Looking for bathroom scales that actually ARE accurate!!
Eusebius
at the very least by 6 kilos and sometimes more.
This is a common complaint - despite promotional material saying
scales are accurate in practice they are NOT!
So anybody got an idea of how to get a set of scales that actually
measure your weight accurately? Like you get on them 20 times and they
record the same weight?
Andy
David in Normandy
Avoid Tefal. I bought one of their electronic bathroom scales and ended
up throwing it into the dustbin after a few months! It was complete
crap. It was like doing step aerobics getting on and off trying to get a
consistent reading - when it could actually be bothered to weigh me
instead of harassing me about saving a previous weight in a memory or
generally giving error messages or no reading at all.
If I tried getting on the scales after my wife had just used them it
used to give the DIFFERENCE in our weights - implying my wife had just
put on a few stones. Those Tefal scales annoyed the hell out of me.
Wouldn't it be nice to have some simple bathroom scales that you could
just step on to and get an accurate reading - and that didn't cost silly
money. Doesn't sound much to ask for. Instead they insert bloody
microprocessors into the damn things nowadays and a pile of crapware to
calculate your BMI index and everything else - and make it downright
difficult to get the one simple thing you want - your weight.
--
David in Normandy. Davidin...@yahoo.fr
To e-mail you must include the password FROG on the
subject line, or it will be automatically deleted
by a filter and not reach my inbox.
Frank Erskine
Dualit 87003.
I don't trust digital scales at all.
--
Frank Erskine
Eusebius
> I don't trust digital scales at all.
What is it about digital scales that gets lost in translation?
I guess you know where you are with levers and pulleys....
Trouble with mechanical scales is you only have one dial to measure 20
or 25 stone or whatever. So you can't physically see the kind of small
increments you want to see if you're on a diet and want to see what
you've lost in a day or two.
I'm sure they have medical scales with digital readouts? These also
have Class 3 and Class 4 categories whatever those are - is this
accuracy or what?
The medical scales I remember (my dad was a doctor) had two weights
you moved across a bar - one course and one fine. That worked!
andy
Dave
What you are after is a set of bathroom scales that are consistent, not
accurate. I have to keep an eye on what my weight is doing, not what I
actually weigh. When I want to know the latter, I go and see the
practice nurse.
Dave
geoff
<d433c409-43ab-4c2b...@m25g2000yqc.googlegroups.com>,
Eusebius <performan...@gmail.com> writes
euphoria displaced by dejection
--
geoff
chris French
<d433c409-43ab-4c2b...@m25g2000yqc.googlegroups.com>,
Eusebius <performan...@gmail.com> writes
We have some of Salter scales, and AFAICT they are fine in terms of
accuracy. Just tried it to confirm, 10 weighings. most were the same, a
couple 100g high, one 200g low.
With a weight of around 86kg gives an accuracy of around +- 2% which
seems reasonable. (well I suppose - consistency really - I've no idea if
I really do weigh that)
--
Chris French
Anode
"Eusebius" <performan...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:d433c409-43ab-4c2b...@m25g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
Andy
In general terms, all measurement is approximate. Counting is exact, but all
measurement (which will include the measurement of your body mass) is
approximate.
So any bathroom scale can show you only an approximate result, though some
scales are 'more approximate' than others. One manufacturer of bathroom
scales says that "There is a weight tolerance on the scales of plus or minus
one percent of body weight, plus one scale division". Another manufacturer
says "The weight readings are accurate to plus or minus their graduation".
The graduation on the particular scale I was looking at was 0.1kg.
This information is sometimes printed on the box in which the scales are
packed. Otherwise you have to write to the manufacturer and ask for the
information, though you can sometimes find it on the manufacturer's web
site, e.g. Tanita.
Eusebius
scale - the one I remember from my Dad's clinic (he was a doctor) - is
STILL the most accurate. I just finished reading the reviews on amazon
for the Health o Meter Physician Balance Beam Scale. The reviews are
saying what I want to hear:
"My strain-gauge bathroom scale as well as the more traditional spring-
loaded one don't give me consistent readings. I could step on and off
all day and never get three consistent readings. Even the range of
readings fluctuates depending on the weather, positioning, stars and
so on. Now about this one:
- This is a balance beam, so you're simply balancing your weight with
the counterweight. There are no springs that get weaker or change with
the weather, no strain gauges that vary based on your foot's proximity
to the corners. Here's how good it is. I drink 24 oz of water after
weighing myself. Step back on and I'm exactly 1.5 lb heavier. I've
never seen a bathroom scale work as well."
The review also mentions that this model is the same as what I'm
supposing is the Seca:
"This scale is IDENTICAL to the ones you can buy at *********.com for
four hundred dollars more. The markings are the same, the weights are
the same, everything is identical. This is a steal for a real medical
scale. I am not kidding, this is the same one as the medical supply
houses use."
Detailed comparisons -
"If you are looking at purchasing a physician's balance beam scale,
you understand they are more accurate, repeatable, and durable than
other types of scales and over the long run should be cheaper than
replacing the regular strain gauge and digital bathroom scales every
few years. You have three brand choices: Detecto, Health-o-meter, and
Seca. Price isn't a consideration because careful shopping reveals
less than a 15 dollar price difference between these three brands when
one compares the equivalent models. Before choosing, I searched the
net for reviews and information. Finding little, I contacted 7
companies which sell them (5 sold all three, 2 didn't sell Detecto)
and 2 firms which calibrate & repair medical scales. I asked each
which scale they would purchase for their own home and why. On to the
review:
Detecto looked like a winner out of the gate. It is the only brand
made in the U.S.A. However, looking at pictures I found on the net,
the fit and finish did not appear to rise to the level of the other 2
brands. Additionally, no one I contacted recommended Detecto. The
eliminating factor: Detecto has reduced their warranty from the
industry standard 2 years to 1 year. Folks, this happens when the 2-
year warranty is costing them too much money and it doesn't speak well
for their quality.
The Health-o-meter brand is owned by Sunbeam and is made in China. Fit
and finish are very good and it has a 2-year warranty. My parents and
my brother both own Health-o-meter beam scales and highly recommended
them. Additionally, none of those I contacted had anything bad to say
about them. One put it best when he said the Health-o-meter vs. Seca
was basically a Ford vs. Chevy argument. I do not believe one could go
wrong purchasing the Health-o-meter model. They are great scales and
should serve the needs of anyone for many years to come. If you buy a
Health-o-meter make sure to get the 402kl or the 402lb since they are
the best of the line (the EXP is not as sturdy and the CERT model is
not worth the extra money).
Seca is a German company and the 700 model is made in China. Fit and
finish are excellent and it has a 2-year warranty (the 5-year warranty
listed all over the web is not accurate, call Seca if you don't
believe me). All 700s have integrated wheels (optional and costs extra
on the other 2 brands). Additionally, everyone I contacted chose Seca
over Health-o-meter. Most chose on the basis of its modern, less
clinical appearance, several felt it would be more durable in the long
run because it outweighs the other 2 brands by at least 10 pounds, and
one said she had never had a Seca returned."
Tim Lamb
<d433c409-43ab-4c2b...@m25g2000yqc.googlegroups.com>,
Eusebius <performan...@gmail.com> writes
Do not use spring balance scales on carpet and make sure the feet are
all in contact with the floor when calibrating.
regards
--
Tim Lamb
ransley
Every analog dial scale in the US ive ever seen has a calibration dial
somewhere, to know your weight get on a good scale, like when you see
the doctor.
Clive George
news:f30efa80-e525-42cd...@r24g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
>Every analog dial scale in the US ive ever seen has a calibration dial
>somewhere, to know your weight get on a good scale, like when you see
>the doctor.
But don't forget your weight fluctuates quite a bit over a day, so comparing
weight at the doctor's to bathtime at home isn't going to be that helpful.
PeterC
In Wilkinsons there was a digital scale that was, IIRC, about �9 - �10. It
had none of the fancy crap (blubber-watchers etc.) and, for that price,
would at least be simple and probably no more inaccurate than the �50
version.
--
Peter.
2x4 - thick plank; 4x4 - two of 'em.
Eusebius
about medical scales. Seems that Class 3 is the key to this - it is
required for any NHS scale. If my information is correct this means a
repeatability of +- 100g. I'm a bit cloudy about that since one Seca
model recommended to me was said to be +- 200g which is a range of
400g. That's not too much better than what I have now. I weighed
myself on my present Salter scale about 10 times and the range was
400g.
One model which is generally recommended is the Seca 877 at about £199
inc VAT. That's Class 3. Supposed to be better repeatability through
better construction and parts. Forsprung durch teknik.
Salesmen and service engineers generally thought the modern digital
scales were better over time than the mechanical beam scales whichj
eventually wear. But reviewers still praise the accuracy of those old
beam scales.
What I'm actually wondering is whether the cheap solution is to take
20 readouts of the scales I have and take the average. Trouble is they
kind of "stick" at certain weights rather than giving a range. Like
you get 5 readings of xxx.2g and then another five at xxx.5g. REally
impossible to know where you are. Maybe the Seca 877 is a big
improvement - it's Class 3 after all.
andy
Eusebius
> Every analog dial scale in the US ive ever seen has a calibration dial
> somewhere, to know your weight get on a good scale, like when you see
> the doctor.
Good point, and I've done that. But accuracy has 2 aspects - absolute
accuracy and repeatability. It's the repeatability that's the problem.
If your repeatability is only accurate over a 400g range, how do you
know where in that range it corresponds to the medical scales?
andy
Mike Barnes
>So anybody got an idea of how to get a set of scales that actually
>measure your weight accurately? Like you get on them 20 times and they
>record the same weight?
I've got no complaints about our digital scales, which we've had for
about six years. I've just carried out a test for you (on, weigh, wait
for auto power-off, repeat) and my patience ran to only six weighings
but the results were consistent: 80.05 Kg every time. The brand is
Soehnle and they were bought from John Lewis.
Funny how we still say "they" when there's nothing plural about them.
--
Mike Barnes
Eusebius
> about six years. I've just carried out a test for you (on, weigh, wait
> for auto power-off, repeat) and my patience ran to only six weighings
> but the results were consistent: 80.05 Kg every time. The brand is
> Soehnle and they were bought from John Lewis.
>
> Funny how we still say "they" when there's nothing plural about them.
>
> --
> Mike Barnes
That's better accuracy than I'm getting for sure. Just talked to some
more medical salesmen and they all recommend the Seca 877.
That's the Class 3 version. There's a "Health" version - the 876 -
which is apparently identical but just hasn't been put through the
Class 3 validation.
andy
Mike Tomlinson
s.com>, Eusebius <performan...@gmail.com> writes
>So anybody got an idea of how to get a set of scales that actually
>measure your weight accurately?
Yes. Make sure they are placed in the same location each time. I was
plagued with this until I worked out that it's necessary to position
them accurately.
Put them on a hard floor. Carpet wrecks the reliability.
--
Mike Tomlinson
Mike Tomlinson
>Like
>you get 5 readings of xxx.2g and then another five at xxx.5g. REally
>impossible to know where you are.
It's silly to try and get accurate readings using cheap scales at that
kind of resolution. It's too affected by different factors - the scales,
the surface they're on, whether you've been for your morning
constitutional or not, the phase of the moon, etc.
My view is that you should set a target weight and as long as your
weight is within a range (say +/- 2kg of the target), get on with your
life. For instance, I aim at 75kg; if I'm a bit lower, I know I can
have a treat, if it's high, it's time to knock off the ale for a few
days. Seems to work for me.
--
Mike Tomlinson
Mike Tomlinson
<mikeb...@bluebottle.com> writes
> The brand is
>Soehnle and they were bought from John Lewis.
Mine are Soehnle too,. I bought them half price in Munich. Comes with
all sorts of bells and whistles (measures body fat, BMI etc) but I only
use the basic weighing function.
--
Mike Tomlinson
Bruce
<performan...@gmail.com> wrote:
Seca scales are widely used in the NHS and are both accurate and
reliable. I have a mechanical scale. The company also makes
electronic scales but I have never seen or used one.
https://www.seca-online.com/Mechanische-Waagen.2865.0.html?&L=1&C=uk
Mine came from John Lewis but they don't seem to stock Seca any more.
They stock a look-alike Salter but I have never had any confidence in
the Salter brand.
There are a couple of Seca mechanical scales on eBay at around �65:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290393299519
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270522912923
You should not use scales on carpet and a firm base is essential for
consistent accuracy.
Grimly Curmudgeon
drugs began to take hold. I remember Eusebius
<performan...@gmail.com> saying something like:
>So anybody got an idea of how to get a set of scales that actually
>measure your weight accurately? Like you get on them 20 times and they
>record the same weight?
I have basic digital Salter model 9014 scales that have been consistent
and reliable for the past six months. From Argos, about 20quid or less.
Grimly Curmudgeon
saying something like:
>It's silly to try and get accurate readings using cheap scales at that
>kind of resolution. It's too affected by different factors - the scales,
>the surface they're on, whether you've been for your morning
>constitutional or not, the phase of the moon, etc.
>
>My view is that you should set a target weight and as long as your
>weight is within a range (say +/- 2kg of the target), get on with your
>life. For instance, I aim at 75kg; if I'm a bit lower, I know I can
>have a treat, if it's high, it's time to knock off the ale for a few
>days. Seems to work for me.
I agree with all of the above.
I weigh once a week during this weight loss phase and notice a 1kg
difference between late evening and morning weight - for consistency I
stick to the evening routine, but if I want a cheery day I do it in the
morning :)
After an initial flurry of enthusiasm, I came to the realisation that
the scales are much more important for indicating a trend, rather than
pinpoint accuracy. A steady loss of 0.3kg a week is good enough for me,
but if I really go for it 1kg/week is easily attainable.
Eusebius
> but if I really go for it 1kg/week is easily attainable.
I think if you're dieting seriously you can go for a loss of 150g per
day. A "reasonable" diet would be 100g per day.
But the whole question is sustaining it. I've certainly been told by
my weight coach - yes I have coaching from a very good
coach who herself lost a considerable amouont - that it's the trend
that counts and daily weighing is deceptive.
But right now I'm trying to get the food content of my diet right, so
daily weighing gives me some idea of how effective the diet is and
what I have to change
andy
Mike Barnes
>I've certainly been told by
>my weight coach - yes I have coaching from a very good
>coach who herself lost a considerable amouont - that it's the trend
>that counts and daily weighing is deceptive.
Daily weighing is deceptive if you think it reflects your daily
activities. But it's actually better than weekly weighing to establish
the longer term trend, as long as you ignore the inevitable short-term
variations. Think about it, which is more representative - one weekly
weighing or the average of seven daily weighings?
--
Mike Barnes
Dave
> We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
> drugs began to take hold. I remember Mike Tomlinson <mi...@none.invalid>
> saying something like:
>
>> It's silly to try and get accurate readings using cheap scales at that
>> kind of resolution. It's too affected by different factors - the scales,
>> the surface they're on, whether you've been for your morning
>> constitutional or not, the phase of the moon, etc.
>>
>> My view is that you should set a target weight and as long as your
>> weight is within a range (say +/- 2kg of the target), get on with your
>> life. For instance, I aim at 75kg; if I'm a bit lower, I know I can
>> have a treat, if it's high, it's time to knock off the ale for a few
>> days. Seems to work for me.
>
> I agree with all of the above.
> I weigh once a week during this weight loss phase and notice a 1kg
> difference between late evening and morning weight - for consistency I
> stick to the evening routine, but if I want a cheery day I do it in the
> morning :)
I was always advised to weigh myself in the morning, as soon as I got
up. Don't know why, but I have done this for years.
> After an initial flurry of enthusiasm, I came to the realisation that
> the scales are much more important for indicating a trend, rather than
> pinpoint accuracy. A steady loss of 0.3kg a week is good enough for me,
> but if I really go for it 1kg/week is easily attainable.
At the age of 63 I am more interested in the weight loss that cancer can
do and I keep an eye on my weight with that in mind. Though I am not
eating all that well, my weight has only dropped by about 4 pounds over
the last 6 months.
Dave
Dave
> A steady loss of 0.3kg a week is good enough for me,
>> but if I really go for it 1kg/week is easily attainable.
>
> I think if you're dieting seriously you can go for a loss of 150g per
> day. A "reasonable" diet would be 100g per day.
>
> But the whole question is sustaining it. I've certainly been told by
> my weight coach - yes I have coaching from a very good
> coach who herself lost a considerable amouont - that it's the trend
> that counts and daily weighing is deceptive.
That is what I have been taught. The daily weight can vary by so many
factors.
> But right now I'm trying to get the food content of my diet right, so
> daily weighing gives me some idea of how effective the diet is and
> what I have to change
Are you sure about that? I would tend to make a graph of the daily
weight change and look at the trend. A graph will tell you so much more.
Dave
Dave
Can you say by how much? I weigh myself on a bath mat under the scales.
Dave
Dave
Not really, when you think about old fashioned scales.
They had a beam at the top and two pans. One to put weights on and the
other to put the weights on. That is where the pair comes from.
Dave
Mike Lane
> I have some Salter bathroom digital scales ( ￜ50 worth) that can vary
> at the very least by 6 kilos and sometimes more.
>
> This is a common complaint - despite promotional material saying
> scales are accurate in practice they are NOT!
>
> So anybody got an idea of how to get a set of scales that actually
> measure your weight accurately? Like you get on them 20 times and they
> record the same weight?
>
> Andy
For really accurate measurements you need class III medically certified
scales. Unfortunately these will cost ￜ500 or more for the electronic type.
Seca make these but also produce uncertified scales for much less which I
think are in practice just as accurate.
I have a set of these:
https://www.seca-online.com/index.php?id=1874&L=1&C=uk
which cost around ￜ150
They are metric only but seem very accurate. The only snag I find with them
is that they don't have any 'lock-on' mechanism, so unless you can keep
*very* still when standing on them, the reading jitters around a bit.
--
Mike Lane
UK North Yorkshire
email: mike_lane at mac dot com
Rod
(wait for it...) links to a paint scale. Always have to pinch myself as
to whether there is or is not that middle 's'. (And with or without that
's' it is awkward to pronounce.)
--
Rod
Richard Russell
> but the results were consistent: 80.05 Kg every time.
That should have made you suspicious. Some digital scales use a
software 'trick' to make them appear more consistent than they are.
They remember the previous reading, and if the next weighing ends up
with a result near to the previous one (up to some pre-programmed
difference) they simply display the previous reading again!
We have two sets of Salter digital scales and they both do it.
Repeating precisely the same value multiple times, as you describe, is
a sure sign that this technique is being employed.
Richard.
http://www.rtrussell.co.uk/
Mike Lane
I've noticed this too. I think it's universal in all the consumer
Chinese-made scales selling for less than ￜ50 or so. They probably all use
the same chip for the A to D conversion
Tony Bryer
> My view is that you should set a target weight and as long as your
> weight is within a range (say +/- 2kg of the target), get on with
> your life.
Although like lots of guys I stay away from doctors, I gave in to
the suggestion that getting my new GP here in Melbourne to check me
over would not be a bad idea. When it came to weight I said somewhat
defensively that I realised that my weight (90kg) was as the top of
end of acceptable for my height (1.9m). My new GP smiled and said,
"don't worry: more than half of all Australian men of your age are
overweight. That makes your weight below average ... just keep it
that way"
--
Tony Bryer, Greentram: 'Software to build on' Melbourne, Australia
www.superbeam.co.uk www.superbeam.com www.greentram.com
Arthur 51
"Eusebius" <performan...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:d433c409-43ab-4c2b...@m25g2000yqc.googlegroups.com...
I have some Salter bathroom digital scales ( �50 worth) that can vary
at the very least by 6 kilos and sometimes more.
This is a common complaint - despite promotional material saying
scales are accurate in practice they are NOT!
So anybody got an idea of how to get a set of scales that actually
measure your weight accurately? Like you get on them 20 times and they
record the same weight?
Andy
Lots of bathroom scales have a kind of springy pin on the base. This type
are
supposed to work on hard flooring only. If your bathroom is carpetted or
has
badly fitting vinyl..or if floor tiles are not fitted perfectly you will get
varying readings.
Arthur
Eusebius
REALLY explains things! I think I've noticed this and a work-around
I've found is to tap the scales to activate it, then just put one foot
on it - should measure about 30k. This seems to clear something - then
get on the scales and weight yourself.
Today I got a reading 6k less than yesterday!!!!! Time to do
something. Check the battery first.
In response to the hard floor point, the scales are on a hard floor in
the bathroom.
andy
Mike Barnes
Clever stuff. The display even occasionally flickers 80.00 or 80.10 if I
shift my weight around. Now *that's* attention to detail!
--
Mike Barnes
PeteS
>
> Not really, when you think about old fashioned scales.
>
> They had a beam at the top and two pans. One to put weights on and the
> other to put the weights on. That is where the pair comes from.
>
> Dave
And the word scales comes from the same root as shell and skull and
relates to the bowls of the scales of which there were/are two.
Pete
Timothy Murphy
>> but the results were consistent: 80.05 Kg every time.
>
> That should have made you suspicious. Some digital scales use a
> software 'trick' to make them appear more consistent than they are.
> They remember the previous reading, and if the next weighing ends up
> with a result near to the previous one (up to some pre-programmed
> difference) they simply display the previous reading again!
I have a Tefal Contour digital scales which does not seem to have this,
eg if I weigh myself and then weigh again with a dressing-gown on,
it shows an extra 1lb.
This scales seems remarkably consistent, even in a carpeted bathroom.
My only minor complaint about it is that the Tefal web-site
says there is a switch somewhere to change from pounds to kilos,
but if so I cannot find it.
--
Timothy Murphy
e-mail: gayleard /at/ eircom.net
tel: +353-86-2336090, +353-1-2842366
s-mail: School of Mathematics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
F
> Do not use spring balance scales on carpet
I've seen this advice before but cannot see the reasoning behind it. If
all of the feet on the scales are in contact with the carpet, and the
rest of the scales is clear of the carpet, then the weight registered by
the scales must just the same as if they were on a hard surface...
--
F
Barry Smith
Grimly Curmudgeon <grimly...@REMOVEgmail.com> wrote:
A suggestion rather than a recommendation (I bought the 8964U model
for the first aid room at work).
WeightWatchers 8962U. I don't know if they are Class 3, but they do
have a 10 year guarantee.
Looked at a few websites. These seem to be the cheapest
http://www.bargainpod.co.uk/weight-watchers-8962u-scales-521-p.asp
Note - some online sellers have 'graded stock' with a 12 month
guarantee.
<Moan> Why don't these websites be upfront about their post/packing
charges? On some websites you have give your name/address before
getting to the part of the checkout that tells you the p/p charges.
The 8964U has 4 load cells so *should* be more repeatable.
Ebay �21 inc postage for a "graded" one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WeightWatchers-8964U-Glass-LCD-Precision_W0QQitemZ140357692590QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_BathroomAccessories_SM?hash=item20adf86cae
may not wrap - try http://tinyurl.com/preview.php?num=ww8964u
Barry
--
You will know happy motorcyclist by the insects on his teeth.
Mike Barnes
I disagree.
I carried out a simple test to see whether that was happening or not.
I took two handy objects and weighed them separately using kitchen
scales. Results: loo roll 140g, vase 966g.
I then weighed just myself (80.60) then myself with the loo roll (80.80)
then with the vase (81.55) then with both (81.75) and then with neither
(80.60).
Clearly trickery of the sort you describe wasn't taking place.
--
Mike Barnes
Mike Tomlinson
>But right now I'm trying to get the food content of my diet right, so
>daily weighing gives me some idea of how effective the diet is and
>what I have to change
>
I personally think that's being a bit neurotic. If I want to lose, I
knock off the sweets. No choccies, no sweets, no cheesy starters,
refuse sweets and choccies at work (our uni dept. is terrible for people
passing tins of sweets around), etc., one pint at lunch instead of
three, etc.
But then, I think everyone has to find their own 'level', and over time
it all works itself out. Anyone who expects to work it off quick for a
party on Saturday, starting on the Monday, is living in cloud-cuckoo
land.
--
Mike Tomlinson
Mike Tomlinson
<gayl...@eircom.net> writes
>My only minor complaint about it is that the Tefal web-site
>says there is a switch somewhere to change from pounds to kilos,
>but if so I cannot find it.
It's almost certainly a tiny switch near the battery compartment. The
moment you find it you'll be slapping your forehead.
--
Mike Tomlinson
Dave
And the older you get, the more difficult it gets :-((
Dave
Matthew Wai
unknown
> I have been using Tanita digital scales for a decade plus and they are very accurate. I tested the accuracy with measuring weights before purchase. The readings are consistent rather than varying.
>
Electronic Scale"
fred
Matthew Wai <mr.matt...@gmail.com> writes
>I have been using Spamming Cunt scales for a decade plus and they are
>purchase. The readings are consistent rather than varying.
>
--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .
Brian Gaff
getting them as they also talk.
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Matthew Wai" <mr.matt...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:46aec0d4-b81c-4471...@googlegroups.com...
j...@mdfs.net
it I'm sure the reading changes. Problem is, my binoculars
can't see past my stomach :(
jgh
Tim Lamb
j...@mdfs.net writes
>it I'm sure the reading changes. Problem is, my binoculars
>can't see past my stomach :(
on mine.
Spring scales are useless on carpet but I guess you all know that:-)
--
Tim Lamb
Matty F
Two pan balances are inaccurate because the beam changes in length with temperature (and other faults). Spring balances are just horribly inaccurate.
Grimly Curmudgeon
<mr.matt...@gmail.com> wrote:
>I have been using Tanita digital scales for a decade plus and they are very accurate. I tested the accuracy with measuring weights before purchase. The readings are consistent rather than varying.
Perhaps you'd like to accept this gift of a chocolate watch.
Grimly Curmudgeon
Farmer Giles
> I'm told the Jenkins ones sold by amazon are accurate, was thinking of
> getting them as they also talk.
> Brian
>
was 'one at a time please'.
Dave Liquorice
>> When I squat down so I'm close enough to the dial to read
>> it I'm sure the reading changes. Problem is, my binoculars
>> can't see past my stomach :(
>
> You're not supposed to shit on the scales.
--
Cheers
Dave.
Dave Plowman (News)
on the wall - or simply hand held. Wireless link between it and the base.
--
*Letting a cat out of the bag is easier than putting it back in *
Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Dave Plowman (News)
--
*If at first you do succeed, try not to look too astonished.
fred
> I have some Salter bathroom digital scales ( £50 worth) that can vary
> at the very least by 6 kilos and sometimes more.
>
> This is a common complaint - despite promotional material saying
> scales are accurate in practice they are NOT!
>
> measure your weight accurately? Like you get on them 20 times and they
> record the same weight?
>
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FCHAH4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FCHAH4&linkCode=as2&tag=theonlinephot-20
We have a set of German digital scales, the name escapes me, and my procedure is to weigh myself 3 times, one after the other. If the first two weigh-ins agree I'm happy. If not I go the third time and take the likeliest reading. Unfortunately the weight usually increases as I go along. When on a diet I weigh myself every day and plot the results in a spreadsheet. Sad, but it works.
Farmer Giles
> In article <nYOdnVLcp9OOexbP...@brightview.co.uk>,
> Farmer Giles <gi...@nospam.com> wrote:
>> On 19/11/2013 16:19, Brian Gaff wrote:
>>> I'm told the Jenkins ones sold by amazon are accurate, was thinking of
>>> getting them as they also talk.
>>> Brian
>>>
>
>> I got some of those, but I got rid of them because all they kept saying
>> was 'one at a time please'.
>
> I was going to do that one but thought better of it.
>
Dave W
reading.
--
Dave W
--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ne...@netfront.net ---
Dave W
wrote:
it shows subsequent readings exactly the same as the first one if the
difference is small, to hide the fact that its accuracy is not good. I
get round this by putting half my weight on to do a second reading,
emulating someone else in the family weighing themselves, then
weighing myself properly again for the third reading.
Vir Campestris
> Two pan balances are inaccurate because the beam changes in length with temperature
If it gets warmer _both_ arms get longer - don't they?
Andy
Apellation Controlee
wrote:
(or half-kilo depending on mode).
They're accurate and consistent enough for me to weigh parcels, either
directly or, if they're too big to see the display, [(me plus parcel)
- me].
The Post Office have never disagreed with the results.
Grimly Curmudgeon
>it shows subsequent readings exactly the same as the first one if the
>difference is small, to hide the fact that its accuracy is not good. I
>get round this by putting half my weight on to do a second reading,
>emulating someone else in the family weighing themselves, then
>weighing myself properly again for the third reading.
I absolutely knew there should be a difference. I now step on the
scales carrying a weight of 2kg, then step on again weightless. Works
every time.
Matty F
PeterC
reading, took it off and then got on. Damned nuisance, as it took a while
for the reading to go and also a reading wouldn't appear unless I kept
still.
Couldn't manage incremental weights, so weighing something that had to be
carried was a two-stage job.
Eventually I went back to the Krupps platform that was old enough 20 years
ago when I was given it to need the dial cleaning to make it readable. Far
less complication and time.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway
Mike Lane
grade digital scales. I'm sure it's a deliberate bit of electronic trickery
to simulate accuracy. Most people would test new scales by weighing
themselves several times in quick succession. If the scales show the same
reading each time they're satisfied that the scales are at least consistent
I got fed up with this a few years ago and splashed out on a medical grade
Seca scale
--
Mike Lane
UK North Yorkshire
mike_lane at mac dot com
Sol
http://finalreview.hubpages.com/hub/Best-Buy-Digital-Bathroom-Scale-review
alan_m
> Most of the the time, you'll find out that getting an accurate scale depends more than enything on luck. There is no proven way to understand whether a scale is accurate or not before bringing it to your home and trying it many times. That being said there are some truely renowned brands known for the accuracy of their products. You can find some of them here:
> http://finalreview.hubpages.com/hub/Best-Buy-Digital-Bathroom-Scale-review
>
them directly on a carpet or or foam back cushion floor. I stand my
scales on a square of dense block board.
Do you need absolute accuracy from bathroom type scales or just
repeatability? A scale may read consistently, say, 2Kg high but it
doesn't matter if you are attempting to maintain or lose weight.
Your weight may change by a couple of 2Kg throughout the day depending
on your uptake of food and liquids and rate of sweating or going to the
toilet.
--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk
RobertL
> What you are after is a set of bathroom scales that are consistent, not
> accurate. I have to keep an eye on what my weight is doing, not what I
> actually weigh. When I want to know the latter, I go and see the
> practice nurse.
I'm not sure that is correct. My scales are self--consistent, but for the wrong reason.
If I do a repeat weighing with my scales it gives EXACTLY the same answer. By experiments I found that it memorises past results and if your weight is close to a recent one it merely repeats the previous result.
Robert
F
> Often the accuracy depends on what you stand the scales on. Do not stand
> them directly on a carpet or or foam back cushion floor. I stand my
> scales on a square of dense block board.
The weight of whoever is standing on them is transmitted through the
scales, via their 'detection mechanism' to whatever the scales are
standing on. If it's soft carpet then the soft carpet is compressed
until it's solid and transmitting the whole weight down to the floor in
just the same way that standing them on a piece of wood would.
Is it a myth, or am I missing something?
--
F
Capitol
somewhere near right on a hard surface.
Malcolm G
> The weight of whoever is standing on them is transmitted through the
> scales, via their 'detection mechanism' to whatever the scales are
> standing on. If it's soft carpet then the soft carpet is compressed
> until it's solid and transmitting the whole weight down to the floor in
> just the same way that standing them on a piece of wood would.
>
> Is it a myth, or am I missing something?
F
--
F
F
That makes sense for mechanical scales but not the digital which we
have. This has four feet which extend too far below the plate for the
plate to be supported by any carpet (or any carpet we have!) when
someone stands on it.
--
F
Chris J Dixon
>F wrote:
>> I keep seeing this but I don't see why what they are standing on can
>> matter.
>>
>> The weight of whoever is standing on them is transmitted through the
>> scales, via their 'detection mechanism' to whatever the scales are
>> standing on. If it's soft carpet then the soft carpet is compressed
>> until it's solid and transmitting the whole weight down to the floor in
>> just the same way that standing them on a piece of wood would.
>>
>> Is it a myth, or am I missing something?
>
> You are missing experience. Some scales (most I have found) only read
>somewhere near right on a hard surface.
that?
Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK
ch...@cdixon.me.uk
Plant amazing Acers.
Tim Watts
single sensor instead of 3 or 4 so applying load with the wrong angle
gives an incorrect reading.
Capitol
and distorts it. As the scales are designed to be used on a hard surface
and for minimum production cost, all materials are as thin as possible.
alan_m
>
>
a hard surface and a firm carpet was 40%. The reading on the carpet was
lower. The reading on the hard surface closely matches that of the
large (calibrated) scales used at my local health centre.
alan_m
> On 11/09/2014 17:14, F wrote:
>
>>
>> Is it a myth, or am I missing something?
>>
>
> Just tried this before posting. The difference between the readings on
> a hard surface and a firm carpet was 40%. The reading on the carpet was
> lower. The reading on the hard surface closely matches that of the
> large (calibrated) scales used at my local health centre.
>
>
glass. Platform top to bottom of feet = 25mm (1 inch). It 4 off feet
each of 15mm diameter. For accuracy these feet should be the only point
of contact with the floor. If the scales are placed on anything that the
feet dig into by 3mm or more the scales become supported by the body
rather than just the feet.
Martin Brown
There are some designs that are immune to carpets but most are not.
--
Regards,
Martin Brown
Rod Speed
"Capitol" <sp...@wher.eva.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c8GdnUKml9dgfozJ...@brightview.co.uk...
Capitol
Rod Speed
stand on bending differently on carpet and a hard floor.
Johny B Good
depending on the give in the floor covering. A look at the feet which
house the load cells reveals why - they're too short to stop them
sinking deeply in to allow some of the total force to bypass the load
cells via direct contact withe underside of the scales themselves.
It's the result of 'Cost Cutting'. A properly designed digital scales
would have a seperate sub-plate with the grippy feet on with the load
cells between the scales and this sub-plate. They're accurate enough
without this refinement but only on a firm surface.
The cheaper 'work around' would be to use feet extended by another 2
or 3 cms to reduce the risk of 'sinking into a soft floor covering',
far enough to allow part of the upthrust to bypass the load cells.
--
J B Good
Johny B Good
cell feet are too stubby to prevent the underside of the scales
"Beaching" on the floor covering (which allows a small fraction of the
upthrust to bypass the load cells).
--
J B Good
Johny B Good
(seperate sub pan with the load cells between the underside of the
scales and the sub pan which will have non-slip rubber feet for use
with hard, potentially slippy, surfaces).
The sub pan will stop any of the soft floor covering from bypassing
the load cells regardless of whether or not it is "Beaching" onto the
deepest of deep pile carpets (the deeper the pile, the greater the
'weight loss' with mere mortal scales).
--
J B Good
Clive George
> And there are designs that are totally immune to this effect
> (seperate sub pan with the load cells between the underside of the
> scales and the sub pan which will have non-slip rubber feet for use
> with hard, potentially slippy, surfaces).
>
> The sub pan will stop any of the soft floor covering from bypassing
> the load cells regardless of whether or not it is "Beaching" onto the
> deepest of deep pile carpets (the deeper the pile, the greater the
> 'weight loss' with mere mortal scales).
bypassing the load cells which is relevant, it's the distortion of the
entire thing.
Johny B Good
re-weigh you by waiting for it to auto switch off, followed by the
brief tap of the (with ours, the right hand proximal) corner
designated to 'waking the scales up' which will initiate a fresh zero
calibrate cycle.
Most of the day to day variations in body weight are down to
hydration level. I've been hovering between 12St 9Lbs and 12St 12Lbs
(fully clothed - bollick naked reduces the reading by 4Lb) the past 6
months or so. I'd rather I was at least another stone lighter,
preferably another 1 1/2 to 2 stone lighter.
I weigh the least, first thing after getting out of bed, having a
good piss and getting dressed (before having any breakfast - usually
just a mug of tea).
I realise that this 3Lb variation only requires a 2 and a bit Lbs
actual change in my weight to register on the scales which only read
to the nearest Lb on the imperial setting.
I think the Kg setting shows to tenths of a Kilo but I'm used to the
imperial measure of weight. If I were to switch over to the Kg scale,
I'd see a little more accuracy in the day to day weight changes but I
don't think it will really be much benefit considering I can already
see up to 3lb daily variation anyway.
--
J B Good
Dave W
--
Dave W
Dave W
seems ironic to me. What I do after weighing myself, is to put one
foot on steadily pretending to be a lighter member of the family, then
put both feet back on. The scales do not have a big enough brain to
remember two weights.
--
Dave W
Timothy Murphy
> I've got a scales like that. It has a WeightWatchers logo on it which
> seems ironic to me. What I do after weighing myself, is to put one
> foot on steadily pretending to be a lighter member of the family, then
> put both feet back on. The scales do not have a big enough brain to
> remember two weights.
(a little larger than the scales) on the carpet,
and they seem to weigh pretty accurately.
They don't seem to remember the weight,
as my weight differs slightly from day to day.
I can compare the weight with one on a tile floor,
and they seem to be pretty close
(possible 0.5kg difference).
--
Timothy Murphy
e-mail: gayleard /at/ eircom.net
School of Mathematics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
Grimly Curmudgeon
<johnny...@invalid.ntlworld.com> wrote:
>>If I do a repeat weighing with my scales it gives EXACTLY the same answer. By experiments I found that it memorises past results and if your weight is close to a recent one it merely repeats the previous result.
>>
>
> I think you may be right but you can usually force it to properly
>re-weigh you by waiting for it to auto switch off, followed by the
>brief tap of the (with ours, the right hand proximal) corner
>designated to 'waking the scales up' which will initiate a fresh zero
>calibrate cycle.
Re-weigh without the weight and get a reliable reading. Otherwise,
they do exactly as above - tell me what yesterday's weight was.
987jack
"Grimly Curmudgeon" <gri...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:dfhh1apthn3qg07kj...@4ax.com...
Its very reproducible and pretty accurate too, gets the same result as the
GP's scales.
Johny B Good
wrote:
no stone unturned', I'm going to keep a 2 litre bottle of water handy
to repeat Grimly's test.
I dare say that the absolute accuracy is probably no better than +/-
a couple of pounds (or 1 Kg). It's the repeatability that's the more
important parameter since the main desire is to monitor changes in
weight in order to avoid those going in the wrong direction (for
almost every middle aged adult in the UK, the 'wrong direction' is the
upwards one).
However, in view of my experience where it seems my weight can vary
by as much as 3 Lbs day to day (probably just over 2Lbs in reality),
an absolute accuracy any better than +/- 1Kg would probably be a waste
of accuracy for most of us provided the scales have good
'repeatability' (i.e the error remains a consistent one each time we
use the scales).
--
J B Good
987jack
"Johny B Good" <johnny...@invalid.ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:4q0j1at8fkj0ngkcc...@4ax.com...
when you do that test with say a 2KG weight you hold.
And is very reproducible with say a
50KG filled suitcase over weeks as well.
would probably be a waste
> of accuracy for most of us provided the scales have good
> 'repeatability' (i.e the error remains a consistent one each time we
> use the scales).
that repeatability at the +/- 0.1KG level.