After living with diabetes for several decades, it’s exciting to try out new technology that helps us better understand what’s happening with our blood sugar at any given moment.
I tested the iCan i3 sensor – and besides having a cute name, it also offers some genuinely useful features:
- measures glucose every 3 minutes
- weighs only 6 grams
- waterproof up to 2 meters deep (for up to 2 hours)
- has a range of up to 6 meters
- can be worn on the abdomen or upper arm – I placed it on my upper arm
I was curious to see what kind of insights I’d get from wearing this truly tiny device. Here’s how it went – from setup to everyday use.
Setup
Setting up the sensor was surprisingly simple. It comes with an applicator and clear instructions.
There’s no rocket science to it: I cleaned the skin, applied the sensor to the back of my upper arm – and that was it. A gentle spring-loaded insertion, completely painless. The sensor soon started measuring and connected to the app via Bluetooth.
Before applying it, you need to download the app and scan the code on the sensor box – that instantly syncs everything, and it’s really easy. The process is fully automated. The app itself is modern and user-friendly. What I especially like is the real-time glucose tracking – everything is visible instantly, without scanning.
You also get graphs, alerts, notes about food, insulin, exercise... and you can share your data with your doctor in real-time – if you’re lucky enough to have that kind of relationship with your doctor. 🙂
Accuracy and Daily Use
I compared the iCan sensor readings with my glucometer, and they were very close – the average difference was around 0.5 mmol/L, which is perfectly acceptable. The sensor reacts quickly to glucose changes, especially after meals or exercise. Even in the first hour after applying it, when my glucose was slightly elevated, there was no discrepancy.
I honestly forgot I was wearing it. It didn’t bother me while sleeping, showering, or exercising. It sticks well to the skin, and I had no issues with peeling – even without the extra adhesive tape that comes with the sensor. I didn’t need it.
iCan CGM Mobile App
Things I’d Like to See Improved
The one feature I miss is the ability to set a narrower, personalized target range – for example, marking 5.5–7 mmol/L as my “ideal range.” The sensor does let you set alarms for highs and lows, but it doesn’t specifically highlight when you’re in that personal “golden zone.” Still, the app does let you define your Time in Range (TIR) manually, which is great.
Also, the sensor currently doesn’t connect to smartwatches, unless you use some workaround or “hacked” solution – which, to be honest, takes more effort than I’m willing to put in. Unfortunately, there’s no sensor yet that offers this feature seamlessly, but I believe it’s only a matter of time. 😊
When you move out of range, the app briefly disconnects but reconnects quickly and updates with all the missing values.
In Short – What I Like:
- real-time tracking without the need to scan
- light and barely noticeable – you forget you’re wearing it
- gentle alerts for highs and lows
- predictive alerts – very helpful
What I’d Improve:
- ability to set a narrower target range
- easier connection to smartwatches
If you like tracking your glucose without finger pricks and scanning, and you’re looking for a discreet yet reliable sensor, the iCan i3 is definitely worth trying 🙂
Author: Ivana Jurakić
