> Stelo, created by Dexcom, was the first of these sensors to receive OTC approval from the FDA. This small, completely disposable device uses the same hardware as the Dexcom G7. The main difference between it and the prescription-only device is the software that pairs with it. While the sensor has the same capabilities as the one marketed for people on insulin therapy, the OTC software restricts much of this functionality.
> Lingo.. uses the same hardware and housing as the [prescription-only] Freestyle Libre 3. Like Stelo, the software system is where the real differences exist... Abbott’s second OTC CGM is Libre Rio. This sensor looks identical to the Lingo and Freestyle Libre 3. The main difference is in the marketing
My understanding is that the Stelo doesn't offer an API, like the Dexcom G6/7 does.
That is really unfortunate, because the default Dexcom apps are terrible (the Stelo app is slightly better / more modern, but has all the limitations of the Dexcom app, plus no calibration).
So xDrip was created to completely skip the Dexcom APIs. With G4 we used a wixel microcontroller, to pass the proprietary radio signal to bluetooth. We'd carry it in our pockets in a tiktac case with a lipo. A graph of our blood sugar would show on our Pebble smartwatches at the time. Once Dexcom built Bluetooth into their transmitters, xDrip was then able to directly pair. There's a lot of smart people on the project, reverse engineering all the Dexcom protocols, and even some other brands of CGM. It does work with Stelo too. xDrip can then sync the data it collects to various APIs/websites. I've been a dexcom user since G4 and never once signed up for a Dexcom account or installed a Dexcom app - the open source stuff was always so much better.
Stupid question - I tried the Freestyle Libre 3 and was getting updates every minute, but the Stelo only reports every 15 minutes, which makes it much less useful IMO. Is this a software limitation or hardware?
https://sequenex.com/the-otc-cgm-market-comparing-stelo-ling...
> Stelo, created by Dexcom, was the first of these sensors to receive OTC approval from the FDA. This small, completely disposable device uses the same hardware as the Dexcom G7. The main difference between it and the prescription-only device is the software that pairs with it. While the sensor has the same capabilities as the one marketed for people on insulin therapy, the OTC software restricts much of this functionality.
> Lingo.. uses the same hardware and housing as the [prescription-only] Freestyle Libre 3. Like Stelo, the software system is where the real differences exist... Abbott’s second OTC CGM is Libre Rio. This sensor looks identical to the Lingo and Freestyle Libre 3. The main difference is in the marketing