Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsProduct Tested
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2013
So many positive reviews and so many reviews about lemons and imprecision. On account of the positive reviews I thought, "Surely, I won't get a lemon?" How many lemons does this company have? It seems like too much for this product to be on the market.
I step on the scale. I'm 162. I step on it again and I'm 155. I go to the doctors office and I'm 158. What range, inaccuracy, and imprecision!!! No better than my $10 dollar scale from Wal-Mart.
I also put my dog on it after having taken him to the vet (they weigh dogs in each time). Again, inaccurate.
Very disappointed. Will be returning. What a waste of time, money, and energy. Buyer beware, I and others have warned you. I'm out $45 and still don't know how much I weigh. Just spend a quarter at a mall scale.
EDIT:
So I did more tests with it. I have a number of weights and put them on to see what would happen. A 20lb gave me a spot on 20lb reading. A 7 lb gave me a spot on reading. And a 15lb game me a 15lb reading as well. I tried different spots each time with each weight (middle, left and right spots) and the results were accurate. My advice is to make sure the scale is on a flat, hard, level surface. I checked the leveling in my house to find the best spot.
The original readings were MY FAULT. Again, MY FAULT. The unit was calibrating. I still get variations when I weigh myself, but the variances are not as large. Still, after being on expensive scales, I'm wary of readings. This scale may not be accurate, but its precision and variances are acceptable (a variance of approximately .2lbs is modal for me).
I'm not completely happy with the scale yet. I'll test some more and then re-post. I'll give it 5 stars for now so I do not hurt its rating (innocent before proven guilty).
Next time I go to the vet or doctor I'll note the accurate weight and re-post to let everyone know how the scale compares.
EDIT:
I've had it for a week now and test it almost every time I use it. I've come to the conclusion that the scale can be accurate, but that it is EXTREMELY susceptible to leveling (i.e., the floor MUST be at a 180 degree angle) and floor changes (e.g., floor cannot be bumpy).
I came to this conclusion because the scale was giving me false readings; it claimed I was 148 lbs when I knew I was around 155. Seven pounds is a HUGE difference. I tested it with the weights I have at home, and, sure enough, the readings were off for all the weights (15%-20% off per weight).
As a final review, I'm going to have to give it three stars because I always have to be wary of its positioning. Move the scale even an inch and the reading will probably be off. It is possible to get an accurate reading, but I'll always have to question the readings and keep my weight set next to the scale for testing.
Even though accuracy is possible, a scale that constantly has to be doubted and checked is not a five star product.
I suggest purchasing/using a body tape instead. Accurate, inexpensive, and portable.
EDIT: I've noticed that the scale randomly turns on multiple times throughout the day. I believe this happens when people walk around it or there are other vibrations around it. I've been as far as seven feet away from it and noticed it turning on as if it sensed something. As I'm typing this, I've looked over and it's on. A HUGE BATTERY KILLER. Knocking it down another star for this. Again, you're probably better off with a measuring tape.
EDIT: I have the scale in my bedroom. Last night, without anyone moving around, it just kept turning on and off, basking the room in its blue light. It would turn off and on in random intervals, ranged between 5-20 seconds. Very annoying. I thought it would stop on its own eventually, but after half an hour, I just got up and took the batteries out. Extremely disappointed in this product.
I've been very fair with this product, giving it five stars and the benefit of the doubt while I tested it, but over time, this product has spoken for itself. I'm knocking it down another star, for a final score of 1 star. Get yourself a body tape. More accurate, reliable, and affordable, not to mention less frustrating. This product was disappointing.
EDIT:
Customer support contacted me and sent me a new scale; they were even kind enough to send some tiles for better stabilizing of the scale and thus accurate readings. I'm surprised they contacted me, after all, the product has thousands of reviews. To conclude:
1. Customer service is out of this world: they sent me a new scale (they paid for the new scale and shipping) and even sent stabilizing tiles.
2. THIS COMPANY STANDS BY THEIR PRODUCT
3. As for the scale? What they sent is everything I wanted it to be: I just step on it and it gives me an ACCURATE reading. I've tested it using the methodology I delineated above.
If I can give any suggestion it would be to get the product directly from the company and not Amazon. Amazon seems to have quite a few faulty units.
FINAL EDIT: Great customer service, sub-par scale. Despite numerous attempts at calibration (the company even sent me tiles to better support the scale) I could never get accurate readings. I used different weights - 7 lbs, 15, 20, 25, 40 - and the readings were always off, for all of them. Even worse, the readings would change, so I couldn't calculate what the deviation was. Moreover, if you're off by 5% by one of the weights, that problem gets even more exacerbated when weighing a 200 lb person. I even bought another one, tested it, and the same issues arose. I ended up going with an expensive $100 mechanical scale. It cost much more, but at least it does its job.
At its core, this scale exhibits far too much variance and is ultimately inaccurate. If you can afford it, get a real mechanical scale, akin to what is found at a doctor's office. If you're on a budget, get some measuring tape for your waist.