 Accurate and easy-to-use weight and body composition measurements |
| Review Date: December 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Beth Cholette, Upstate NY USA |
More than just a scale, this HBF-510W model by Omron measures several key components of body composition. In addition to providing weight (measured in either pounds or kilograms and in increments of 1/10), this Full Body Composition Monitor also offers body fat, visceral fat, body mass index, and skeletal muscle percentage. Overall body fat composition is important, as someone can be within a recommended weight range yet have too much or too little body fat. Similarly, visceral fat, the amount of fat in the abdomen surrounding vital internal organs, is also crucial, as it has been found to be linked to health conditions such as high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes. Body mass index is simply a number that takes into account both weight and height; I see it as being somewhat unnecessarily included here, as one could easily calculate it separately, although some may appreciate having this done for them. Finally, skeletal muscle is muscle that you can see and feel. The greater amount of muscle, the more overall calories that the body will burn, so a higher percentage of skeletal muscle is ideal.
The Omron Full Body Composition Monitor has the ability to save Personal Profiles for up to 4 people. Prior to your first use, you follow simple instructions to enter in your gender, age, and height (for use with the body mass index). This information can be modified or deleted; you can also skip this step by utilizing the monitor in the "Guest" mode. Unfortunately, although these settings are saved, the monitor does NOT save the measurement results from each user. (One of Omron's more advanced models, the Omron Full Body Sensor Body Fat and Body Composition Monitor, DOES offer the option of saving data for a 90-day period.) The Instruction Manual which comes with the unit also offers tips on "Recommended Measurement Times," generally suggesting that you utilize the monitor upon first waking up in the a.m. or at least 2 hours after a meal for the best results.
Although this monitor certainly looks more complicated than a traditional scale, it is fairly simple to use. After turning on the power, you remove the display unit from the base and select your user number. You then grasp the grip electrodes on the display unit, step on the electrode pads, hold the display unit straight out in front of you, and wait just a few seconds for the sensor to run through its full cycle. That's it! Your weight immediately is shown on the display, and pressing the SET/MODE button scrolls through the other readings. A very nice "Measurement Log" is included allowing you space to track your progress; this log reprints graphs from the Instruction Manual which will assist you in interpreting your result for each of the above areas. For example, body fat percentage is broken down into female/male, with three age groups listed for each (20-39, 40-59, 60-79) and with results including low, normal, high, and very high.
To date, I have used this Omron Full Body Composition Monitor for approximately one month, taking measurements in tandem with my old Tanita Ultimate Scale (no longer sold on Amazon), which also measures body fat. First of all, I found the weight measurements between the two scales to be very comparable and consistent (although the Tanita measures weight in 1/2 pound increments only); clearly, both units do a good job of measuring basic weight. With respect to body fat percentage, I was surprised to find that the Omron gave me slightly higher ratings than my old Tanita. However, I am inclined to rely more on the accuracy of the Omron, as there was very little variability within the measurements (most were within one percentage point), whereas the Tanita numbers moved up and down, on one occasion giving me a number that was 10 points higher than any of the other measurements!
As expected, the body mass index numbers varied slightly along with my weight. The visceral fat was very consistent: with only a single exception, it gave the exact same reading each time. And finally, the skeletal muscle percentage also fluctuated within only about a single point range. For added testing, I had my husband try both the new Omron monitor and the old Tanita. His results were even more consistent between the two units, with virtually the exact same readings for both weight and body fat percentage.
Over all, I am very pleased with this Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale. I found it to be both accurate and easy to use, and I definitely appreciated the extra body fat composition information that it provided. One feature that it would have been nice to have had would have been the ability to save measurements from one use to the next; those willing to pay more for this function may want to consider a slightly more expensive Omron model, the Omron Full Body Sensor Body Fat and Body Composition Monitor. Otherwise, I would not hesitate to recommend this product by Omron. |
Good Price for Body Composition
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| Review Date: March 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: William S. Oetting, St. Louis |
| I was very happy to find a scale that did a full body composition at a price lower than $80. So far, after about 5 uses, the accuracy seems right on. Each trial returns similar results and matches very close to the scale I use at the gym I go to. It doesn't have a memory option to store previous test results, but I have planned on recording my own results in a spreadsheet anyway so that is not a big loss for me. |
Accurate, good features
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| Review Date: September 2, 2009 |
| Reviewer: kathytri, Cincinnati, OH United States |
Prior to purchasing this scale, I owned an earlier-generation Tanita, which had the footpads only. The Omron HBF-510W is definitely an improvement in accuracy. The body fat % measurements with the handheld sensor are quite close to values that I get with caliper measurements.
The interface is easy to learn and use... just be sure to leave the handheld sensor on the scale as it calibrates, then pick it up and select the "user" before stepping on the scale.
As with any body composition device, there are limitations. For example, if you are slightly dehydrated (as you might be in the morning when you first wake up), the scale will "think" that your body fat % is higher than it really is. But this is the case for ALL bioimpedence-based scales, not a flaw in the Omron. For best results, choose a consistent time of day for your measurements, and keep yourself at a consistent hydration level.
All-in-all I am very happy with this purchase. The unit has worked reliability during the couple months since I purchased it; the quality is fine relative to the price; and it provides accurate body-composition information. |
An Excellent Monitor and Scale
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| Review Date: January 15, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Lawrence H. Bulk, New Jersey USA |
Ordered and received from the Amazon Vine program almost two months ago, my wife and I decided that "today was the day" to try this Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale.
Frankly, we're a bit older and, having read the instruction manual when we first received the unit, we initially found it to be intimidating and so we set the scale aside. But now, having slowly and carefully read the instruction manual again, this time with "hands-on" the monitor, I can say that it is actually quite easy to set up and use.
There is little I can add to other reviews concerning that set-up and use. Suffice it to say that, once you have done it and have become familiar with it, any future use will be easy. There are relatively few "bells and whistles" and for people who like "basic" (such as ourselves), this product fills the bill.
Reading that manual slowly and carefully really pays off. Anything and everything you need to know about this scale is contained therein.
I find that the scale portion is very accurate. We have a rather ancient Health-o-Meter "Professional" mechanical scale which has given us good service for many years. It always reads three or four pounds lower than the scale at our physician's office. It also reads three or four pounds lower than this Omron unit which tells me that the Omron's weight reading is quite accurate.
Accuracy and consistency are the two most important attributes of a scale, in my opinion. I will not be able to ascertain the consistency until I have been using the scale for some time but its initial and accurate weight readings augur well.
Some others have commented upon the lack of a memory for the readings. Frankly, I do not miss such a feature. Again, in my opinion, it would be of little value. It is easy to write down the readings and, if you wish to compare them after, say, two or three months (after all, how much are they going to change in one or two days?), you can just pull out your paper log. I'm sure addition of a memory would increase the cost and would do so unnecessarily. (There is, of course, a more-expensive model which does feature a memory.)
The only additional feature I would like to have seen would have been an internal clock and, in the User Setup, instead of entering your age (which has to be changed every year), you could enter your birth date which, along with your other data, would be retained. (All personal data is retained even if the batteries are removed.) This is a minor request yet one I hope Omron will consider. I think that the addition of this feature would not add greatly to the cost.
I have purchased other Omron products in the past. The first such product was a little yellow Omron calculator which I bought for my father over thirty years ago and I have bought other Omron products since. (If I am looking for a particular product and Omron makes a model, I will generally favor them over their competitors.) So you can see that I have known this company for some time. EVERY Omron product I have ever purchased has been fully satisfactory and, having carefully physically examined this particular monitor/scale, I expect that it too will be fully satisfactory, will last a long time, and will give good service.
To anyone looking to buy an inexpensive (and basic) Body Composition Monitor and Scale, I give this unit my highest recommendation. |
Bathroom Scale on Steroid!
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| Review Date: January 21, 2010 |
| Reviewer: H. Dinh, OKUSA |
This is not your everyday's bathroom scale. Beside the real purpose of a scale is to tell you how much you weight, this scale does so much more. It could tell you your required daily calories intake to maintain (or lose) your weight, body fat percentage, BMI..all using an interesting method of measuring. Pull the handle out of the scale, step on it barefoot and raise the handle to shoulder level, read the display and rejoice (or cry). The scale sends a very low electrical current through your body and measure resistance betwen muscel and fat and perform the calculations. Don't worry, you don't even feel it. The scale can keep history information for 4 separate users, if you have more than 4 in your family, you need 2.
You have to read the manual to set it up, but it is straight forward. And don't lose the manual! If you measuring body composition once a month like me, you need to keep the manual handy. I really like the scale, as a matter of fact, I ordered another one for my Mom. I love it when it tells me my body fat percentage is down a few points after a month of diet and hard work out. Every home should have one of these. |
Tricky to use, but the results make it worth it.
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| Review Date: January 21, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jay Riemenschneider, Roswell, GA United States |
I have had three Tanita body fat measuring scales prior to receiving this unit. One of the Tanitas supposedly measured hydration levels and muscle mass. They all seemed to work well enough. I had no way of knowing how accurate they were, but they were very good for monitoring progress. They were all consistent in their measurements.
I still have a Tanita to compare this Omron to, so I was able to at least compare body fat percentage and weight between the two units. The Omron fat percentage was about 1% different from the Tanita. According to Consumer Reports, the Tanita fat monitoring scales weren't all that accurate. CR is able to test these units properly, so I am inclined to believe the Omron is closer to reality than the Tanita due to the way it is dividing the measurements between the feet and hand held sensors.
The Omron gives you some key benefits like BMI and Visceral, or Belly, fat numbers. First time I have heard of a scale that gives you the belly fat number. I am right at the highest numbers for those two measurements and still within the healthy range. So, I have some work to do to get those numbers down.
Bottom line: I think this is an extremely useful and motivating tool. As far as a scale, the good news is you don't have to pull the handlebar sensor out of its holder just to get your weight. But, to get all the measurements, it is not the most user friendly device to use. There is a slight learning curve. Still, I think the potential health alerts far outweigh the hassle factor. |
A nice addition to your home health arsenal of tools...
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| Review Date: May 11, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Thomas Duff, Portland, OR United States |
It's not like I neede the Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale from Amazon Vine to know exactly how out of shape I am. But the inner geek (who is buried beneath layers of "insulation") was curious about all the different numbers this would show. So I yielded to the little critter and selected this as a Vine review product. And sadly I have to admit that it is quite useful.
In addition to basic weight, the scale also measures body fat percentage and body mass index using bioelectrical impedance. It also gives you a reading of skeletal muscle % so you can see how much "good weight" you have, as well as your visceral fat level, which is that hidden fat surrounding your organs. So rather than just getting that single "I weight nnn pounds" number, you get a much more complete picture as to your overall health. And using this over time, you can find out if your current fitness program is actually moving you in the right direction.
After using this for a few months, I'm quite happy. The readings are quick, the information is useful, and I'd have a hard time going back to using a normal scale with a single number. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this scale to others looking for a better tool to assess their overall body composition. |
Great Scale
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| Review Date: December 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Michael J. Cuneo, Baltimore, MD USA |
I really like this scale. It's definitely a very good scale with body fat analysis, but it has one great feature that I think makes it wonderful. And that is the fact that you use the handle extension to read your results. This makes it A LOT easier to use for older folks, folks that have mobility issues, and folks with poor vision. It is SO much easier than bending over to push buttons and get read outs. LOVE IT!
Even for a person without any disabilities or issues, it's simply much easier to use the buttons without having to pick up the scale or bend over to use it. |
Painfully accurate!
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Leslie Ann Lewis, San Antonio, Texas |
Having experienced a recent significant weight loss, I was so excited when this scale arrived that I did not even take off my coat before I tore into the packaging. The first thing I noticed was that the battery pack was right at the top as soon as you opened the box. This may seem like a strange thing to note, but how many times have you pulled all the bits out of a box only to have to go searching through everything to find the batteries (if they are even included). So I was pleased to find them right on top so I could set them aside as I unpacked the rest.
After finally taking off my coat, I got down to business. First, this is not a product you can use without reading the manual. I gave it a try, but I simply did not understand what I needed to do until I read the manual. The booklet is not big or complicated, so there was no problem doing a quick flip through to find out what I needed. Once I had it all set up on a firm, flat surface; I slipped off my shoes and proceeded to do my analysis. I did it again. And again. And again. I was sincerely displeased with my numbers and hoped that I could find out it was inaccurate. That was, however, not the case.
Just a few days after I received my package, I had an appointment with my doctor and had an analysis there. The numbers were much the same. As disappointed as I was in my numbers, I was pleased to note that the machine was very accurate. Since my biggest problem is a lack of muscle mass, it will be easier for me to gauge my progress at home rather than having to head to the doctor each time. This means it will be easier for me to judge what exercises provide me with the most benefit. So while it initially made me sad, it is going to be a useful tool in fighting to put on the muscle mass I need.
The machine itself is easy to use and I love the display. You do not have to take note of all of your numbers and then look them up on the accompanying booklet. There is a little graph right on the display to tell you if your numbers are too high, too low, or just right. This will make it much easier once the little booklet goes missing (don't they always disappear when you need them only to resurface years later after whatever you needed it for is gone?).
I must highly recommend this machine if you want accurate information on which you can base your fitness regime. While I found the information to be painful at first, I put my ego aside and used the information to help me create a plan to change those numbers. I look forward to the day I can climb on and smile when I get my results. |
Great scale, very accurate and easy to use
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| Review Date: November 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Carter's Mom, Washington, DC |
| This is a handy, reliable, compact scale that includes a full body sensor and body composition monitor. It measures weight, BMI, visceral fat, body fat and skeletal muscle. This is a product that surprised me. It works much better than I had expected. Last year, I went on a "food program" and lost 107 lbs -- so I know a thing or two about scales. During our weight loss phase, my husband and I purchased at least four scales. The last one was a physician's post and beam scale. I compared the reading from this scale to the Physician's scale to determine its accuracy (it was within a 1/4 pound of that scale). I weighed myself multiple times in a row to determine whether the scale would reliably produce the same result. In this category, I found reliable results when I weighed myself with the handset intact in the base. If I was holding the handset for the weight portion, the results varied by as much as 3/4 of a pound. This makes sense when you realize that the handset is attached to the base by the spiral cord (like a phone cord). So for the most accurate weight results, measure with the handset in the base. The body mass and fat readings seemed about correct to me -- but I don't have anything accurate to base those on. Frankly, I don't think any home scale really can measure those truly accurately, but they are fine to use as a motivational tool for weight loss. The scale is NOT completely intuitive, you will need to read the instruction manual in order to fully use the scale. Once you realize how to set everything, it is simple and easy to use. The instruction manual includes a couple of pages on "Long-term planning for successful weight loss", which I found a little odd -- but I suppose is a nice thought. The handset fits nicely into the base with an area that completely hides the cord. The on/off switch can be activated with your big toe, so that is also handy. One nice feature is that the scale is QUIET!! It doesn't beep to let you know that it has completed your reading. This may not sound like a big deal, but it is important when you have a spouse that likes to weigh himself every morning at 5am while you are still trying to sleep. I highly recommend this item! |
Loved this scale! Many measurements are taken.
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| Review Date: December 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Stephanie Manley, Houston, TX |
I have had an older Tantia scale that read body composition. I didn't know that so much more information could be packed into an updated version of the scale. I have an Omron pedometer that I love, and this scale exceeds my expectations. I am not a direcitons kind of person, I liked that I could get going on this scale in minutes. I did need to refer to the directions for about 30 seconds to help me set up my personal specifications. This scale can read up to 4 people, and has a guest mode, which my other scale never had.
Within about 60 seconds you can know many pieces of information: weight, BMI, visceral fat %, total % fat, and skelital muscle mass. Changes in all of these measurements can be used in monitoring your personal body composition. Information is easy to understand, and takes no time to do it in. I look forward to using this when monitoring my health.
The only thing I wished this model had that it doesn't is the ability to see what the last reading was, but that feature is available in the Omron HBF-400 model. I think this is a good choice for those that are trying to seriously monitor their body composition. I can make no complaints about this model, it is very sturdy, and doesn't rock like my other scale could when stepping off and on the scale. It is easy to read, and it will be easy to clean. If you are looking for more than just a scale that helps you monitor your weight, this may be the right scale for you.
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scale with easy to use additional features
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| Review Date: December 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Weber, Chicago, IL |
| The scale arrived very well packaged, which has not always been my exprerience so I thought worth mentioning. It has a sleek look, and after you pop in the included batteries you can weigh yourself right away. I like that you weigh yourself at any time without having to measure body fat. The digital readout gives you an instant weight as opposed to squinting down to the spinning dials of the past. The body fat calculating feature is also quite easy to set up. The scale can store information for 4 different persons with each being password protected. I did need to follow along with the directions the first few times I used the handle which you pull up to scan your body and measure body fat. It does give a percentage, which when I compared with other scales and BMI measurements seem to all be in the same range. I don't use that feature all the time, nor would I. I do feel though that it would be a very positive tool to have if you are trying to lose weight. Overall a very nice scale. |
Extremely Accurate
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| Review Date: December 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: JCK, |
| I was concerned about accuracy when researching scales that had the options of this one. However, there are no worries now. I get the same numbers with this scale as with the doctor's scale. My doctor does the full body composition print out for me when I go in and I always do it at home right before I leave to see her and it's right on the money. It's also very easy to use and looks nice in the bathroom. I recommend it to anyone having second thoughts. I've had no issues with it at all and it's fun watching the numbers change as I get more fit. :) |
Wow, no excuses with this
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| Review Date: January 1, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Barbara Jackson, Pawnee City, NE USA |
| The scale is part of the usual armament of those who struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Once this is set with your personal information, it is an accurateway to track your progress. Set up is easy and so is using it. Where regular scales do not differentiate water weight from fat, this scale actually tells you.I used this with a friend who is diabetic and exercises with me. She sometimes suffers from weight fluctuations and with this scale we were able to track the weight and whether the increase (Few decreases during the holidays) was due to fluid build up or perhaps from increased muscle mass which eventually will lead to greater weight loss. Of course we found it was fat so that gives you no excuses about the need for lifestyle modification. The more I use this the more impressed I am because I checked the results I have against the medical equipment that I was able to use at the local hospital and this is accurate which amazed the doctor who initially told me, "These things never work." So I am happy with the opportunity to use this as a component of a healthy lifestyle. |
Good scale at a good price
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| Review Date: January 3, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Justin Marsden, Sacramento, CA |
| I've owned this for six months now and it still works great. My wife and I use it on a very regular basis and I haven't had to replace the batteries yet. It works well and most of the readings are consistent from reading to reading - I'm not sold that it's the most accurate way to test body fat etc, but it does help you gauge your trends - ie whether you are trending up or down to gauge your progress. |
Unique full featured scale
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| Review Date: January 10, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Peggy, Norfolk, VA United States |
| I use several Omron products such as their hand-held Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor (2006), Omron Elite 7300W Womens Avanced Blood Pressure Monitor (2008) and Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket pedometer (2006), so their products hold up reliably well. This product does what it is suppose to and in comparison to the HBR-306c and 2 other similarly featured scales I have, it seems quite accurate. It is easy to use once you enter your data and the results could be motivating if you don't like them. I only weigh myself once a week on Sunday and usually on 2 scales just to compare. Due to a recent battery leak on another product, I encourage you to check this scale monthly so if a battery leaks, hopefully you see if before this fine scale is damaged. For the price and features, plus unique design, I think it is a bargain. Based on my previous experiences w/ this brand, this scale will provide years of faithful service. |
It works for me
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| Review Date: January 11, 2010 |
| Reviewer: A Reader, Newark, DE United States |
I have been using this for a month now. I have been comparing the weight with an other electronic bathroom scale that only gives weight, to a tenth of a pound. The two scales agree within about 0.2 pounds. That seems close enough to me in as much as I don't have a standard weight to actually make a calibration.
The body fat does vary rom day to day. I am trying to get my weight down-that is the point of a better home scale isn't it? but that variation does not bother me as much as it seems to bug other reviewers. I am a chemist and I know this technology is measuring the fat percentage indirectly and lots of things can cause inaccuracy, besides problems with the meter. I am type II diabetic and I use what is supposed to be the best portable home blood-sugar meter. It is only accurate to plus or minus 10% !
I use the recording chart sent with the scale and that gives a good picture of the trend, which is what I want. The scale was easy to set up and gives me quick readings. It is not comparable to a metabolic research equipment, but it is not priced like it either. |
Very consistent
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| Review Date: January 17, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jaronimo, NJ, the garden state |
I am giving this scale 5 stars because in my experience it has been very consistent with my measurements. I have another body fat scale and the readings fluctuate 5-6 percent during the same day, but this Omron scale has always been within 2 percent on the readings. For a scale in this price range, that is excellent. I have a feeling the body fat measurement is reading a little high, but I have not done exact body fat testing so its only a feeling I have. And doesn't everyone think their body fat is lower than it really is? Or is that just me?
I like that this scale gives body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage, body mass index, and body weight (well it is a scale, you would expect it to give your weight) I have been charting my readings and I think it is motivating me to exercise more. As I see progress it only makes me want to work harder. So not only is it a scale, its a motivational coach also.
The skeletal muscle reading is a very nice feature. I had not been working out recently so I measured my self on the scale to see where I was. I have now been lifting weights for a few weeks and feel much better and stronger, and the scale has shown dramatic changes in my skeletal muscle readings. Its nice when you are moving in the right direction.
I also like the visceral fat reading. This is listed as fat around your vital organs, fat that you cannot see with your naked eye, but can be very dangerous. As my body fat levels are dropping, so are my visceral fat readings. Visceral fat is something I never even thought about in the past, but now I can track my progress on cutting it out.
I am very happy with this scale and while I am not sure if it gives 100% accurate readings, it does seem to be very consistent with those readings so it is welcome as a valuable part of my health plan. It shows my progress very well and I am very satisfied with that.
Chris |
Well worth it
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| Review Date: February 1, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Calico, Friendswood, Texas USA |
This is a great little device for anyone interested in living a healthy life style. It's easy to set up and very easy to use. The LED display is large enough to read from a standing position. The scale seems to be accurate because I have compared it's reading to those obtained from my physician. It's large enough to accomodate my husband's 200lb frame, but not so bulky that it take up a lot of space in our bath.
I love it! Just be prepared: you may not like what it reveals about your body.
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Great Scale, Though Pricey
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| Review Date: April 8, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Nicholas M. Evans, |
I chose to invest in a scale that does bf% measurements as well as weight as part of my cut cycle this spring. There were a lot of scales on the market and to someone who's not owned anything beyond a standard lbs. scale all the features can become a little intimidating. After reading the reviews for this family of scales from Omron I decided that the features of this scale were adequate for my needs (compared to the pricer Omron scale that has several other features). The price put me off for a while (apx. $60) though in the end I decided that the combo of the hand electrical impedance measurement as well as the feet impedance pads would in theory be a more accurate reading of body fat as electricity will travel the shortest route from point a to point b. This means if you are only standing on the pads the measurement would theoretically only be displaying bf% impedance from your lower half (legs, butt, and possible abdomen). Same concept for the hands only electric impedance measurements, you're only reading bf% from your arms, shoulders, and chest. So the combo reading should give a much more accurate readout by measuring both upper and lower impedance. (though to be fair, not having tested the other scales I am purely speculating).
The scale if nothing else is very consistent. Measuring body fat and skeletal muscle mass is really not a finely tuned science for scales because of variables like water retention etc, but the scale remains consistent so I can at least track accurately. This means though it may read 20% bf while I truly have 17%, it measures accurately enough that when I drop 5% it will reflect it regardless.
Overall I think this is a great scale for anyone serious about training and monitoring how your progress is going. It allows 4 users data to be stored however it's worth the price even if you're using it for just yourself. |
Easy, accurate, meaningful information is provided
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| Review Date: April 19, 2010 |
| Reviewer: J. Craig, |
My first and only impression is positive. I chose Omron because one of its blood pressure units is excellent in my opinion. Omron seems to give medical consideration to some of its consumer products. Taylor scales are difficult to program and are inaccurate.
This scale is for the person who accepts the need for an extra minute to better understand the composition/distribution of their weight. Whether or not these data are useful in monitoring changes associated with improved diet and exercise, I don't know yet.
This model does not have a data memory feature. Omron's addition fee for that feature is unjustifiable. |
Great tracker
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| Review Date: May 5, 2010 |
| Reviewer: TokenAU, Dallas, TX |
| The weight appears to be incredibly accurate. One suggestion don't take your weight when holding the handle for even more precise results. I am in competitive taekwondo so that half pound does matter for making weight, but what really makes this scale great is the body composition monitor aspect. I can't speak to the accuracy as I don't have an independent way of getting my body fat percentage, but before I got this scale I did not have a good picture of what was going on. My weight would stay nearly the same, but I use a calorie tracker and knew I should be losing weight and I could see a difference in the mirror. The scale showed that I had normal visceral fat, but higher than normal body fat. So when I had pumped up my workout for a tournament and was reducing my body fat %, but also boosting my muscle % hence the small changes in weight. With a regular scale I would have just gotten frustrated with the peg not moving. Information is power and this scale provides it at a good price. |
Just what I wanted.
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| Review Date: June 28, 2010 |
| Reviewer: JoJo, |
| This scale is light weight, accurate and consistent. It is very easy to use. I simply read the intructions and was up and running in a matter of minutes. It is so accurate that the numbers change after I have a cup of coffee or a glass of water! I had researched quite a few scales before deciding on this make and model and I'm very glad I did. Definitely worth the money. |
An Excellent Tool to Improve your Health
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| Review Date: July 31, 2010 |
| Reviewer: D. Buxman, Pueblo, CO United States |
| This is the first scale I've had that calculated body fat percentages and BMI, so I was a bit disappointed with the initial readings. This prompted me to modify my diet and exercise more, which is a nice benefit in and of itself. This scale is accurate, has clear directions and is easy to use. You can set it to take readings for a family of 4 plus a guest. This instruction manual is informative and helps in setting targets for improvement. Batteries are included as a nice bonus. |
Great scale
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| Review Date: May 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: M. Aldrich, Detroit, MI |
| The product is great and easy to use. It seems accurate (comparable measurements to other body fat scale I had). The % muscle is the best aspect of this scale. You can really manage your muscle/fat ratio versus just weight. |
The Truth Hurts~Diet Here I come!
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| Review Date: November 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: kindred spirit, God's Country |
This is the best scale I have seen to date. Infact never have I seen one like this except when I took a cruise and they did a measurement of this fashion. I'm not about to tell you my numbers as I am sick about them. I can tell you I have measured myself for 3 days at the approipiate times and it is consistant in it's measurements.
It gives you your weight, visceral fat, BMI, Body fat total, skeletal muscle percent. You stand on the scale and hold a bar that has all the controls and display on it. You stand with arms out in front of yourself, when it is done you step down and review the results that you can compare to a nice clear chart in the instruction book.
I told a doctor friend of my results and she told me about the Mayo Clinic food pyrmyid and I am starting now on that way of eating. I was the most upset by my visceral fat percent. Only 3 points over notmal but man it is time to take action.
If you are looking to get healthy and lose weight and gain lean muscle this is the best tool for the job. I am so glad I have the chance to use it. |
Your weight is only one measurement - there are others!
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| Review Date: December 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Means, Yorktown, VA USA |
This is a fantastic tool that can be used to monitor various bodily changes. Weight is important but it is only one measurement and doesn't tell you anything about your overall health and bodily composition. To make my point, it is entirely possible for 2 people to be the same height and weight, but one of them is very muscular and the other is very fat!!! On numerous occasions I have spoken with people who are trying to lose weight and they tell me that they are working out really hard but it's not changing. Well, I have to tell them that they are probably increasing their muscle mass so they are truly in better condition even if the weight hasn't changed much.
Now, thanks to the Omron Full Body Sensor Body Composition Monitor and scale, you can actually measure these kinds of changes in addition to weight. The measurements include: Body Mass Index, Body Fat, Visceral Fat, and Skeletal Muscle. The booklet that comes with it gives a very good explanation of what these are and how to interpret the results. The manual is very well written.
It works better than any other similar device I've ever tried. In part, this is because the measurements are performed over a larger cross-section of your body; from both hands to both feet. Also, it is because the accuracy is incredible: Weight is accurate to .2 lbs, Body Fat%, Skeletal Muscle, Body Mass Index are accurate to .1%.
There is a simple setup that is involved the first time anyone uses it. It took me less than 5 minutes to get it out of the box and take my first measurements. There are settings for 4 regular users and 1 guest user.
It also comes with a very handy printed chart that you can use to monitor your various measurements over a period of time to track your progress. And, snap, it even comes with batteries!!!
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Wow, I really needed this scale to get me off my butt
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| Review Date: December 3, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jody, Leominster, MA USA |
This scale was incredibly easy to use - I got my profile entered without even looking at the instructions.
I had my first reading in a few minutes, an immediately put my sneakers on and went out for a walk. The display is incredibly easy to read because it's in your hands. I think that's a major design flaw of most scales.
I highly recommend this scale. |
Getting a Weigh
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| Review Date: December 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Spudman, Pasadena, MD United States |
This is our second electronic scale or body sensor. The first scale, that's sitting on the floor of a coat closet, measures weight and body fat, but is so complicated to program and use that we've never used it for anything other than measuring weight.
The Omron HBF-510 measures weight as well as body mass index, body fat percentage, visceral fat (" the fat found in the abdomen and surrounding vital organs"), and skeletal muscle percentage. To obtain this data one must first program the monitor with personal data. Up to four personal profiles can be saved.
One only has to input age and height to establish a saved profile. After that it's only a matter of pressing a single button to access the correct profile and step on the scale while holding the display unit in both hands.
We like that the display unit can be detached from the scale's body so that it's easy to read while only a few inches away from one's eyes. To access the measurements, simply push the Set/Mode button once for each result. I copy the results on the chart that comes with the scale. Be sure to make multiple copies of the chart because only one is supplied.
So far I find this device to be a great motivator. When I'm tempted to eat more than I should or want to respond to the temptation of a snacking crave, I look at the chart and rethink my goals. My first set of numbers were a rude awakening because none were in the satisfactory range. Slowly the number have improved as I continue to strive to reach personal parameters.
One little annoyance of this appliance is the ultra sensitivity of the on/off button. It's great that one can turn on the monitor with a light touch of one's toe, but that same light touch can turn off the scale as one carries it a few steps to recornd the numbers. It happened to me twice, and I've learned to be more careful or just have the chart and pencil ready when I weight myself.
So far we like the Omron monitor quite a bit despite a couple minor annoyances like the sensitive on/off button and the long display cord that has to be placed in the cavity below the display just so to snap the display unit back in place.
Weight measurements seem to be quite accurate since we've compared readings to our other scale and to the scale at our doctor's office. We have nothing to which to compare the other readings so accepting their accuracy is a matter of trust.
I can say that the readings are very consistent and having benchmark numbers to use for setting goals is quite helpful and motivating. |
Weighed In The Balance...Unfortunately
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| Review Date: March 18, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Bucky, Haunted Mansion, The Magic Kingdom |
| I have been using this scale for the past few months and *sigh* have found it to be disturbingly accurate when compared against my own doctor's hated scale and other forms of measuring body fat, such as mathematically calculating BMI. Much to my everlasting distress, every time I use it, it relentlessly informs me that I am overweight and serves as a silent rebuke for behavior that I know I must change. Thanks to its unstinting criticism, I have been motivated to shed a few pounds (and tears) and utter a few choice words when feeling most chastised. I highly recommend this silent sentinel with its lit up display of sordid, unpleasant numbers for those who wish to change their wicked, wicked ways. It won't let you get away with anything. |
Know your muscle mass & unhealthy organ fat to know real health!
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| Review Date: December 3, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lena, LMT, Nassau, NY |
* Knowing how much of your weight is muscle & fat is more important that just how much you weigh. There is no such thing as "too much info" as if your weight plateaus & you feel discouraged, when you see your muscle % go up & fat % go down, you know you are still succeeding.
This measures weight, overall fat %, normal calculated BMI, skeletal muscle % & visceral/organ fat % which is found choking organs & the worst type of fat to have.
* This is a fast 5-10 reading for everything. Large display of #s, easy handles to grip or to hold to see the numbers even better. Since it has only a few basic lcd lines of display, programing this can take a minute, but is overall user friendly. (More lines of display & "soft" keys like cel & cordless phones would make programing this very easy for anyone.)
Several things to know, you MUST be BAREFOOT (no socks either) or you will get ERROR or at the very least inaccurate readings. Also, since this uses an electrical current (though extremely weak), if someone uses a pacemaker or other implanted medical device, they cannot use it. Pregnant women should also not use it.
* This uses 4 AA batteries which they supply & has a battery indicator. I've had BMI & I believe one of the very first muscle/water weight monitors for Taita & they don't go through batteries fast, so no worries, it claims if used 4x a day, the batteries should last 1 year.
This does age range from 10 - 80, it does both lbs & kg, male/female, is about 4 lbs w/batteries, 12" W, 2" H & 13" D
* You must only take a measurement after waking up, 2 + hours after a meal. Not after exercise, or after bath/sauna, drinking alcohol or a lot of water as this will through off the readings due to the temporary change in hydration in your body.
* Also, don't use a cell or cordless phone, microwave, or other devices that give off strong electrical or EMFs near it, it may break it.
* It can save the height, age & gender of 4 people, it also has a guest mode. It does not save old readings. I think this is a great way to save production/cost as it would be a bit hard to read going back all those days. It supplies a sheet w/a chart to write all the readings, date, as well as the charts of all the readings of weight, BMI, muscle, etc. so you can see how far from normal range you are. Obviously you will need to copy it to always have a blank sheet. I think this is a fine idea as it's much easier to see all the #s at once.
* This monitor is very precise in readings to the tenth degree, even the last 1/4 of of height. The dashes to show how above, at or below normal you are even w/o checking the manual's charts or the charts on the sheet.
*The handled lcd w/cord is to hold it with arms straight to get the readings besides basic weight. As said, 5 seconds is all that you need.
*The included manual has a lot of nice drawings, even a full b&w photo of visceral fat & considering manuals, it's laid out well & does answer all my questions.
I have been using this monitor since 11/25/09 & have weighed myself several times at once & it remained the same each time. I also weighed myself every 2 days & I agree with the readings depending on my diet & exercise amount. Eating less & exercising more I saw good changes & eating more & exercising less ... well... have to admit it's about what I expected logically/scientifically. The only thing is that my overall % of body fat seems high & family members were surprised it said so high, though I'm not at my ideal weight for height. The visceral fat is 7 which is normal/slightly below which sounds right as my CBC blood tests show a high HDL/good fat level & low triglycerides & LDL/bad fat levels to the point it's off the charts excellent & my blood pressure tends to be on the low side.
The only thing I really wish it had was a water % & also bone density. Since bone density/amount doesn't change fast, one can assume they would say for you to see a doctor to do a DEXA, ultrasound or CT (radiation) scan if you are concerned, or could also be harder to measure accurately. Knowing this passes 50kHz though your body (less then 500uA) makes me wonder if used daily would it be like very low radiation exposure, but, then again, cell phones, WiFi, Bluetooth & foods microwaved in plastic (plastic is absorbed into the food) are just as bad.
I will update this should I have any issues. |
Provides Valuable Information
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| Review Date: December 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Bobbie Lynn, USA |
I'm a person who tries to keep track of my health and keep an eye open for new things that I can do to improve on what I'm already doing. When the manufacturer offered this item for review I was very eager to see how well it could work and overcome the shortcomings of ordinary scales. I've been pleased with its performance. The accuracy isn't perfect, but it does give basically consistent numbers from day to day and it's a lot more important to me to have a sense of where I am compared to yesterday, last week, or last month, than to worry about the actual specific current number.
Just like any scale, you should use it at the same time of day every time to get numbers that are as comparable as possible. It'll store the basic data (age, height, sex) of up to 4 users and also has a guest option (to check weight only). I can see how some people would wish that it would store the information and make charts for you, but honestly there are so many good websites for tracking exactly this kind of information that I really don't think it would have been worth the extra time and expense to implement that kind of feature.
I really didn't find it difficult to set up, but I'm something of a gadget person. I wouldn't recommend this at all for someone who's completely uncomfortable using electronics and computers. For someone who just isn't quite sure you can program it, it wouldn't take more than a few minutes for a friend to put in the initial values for you, and after that it's very easy to use.
The information I've been getting from using this scale has been much more valuable and informative to me than a plain scale has ever been. It is more expensive than a model that only measures weight, but considering how expensive it can be in the long run if you let your health get away from you, I feel that it's better to invest in preventing as many problems as I can. So long as you're willing to actually use it around once a week, and to actually use the information it gives you by taking action if the numbers aren't looking good, I would definitely recommend this as a good option. |
Compact and Easy to Use
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| Review Date: December 12, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Barb Nicolson, Santa Ana, California |
What a great product for tracking weight and body composition!
* Other than inserting the batteries (included), there is no set up.
* There's a handy on-off switch to reduce battery usage.
* Instructions are easy to follow.
* Included is a simple explanation of acceptable parameters and descriptions of each type of measurement.
* It's just slightly larger than most home scales.
* A log is included to track weight and body fat gain/loss.
* Individual height, age, and sex for Users 1-4 are saved in the memory settings, and guests can use it, too.
* The digital dial is easy to read, even when not holding the display unit.
* If body weight is not of interest, the sensor can be used only for determining weight.
* For all it does, the price is quite low.
* Although I can't vouch for its accuracy, I do have a mirror and it seems to be right on.
* I'm going on a diet.
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It Works Well and Keeps on Working
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| Review Date: December 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: John N. Schear, Roanoke, Virginia United States |
Scales of this nature are of little value if they do not weigh the subject accurately. How does one know if the scales are accurate? I'm glad you asked. I took this one to my primary care doc who has one of those fancy scales (sorta looks like a big animal platform scale) that has its own schedule for calibration. I took this scale to the office and weighed on the office scale and then compared my weight to the weight on this scale. The difference was one half pound in favor of the scale. I did it again and the results were the same. My doc tried it and, perhaps because he is lighter overall, the difference did not exist. So from that standpoint the scale weighs one with fairly decent accuracy. The other indicators could not be checked in a similar manner except that given my weight and height compared to the docs we could estimate that the body composition factors were at worse close to being accurate. I give the scale's performance Five Big Stars.
I had two minor issues that could stand thought for anyone interested in purchasing this item. The numbers on the scale could be considered small depending on one's eyesight. Before cataract surgery last year I could not have seen the numbers without glasses. After surgery the numbers show up clearly even though they are somewhat small. Reading glasses may assist. Larger numbers would help significantly and might be a factor when the newest model comes out. Another minor issue is the cord between the scale body and the scale readout device. A curled cord is great and stays out of the way when stored. When a tall person (6'3") uses it it stretches it considerably unless held at a lower level and then the parallel to the ground factor is diminished. I expect that in time (hopefully a long time because I really like the scale) it will stretch beyond its original intention.
Regardless of any negative comments this is still a fantastic scale and worthy of consideration. It's a family favorite in a short time. |
Great Features, Helpful When Trying to Get Fit
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| Review Date: December 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: www.luxuryreading.com, Cleveland, OH |
This is my first experience with a body composition monitor and I've previously only used your basic body weight scale. I must say, this is a very useful tool to have around if you're trying to get more fit, not just lose weight. The basic scale will show you the weight, but if you're also concerned with your body fat %, skeletal muscle %, etc., this monitor is perfect.
This model is about $20 more than the HBF-400, but it also measures visceral fat level and skeletal muscle %, which the HBF-400 doesn't. I find these two additional features are well worth the money since visceral fat is the measure of your abdomen fat (useful if you have a little extra around your stomach area) and skeletal muscle % is good to know since muscle burns more fat. A higher muscle % may make you weigh more just in terms of regular body weight, but you'll look more toned, and burn more fat than someone with less muscle %.
I can't vouch for the accuracy of this monitor since I don't have anything to compare it to, but the results seemed pretty reasonable to me. My batteries were dead upon arrival for some reason, but I'm sure it's just a fluke and AA batteries are not expensive to replace. |
Do not use while pregnant.
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Rachel Himes, Indiana, Pennsylvania USA |
Sadly, I got this scale whilst pregnant, so have not been able to monitor consistently. The box warns that it is not recommended for pregnant women. I didn't feel that trying it out once to compare with my Tanita scale would be dangerous since I've been using the Tanita regularly throughout 3 pregnancies.
What I loved... all the features are great. I especially love that you can program for 4 different users. Hubby and I used to get annoyed with each other when one or the other would change the settings. It was a small ordeal to get off and start over again after every reprogramming.
What I didn't love... the cord could be a little longer. This would be stretched out maximally for anyone over about 6 foot to use. Not a problem for me, but still thought I'd mention it.
Hubby and I both saw significant differences in the readings between this and the Tanita. HOWEVER, my Tanita does not have a hand grip and is about 13 years old. I've used it largely to monitor gain/loss. The measurements I've done at home were consistent with a pro-grade Tanita I used at a high-end fitness center, but different from the measurements I had done on a scale by another brand, whose name I don't remember. I would lean towards saying this may be more accurate that Tanita simply because some people who've used it said their numbers were consistent with the doctor's office readings and calipers. Unfortunately, that's bad news for me, because the numbers here were higher than my Tanita. I don't know if being 6 months pregnant would alter the accuracy or not.
On another note, my husband is extremely lean and found his readings varied slightly the first few times that he used it. I'm guessing that it had to do with positioning the hand bar at a direct 90degree angle from the shoulders, as the reading's been more consisitent the past few times.
Overall, I feel this is pretty easy to use and seems to be more accurate than the Tanita and frankly, less expensive than the $100+ model that I owned from before. Overall, I would recommend it over several Tanita models. |
I have a new love hate relationship...
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Gratitude, Texas |
Fortunately for the consumer who wants to be in the know, so far after about 3 weeks, this Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale is painfull accurate. On the mornings when I've weighed and measured myself, I grumble to myself and wish that I had chosen something else from the Vine program but in reality, we can only deal with what we know, right? I will be starting the P90X workout system and just bought the Wii EA Active from Amazon so I'm sure in a few months, I'll be praising this full body composition device but for now, it's telling me what I would rather not know.
It took me a few tries to understand how it works so I had to give it a few trials and reread the directions but after it clicked, it's really simple and the instruction booklet truly does make it easy to understand and it's incredibly easy to use. My only complaint would be that it doesn't retain your previous 'numbers' (if it does and I missed that aspect, please point this out to me) but that's OK as I've started a chart for myself to ensure that I get my cardio, workout, water and such in on a daily basis. I weigh myself 3x per week and will measure my fat / muscle composition once a week. I'll keep you all posted as these numbers should be changing!!!
Yes, it works great, yes, it's accurate so if you want to monitor or lose weight and your body composition, I think this is a great option for the price. |
A great value for the price
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Freeman, Ranger, Georgia, USA |
I replaced a 2-year-old Homedics scale w/monitor with this unit and tested side by side on both. The Omron scale is slightly simpler to adjust and use. The accuracy of the scale seems better but that may be merely perceptual on my part due to the handheld portion of the scale. Both scales give my weight within 1/10th of a pound but they show my BMI as being almost two points different with the Homedics scale giving me a higher BMI.
The Omron readout is clear and easy to see because it is in your hands during use of the product. This is a better design than the Homedics unit which doesn't have a hand tool. I will likely look at another Omron with similar design when this scale fails, which I hope will be several years in the future. I am a 38-year-old male in a state of excellent fitness so all my parameters fall in the normal or low ranges. I cannot speak to the other reviewers who have mentioned issues with users who are in poor shape getting error messages. This scale is motivating to me because I think it accurately tracks my fitness program progress. |
Does a good job
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| Review Date: December 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: drebbles, Arlington, MA USA |
The Omron Full Body Sensor Body Composition and Scale is designed to measure not only your weight but estimated values for body fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage, visceral fat levels and BMI. Some body composition monitors rely on foot to foot measurements but the Omron monitor measures the whole body - arm to foot. Included are the monitor/scale; instruction manual; 4 AA batteries; and a measurement log sheet that can be copied for future use.
The Omron Full Body Sensor Body Composition and Scale is very easy to set up and use. Up to four people can create profiles and if you don't want a record of your results you can use the "guest" function on the monitor. You can use either the US system of measurement or the metric system. To use it, make sure you use your bare feet, step on the monitor correctly, and hold the display unit at a 90 degree angle keeping still while using it. Incorrect posture such as movement during measurement, bent arms, arms too low or high, bent knees, or standing on the edge of the monitor will result in inaccurate measurement of body composition. If you are disabled or physically frail you should either have someone help you or use some kind of support like a handrail or cane when using this.
For the most part the Omron Full Body Sensor Body Composition and Scale does a pretty decent job. It is very easy to read and the monitor has a digital display that uses a bar system (-; 0; +; ++) so you can instantly gauge your results: for example when measuring BMI - means you are underweight; 0 means your weight is normal; + means you are overweight; and ++ means you are obese. The instruction booklet has charts where you can look up the results. I found the measurements to be pretty much the same as the results of my weigh-in at my doctor's office as well as the Wii Fitness weight measurement, although the Omron Scale had me a couple of pounds heavier. I did have some problems initially getting the monitor to show results beyond my weight, but it's worked okay for me after those initial problems. One bit of warning - since there is a slight electrical current used in measuring results you should not use the device if you have a cardiac pacemaker or other implanted medical device or if you are pregnant.
Overall, I am happy with the Omron Full Body Sensor Body Composition and Scale.
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We like this thing!
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| Review Date: January 29, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Olivia, |
I bought one long time ago and used it every few days to keep us in check.
This is the second one that stays in the exercise room. |
Lots of Features for a Good Price
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| Review Date: March 25, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jorge J. Coelho, Dowingtown, PA USA |
I previously purchased and still own a Omron HBF-400 Body Fat Monitor and Scale. I initially bought that scale because I wanted something more than just weight. I wanted something that was accurate that would calibrate each time I used it to make sure the reading was correct and that would provide with me with additional information like BMI and body fat %. The scale readings at home are as always within a 2 pounds of what I get at the doctor's office, which is not always the case with cheaper scales.
When I saw the Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale it was the logical next step for just a few more dollars. Anyone who is looking to get in shape really needs to focus on more than just the weight. BMI, Fat %, Visceral Fat and Skeletal Muscle are all key in determining how in shape you really are. Muscle is heavier by volume than fat, so just because you are heavier than what a standard chart may tell you, it doesn't mean you are fat.
It's nice that the scale can track up to 4 people's information, but the only downside is that you only get the last reading for comparison. There are other Omron scales that give you more historical data, which may be helpful for someone trying to achieve a specific fitness goal, but writing down the readings in a journal may be just as good.
I'm a big fan of Omron products and I it would be nice if they offered software and a way to archive data like they do for their pedometers. This may involve a memory card that would have to be downloaded onto your computer, but I find that historical information can be motivating when working towards a specific fitness goal. Even Omron's more expensive scales don't offer those features today, but I would be willing to pay a little more to have the data compiled and archived.
Overall I think the additional information you get about your fitness with this scale over the Omron HBF-400 Body Fat Monitor and Scale is worthwhile for the price difference and is a must buy for anyone working towards a fitness goal. |
Great scale!
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| Review Date: May 12, 2010 |
| Reviewer: D.S., |
| If you just need to know the basics (weight, BMI, fat% and muscle%) this is a great scale. |
Great price and is consistent
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| Review Date: August 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Nicholas E. Reiter, West Decatur, PA |
| Google a study by Texas A & M which tests the 500 version of this scale with the Bod Pod hydrostatic test as a standard. The omron overshot body fat by 3.5% but was closely correlated with the Bod Pod (r=0.93). So it's useful to track changes, but don't get worried about the absolute value. |
Impressed
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| Review Date: December 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: eponine, Boston |
I was lucky enough to snag this scale through Amazon Vine, and I'm quite pleased. This measures:
* Body fat%
* Body mass index (BMI)
* Skeletal muscle%
* Visceral fat level
* Body weight
I can't vouch for its accuracy, as I have nothing to compare it to (no recent trips to the doc, etc.), but it seems very consistent in terms of my readings, which is reassuring.
Quite easy to use and the manual is helpful. Haven't had it long enough to comment on battery life, but my old Omron scale (which I gave to my roommate) ran for months without needing a battery change.
Recommended. |
Trusted name, great product!
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: A. Hudson, GSO |
The Omron model 510 HBF provides information about body composition (various body fats) as well as weight and can store four people's names/gender/age/height so each can easily monitor how he or she is doing. It does not have a memory to store the fat composition and weight readings for each person. I understand that more expensive models of the Omron scale do have that capability.
I was immediately impressed by two small things upon unpacking the scale. It came with heavy duty AA batteries and the flexible handle that measures body fat was similar to what I had seen Dr. Oz use on his TV show.
The instruction book can be easily followed. It has illustrations as well as wording to inform users how to insert the batteries and use the scale. Especially useful are charts and information about the body composition. The booklet shows how to interpret the Body Mass Index (BMI), the body fat, the visceral fat, and skeletal muscle readings. The maximum weight for this model is 330 pounds, higher than my regular bathroom scale, and useful for heavier family members.
I was surprised and pleased that the scale is not much bigger than a regular bathroom scale. It is only very slightly longer, wider, and higher. It also is much lighter in weight than I expected. One thing that those interested in interior decoration should note is that the color is not a true white, but rather off-white -- almost a light cream color. I think the scale is very attractively designed.
I have an Omron pedometer and have trusted the Omron name so I was excited to use this scale with body composition monitor. It is attractive, easy to use, and provides very helpful information for those interested in body composition as well as weight. The only reason I would not give it five stars is that the few times I forgot to tell the scale I am user 1 and had to turn it off and back on (after only a minute), my weight registered higher the second time as user 1. The information provided to set up a profile should influence the calculated body composition, not the weight shown. Until I figure out why the weight varies, I can't give it the fifth star.
I would still endorse using this scale, as it has been immensely useful to me in easily obtaining more information about my body fat levels as well as weight.
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Potentially 'Too Much' Information from this Device
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| Review Date: November 29, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Andrea L. Polk, Southern Oregon |
I received this item as part of the Amazon Vine program. I have had this scale: Omron Body Fat Monitor with Scale for some time, so this was a definite upgrade for me.
Solidly made, with clear directions for use, the Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale is a good purchase for anyone who wants to know their overall fat, BMI, viseral fat and skeletal muscle composition. However, it is not for the faint of heart, as from my perspective you could drive yourself crazy with it because it almost gives you too much information!
To begin you simply put in your height and age. Stepping on the scale with your bare feet you are weighed and then you are to grasp the handles (which lock into place on the weighing platform) and extend your arms parallel to the ground out in front of you. The measurements take less than 5 seconds to come up in the LCD. You see things like 'fat' and a percentage, but also where you fall into the low to high scale for your stats. The documentation that comes with the scale helps to clarify this info.
Is it accurate? That depends. My testing found 5-20% variations in 'fat'. After re-reading the documentation I found that hydration can affect this, and the suggestion was to always weigh in at the same time of day and to be hydrated for the most accurate reading. Remembering to do this... the variation percentages dropped.
Because this is not just your 'basic' scale, it's not for everyone. Athletes and those who are trying to sculpt their bodies will find it a very useful tool at a fair price. The 'average Joe' may find it simply too depressing to use, particularly if that person is overweight and beginning a weight-loss program. It may simply provide too much information that frankly, may scare some people away from using it! |
Great scale, decent BMI monitor
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| Review Date: January 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Menthol Rum, Los Angeles, CA United States |
I like her so much I named her "Tiny". She's compact, clean and sleek. Tiny makes you want to get on her to hear good news (her looks make you think she always has good news)!
The programming is easy and understandable, even for someone like me (I hate reading directions and even more, I hate following them)!
I am concerned that the BMI or % of fat reader is a little inaccurate however; I continue to use it. It will still give you a ballpark figure of where your body fat levels are. Thank you cheese and chocolate! Different factors will affect the readings, so you can get an idea over time, but I know I my BMI didn't increase 50% in a day or two. So, once you get used to it, you can figure out what it is telling you. The scale works perfectly.
I went from checking my weight once a month to checking it every other day, that has to say something!
Thank you Tiny! |
Small Learning Curve, Good Results
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| Review Date: January 28, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Sacratomato, Northern California |
I was surprised and pleased with the Omron HBF-510W. I always doubted that any reasonably priced home scale could provide accurate body mass indexes, but I used the Omron for 6 weeks and then had my annual checkup; very close, very close indeed!
Having a scale that needed an instruction manual made me smile. Modern life has made us inured to devices that require instructions more complex than, "Plug in your new coffee maker". But a scale? But the instructions are well written and not hard to follow and the results are very helpful. |
Very Satisfied
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| Review Date: February 11, 2010 |
| Reviewer: W. Carolan, OC, California |
| Received the product on time and in perfect condition. Easy to set up and instructions were very clear on how to use the product. I would highly recommend it to others managing their overall health. I am very pleased to be able to see body composition changes, even when weight remains stable. Very solid product. |
nice scale, good tool for motivation
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| Review Date: November 26, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Elmira, San Jose, CA United States |
So, this is my first scale that measures so many things. I have another one that measures some of the same features, but not the visceral fat or skeletal muscle percentage. Right away I liked this one better - it weighs me about 2 lbs lighter than my old one! I can't really tell you which one is more accurate since both would be close enough that another scale is going to be within the same range. I am not going to worry about the actual number as much as the direction it goes. Since I have not had my body fat (or any of the other measurements) taken anywhere else, I can't say how accurate the scale is, but once again, I am not going to worry about the actual number as much as the overall direction of the numbers. I plan on using the scale to motivate me to get the measurements going in the right direction.
One thing I didn't like about this scale is that it is not very intuitive. I have lots of gadgets and can usually figure them out without a manual, but not so with this one. I had to look through the manual to figure out how to take the measurements. Also, after weighing myself and stepping off the scale, the weight seems to stay on the screen for a long time. I am used to the scale just turning off after a few seconds--not so with this one--I actually had to hit to "on/off" button after 30 seconds.
Overall I am very happy with this scale. I'm looking forward to setting some goals and playing around with the scale to see if I can get some of my measurements in a healthier range. |
Tons of Measurements
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| Review Date: December 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Nick, Seattle, WA |
My doctor has recommended Omron products (blood pressure monitor) to me in the past and I trust his opinion. I've had consistent results with the Omron product that I purchased, so I expect that this scale provides the same level of accuracy.
The Omron HBF-510W measures the following:
BMI (Body mass Index)
Skeletal Muscle Percentage
Body Fat Percentage
Visceral fat (the fat around your organs)
Body Weight
Be warned some of the results you receive might be shocking, especially the visceral fat level. We're so used to thinking about fat as something that's just under our skin and hiding our muscles, but a great deal of the diseases that take people's lives every year (heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes) are more common with people with higher levels of visceral fat. While it's uncomfortable to think about the amount of fat you have surrounding and pressing against your organs, it's important to be aware that it's a factor in your overall health and it's a great motivator to change your lifestyle.
The box contained the scale, batteries (cheap ones that probably won't last long), and instructions. It's important to read the directions, as odd as that might sound when talking about a scale. There's a procedure that needs to be followed in order to get decent results and to actually see the results displayed on the read out. I tried a to get measurements a few times without reading through the guide and I was unable to see my results. After I read the manual completely, I realized that I was making a mistake and was soon able to get the measurements to show up on the display.
The scale calibrates itself each time before use, which is a nice feature on a digital scale. You can input up to 4 different users, a useful feature as some of the measurements taken by the scale are based on weight and your height. There's even a guest option, which is nice for when friends and family come to stay. In order to the body measurements, you need to pick up the built in handle bar and hold it out in front of you. A small current passes through your feet and hands which allows the scale to estimate the percentages of fat and muscle in your body based on the time it takes for that current to pass through you.
At the point where your hands and feet make contact with the sensors, there is a very subtle and slight tingling sensation when the scale is taking a reading. It feels similar to placing a very old and run down 9 volt battery against your tongue. Honestly though, you can barely feel it and it's not uncomfortable at all. It's nice to know that the device is working.
The scale comes with a small, single page, chart that you can use to track your percentages. It's a simple add on that I haven't seen included with other digital scales.
The HBF-510W seems sturdy and well made. If you're not interested in ever measuring anything other than your weight, you should probably look to a simpler model of scale. However, if you are interested in getting a general idea of your body composition, especially if you're trying to get into shape and interested in tracking your progress, this seems like a great product to use. |
Many Features, but not so complicated
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| Review Date: January 28, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Kula, USA |
So I call this the TMI scale, not the BMI scale, because it really does tell you a little too much. Who wants to know how much fat they have around their organs? And who knew that could even be measured, let alone measured in the privacy of your own home!
But enough about my insecurities. I really like this scale because even though it is complicated, and has a ton of features it is relatively easy to use. The only thing i really don't like about it is the handle bar things; but i know that is necessary to get all of the measurements the most accurate.
I don't like it's bulkyness but again, I guess it has to be because it has so many features.
Pros: Ease of use, more types of body measurements than you'd ever really want ;)
Cons: Bulkyness, more types of body measurements than you'd ever really want ;) |
A GREAT TOOL WITH SOME MINOR FLAWS!
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| Review Date: April 21, 2010 |
| Reviewer: ! MR. KNOW IT ALL ;-b, TRI STATE AREA |
I've been on a mission to shed some weight I've put on in the past few years. I started out with a bang dropping 85 pounds in 6 months, but hit a wall after that point. Weight goals can not be measured by weight loss alone. This scale, if used correctly will show if your gaining muscle or losing fat.
One of the biggest flaws with the scale is that is does not store your last weigh in! I mean really, it would have been very easy to put a memory in so that you could see what you weighed the last time you used the scale. I do write this stuff down, but it seems like an obvious option for this scale. Over all this scale is pretty accurate and when I don't see the scale dropping I can at least see my other gains. The scale saves profile settings for two users, so it works well for my wife and I to monitor our gains, but the memory should have included the last weigh in feature. It will weigh up to 330 pounds too, which is pretty good as most scales seem to stop before 300. |
it works
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| Review Date: May 31, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Flasher702, Seattle, WA |
| No sure how accurate it is but it is consistent. Interface is a little bit awkward and it doesn't store a history of results (you have to write them down somewhere yourself) but seems like a good piece of equipment for the price. |
Finally
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| Review Date: November 2, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Peeter Gruner, San Francisco, CA |
| Finally an electronic scale that doesn't lie. All previous electronic scales have been very "approximate", giving you three miles-apart readings in three tries within five minutes. I haven't really even tried the other features of this machine, as I know I'm grossly overweight and don't really want to be depressed even more by accurate body-fat and body-mass readings. |
Trickier to use than a regular scale, but I like it!
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| Review Date: November 26, 2009 |
| Reviewer: YogaKat, Oregon United States |
You can use this as a regular scale, but if you want to measure your full body composition it's a bit tricky. The composition readouts include: overall body fat, visceral fat which is fat around your internal organs, body mass index is computation of height/weight ratio, and skeletal muscle mass.
You must enter your age and height before taking the readings. You can enter up to 4 individuals age/height/sex for quicker readings. There is also a "guest" setting where you need to enter age/height/sex each time.
To measure your body composition you have to wait for the 0.0 lbs. reading to come up or you'll receive an error. You must choose the user number (or guest setting) before proceeding or you will only get a weight reading. Then you grab the bar/display unit and hold your arms down by your sides until your weight comes up and stops blinking. After that you raise your arms straight out in front of you and it will take the other readings. I like it that you can then step off the unit and review all the readings. You receive a tracking sheet that so you can keep track of your readings.
The unit may not be very reliable and you may get a variety of readouts. It is highly recommended that you take the reading the same time and location every time; either first thing in the morning or 2 hours after meals. Do not take readings right after exercise or drinking a lot of water. I took a reading with the scale on carpet and my readouts were completely wrong. So make sure to take the reading on a hard surface like your bathroom floor. I also took my reading in the evening before bed and was quite different than the next morning (my weight was 2.5 lbs. lighter). You will receive error messages if your palms or feet are not positioned correctly, if they're too dry, if you move or step off. I did not have any problems with taking my readings other than remembering to hit the user button before starting.
You receive a thin instruction manual that give you the standard safety information, explains each of the body composition readings and ranges. For instance, the manual show the ranges as follows for BMI:
<18.5 = underweight
18.5-25 = normal
25-30 = overweight
30+ = obese
In the case of BMI they also break down each category above into sub-classes. For BMI they judge obesity by WHO (the World Health Organization). I was rated as normal which I suppose it correct when I compare myself against other people, but for me I would say I'm slightly overweight and could do better by losing 5-8 lbs.
There is a section in the manual about long-term planning for successful weight loss, but it is quite brief. The manual goes on to explain how to use the unit, taking measurements, and includes illustrations which are quite helpful.
The unit uses 4 AA batteries and includes "trial batteries" which will last a shorter time than standard batteries. The personal profiles are not deleted during batter replacement which is helpful and you will receive a "low battery reading" so you'll know when to replace them. The batteries will typically last 1 year if you're using it 4 times per day.
I'm not sure how accurate this unit really is. It sends electrical impulses through your body to make these readings. Scientific measurements like this have been available for years, but quite expensive. This is an inexpensive alternative for $60 on amazon.
The unit is made in China I guess like so many things now a days we don't produce a whole lot in the US and have such a high unemployment rate in our country. |
Looks like it came from the 80's
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| Review Date: December 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Stefohnee, Redmond, WA United States |
I have an older body-fat measuring scale which I liked and is less space-agey looking than this one. I am not a big fan of the extra features of this thing, because of the handheld bodyfat measuring thing you is connected by a wire to the scale itself. It's just too inconvenient for me, even though it is accurate. I would think that the extra step of leaning down and detaching the handheld bit from the scale would cause fewer people to use that feature. In which case this thing just becomes a bigger, more complex scale that you never use to measure your body fat/etc. because it's too much of a hassle.
That said, it is accurate and if you really want to know % skeletan muscle and all the other readings it does, this will definitely be an awesome tool for you! |
VERY PRACTICAL DEVICE
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| Review Date: December 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Ignaciocue, Mexico |
| It works quite well for me. You can measure several things like the body and visceral fat, body Mass Index, etc. It can be quite helpful it you want accurate measurements i case you want to lose weight managing several references. I found it easy to use and the price is worth it for what it does. |
Used this scale for about six months now
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| Review Date: December 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: T. Simons, Columbia, SC United States |
I've had this scale for about a six months now, and while it's serviceable, I'm not completely happy with it, primarily because it consistently weighs me in about three to five pounds heavier than other scales I've used lately, and consistently gives my body fat % as slightly higher than I've tested it with other electric body-impedance fat analyzers -- it nails me pretty consistently at 17-19% body fat, which is about 5% higher than I've tested in the past. It's possible, of course, that the fault is mine here, butI didn't think I'd gained *that* much weight!
I'm also a little suspicious of its skeletal muscle analysis, since it hasn't registered much change over the past six months, despite the fact that I've seen very significant strength gains from a full-body exercise regimen I've been on for the entire time I've had this scale.
So those are the major issues I've had with it. More minor has been a general annoyance with the interface -- it seems like I have to push several more buttons than I should every time I want it to do something, and sometimes I have to shut it on and off several times before it'll do what I want.
All that said, it is a consistent scale, and it may be correct as well -- I may really have gained that much weight =( . I'll recommend it with reservations; it does give you a consistent measurement of weight and body fat %, and without having my body fat measured professionally, I can't be certain it isn't more correct than the other testers I've used, rather than less.
If you're looking for an unblinkingly honest bathroom scale, this one may serve you well. |
Maybe More Than I Wanted To Know
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| Review Date: December 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Bingo-Karen Haney, Florida |
This is a scale so not sure why I need to be a rocket scientist to understand it. But once I read about all the things it can tell you, I realized it may be more than I wanted to know but ala were things I need to know so I got on anyway. It does tell you about the body fat and percentages which is so important as we tend to think only "how much to I weigh?". You do need the manual so don't lose it. If you do, you can download a new one but that's a pain. It also doesn't keep the last weight or info like a blood pressure monitor does and I wish it did so be sure and write everything down. It is a great scale for just weighing but it also says it isn't accurate if you eat or drink two hours before. That makes it tough but I weigh in the morning first thing so it is OK for me. Overall, it is a nice scale for the price and very sturdy for bigger folks like me. My Old scale always make me feel like I could fall off!
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Nice thing to have around
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| Review Date: December 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: monkuboy, Temple City, CA United States |
This is the first body composition monitor I have ever owned, and also have ever used. It has a nice array of features: the usual weight scale, plus measurements for body fat percentage, body mass index, visceral fat level, and skeletal muscle percent.
The unit comes nicely packaged and is easy to take out and assemble (which pretty much means inserting the included batteries). The instructions were clearly written and also provide a decent explanation as to what the measurements are about. There are also charts for you to use to determine where you fall in each measurement as far as being over, under or where you ought to be.
Prior to this I was using a digital scale. I like the reading on the digital scale better than on this Omron because I am always around 1/2 to 1 pound heavier according to the Omron than I am on the digital scale; not once have I been the same weight or less on Omron. The same holds true for my wife, although for some reason the difference in weights between the two scales is less for her than for me. She is also heavier on the Omron. Now as to which scale is more accurate, I couldn't tell you. Based on the scale at the doctor's office, our home scales seem to be fairly accurate, at least good enough to provide an idea of what our actual weight is (close enough).
Now as for the other measurements provided by the Omron: I tried this and all of my measurements were in the average range, where it should be. Personally I thought I ought to lean a bit towards the under category since everyone tells me I am too skinny but I have nothing to compare the Omron measurements with. It seems reasonable to me and one nice thing is it allows me to see if there are any trends in the measurements.
One thing I don't like is holding the sensor that takes the non-weight measurements. You have to pick it up to select what measurement you want, and also to select which user you are (there are memory settings for 2 different users plus a guest setting). The instructions say to pick up the sensor when taking all measurements, including weight, but if you do this then it is going to add extra weight to your reading. What you have to do is turn on the scale, weigh yourself without holding the sensor, then pick it up and do the other readings.
Anyway, I feel this is a useful thing to have. While I don't know for sure how precise it is, I do feel confident that the readings are reasonably close and thus provide me with relevant information to keep track of how my body composition measurements are holding up. |
Still learning the Body Composition Tango
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| Review Date: December 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: plyopowerd, MD |
I've only owned "stone age" scales up until now, so I can't compare this to others in its class as far as accuracy or ease of use. But just as a plain vanilla digital scale, it works great: kick the switch on, wait for 0.0 to appear on the display, then weigh yourself.
But if you want to measure your fat and muscle and all that fancy stuff, better set aside some time for lots of manual-flipping. The manual needs to be organized better; it starts with charts and scientific talk instead of cutting to the chase of how the scale works. A step-by-step "cue card" on the cover or front page would be so helpful. I ended up writing the steps for use on the cover, because you have to do them in order: turn it on, WAIT for the number to appear before lifting off the handheld unit, select your profile, step on, wait, raise your arms...And you need to pull it away from the wall first so you have room to raise your arms. But once you go through the dance, it measures everything very fast on a display that is easy to read. You do have to write it all down if you want any record of it, but the numbers remain and you can keep cycling through them as long as the switch is on.
Overall, it does what it promises to do. If I were going to improve it, I'd add some automatic record keeping or way to download data, or just improve the manual with instructions in front and medical yik-yak in the back. |
Consistent home performer for casual use and information.
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: W. C. Bryant, Columbus, OH USA |
Devices such as this scale often have a lot of reviews questioning the accuracy of the data provided. Indeed, I approached this product with a certain amount of skepticism regarding its precision. People are, after all, built quite differently. Take five different 30-year-old 6'0" tall, 210# men with five very different body types, and this scale is going to give information of quite different relevance to each. The athlete with very low body fat isn't going to get very accurate information. The couch potato (with all due respect to all couch potatoes out there) might be more the target market for this product, and therefore may enjoy greater accuracy. So the efficacy of this scale, at least in terms of the measurements it provides beyond simple weight, is going to be somewhat dependent upon who you are, what you're doing, and what type of body you have. If you aren't an athlete, if you're interested in losing or maintaining weight, or otherwise interested in tracking progress across a longer-term exercise program, then this can be (and I think is) an economically efficient solution that will allow you to track your progress. Beyond simple weight data, which may not tell the whole story as muscle mass increases and body and/or visceral fat decreases, you're afforded a much more detailed look at your progress. And so we come full circle, back around to the question of accuracy and precision. What I found, over the course of the last 30 days with the scale, is that the values provided do not exactly match information I was able to get from the doctor's office. This came as little surprise, and was consistent with those reviews that questioned accuracy. The Omron was a little off (or perhaps the doc's office equipment was) a few points here and there, but this is going to happen across different forms and types of measurement. What's more important than absolute precision then, I decided, was consistency -- and the Omron, in my experience, has been just that. With very little fluctuation, the Omron provided consistent data across three different people in our use. What this meant is that we were able to use old data to sort of track and benchmark old data. Which is to say that when the Omron said on day one that Visceral Fat was X, and on day thirty said it was a value less than X, we were able to appreciate a meaning in the difference, rather than in the number itself. This isn't a long, round-about way of saying the Omron isn't accurate, your mileage is going to vary with a home solution in this (or anything close to this) price range. My own has been quite accurate, more so than I originally expected it to be. What I felt was more important was that it has been, to date, consistent.
Regarding actual use, adding new users (you can maintain up to 3) is quick and intuitive. Set the age, gender, height right from the T-shaped handle/data screen and you're off. Configuring that only takes a few seconds once you've done it once before, and deleting accounts is even easier.
Moving on, there are little things I wish were different about the scale. We have a blood pressure monitor here that connects to a laptop via USB and allows you to quickly and easily track personal history depending on the time of day, and it's great to be able to visualize all of that so easily. There's really no reason a product like this shouldn't be able to do the same. When the T-shaped handle snaps into place on the scale, it really locks down into place and can require enough force to remove that you sometimes ask yourself if you're just doing it wrong. Maybe I am.
Give me that USB connection and data storage/graphing software and I'm giving this 5 stars. Still solid enough at 4, and given expectations reasonable for a home device at or near this price point, worth recommendation for those interested in casual tracking of their muscle mass, body fat percentage, visceral fat, BMI (although it's easy enough to get that from any on or off-line BMI chart), and of course weight. |
Great Basic Fat Monitoring Scale
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. E. Nelson, Plainfield, Illinois |
I have owned and used fat monitoring scales for about 10 years. Unfortunately, I have watched my fat index raise from a slim trim 11% in my early 20's to a doughy 30+% in my mid-30's (ok, so I am fat, not doughy). Prior to this model (HBF-510W), I used an Omron HBF-500W and one of the original Tanita models.
The Omron Full Body Monitoring line of scales utilize a process called Biometric Impedance Analysis to report your body fat and muscle composition of your body in terms of percentages. Basically, electrodes at your feet and at your hands send a painless electrical current through your body and the amount of resistance between the conductors is used to figure out your body composition. The HBF-510W model will report your weight, BMI, visceral fat level, body fat percentage, and skeletal muscle percentage.
The manual that comes with the scale is extremely helpful. Prior to even discussing how to set the scale up, the manual does a very admiral job discussing the Biometric Impedance method and potential inaccuracies, what the various measurements mean to you and your health, a little bit on healthy weight loss, and the best times to use your scale. A nice data sheet is included for you to photocopy so you can trend your body composition over time.
The scale itself is easy to program and to use. To set up the scale, all you need to know is your sex, your age, and your height. Following the directions in the manual, it takes only a minute or two to set up the scale for yourself. Using the scale is as simple as turning it on, selecting the appropriate "person" or personal data set, grab and hold a T-bar handle straight in front of you, and step on the scale. The entire process takes only seconds.
If you read the reviews for Omron's like of body monitoring scales, you will find out there is some debate as to the accuracy of how well it measures body fat. I have not had my fat percentage measured by means other than body fat monitoring scales. I can tell you that (unfortunately) my body fat percentage is 37.6% (I probably made a lot of people feel better about themselves). When I calculate my BMI and enter it into a body fat prediction formula, my body fat percentage is about 30.9%. So I believe that there is some reason to question accuracy. However, I can tell you that with this scale, the percentages given to me were consistent on the scale. With my older scale (HBF-500W) and when I dieted and exercised, in the long term, the fat and muscle percentage numbers responded appropriately. So even if there is reason to question the numbers, in my personal experience, the numbers were consistent and behaved appropriately.
Overall, I have been pleased with the Omron HBF-510W. Omron's other models include other options such as resting metabolism rates (in calories) and "body age". If these things are important to you, I'd recommend upgrading to another model. However, if you are mainly interested in your fat and muscle composition, the 510W is a much more economical choice. Personally, while I like having the resting metabolic rate information, I think this scale is a great way to monitor the results of your exercise or weight loss programs. |
Can't get much better for what you're paying
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Seth Eliot, Seattle, WA, United States |
I'm currently on a weight loss program, and as part of that, the doctor frequently take both weight and body fat/composition measurements.
This machine is easy to use and the measurements and weight it gave me were in line with what the doctor was telling me. Considering for what it does it's a relatively inexpensive home machine, you really can't go wrong with this machine.
Highly recommended, and I'm very happy I got this. |
A Matter of Scale
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| Review Date: December 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: korova, Varosha |
The days of just stepping on your trusty bathroom scale with the spinning dial are over. Now, not only do you have no latitude for creatively rounding off an in-between-the-markings weight reading, you can also be confronted daily with exactly how fat or thin you *really* are.
Omron has produced a digital scale that measures weight, body fat percentage, body mass index, skeletal muscle percentage, and visceral fat level. While weight is usually the only measure that can fluctuate significantly from day to day, the other factors can help you monitor your fitness level over time.
Setting up the HBF-510W is somewhat unintuitive, but the manual is clearly written. Once you have entered your height, age, and gender (these are stored so you only have to do this the first time you use the scale), you're ready to have your measurements taken. The routine becomes second nature after a couple of days: turn on the power, lift the handheld display out of its storage slot, and step on the scale. That's pretty much it.
Some observations:
*BMI tables are easily found online, so the BMI calculation is more of a convenience feature than a must-have function.
*Body weight is displayed in 0.2 pound increments. Personally, I would be fine with only whole pounds because I don't think any home scale is really that accurate. Also, I'm not too concerned if my weight is up or down, say, 0.4 pounds. It's multi-pound movements that I'm worried about.
*The scale indicates, on a relative basis, how healthy or unhealthy your fat, visceral fat, and muscle levels are. Unfortunately, the ratings are based on proprietary indices, so it is probably unwise to rely on the ratings without consulting a doctor.
*Anybody who has mobility or flexibility problems might find it difficult to bend over and remove the hand sensor module from the scale's base.
*Daily readings are not stored by the scale. If you don't want to have to maintain a written record of your measurements, take a look at the HBF-514C. That model has a memory function.
Bottom line: a good multi-function scale for anybody who wants to go beyond only measuring their body weight and is willing to keep manual records. |
Works well enough
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| Review Date: December 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: RG, California |
After using this scale for about a month, I'm pleased with its precision. I've tested it periodically by taking multiple readings within a minute or two and it's reports the same weight each time. I've also compared the readings to an old Taylor scale that I've been using. They sometimes differ by up to 0.5 lbs, but that's likely due to the Taylor only being able display 0.5 lb intervals.
I've set up my personal data and used it a few times to check my bmi, fat percentage, and a couple other readings that it measures. Unfortunately I have no way to confirm those readings against anything else so I don't know how accurate they really are. However the bmi readings are on par with online bmi calculators that use your body height and weight to calculate bmi. It's fairly easy to set up your personal data and take the readings. Just remember you have to be barefoot or it won't be able to take the extra readings. I always forget that then wonder why it isn't working.
I like that it reports weight in 0.2 lb increments instead of 0.5 lb increments like my old scale. I don't like that you have to turn it off and back on to perform multiple readings. I like scales that allow you to just step off and step back on quickly to re-weigh yourself. But that's a minor quibble that doesn't detract from the overall usefulness of the scale.
I think for myself that the extra features have ended up being a bit of overkill since I don't really use them that much. If you're concerned primarily with checking your weight and not anything else you'll be better off with a less expensive scale that doesn't have the extra bells and whistles. But if you like getting all the extra information then this scale should work fine for you. |
Seems fine to me
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| Review Date: February 3, 2010 |
| Reviewer: RBMunkin, Nowhere Land |
| Seems good to me. I like how it works. I'm not sure how to vouch for it's accuracy, but it seems like a good unit to me. |
When the HBF-306 is not enough!
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| Review Date: February 25, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Robert Schmidt, Honolulu, HI USA |
The Omron HBF-306 Body Fat Analyzer is a great little device for determining body fat and Body Mass Index (BMI). No, it's not as accurate as underwater weighing, but incredibly convenient for health fairs and group testing, and in office settings.
This model, the Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale, provides the same convenience, but with the added bonus of getting an accurate weight reading. Believe it or not (well, believe it), people tend to underestimate their weight when you ask them. They are embarrassed, they don't want to say with friends standing around, they don't know, they lie... it doesn't matter. The Omron HBF-510W takes their weight, enters the weight automatically in the calculations, and spits out the body fat and BMI information.
It stashes nicely under the desk when you don't need it, and you can use just the weight function when you need a person's weight.
This is a great device. And when that line gets long, whip out the handheld HBF-306. These are a great pair to have in your office! And the price is right to keep on at home. |
Great for quick weight measurement and more...
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| Review Date: May 20, 2010 |
| Reviewer: D. Otero, Gainesville, FL United States |
This is by far the fanciest bathroom scale I have ever owned! For years, we have always used an old-fashioned scale. I thought it would be nice to get a digital scale to replace our very old scale.
You can weigh yourself quickly and easily by just turning the scale on and stepping on as you would with any scale. You can also enter your height etc and get more advanced readings by using the hand held portion as well.
The one thing that was a bit disconcerting to me is that the way this works is by sending low levels of electric current through your body! (Note the metal portions you stand on and the metal grips on the handle).
It is probably a very small and harmless bit of electricity... but there is a warning saying this scale should not be used by pregnant women. After I read that warning, I stopped using the scale for anything more than quick weight measurements (ie I stopped using the hand held part) except on rare occasion.
It is interesting to measure your muscle percentage, fat percentage etc... but not something that you need to do daily or even very often. I will still use this feature but not more often than once every few months. |
A Neat Toy For The Person Who Has Everything
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| Review Date: December 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: B. McCarthy, Florida, USA |
Okay, I was a bit skeptical about the electronic pulses that these types of scales put into your body, and I still am, but it was fun to see my body fat percentage (12) along with my weight. It was within a pound of my regular scale, so I guess that both scales are probably accurate.
There were a few things that this doesn't have which I would like to see in the next version. First, there are no big buttons to select the user with your foot. You either have to pick up the controller and do it by hand or do it with a small button with your foot. It would be nice to see large buttons on the front. Second, the unit doesn't go on by tapping, you have to press a button (that one is easy to press with your foot). Third, the batteries are not the preinstalled 10 year lithium type, they are just regular batteries. Fourth, the scale doesn't talk to you. And finally, there is no USB connection. I would like to see a version where a usb thumbdrive or a memory card is inserted and your results are stored there up to the drive's capacity, then included software takes that information and presents it in graph form on your computer.
Overall, this is a great toy. I wouldn't pay a lot for these features, but the price is reasonable for what it does. Hopefully version 2.0 will include these upgraded features! |
Good Scale With Lots Of Features
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| Review Date: December 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. White, |
| Have been testing the scale for several weeks now and am very satisfied. It seems to offer very good accuracy and provides the added benefits of BMI measurement. With so much technology here though I wonder why some time of data interface was not included. It would be nice to be able to transfer information to a PC with Omron softare like they provide for Blood Pressure and Pedometer. That is the only feature I can see missing from this otherwise fine product. |
Good scale. Kinda complicated.
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| Review Date: December 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: W. Bison, Boston, MA |
Good scale. Kinda complicated.
I like it. Has all kinds of bells and whistles, many f which I don't even know how/why to use. In terms of accuracy, as far as I can tell, it's pretty decent. The one thing i don't really like about it is the handle for BMI. Make it a little more cumbersome that I'd like a scale to be, but that the tradeoff for getting this tricked out product. |
Too high on weight and body fat
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| Review Date: November 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Leanne, San Diego, CA |
This scale is sturdy and solid-feeling, and seems built to last, especially if you are on the larger side. I have been using a Tanita scale that feels much flimsier and even wobbly when I step on it, but I didn't get that feeling with this Omron scale. I also really like how you can program in your information (age, gender, height, etc.) so that you don't have to enter it each time you use the scale.
That being said, this scale seems to run a few pounds high in weight and also a few percentage points over on body fat; it just isn't accurate. How do I know this? Last year, I had a Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan performed to check my bone density, and it also revealed my body fat and weight. DEXA scans are considered to be one of the gold standard measurements, and are extremely accurate. I've been using the information from my DEXA scan to track my progress on my Tanita scale, and this Omron scale has been giving me a reading that is three pounds over my actual weight and about four percentages higher than my actual body fat.
Another reviewer mentioned a study done by Texas A&M that showed that this scale reads about 3.5% higher, and, as that reviewer mentioned, if you Google it you can find that study on-line.
Overall, I would give this product 3 1/2 stars. If you know that its readings run a bit higher than your actual ones, you can still use this to track your progress. Most experts agree, in fact, that if you are trying to reduce your body fat, you can just focus on the downward trend to know you are meeting your goals. However, it would be nice if this scale were more accurate. |
Good, but go with the Omron HBF-516
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| Review Date: May 3, 2009 |
| Reviewer: T. Barrett, Green Bay, WI |
| This scale is a good scale, but do not assume it has estimated resting metabolism (it DOES NOT). You would think the HBF-510 would have resting metabolism if the omron website doesn't list the HBF-510, but lists the HBF-500 & HBF-516 having resting metabolism. Go with the 510 if you don't want resting metabolism (or estimated age). Go with the 500 if you want resting metabolism (and NOT estimated age). Go with the 516 if you want resting metabolism AND estimated body age. HOWEVER, IN MY EXPERIENCE I would caution you that I have both 510 and 516 and learned in comparing the two scales that the 516 does NOT give ANY parameters besides weight (like percent body fat) if your ESTIMATED body age is greater than 80 (probably is over 80 if you actually are over 60 and out of shape or actually over 40 and really out of shape). Tried my mom (62) on both and the HBF-516 kept giving error code "ERR 4", parameters out of range or something like that. BUT the HBF-510 didn't error out and gave her percent body fat and other things (except estimated body age and resting metabolism of course). I tried both scales myself immediately after her and the 510 and 516 worked just fine and yielded all expected variables for each model, go figure. |
questionable accuracy, missing hydration level measurement
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| Review Date: January 28, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Music Fan Jeff, San Francisco, CA United States |
Like some of the other reviewers of this item, I'll preface my review by giving you some information about myself. This is my fourth scale that attempts to measure body fat. I have also had my body fat measured by two different trainers at two different gyms over the past four years.
Four years ago, I was definitely well into the obese category and weighed over 250 pounds, with very little muscle and a lot of fat. After lots of regular exercise (resistance training, cardio, and core exercises), I have lost a lot of weight and bodyfat and put on a fair amount of muscle. My most recent bodyfat measurement done by a trainer (using two methods, both a hand-held electronic device as well as calipers) revealed that I was solidly in the normal range for bodyfat for someone my age, height, and gender. That was one year ago. I have lost more bodyfat and added more muscle since then.
I still own two of my previous scales. One, by Tanita, is a hassle to use since it doesn't have any memory and thus requires the entry of height and gender for every use. It only measures weight and body fat. The other, by Soehlne, measures weight, hydration level, bodyfat, and muscle. The Soehlne and Tanita scales give results that are consistent with each other and also with the measurements taken by the trainer. The Omron scale, unfortunately, only gives a weight reading that is consistent with other devices. Imagine my surprise when the Omron scale put my bodyfat nearly back into the obese category and my muscle composition in the low category while the Soehlne scale shows my bodyfat as still in the normal range and muscle composition in the high end of normal.
I suppose I could assume that the Omron scale is more accurate than my other scales because it requires the use of both the hands and feet in terms of attempting to measure things beyond basic weight, but that doesn't explain why its measuresments vary so widely from those obtained by my trainer a year ago. Even if my other scales are less accurate, the various percentages haven't changed dramatically over the previous year -- in other words, the devices are consistent. Therefore I find it difficult to believe that the Omron's measurements are accurate, with a 4-6 percentage point difference between it and other measuring devices.
I'm not sure what to make of this. Others seem to believe this scale provides accurate measurements, while some others do not. Perhaps there is a lack of quality control at the manufacturer, and some units perform better than others. It's also possible that other factors are affecting measuring accuracy. Even though I did follow Omron's instructions as to proper times to take measurements, the reality is that I seldom am hydrated properly (something repeatedly revealed to me by my Soehlne scale). If my electrolyte balance is off, perhaps the Omron scale is simply unable to achieve as much accuracy as it would if I were properly hydrated. This is just speculation on my part, but I do know that electrolyte balance is affected by hydration levels and that these electronic measuring devices rely on conducting current through your body to work. Unfortunately Omron didn't include a measurement for hydration level (which would have been much more useful than the basic BMI measurement provided), a serious omission in my opinion. |
Composition measurements don't work for everyone
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| Review Date: February 12, 2010 |
| Reviewer: T. Lau, |
The scale itself is sleek and light, and easy to use. HOWEVER, it's major weakness is that the body composition measurements do not work for everyone! If you have an athletic/toned body, your fat/bmi/etc. measurements will be too low for this scale to calculate, and you'll end up with ERR 4 errors meaning that your values are out of range.
They really should state this in the product info section... for reference, I'm at 25 year old male, 5'9, 136 lbs. |
Reliability of some measurements is questionable
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| Review Date: December 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Stephen M. Charme, Cranford, NJ United States |
I received this product at no cost through the Amazon Vine program. I would not buy this on my own or recommend it to a friend. Let me explain why.
I am a runner (about 1200 miles a year) and work out regularly in the gym with different weights. I also have my cholesterol checked every six months. I mention this because I know what kind of shape I am in and was curious what this machine would tell me.
This is the only electronic scale that I have ever used that requires the user to turn it on with a power button each time. Usually electronic scales are pressure activated. I found the power button to be an unnecessary annoyance. Putting that aside, while the scale gave constant readings, they tended to be off by about 3-4 pounds (I use a Healthometer Professional model at home and the "doctor's scale" in my gym to monitor my weight). However, once you establish a baseline for accuracy, the scale works okay.
This product claims to be able to measure four additional items besides weight: BMI, skeletal muscle, body fat, and visceral fat. Let me discuss each of these.
BMI is simply the ratio of weight to height. If you know your weight and height, you can easily calculate BMI in a couple of seconds using a handheld calculator or one of the many online sites. So having a machine calculate BMI is not a big deal, though it is convenient to have BMI calculated with other values--assuming those other values are accurate. That is what I am not so sure about.
Skeletal muscle is usually determined by using an ultrasound. How this machine can accurately do so is beyond me. My number came out normal.
Likewise, body fat calculations usually take into account a person's shape, and factor in waist size, hip size, and neck size--none of which this product measures. According to this product my body fat was on the high side, which I am reasonably sure is not correct based on my physical condition.
Finally, I have had MRIs for different issues, and my visceral fat has been found to be just fine. But not according to this product, which says it is high. High visceral fat can be associated with high cholesterol and heart disease. My concern is that this product may give a false sense of security, or in my case a false sense of alarm.
For anyone who wants to motivate themselves to become more fit, I suggest buying a good basic scale, reduce the "junk food" in your diet, start an aerobic exercise and weight program, and get an annual checkup. If this machine helps you, that is fine, but don't place too much reliance on the skeletal muscle, body fat, and visceral fat numbers because I question how accurate they really are.
If there are any doctors out there who have used this machine and can vouch for its accuracy, I would love to hear from them.
Comment |
Consistent measurements but unfortunate correlations
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| Review Date: May 12, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Pew Glue, |
| I bought this scale because I was disenchanted by the large fluctuations of several foot only body fat monitors that I have owned. Most body fat monitors seem to have a strong (negative) correlation between hydration level and body fat percent. Because this scale has a hand and foot sensor I thought that the body cross section would be increased enough to overcome this problem. I was pleased that this scale more than halved measurement variance as well as greatly decreased the correlation between hydration (measured independently) and body fat percent. The reason this scale only gets three stars is the near perfect correlation between body fat percent and skeletal muscle mass. This effectively reduces this device to a scale and body fat analyzer. If you want a tool that gives you independent weight, BF% AND muscle mass measurements you will need to look elsewhere. |
Not for me
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| Review Date: November 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: M. Karazim, Lansing, MI |
| I thought this machine would help my husband and I track our weight loss and would be more useful than a scale. It is fairly easy to use, but to me doesn't seem all that accurate. It's a good price for what it is, but I think a regular scale works just as well. After we used it, it seemed kind of obsessive to want to track all this stuff unless you really need to for health reasons. Not a necessary tool for casual weight loss. Keep in mind that it doesn't track your results, you still have to keep track of everything on your own. If you want to record everything with pencil and paper anyway, why not just use some of the calculations that are available for free online and do it manually? |
Not Something You Would Use Every Day
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| Review Date: December 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Twilightjoan, Peck, ID USA |
It took forever for me to set up the profile as the instructions tell you and when you do use the scale to sense your body composition, you really need to hold tightly onto the handles or else nothing happens. I tried to follow the instructions while doing what was instructed and kept having to pick up the manual and it wasn't working well. I did get it to give a reading so it can be done. There ARE 4 different profiles and a guest one but you cannot go back and read what previous readings were once it reads again -- you have to note them down on a chart which is included and should make copies of it first.
I do not see the purpose of having this sensor scale for daily use as your fat /bone / muscle and visceral fat will not change daily or even weekly. Maybe you could check once a month IF you are on an intense weight loss/ exercise program and want to see the changes. I think you could see them by how you look and how your clothes fit for one.
As a weight scale, it is pretty accurate but I will stick with my regular glass scale and pack this away for the future when I think my body composition has changed significantly. It comes with 4 Panasonic Heavy Duty AA batteries which should be removed if not using the scale for 3 or more months. The manual gives a year time frame for using batteries but then says they won't last as long with the "trial batteries" that come with the scale/monitor. I think that is a joke. How much more could alkaline batteries have cost the manufacturer?
Omron is good company as I have other items that are very accurate and/or rated very accurate by Consumer Reports.
I don't see how scale/monitor can accurately scan your body but there are a number of these type scales on the market so maybe they work. |
Great Scale, the other bells and whistles are overkill
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| Review Date: December 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Bradley Olin, Santa Cruz, CA United States |
| This product works fabulously as a scale, and is quite accurate. Both my wife and I measured within a few ounces of our correct weights from the doctor's office. the rest of the body monitoring functions seemed a bit off and excessive. The inaccuracy wouldn't be such an issue if there was a better way to track progress. Unfortunately, there is no software bundle or USB connection to enable you to plug the stats into your computer and benchmark. I'd recommend a cheaper basic scale or something with more connectivity if you really want to track the other metrics. |
Nice feature set, very accurate weight measurement
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: NecroComicon, The Inn at Innsmouth |
I made the mistake of trying this on a tiled floor initially and was not getting and accurate reading so make sure you have all four feet on a flat surface with this scale. The turn on calibration procedure is short and makes getting your weight a fairly easy task. This scale is accurate it is pretty well synced up with the numbers that Wii fit show. The other readings like BMI take a little work and can be inaccurate or read ERR. The user system is nice for multiple people who want to measure their body mass index, skeletal muscle, visceral fat, and most importantly BODY WEIGHT. I have an Omron pedometer and it survived a fall into water and worked so I have a good feeling about this unit withstanding the wear and tear of a humid bathroom. A nice scale but it is unlikely many will use the body composition readings as ultimately the interface takes too much practice and is unintuitive. The battery life appears to be quite good though as a year of readings with daily use is promised.
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Good, but could be better
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| Review Date: March 31, 2010 |
| Reviewer: D.M.K, Las Vegas, Nevada United States |
| I found the the other functions besides weight dificult to use and no necessarly accurate. I have another scale that does body monitoring and both these scales get totally different results. The other scale is made by a different company and is known for its accuracy, thus I not really impressed with this scale other than weight readings. |
Change you number
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| Review Date: April 12, 2010 |
| Reviewer: B. Dubuque, Evansville,IN USA |
| I found it disconcerting that when I move the monitor from one flat level spot on the floor to another, and re-weigh, I get a different reading. Fortunately, it said I lost .6lb, not gained. |
Extremely Inconsistent
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| Review Date: June 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Benjamin J. McCann, USA |
| The body fat percentage on this scale fluctuates way too much. I've used it first thing in the morning after waking up for several days running and it's given me anywhere from 9-14%. Without more consistency it's impossible to use. |
Nice scale but no history recall
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| Review Date: November 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: M. Stewart, Texas, USA |
The idea is great; besides telling you your weight, this scale will also display your body fat %, muscle %, BMI, and visceral fat level. You can enter height, gender, and age for up to 4 users; there is a guest mode for those who just occasionally use the scale. The unit can be used for just weight without any setup; just tap the power button, wait for 0.0, and step on. If you want to use the other features, after the 0.0 appears, you need to remove the handlebar, remember to select a user #, then step on, hold still, wait for your weight to display (hold still)..., and flash twice. You then hold the handlebars straight out while it figures out the various percentages. Now here is the trick; if you want to remember the values displayed, have pencil and paper handy, and do not turn off the scale until you've written them down; the only thing the scale remembers is how old, tall and gender of each user. This makes this virtually useless, except for the little bar charts on the bottom that show if your values are low, average, or high. You just have to remember what your values are. Another annoyance is that in order to get the most accurate results, you must use the monitor at very specific times; haven't eaten or drank a lot of liquids for two hours, etc.
There is one serious warning not listed on the Amazon product page; this scale's body scanning features should not be used by those with a pacemaker or similar implanted medical device, such as dorsal column stimulaters and deep brain stimulators which are becoming more common.
I tested this unit against two digital Taylor scales and it was within 1% of the other scales. The lack of a memory is truly disappointing, especially since Omron's Blood Pressure Monitor has memory for a bunch of blood pressure readings for two users; why can't a scale remember weight and BMI readings? It is also irritating that you have to remember to select a user # before stepping on the scale.
On the plus side, the display is large, clear, and easy to read, even when the handlebar is stowed in the base. The power switch is easy to use; a quick tap of the toe to turn it on; the button is easy to find. |
User Unfriendly Machine: Difficult to Use Technically & Behaviorally
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| Review Date: November 26, 2009 |
| Reviewer: SanjeevP, Michigan, USA |
Purpose of this machine is to motivate you to exercise and become fit, because if you are in the majority, you have high BMI, high fat percentage of body weight and high visceral fat. Looking at those numbers will scare you and hopefully motivate you. And then you can monitor your progress towards that goal by using this machine.
Using this machine is not easy! It is one of those electronic machines with monochrome display where each button has several functions depending on how you press it and if you lose the manual, the machine is basically just a bathroom scale. Thankfully they have a manual available for download and it is strongly recommended that you do that. Machines like this should not be difficult to use and even if they could not simplify it, why couldn't they put a sticker with basic instructions on this machine? Every time you need to change something and use it for first few times, you need the user's guide. So download the user's guide and keep on computer or Google Docs so that it is within easy reach.
And please read the manual before you use it, you will need it. Even after reading the manual and following every instruction to a tee, you will still be frustrated. For example first it under weighed me by 52 lbs! Aghast, I leafed through the manual to troubleshooting and then find out that the machine has to be used on a hard and level floor, not on the carpet. Why couldn't they put that in the instructions? It is definitely not like a toaster. Not only is the machine made in China, even the instructions are written in China!
After all that, if you are still motivated to buy this machine, then here are the pros & cons:
PROS
Hopefully it motivates you to exercise and become fit, assuming it is accurate & consistent; and if you are an organized, disciplined person with self control who keeps the manuals handy and is good at using electronic machines.
CONS
1. User unfriendly.
2. Poor instructions.
3. Have to use at same time every day for accurate comparison and cannot use 2 hours after meals.
4. Need to keep manual handy.
5. Other than storing basic user profile (age, sex, height) it does not store measurements or transfer records to computer or web site.
6. Does not always work: it said my 18 year old son's measurements were outside the measurement range! The ranges are all for 20 years or older.
7. No technical support phone number or even e-mail and I am not sure if they even provide it.
I have not used it long enough to vouch for the accuracy & consistency. It comes with a card where you can keep logs for 30 days but you should probably make a spreadsheet to keep records on computer. Make copies of that card and keep it handy with a pencil, right next to the machine, to be able to write the measurements.
Something like this can be utilitarian if it is easy to use, does not require manual every time you need to use it, stores measurements, or transfers it to computer or even better, transmits by wi-fi or cellular modem to a web site where you can analyze or measure your progress.
In conclusion, I am not sure how beneficial this machine is in practice. It appears to be one of those things which looks good on paper or in packaging but is difficult to use not only technically but also behaviorally. But, just like you can use treadmill as a cloth hanger, it will function as a weighing scale. |
worked 19 months then died: buy a new one says Omron
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| Review Date: April 22, 2010 |
| Reviewer: James R. Maxeiner, |
| My HBF-500 lasted only 19 months before it died. Used only for occasional weighing. Omron's advice: buy a new one. It gave no suggestions on repair, no replacement, not even a partial credit. It shrugged: one year warranty. In the European Union, by law it must give a two year warranty. My experience matches Free Thinker SC, as do my expectations. I won't waste more money on Omron products. |
Low Quality - Broken Upon Second Use!
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| Review Date: February 19, 2010 |
| Reviewer: The Country's, Diamond Bar, CA. USA |
I bought a Model 512 from the same line from [...] in Sep. 09 to be an upgrade from my Tanika fat monitor. I was excited about the functionality.
Unit did not work on carpet (Tanika did), so after first use I put it in a guest bathroom. Five months later I changed out fresh batteries and it just died - no weight can be registered.
Called Omron and they wants $8 handling to process the warranty. With shipping it will cost me say $20 to service it, and it only cost me like $40 on woot.
Extremely poor quality - stay away. |
Not recommended
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| Review Date: November 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Useless, |
I wouldn't recommend this product. I don't think the body fat % measurement is too accurate. I took a reading for several days, the first thing in the morning, and my results fluctuated from 16-20%. I am pretty sure that I am not even close to being in that range, because for my height/weight/age that is considered close to overweight, and I am far from being overweight.
The thing that caught my eye to purchase this product is that this scale measures body weight, fat, viseral fat, and muscle %. I didn't see any other scales that were able to measure viseral fat and muscle, but looking at my fat %, I am doubting whether the measurements I got for those were even accurate.
I would look at some other products if you are looking for a body composition scale. There are a bunch out there in this same price range, that won't break the bank. |
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