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After trying it out on my recent trips, here’s my honest and detailed review of the TempraMed VIVI Cap Smart Insulin Cooler. Find out why it’s my new favourite solution for keeping my in-use insulin safe in the heat and whether it’s right for you too!
As a type 1 diabetic who uses insulin pens and loves to travel, especially to hot destinations, keeping my insulin cool is always on my mind.
I’ve been guilty of not taking this seriously in the past but I became fully aware of how fragile insulin is in the heat when my full supply died during my Australian road trip back in 2019 because I didn’t store it properly!
Since then, I’ve tried different cooling solutions over the years, but as soon as I heard about TempraMed’s VIVI Cap I was confident that this was the device I needed!
I’ve been putting it to the test this summer and overall the lightweight and hassle-free device has been brilliant, becoming the new daily companion for my fast-acting insulin pen while on my travels!
Important: The VIVI Cap is for keeping in-use insulin safe at room temperature and is not suitable for stored insulin, which needs to be kept at fridge temperature.
The Two VIVI Cap Models: Standard Vs Smart
Before getting stuck into how the VIVI Cap works, I first want to highlight the main difference between the two models.
These are the original standard VIVI Cap and the new VIVI Cap Smart.
In terms of insulin temperature protection, both models perform in exactly the same way and the only difference is in the protective cover.
While the standard model comes with a regular protective cover, the smart model has a smart cover attachment which not only protects the insulin pen but also has a built-in timer which shows how long it has been since your last injection.
The smart cover also links up with the VIVI Smart mobile app which unlocks a range of additional features (some of which require a subscription) to aid with daily diabetes management.
These include:
- Track pen age: Monitor the longevity of your insulin pens.
- Track fill level: See how much insulin remains to avoid shortages.
- *Historical log of insulin injections and doses
- *Log glucose levels and track blood sugar history.
- *Log meals.
- *See trends of insulin use allowing you to analyse patterns.
- *Share reports with clinicians: Export data to facilitate discussions with your healthcare provider.
*VIVI Smart subscription required (First month free and then $9.90/month or $6.90/month when paid annually).
What’s In The Box?
The VIVI Cap Smart comes in a neat little box and the following is what I found inside:
- The VIVI Cap device
- The Smart Cover
- Charging cable (for smart cover)
- Instruction card
How The VIVI Cap Insulin Cooler Works And How To Use It
The most exciting aspect of the VIVI Cap is the technology behind it, which was originally designed for avionics and spacecraft, and the simplicity of using it in real-life scenarios.
The Temperature Protection Technology
Advancing technology is constantly making managing our diabetes easier, and this also applies to keeping our insulin cool.
Without getting too geeky, the VIVI Cap keeps insulin at an appropriate temperature by using a combination of special insulation and Phase Change Material.
Don’t ask me what that means, as honestly I have no idea, but essentially it works by keeping most of the heat out through insulation while the PCM absorbs any excess heat.
Then, overnight, or when the temperature is below 26 degrees Celsius, the PCM naturally and gradually releases the heat that it has absorbed.
This ensures that the insulin is consistently kept between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
How To Use The VIVI Cap
As great as advanced technology is, the part that really matters to me on a daily basis is how easy and convenient it is to actually use.
And this is where the real beauty of the VIVI Cap comes in.
There is absolutely no manual activation, charging, or cooling required to make it work! And it doesn’t need any batteries either!
Yes, you read that right!
The temperature process that I outlined above works all by itself, in all environments for years, with no input or maintenance needed by us.
Quite simply, you just have to remove the cap of your insulin pen, insert it into the VIVI Cap, and you’re good to go!
And after using it myself, I can confirm that it really is as easy as that!
How The Smart Cover And App Work
To set the VIVI Cap Smart up with the mobile app, just fully charge the cover, download the VIVI Smart App (I did this by scanning the QR code on the box), create an account, and pair it to your device inside the app.
Tip: Make sure to check your spam folder when verifying your email address as this is where my verification email landed.
The setup only took me a few minutes and it was good to go.
Then every time I took my pen out of the VIVI cap for more than 15 seconds and less than 10 minutes it triggered the app to log an injection.
Then every time I re-attached the smart cover after an injection it notified me to log the injection and dose if I wanted to.
This also resets the timer, which is built into the smart cover and displays the amount of time that has passed since the last injection.
The VIVI Smart app is straightforward to use with a few sections that you can tap between. These are the Home, Statistics, and Settings pages.
The home page also has three different tabs which are:
- A summary: Including quick daily summaries about your current device, injection log, and average statistics.
- VIVI Smart: Details about your current pen’s type, age, volume, and temperature protection status.
- Injections: Your full injection log with doses and times.
To manually add any injections, blood glucose readings, or meals, just tap the plus icon in the bottom right and you can log them quickly and easily.
If you prefer tutorial videos, TempraMed have tutorials for all their products on the support page of their website.
My Experience Using And Testing The VIVI Cap
My VIVI Cap arrived in the post at the start of summer this year and I’ve been using it on my weekend adventures with my NovoPen Echo that I have for my fast-acting Novorapid insulin.
I was curious to see how it performed and how easy it was to use, as I knew it had real potential to become my new trusted device for protecting my insulin when I set off on another trip to Egypt later in the year, where I’ll need it daily!
So far I’ve used it for my summer adventures around Scotland as, while temperatures don’t soar too often up here, we still get a decent number of days that are in the mid-twenties Celsius.
As well as day trips around the Highlands and East Lothian, my VIVI Cap has been keeping my Novorapid insulin cool during my favourite summer activities of long beach walks, cycling, and making the most of outdoor cafe seating. I have a habit of sitting my insulin pen on cafe tables which is a risky game in the summer without a cooler!
Up to now I’ve only used the VIVI Cap to protect my fast-acting insulin and this is how I’ll mainly use it going forward too. However, I’ve already secured a second device for when I head off on my travels which I’ll use to protect my long-acting Lantus insulin on travel days when it will be exposed to higher temperatures.
The VIVI Cap Smart Features
I mainly use the VIVI Cap for the temperature protection function, and the smart features were initially just an extra bonus that I wasn’t sure if I’d use.
But I’ve actually found the built-in timer to be helpful for one specific reason. And that’s to help me wait 15 minutes after my Novorapid injections before eating, which my healthcare team have been telling me to do for a few years now.
I know it should be simple, but I’ve always struggled with this (and I’m sure some of you can relate), and I’ve found there’s something about having the physical timer on the Vivi Cap Smart in front of me that has been making it easier to actually wait before eating!
I also downloaded and checked out the Vivi Smart app too which is easy to navigate and use. It works seamlessly with my Vivi Cap to register my injections, creating a neat log which also shows the number of units I took (after I input them), as well as displaying how long I’ve been using my current pen for and how much insulin is left.
Why The Smart Features Aren’t Beneficial For Me
However, if I’m honest, I don’t see myself tracking my injections going forward or using the advanced smart features which come with the paid subscription.
This is because I keep my eating schedule very consistent, even when travelling, and my carbohydrate counting has been dialed in for many years, so for me personally it wouldn’t be worth adding these steps to my routine. I’m also always aware of when my pen’s getting low on insulin and my cartridges for both insulins are always finished within 10 days, so I don’t need to worry about going over the 30 day expiry.
I can’t fault the functionality in any way though, and I do think the smart features would be a great tool for those who struggle with dosing, correction injections, post-meal highs/lows, or carbohydrate counting to analyse their diabetes management more deeply with their healthcare team.
Having said all of that, I would still go for the VIVI Cap Smart over the regular VIVI Cap, as it doesn’t cost too much more to be able to have the built-in timer function which I do find useful.
Other Features That I Love
As well as the general simplicity, convenience, and practicality of using the VIVI Cap, there are a few specific features that are the icing on the cake.
Safe Temperature Light
The downside of traditional coolers with ice packs and water activation is that there is nothing to tell you that the temperature inside is definitely safe for insulin.
However, the VIVI Cap takes away the guessing with a button on the bottom which, when clicked, shows a green light for a few seconds if the temperature is safe.
So you can check that it’s in a safe range whenever you want!
Of course it would be nice to see what the exact temperature inside is, but as long as I can see that the light is green then that’s what really matters.
I absolutely love this as it has given me great peace of mind when I’ve been using it, especially on the hotter days!
The Weight
As well as being one of the smallest insulin coolers I’ve used, I popped it on my scales to check the weight and with the smart cover attached, it only weighs 100 grams (or 60 if you remove the cover)!
When I’m using a rucksack, this doesn’t make too much difference but when it’s in my pocket, bum bag, or Lucy’s overflowing handbag, the weight is key to making it a handy device!
Pen Fits With Needle Attached
An easily overlooked but really practical feature that I was pleased to find is that my insulin pens can be inserted to the VIVI Cap with a needle attached.
I always head out with a needle already attached to my pen as it saves time on the go and is one less step to deal with.
If the VIVI Cap didn’t have this feature it wouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but I’m very happy that it does!
Pen Compatibility
TempraMed say that the VIVI Cap is compatible with every single insulin pen, and you can find the official list on the TempraMed website.
Now, this wouldn’t really matter if I only ever used one type of pen, but sometimes I have to switch to Novorapid Flex Pens. The most recent example was in Egypt, where it was cheaper to resupply with Flex Pens rather than cartridges for my Echo Pen, but I also found that Flex Pens were the only option when I was in Vietnam.
So flexibility on this is key for me when on the road.
As the pens are a slightly different shape and design, it’s a lifesaver that I can interchange them whenever I need to without needing a new device!
As well as my Echo Pen and a spare Flex Pen, I also tested the VIVI Cap with my reusable AllStar Pro Lantus Pen and again, it fitted in perfectly.
The Longevity, Lifespan, And Warranty Of The VIVI Cap
There is no reactivation or charging needed for the VIVI Cap ever and it’s literally ready to go all day, every day of the year. And TempraMed say that it will last for years without problems, which of course I’ll be testing over the next few!
For a plastic design, it feels strong and sturdy, especially the main part of the device, but I’d be careful with the clear protective cover as it feels like it could crack if dropped on hard ground.
As a budget traveller, it’s nice to know that as long as I look after it I won’t need to buy another one anytime soon, which is essential as it’s an expensive product!
And as an extra bonus, the VIVI Cap comes with a 2-year warranty in the unlikely event that there is a problem.
TSA Compliant
With devices like this, being TSA-compliant is a standard these days to make sure it meets all the rules and regulations when travelling by plane.
With the VIVI Cap, there are no power banks, defrosting ice packs, or water to worry about when going through airport security.
I definitely see this as a crucial aspect as a big part of my future VIVI Cap use will be when travelling.
The Drawbacks Of The VIVI Cap
I think you’ve probably realised by now that I am a huge fan of the VIVI Cap, but I promised an honest review and that means also highlighting any drawbacks, inconveniences, or things that could be better.
The Price
As I mentioned, the VIVI Cap isn’t cheap, which is no surprise given the technology it harnesses, but this does mean that some people won’t be able to justify the cost, especially when there are cheaper cooling solutions available on the market.
Now that I’ve used it and experienced how practical it is to use on a daily basis, I do think it’s worth the investment, but I know that for some, price is the deciding factor.
Removing Insulin Pen Lid To Use
Something I didn’t realise until I was testing it out is that you need to remove the insulin pen lid to insert it into the VIVI Cap.
This is a minor inconvenience rather than a huge issue, but it’s more of a concern with reusable pens like the one I use than with throwaway ones. This is because if I misplace or lose the lid while travelling, then that’s a hassle I’d rather not have!
Of course I can combat this by just being careful with the lid, and that’s on me, it’s just the first time I’ve had to split my pen like that.
Imperfect Fit With My NovoPen Echo
The VIVI Cap does fit all of my pens, but it’s not a perfect fit with my Echo Pen.
While the Flex and All Star Pens click into the VIVI Cap, the Echo Pen slides in but doesn’t click into place. It still fits in tight enough and doesn’t fall out but it doesn’t feel as secure as the other two.
I noticed that if it shakes around loosely in my bag, the Echo Pen does move a little, so I wouldn’t use it without the protective cover.
My Overall Verdict: Why The VIVI Cap Is My New Favourite Insulin Cooler (For My In-Use Insulin)
So, after putting my VIVI Cap to the test over the summer, what’s the verdict?
Well, it’s been just as awesome as I’d hoped and it’s quickly become my new go-to daily device for keeping my insulin cool and honestly, it’s going to take something really special to rival it.
And I can sum up the reason why in three words:
Simple, convenient, and practical.
The guys at TempraMed have really smashed it in making the VIVI Cap such a handy little device that’s so easy to use! It’s made such a big difference in the hassle and preparation time for keeping my insulin cool and safe.
For years I’ve been using coolers that require either water activation, ice packs, or power banks but, with the VIVI Cap’s self-regeneration technology, it’s been so refreshing to find something with literally zero hassle to use and this is what makes it so unique and really sets it apart from the other insulin coolers I’ve tried and seen on the market.
But it also does all of this while fitting in my pocket! Normally I carry it in my small bum bag, rucksack or, more often, in Lucy’s handbag, but I can carry it in my pocket when I need to.
And this means I’ve reached for the VIVI Cap every time I’ve needed it when, in the past, I’ve sometimes just risked it either out of laziness or just being too last-minute to get a cooler prepared! This is subtly one of the best aspects of the device, as it’s only useful if you actually use it!
Where To Buy The VIVI Cap + Prices
The VIVI Cap is available to purchase on the TempraMed official website.
Prices are:
- VIVI Cap: £112
- VIVI Cap Smart: £127
FAQs
Can The Insulin Pen Be Inserted With A Needle Attached?
Yes, all insulin pens fit inside the VIVI Cap with a needle attached.
What Smartphones Are Compatible With The VIVI Cap Smart?
To be compatible with the VIVI Cap Smart, smartphones need iOS 10 / Android 6 or later, Bluetooth 4.0 or later, and a minimum of 500 MB of available storage space.
Which Insulin Pens Are Compatible With The VIVI Cap?
All insulin pens are compatible with the VIVI Cap according to TempraMed and a full list can be found on the TempraMed website.
To Finish
There’s no doubting that keeping our in-use insulin safe at room temperature is something that all of us diabetics should be taking seriously.
And whether it’s a holiday to a hot destination, an extended backpacking trip, or just at home during the hot summer months, the VIVI Cap has you covered!
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