Looking for an accurate bathroom scale!

... too much possiblity for ''spamming'' pro and anti, etc. I rely much more on the opinions of those here. If some Angeline on the net posted that XYZ was a horrible product, I might take notice and do more research, but if YOU, Angeline said the same I would take it seriously.

They don't make scales like they used to that's for sure. When I moved out on my own my Mom gave me the bathroom scale we kids had in our bathroom during our teen years. We'd had that scale for as long as I can remember. A Detector maybe? I purchased several digital ones that looked more modern, etc., but always kept that one in the closet and would pull it out for an accurate or ''reference'' weight from time to time. None of those digital models ever lasted very long -- chalk the stupidity of buying them in the first place up to youth I suppose .

Then one year I moved 4 times and the old stalwart got ''lost''. I'm sure one day I'll open a box and find it, but we had to replace it with the Healthometer I mentioned elsewhere. I had learned my lesson about the digital models (although I'm sure there might be some expensive high-end reliable models out there). This model is now over ten years old and going strong.

Evie

... enough weights to add up to approximately their body weight, AND those weights can be stacked on the scale in an even manner, etc. this is MOST unfeasible.

"I assumed that you have weight lifting equipment too... use that." - Why do/did you assume that? I don't have any weight lifting equipment.

you mentioned the gym, working out, elliptical trainers....

so it's logical that you would have access to weights....


if not, weigh yourself, get off the scales grab a pound of salt and weigh yourself again, get off, grab another pound of salt.... if the differerence is 1 and 2lbs, your scales are 'calibrated'...


methinks gakada was not recommending "load 184 lbs of weights on the scale"...


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Calibrating involves doing something to the piece of equipment if it's "off". Or perhaps doing something to the result (add 5 lbs because the scale is 5 lbs low). In your scenario, neither is feasible.

Let's face it, you can't calibrate a bath scale except to adjust the zero. The worst ones you can dial to zero, step on to get a few pounds registered (not full weight) and the dial doesn't go back to zero when you take your foot off.

of the scale accuracy...

By using a ''known'' weight, you can estimate and adjust its accuracy..

If after every measurement, your dial doesn't go back to zero, OR the weight is inconsistence.. then you know that your scale is bad... and time to replace it ...

Any scale available on supermarket, will be good for atleast a year of usage.. and could be longer with a little care..

Now, if you want a zero tolerance accuracy, then you need to get something a professional use, even this, you need to bring to the licensed calibration shop, after certain time of usage.

... has to be in the general range of whatever else you're going to be weighing. My bathroom scale might consistently register the correct weight for a 20lb dumbbell, but not a 120 lb person. It might consistently weigh a 120 lb person but not a 240 lb person depending on the scale's operating range. A good scale should last many years. There's a lot of junk on the market, however, and not all of it that cheap (as in inexpensive)

Depends on the purpose of the scale....

In a way, I agreed with your calibration idea.. of course you should use the ''nearest'' known weight (to whatever you going to measure and within the scale operating range), to calibrate..

If you really need to know exactly what your weight on day to day or week to week basis, then you really need a good one...

But if you only want to ''monitor'' your weight, you can use the cheaper one, and by that small calibration.. and look for the average... you should be alright...

beside you can always measure it, anywhere available (doctor office, hospital, gyms, health center) and compare.

It consistently weighs me about 30# less . The blood pressure part is also low - when it works at all.

Diana

to standardize (as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction factors

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... to standardize (as a measuring instrument) by determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain the proper correction

Calibrated my fair share of instruments over the years Jonah, including lab balances with analytical masses kept in those nice leather & velvet cases.

There is NO means by which to calibrate your usual bathroom scale except to adjust the zero. What Gakada was referring to is not so much calibrating but testing for accuracy. And if that method is to be of any use, it would have to be done with a similar weight to that which you want an accurate measure of. At best, if you weigh around 175, put 175 on the scale, and if it reads 180, adjust the zero until it reads 175. Hardly practical if even feasible with most bathroom scales.

Tell me Jonah, if you do your "add a pound of salt" method, and your weights are 175, 175.8 what do you adjust to calibrate your scale?

#Tell me Jonah, if you do your "add a pound of salt" method, and your weights are 175, 175.8 what do you adjust to calibrate your scale?#

as i mentioned before "if the differerence is 1 and 2lbs, your scales are 'calibrated'..."

if the difference is 0.8lb it's not something that can be adjusted (assuming the scale would be used by one user) via the 'zero adjustment' and would neccessitate buying a new scale...

... what you describe is a test of accuracy, but not calibrating. It's a test of the accuracy of small pound intervals plus or minus your weight. Your weight could still be off by any number of pounds. The only means by which a bathroom scale could be calibrated in any meaningful way would be by means of the zero with a known weight close to your weight. Unrealistic. QED.

you mean it doesn't meet your definition of the word.....


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I believe Terry is just looking for a decent scale. Instead of picking fights over nothing perhaps you could just offer constructive suggestions.

my suggestion was as constructive as could be, and if he implements it, he/you can be sure that whatever scale he uses, it will suit his needs...


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What model and what brand?

Back when the office scales topped off at #350 pounds some of my really obese patients used to go by the feed store and get themselves weighed from time to time. Since their scales are used for commercial purposes they are checked from time to time by the government 'weights and measures' folks so they should be accurate.

However, I do not know what the granularity of their weight is. 1#? 5#? I've never checked.

Nowadays we have scales that go to #450 and that is enough for almost all of our patients. Fewer people get themselves weighed at the feed mill.

I doubt that the feed mill sells scales.

... if you have a grand or so lying around A medical office grade scale would be quite a bit cheaper based on a quick search, if its really that important.

I wonder Doc, has anyone ever actually brought their bath scale to your office to compare their weight on it vs. the office scale?

Evie

... for under $50 if you only want a 2lb. accuracy, you can get a hanging model "spring" type. Of course then you gotta buy an appropriate harness to hang yourself on!

Evie