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If you use an insulin pump, do you prefer that your pump be rechargeable or use batteries?
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I am currently using a Tandem pump, which is rechargeable, but used Medtronic for 18 years previously. Charging the Tandem pump isn’t a big deal but I hate knowing that it has a finite life span. Not that long ago I put a battery in my first Medtronic pump from 2005 and it looked fine. A rechargeable battery will never last 18 years! It is much easier to swap out a battery in under 10 seconds than it is to charge a pump batter that’s low, especially if you have somewhere to go.
Preference is for wireless recharging. Car, cell phone, and pump manufacturers are a bit slow on the uptake.
All ironies intended.
I put no preference. I’ve used both. Both have their pros and cons, but I can work with either
The thought of having to recharge makes me nervous.
Both have advantages/disadvantages. I rechargeable requires you take additional parts with you during travel, the charger is available, and, depending on methodology, may interrupt use. Battery’s are ubiquitous, easily transportable, but when they die and you don’t have ready replacements, can be problematic.
I have no preference. I’ve used both systems, and there are pluses and minuses on both sides. I guess rechargeable is supposed to be ecologically preferable. So, I guess I’d lean that way. But, I hate being tethered to an outlet.
I have used both and much prefer one that uses batteries. I always have batteries and I don’t always have a power outlet. To me it is a pain to have to unplug the pump in the middle of the night when I need a bolus. The cord is too short to reach it when I am in bed.
I use an extension cord to charge my pump wherever I am sitting.
I prefer rechargeable to try to reduce waste. But there are drawbacks, such as an extended (multi-day) power failure or going off grid such as a camping trip. The trick is to have a fully charged backup battery on hand and balance its use between the pump and mobile devices, have solar power on your house with a storage battery to keep your electricity running, and if weather and conditions are appropriate, maybe a small personal solar panels to charge the pump and/or recharge the backup battery.
I intend to be “open-minded” as I consider ALL viable options as I am replacing my out-of-warranty rechargeable pump.
That said, although I chose “no preference”, I really like my rechargeable – even through extended electricity outage following hurricanes. It takes no more than a few minutes, plugged into my computer, to bring my t-Slim from 25% to full charge which lasts for at least 6-days while reading my email.
I have only used the OmniPod Eros and recycle all the used batteries.
Guess I have to say I prefer the rechargeable but not because of functionality but rather form factor. I recently switched to a Tandem after many years with Medtronic. Standard battery vs rechargeable was one of the significant differences, but I think the main reason Tandem went this direction was because keeping the pump as small as possible was a big priority from a marketing standpoint. Also reflected in their unusual reservoir design, which results in a somewhat more finicky/elaborate refill procedure. I like the smaller size, so that outweighed the downsides, which aren’t all that significant anyway. Recharging is very quick and you don’t have to be tethered to an AC outlet if you just get one of those supplementary rechargeable batteries like they sell for smart phones (already had one of those). As far as trash stream goes, the battery is fairly trivial compared to the amount of detritus from the various consumables we have to discard, so that wasn’t a huge consideration for me, though Tandem does tout it in their marketing materials.
My ideal pump would have rechargeable batteries that I swap out. I’m not tethered, and I have backup.
I’ve found that the T2 Slim holds a full charge for up to 48 hours. More importantly, it charges quickly allowing a substantial boost when showering, swimming or exercising. N.B. Pump users should carry a charging battery when traveling or anytime an outlet is unavailable. A rarity in these high tech days.
I’ve used both rechargeable and battery pumps. If the rechargeable was easier to plug in, I’m sure it would be preferable, but in my experience it’s easier to buy batteries if they are easily available at convenience stores, etc.
It sounds trivial, but one fewer supply to buy does make a difference.
I am on Omnipod 5 and have to have the controller because I have Apple phone. I hate having 2 devices to carry around. Hoping Apple Omnipod will be able to join forces soon. The controller does recharge, which is good, but it would be nice to have all info and control on one device instead of 2. It is a major annoyance.
No preference really but I use a rechargeable pump. Nice not to have to carry batteries around.
I live in an area where hurricanes are prevalent. Strong enough, the power goes out for days on end. It would not be prudent to have only rechargeable batteries for use in a pump.
Plus, I never hardly ever charge my phone until it is dead.
I think if a pump uses rechargeable batteries, that would be great, only if it was an option. It should not be a necessity to use rechargeable batteries.
Plus, I play tennis in really hot or cold weather sometimes and if it my pump’s rechargeable battery just happened to go out during a match, Oh. My. Word, I’d want somebody’s head.
My Tandem pump has a rechargeable battery, and the guilty for all my diabetic supply waste environmentalist in me appreciates that. However, I’m not great at remembering to charge it. Sometimes I have my alarms turned down in meetings and forget to turn back up. I’ve had the battery die unknowingly several times to the point I started spilling ketones. Then I have to restart the reservoir and re-prime the tubing and waste a bunch of insulin.
My further Medtronic pumps had a distinct and unsilence-able alarm for critical stuff like your battery is about to die. Also, for me it was easier just to have a spare battery in my kit than to ensure I have my charger and am near an outlet.
I’m so sorry that happened to you. I’ve used Medtronics’ pumps for over 25 years and they work great for me. I have confidence to live my life the way I want. Unreliability of rechargeable batteries is a no go, for me.
I like that I don’t have to carry extra batteries everywhere I go. Traveling was a pain having new batteries for the pump and CGM charger. Once I could find a AAA battery for the CGM charger on a trip and had to use the TV remote battery. I finally went back on MDI until I got my rechargeable pump.
Recharging the battery the only thing I dislike about tandem I had med Tronics for 33 years. Batteries were easy you could rely on them didn’t have to worry about power going out or if you had your charger with you.
At first I was excited about the prospect of rechargeable when I switched from Medtronic to TSlim. But, charges don’t last as long as batteries do and the worry about charging in a prolonged power outta has been a concern in the past. You definitely have to think more about charging when you get the opportunity if you have a busy schedule to make sure you can keep pumping without interruption. I do kind of miss being able to carry a spare battery or 2 and being done for a few weeks before I have to worry about it again.
I’ve used both and prefer batteries, despite ecological impact. I also assume the Tandem pump remains small as it doesn’t have to accommodate a AA battery. I don’t like being tethered to my PC/electric outlet while being recharged. All in all, a slight inconvenience but still want to whine about all the constant attention pumps and CGMs require to achieve good T1D management.
We are not tethered for charging our Tandem pumps: we can disconnect them and, say, charge while taking a shower. It only takes me 7-10 minutes a day to charge. And I prefer not to have to bring dangerous batteries in my luggage when traveling extensively.
I prefer batteries since charging a pump with internal batteries can take several hours. I use rechargeable AA batteries in my Medtronic 770G and that works very well for me.
Hey! Here’s an idea.
How about a pump that works like a hybrid car (but without gasoline 🙂 ) A pump that works on a charge, like a Tandem, but automatically switches over to batteries, like a Medtronic, if the plug-in charge runs low. What do you think?
I’ve used the Disetronic w/Battteries and Animas the same. I’ve Never used MM/M and never will, but since changing to Tandem I’ve been Pleasantly surprised at the convenience of Rechargeable Batteries. Typically Lasts 5 days, not sure how much Longer because when I get the 25% warning and a day later the 20 or 15% left by then I’ve planned an Overnight Recharge. A 10-12 ft Cable covers me after just a few hours.
I had a batterie pump and was skeptical of rechargeable, but have come to appreciate it. With several cords I can recharge as I sleep, watch TV or read. I used to recharge it every time I dove some where, but drive less no. I don’t want to go back to batteries.
Having had both a Medtronic and now a Tandem I have to say that charging the battery has not soar been an issue. I generally recharge when at 75%. That works out to about once every 24 hours. I can charge while watching my ill-fated Red Sox or as mentioned by others, while showering or swimming. The Tandem charges very quickly.
“soar” where did that come from? I do hate auto fill. I usually do a better job of proof reading.
batteries are available most locations and hav more certainty for duration
I have used both, and as others have stated both have their advantages and disadvantages. Currently using a Tandem X2 CIQ and plug it in for a recharge as needed when taking shower, or reading emails, or when watching Jeopardy. It’s a no brainer.
I have only ever had ones that used batteries. I had one system, a Medtrum patch, where the built in batteries were unreliable and ran out of charge before the end of expected life, pumps not mine, and went back to drop in battery system. Would worry that rechargeables could lead to downtime without pump.
I wore a battery operated Omnipod and now the rechargeable Tandem. It is much cheaper and easier to charge my Tandem every day while in the shower!
The one thing I wish Tandem had copied Medtronic on is the batteries. It never fails that I have to recharge my battery when traveling. It’s very easy to carry an extra battery, but not always so easy to recharge when traveling long distances.
I’ve only ever had pumps that took batteries. I didn’t even know there were rechargeable ones now.
I used to have a blood glucose meter (not continuous) that had a convenient rechargeable battery built in. I lost it and pharmacy replaced with a battery type. I keep my Apple phone and pad plugged in most of time to keep charged. If I used a pump I would prefer convenience of rechargeable. When storms cause lights to go out, fully charged iPad or iPhone can be used as flashlight. In Seattle all libraries, taverns, malls, coffee houses & restaurants have convenient outlets so you can keep batteries charged while using Wi-Fi. There are 5 solar roof houses and 7 public electric vehicle charging stations in my ‘hood. My solar powered security lights even work in cold winters w/ only 8.5 hours of cloudy daylight.
Have always used batteries and prefer to continue that way.
Batteries. Less hassle and more reliable.
I was a medtronic mini med user from 2010-2020 which uses 1* AAA battery which will have lasted a month (no cgm). in 2020 I switched over to tandem and the Tslim X2 with a dexcom (cgm) and I find myself recharging my pump every three or so days. (Recharging at 20ish %) if you shower everyday you can charge your pump everyday. If you shower on site change days you charge then. Otherwise the main difference between battery/recharging is that realistically you have to be, or the pump needs to stationary to charge. Otherwise you need to carry a battery block with you and then you need to make sure that’s always charged up. Lol. TL:DR: it has its pros and cons takes some getting used to either way.
My omnipod is disposable. No batteries. Batteries were no problem when using minimed pump, though.