standard.
I admit — I don’t like it when Microsoft radically modifies Excel with every release in the exact same way I don’t like Medtronic radically changing how one delivers a bolus after sixteen years of doing it a certain way. I am far less willing to adapt today compared to when I was a virgin pumper. So for that reason, I have to be willing to accept changes…but changes may extend to Tandem. What I will do is post these comments, and while yeah they really bug the out of me, I will do due diligence with this pump and give it a proper run-though (it’s been nearly two months).
spent the last half hour waiting to see if anyone could answer the question: how can I find out how much insulin is left in my reservoir? 630G, my old Revel was easy to do that or you could also see the res and see roughly what was left
just started the630G a few weeks ago , no problems, don’t like the extra button pushing either as a few have mentioned- but it not that bad, getting used to it, I LOVE my Medtronics pumps- few issues over the last 8.5 years- I don’t use the sensors and don’t plan to by the way
I suggest you check in with TUDiabetes.net. There are usually a number of people who can help or of course call the 800 number.
Rick, thanks for your review and being willing to respond to people’s questions and comments. I just got my 630G, but all of the negative reviews I am seeing all over the web are starting to concern me. I think, in general, once I received the pump and started to look it over, I reacted to this box full of equipment, junk, and user manuals. On the software side of things, this device feels like something Microsoft developed 30 years ago. I don’t know yet when I am going to get into training…looks like maybe in over a month or so. I have talked to two people and no one is giving my a clear indication of when this going to happen. As a consumer, I am not use to paying $7,000 for something that is so clunky and apparently confusing – or being told that I can use it when someone can get around to training me weeks from now. In general, I feel stupid. I didn’t do my research and now I am feeling stuck with some shitty confusing device that isn’t going to work well. I don’t feel like waiting around for Medtronic to get around to training me. Any suggestions?
Ray, I am so sorry for missing your comment. I have sent you an email. Again many apologies, sometimes the spam filter is overactive.