Accu-Chek Compact diabetes test strips eliminate the aggravation of handling each individual strip before testing. The meter accepts a drum cartridge containing 17 blood glucose level test strips, creating a more convenient testing situation. Each diabetes test strip is automatically released from the meter at the touch of a button. The test strip is discarded from the meter when testing is complete and the next test strip is automatically advanced. This automated system eliminates the need for handling small test strips. Coding is automatic when the test strip drum is inserted, for added convenience. A window on the back of the meter indicates how many test strips remain; when the last test strip is used a dot will show through the window.