Anybody recommend a decent scale that's affordable?

(Brian) #1

I know is a bit of a shady topic but I like to weigh myself every day. I don’t obsess, I just like to keep track.

Lately, the scale seems to be giving fluctuating readings. I can step on, get a reading, step off, comb my hair, and step back on and it might say I’ve gained a pound or more. Um, it doesn’t work that way.

I would guess that a doctor’s mechanical scale would probably be the best. The junk at Wal-Mart seems to be just that, junk. I’ve been through several. Is there an affordable option that really is accurate and consistent? Honestly, consistent is probably more helpful to me than absolute accuracy.

I’m willing to spend more than $10. $300 just isn’t in the budget right now.

Suggestions??

(Allie) #2

I use Tanita body composition scales that are about ten years old now but have always been reliable.

(Jennibc) #3

I have always had luck with the Weight Watchers brand digital scale (purchased at Costco). I tried to move over to one of the higher end scales that give body fat measurements. It was a crap. The higher end one would fluctuate a half of pound one getting on and off. I too weigh myself everyday and I mark down the weight. It’s more to watch the trend. As long as you look at the number as information and not something to shame you or to discourage you, I don’t think it’s an issue. It’s almost always the same as the scale at the doc (will weigh myself right before I leave for the doctors office) maybe it’s like .2 off.

(Mike W.) #4

If I WERE going to weigh everyday I would get a “smart” one that would automatically update in my phone. I’ve heard people like the Fitbit one.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

The only truly accurate scale is a balance scale. Spring scales are inherently unreliable.

Unfortunately, even doctor’s offices are giving up their balance scales in favor of fancy electronic spring scales.

It’s rather disconcerting, but the balance scale at the gymn gives my weight as 25 lb. heavier than my scale at home. The good news is that they do tend to move in parallel, as long as I am careful to step on my home scale the same way each time (the weight varies considerably, depending on how one stands). That means my starting weight was probably around 275, not the 248 I’ve been using, and that I haven’t yet dipped under 200 lb., as I once thought.

(Brian) #6

Dang, that’s close to a 30 pound spread!

I may have to just see if I can’t locate one of those balance scales used. They’re a bit on the rare side but I kinda remember seeing one for sale on a local website a while back. Maybe…

(Running from stupidity) #7

Yup, that’s what I did. I’ve got this one. It links to fitbit, which links to Cronometer, so I’ve got the data everywhere, automatically. #awesome

I’ve heard people like the Fitbit one.

I know a few people who’ve had them, and they are not well made and have reliability issues (mechanically/electronically, not the weight accuracy part), apparently.

(The amazing autoimmune 🦄) #8

The old style scales can also be off and need to be calibrated. So you may not be as off as you think you are.

(Mike W.) #9

That link didn’t work in the US.

(Kellie) #10

I got a 20 or 25$ digital Scale at target

(Running from stupidity) #11

OK, very similar to THIS

Amazon US, so that should be OK, I hope.

.

(Carl Keller) #12

Buy a new comb?

(Mike W.) #13

Got it. Thanks!

(Running from stupidity) #14

I admit I’m a data junkie, but I find the connectivity to be awesome. Also the consistency seems good if you let it calibrate (only take a couple of seconds - step on, off, let it cal, back on, stand for a few seconds so it can do its BS biometric readings, phone pings, done).

(Empress of the Unexpected) #15

The WeightWatchers scale is the one I use.

(Brian) #16

LOL!! That must be it. :smiley:

(Carl Keller) #17

Hehe I couldn’t resist. :smiley:

(charlie3) #18

Here’s a link to the one I’m using right now. It’s one of those biometric impedience scales that outputs to an app. I’m satisfied and apparently so are a lot of other people. It sells well for under $30. If I wanted another of this type I would probably buy it again.

(less is more, more or less) #19

Dr. Westman weighs us on a Tanita scale before our visit, with an assist from Roy, who is such a delight. Anyhow, I’m guessing Tanita has been focused on the professional market, so their consumer level wares are expensive, at $260 (US) The reviews for this Tanita product are quite bad.

This is my experience as well. There’s no greater time machine then moving those damn weights around until the “needle” floats into position.

Two (three?) votes for the Renpho scale.

I’m less concerned about my weight these days, and more with body fat. My bluetooth scale, now discontinued, but uses the same smartphone app that I see pictured with Renpho products, says I’m at 31% BF. Tanita says 17.5%, and the Omron body fat monitor at the YMCA says I hover in the mid 18% range. That’s the number that I’m interested in. Feel free to disabuse me if I’m following a siren song into folly.

Thanks to the digging elicited by @Bellyman I found this scale:

It uses bioelectrical impedance to determine body fat. This model uses four sample points, like the Tanita at Dr. Westman’s practice, and it’s $70, a nice item for my Christmas wish list.

(Brian) #20

Hey, just wanted to make sure I said thank you for all of the input! I really appreciate it.

I have the habit of looking for reviews when I’m looking for something like this. The problem is, it seems like no matter what the product is, someone absolutely loves it and someone absolutely hates it. It’s hard to figure out whether there are just people giving crappy reviews (and that can be good for no reason or bad) or whether it is really just a crap shoot as to whether you get a decent product or junk.

I know, it’s a “pay your money and take your chances” thing with just about every product out there. But I guess I was hoping that there might be one that might be just a little better odds of getting something decent. The last couple of Wal-Mart specials were little more than junk right out of the box. I can’t even remember the names on them.

Anyway, I really do appreciate the input!! Thanks!