# Switching from Dexcom G5 to Freestyle Libre **URL:** \ **Category:** C/GM\ **Created:** [February 12, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/switching-from-dexcom-g5-to-freestyle-libre/3480 "2018-02-12T17:04:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John58](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/john58/32/147_2.png) [@John58](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/John58)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/switching-from-dexcom-g5-to-freestyle-libre/3480/1 "2018-02-12T17:04:44Z")
I’ve been trying out the Freestyle Libre for almost a month, with both the G5 and Libre sensors on my arm. I put them through the paces: highs, lows, flatlines, swimming, hockey, etc. I’ve got binders full of BG numbers comparing the two to a Contour Next One BG meter and they each are “close enough” for me. So far I’m impressed with the Libre and am seriously considering dropping the Dexcom. My Dex transmitter is due to die in about a week and I’m tempted to save my next transmitter for a rainy day and go solo with just the Freestyle for the indefinite future. My own personal pros and cons of making the switch are below, looking for comments from anybody else who has used one or the other: **Pro (switch to the Libre only):** 1. Seems to catch uptrends and downtrends better/quicker than G5; 2. Easier/quicker to install sensor (they even put two alcohol swipes in the box); 3. No calibrations; 4. Less expensive, even if I have to pay cash for the Libre sensors; 5. Logging bolus and meals is quick and easy…checking the log (what time did I bolus?) is easy; 6. No elaborate taping of sensor…They seem to really stick well with no extra adhesion needed. **Con (quit the Libre and keep the G5):** 1. I glance at my BG on the Apple Watch a LOT…sometimes swiping the reader is inconvenient; 2. No alarms; 3. Reader is smallish, easy to lose or forget to bring with; 4. BG trend graph on small screen is hard to see and imprecise; 5. If you forget to log something, you can’t “go back in time” to enter it; 6. Dexcom Clarity is more user friendly than LibreView data software and provides more useful data plots; 7. LibreView software provides a lot of averages that are screwed up if the logging is incomplete; 8. 12 hour dead time when starting a new sensor…The 10 day sensor life does not fit my weekly routine; 9. I only get two day battery life on the Libre reader; 10, No idea yet if or how my insurance will cover the Libre. Despite there being more cons than pros I am still inclined to switch. Any users of one or both of these know of any pros or cons I missed? ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/switching-from-dexcom-g5-to-freestyle-libre/3480/2 "2018-02-12T17:23:10Z")
> [@John58](#): > > I am still inclined to switch. @John58, you don’t need the alarming? Or are you considering one of the third-party semi-permanent readers that you set on top of the Libre? ---
**Author:** ![John58](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/john58/32/147_2.png) [@John58](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/John58)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/switching-from-dexcom-g5-to-freestyle-libre/3480/3 "2018-02-12T17:47:06Z")
At this point I plan to go out into the world alarm-less. The 3rd party readers would only work for me if they are waterproof. I have had many low alarms that got my attention but over the past 6 months or so have not had any while playing hockey or sleeping. I feel some lows coming on but not all so going alarm-less might be a slightly risky proposition. ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/switching-from-dexcom-g5-to-freestyle-libre/3480/4 "2018-02-12T18:06:36Z")
> [@John58](#): > > The 3rd party readers would only work for me if they are waterproof. @kenrick experimented with one, with which he went swimming (not sold as waterproof though, but he GrifGripped it): > [@Freestyle Libre and Blucon as CGM](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/freestyle-libre-and-blucon-as-cgm/1367): > > Earlier this year I pre-ordered a Blucon Nightrider from Ambrosia Systems ([https://www.ambrosiasys.com/](https://www.ambrosiasys.com/)). This is the reusable device that sits on top of the freestyle libre. Well, a few months ago I started on a minimed 630g with Enlite sensors and forgot about the Blucon until it arrived a few weeks ago. I happened to come across a couple of unused Freestyle Libre sensors during my seasonal cleaning so I thought I would give the system a try. The blucon itself is about as thick as a pen and … @MaryPat has a thread where there is discussion about some options: > [@You can use the Freestyle Libre Pro as a real CGM with no alarms](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/you-can-use-the-freestyle-libre-pro-as-a-real-cgm-with-no-alarms/1161): > > I found an intriguing tidbit that I thought was worth sharing after following Michel’s post about Stackexchange. It has very few diabetes posts, but someone there is using the Freestyle Libre Pro, which is normally a physician’s tool, as a diabetes management tool. The [Freestyle Libre Pro](http://www.freestylelibrepro.us/blood-glucose-monitoring-device.html) is somewhat similar to the Freestyle Libre, in that it has a sensor that remains attached to the body for 2 weeks, and which you have to scan with a scanner to see the results. However, the sensor from the Fre… ---
**Author:** ![MM2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/mm2/32/3032_2.png) [@MM2](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MM2)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/switching-from-dexcom-g5-to-freestyle-libre/3480/5 "2018-02-12T19:49:33Z")
I also tried Libre for 10 days, using dexcom at the same time. I agree with your pros and cons. But for me, alarms is a deal-breaker. I may consider the 3rd party solution at some point, but for now have plenty of dexcom sensors that last 2-3 weeks each. Hoping that more insurance companies may start covering Libre.