Question Regarding Instinct CGM and receiver devices

Tips, Tech & Gear C/GM
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I am on a MM780g and Dex 7 cgm. With the Dex 7 I can receive readingson my phone (Samsung S24U) and link to xDrip+, and then to GDH to get readings on my Samsung Galaxy 6 watch. I have read that the Libre3+ only allows you to connect to one device, and then you have to link to their cloud server to get it to link to a second device. This is problematic for me as I am frequently not near phone towers for good reception.

Does the instinct allow you to link to the 780g and your phone?

Another question, how reliable is the instinct - does it last the full 15 days? And is the warm up time 2 hrs.? Is there a grace period like with the D7?

Is it possible to turn off all but the very low reading, and how long is the snooze period. Is it possible to set the low alarm? During my trial it would start an urgent alarm at 70, which I found annoying; I frequently run 70-120, and just lower basel at 70.

I tried the Libre 3+ to compare to the D7, and found that it anticipated lows and highs quicker, but also read lower than actual meter readings.

BTW, I am not on an aid system - just juggle basels and corrections on my own (T1D 61+ yrs.), and my A1c is 5.8-5.3. But my endo is pushing for me to go aid. He told me that I would spend less time thinking about my BG………

Thanks,

Mike

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I don’t use the Instinct CGM, but most likely, the sensor will communicate with the 780G only and then the pump will communicate with your phone if you like.
I assume the alarm settings won’t differ from the settings for other Medtronic CGMs. You’d be able to turn off high alarms, but not low alarms. With the Simplera I can set the low threshold as low as 2.8 mmol/l (50 mg/dl).

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I’m new to the Instinct sensor, very new, I’m on my first one. I had 2 boxes of Guardian 4’s left to go through when my transmitter died.

The Instinct connects to your 780G, the 780G connects to your phone. You do get the CGM readings on your phone. You will need to use the phone to activate the Instinct sensor, just insert the sensor, hit the activate button on the Minimed app, hold the phone to the senor and it activates.

The readings are comparable to the Guardian 4’s, I had pretty good luck with accuracy. When I test, I’m usually within +/-10 points.

I’m 10 days into this sensor, hopefully it lasts until Tuesday morning.

The alarms are all set in your pump. You can set the alerts how you would like. Your pump will sound the alarm, that can also be sent to your phone.

Warm up is 1 hour. I was used to a 3 hour process with the Guardians with charging the transmitter, then the 2 hour warmup.

I’m also shocked at how small the Instinct is, in 41 years of T1, I’ve never stuck anything in my arm…I’m not a fan of needles. This thing is like having a nickel stuck to the back of your arm.

I’m also a big fan of not having to worry about packing the Guardian insertion tool, the adhesive removing wipes, the special tape. I try to pack light and my diabetic supplies took up a lot of space, this will cut the sensor volume down to about 1/3 of the space I used to need.

I do use the 780G in Smartguard mode, so it automatically adjusts the basil and self corrects. I do add additional corrections myself, I’m on the aggressive side. I also keep my A1c’s in the mid 5s.

All said, I am absolutely thrilled with the switch. I was happy with the Guardians, but didn’t know how much better the new stuff is.

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That’s a pretty solid setup you’ve got. From what I know, Instinct isn’t as flexible as Dex + xDrip for multi device use, especially if you’re often offline. And yeah, Libre tends to rely more on cloud syncing, which can be annoying in your case. With your current A1C and control, I get why you’re hesitant to switch.

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The Dexcom setup works because the Dexcom CGM is an unmodded Dexcom CGM; the 7 series can connect to three devices and that doesn’t change. The G6 could only do two. It seems that traditionally Abbott have only ever done one:

Here’s another historical set of data:

From a technical point of view if Abbott went with only a single connection initially it’s a big ask to allow multiple connections; it’s just so much simpler to only have to handle one. Given that the MM780g is, in principle while not fact, an iController it has to communicate directly with an iCGM and common diabetic sense says that this is what we want.

So I think Abbott have a ding for many people on the single line of communication but I cannot imagine they will care about that. The idea of using two direct connections to the sensor is incredibly nerdy. BTW, I’m a nerd.

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@EMY92 Thanks for the description of your use the Instinct! I’ve read the manufacturer comments, but find it much more educational to hear from someone that uses the device! BTW, your one of the first people I’ve heard with something nice to say about Guardian 4 (accuracy). I’m sure there are others or it wouldn’t have been marketed, though if that’s what the company supports use of the user is stuck with it pairing with a pump. Your comments on size and space mirror what other’s I’ve heard from others regarding size and volume of supplies. Hopefully the Instinct continues to work for you!

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The Guardian 3 wasn’t so terrible, but not that great either. One of the Medtronic educators suggested placing them on my hip and that took care of many of the issues. I found the Guardian 4 to be very accurate, but they are big and clunky compared to the Instinct. The 1st Instinct sensor did make it 15 days and I’m now on the 2nd one.

I was surprised that it didn’t ask for a calibration after the warm-up. Out of habit I did one anyway and both the sensor and meter were at 92. That definitely improves the confidence level.

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Thanks everyone for replying. I think the connectivity is a big issue for me. I find it incredibly convenient to just glance at my watch, and not pull out my phone to see readings. I have been very satisfied with the Dexcom 7. But recently find that 2/3 rarely last for 10 days, and the last 2-3 days give erratic readings and frequent disconnects. (I am putting them in my abdomen.)

Mike

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hat is a very well thought out setup, so I understand being cautious about switching.

From what I have seen, Medtronic systems tend to work best inside their own ecosystem, while phone sharing can feel more limited compared to Dexcom setups. Some people also mention that cloud sharing is not always reliable if signal drops, so your concern makes sense.

With Libre, I have also seen mixed feedback. Some like the trend visibility, but others mention occasional lower readings and less flexible alerts.

It sounds like you are weighing convenience and automation against control and visibility. What feels more important for you right now, less mental load or more hands on control?

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