Dexcom Medtronic
cost $600 start up $1000 start up + $400 for pump upgrade
cost $240/4 (1 month supply-anec. 2 months) $350/10 (1 month supply, anec. 2 months)
sensors FDA approved 7 days, anec. 2 week use FDA approved 3 days, anec. 6 days
sensors no need to charge need to charge after 6 days
sensors extra tape only needed if peeling must use additional adhesive to tape down
sensors may not work if laying on belly/near muscle may not work if laying on belly/near muscle
warranty unit supposedly good for 1 year 6 months
receiver separate unit on pump
receiver 5 ft 6 ft
receiver   anec. has issues if sensor on right and receiver on left
water proof up to 3 ft/30 min. yes up to 8 ft. (need adhesive to be waterproof as well)
upload data separate program carelink already used for pump
user opinion lots of good things, few bad some-few love it, lots of complaints
calibration at least 2, can do more, BG does not need to be stable need 2, does not like more, blood sugars must be stable (no recent meals/insulin)
alerts high and low alerts-customizable hi/lo alerts customizable, predictive alerts (can sense rate of change and tell 15 minutes before hit hi/lo mark)
supplies have to call to reorder, can do automatic if want online
user opinion not painful to insert, few issues with bleeding painful to insert, bleeding issues
sensors 26 gauge 23 gauge
device may integrate with Animas pump later this year already integrated with pump I own
sensors no memory when out of range 40 minutes memory will download when get back into range

 

I am trying to decide which CGM system to get.  I have a medtronic/minimed 522 pump currently.  After doing research on here, tudiabetes, and diabetes daily and contacting both companies for more information, I find myself torn still.  Each has its pros and cons.  The minimed has some nice features, but user opinion seems to be more negative points for the minimed-harder to calibrate, not as accurate, more painful, etc.  The dexcom has mostly good user comments, but there are a few features that I wish it did have-the waterproofness (if that's a word), the memory, the predictive hi/lo feature.  It is supposedly more comfortable to insert and seems easier to calibrate, plus it's sensor is good for longer.  I have sensitivity to tape, so the idea of the minimed requiring more adhesive is worrisome to me.  The dexcom would require an additional object to carry around.

I guess I'm looking for other people's opinions of their CGMs.  I would especially love to know if you have used both of these systems and which you preferred and why.  I am in the process of trying to find out if I can try a sample "test drive" of these two products from the company's reps (so far not looking great however).  Also, if you find something to be an error in my pro con list above let me know.  Thanks for any and all input :)