<p>I will be beginning a diet quite soon and need an accurate digital scale so I can track my progress. This particular diet requires daily weighings.</p>
<p>So, I went out to Bed, Bath and Beyond and bought this scale: Homedics SC-373 ProgressTracker Digital Scale, 400lb/180kg. Capacity</p>
<p>I tried using it today and discovered that it was giving my inconsistent readings. The weight was varying by a pound for no discernible reason. This is no acceptable, so I’m back to bathroom scale shopping.</p>
<p>Any advice on the best scale? (Within a reasonable budget.)
Thanks so much!!!</p>
<p>I had the scale on a tile floor. The tiles on my floor are very large so the scale fit completely on one tile. I then tried another spot on the floor (another tile) and had the same thing happen, so I don’t think that this is the problem. </p>
<p>Digital scales are pretty sensitive these days. Unless your tile was perfectly smooth, the scale may not have been completely level. It’s possible that individual scale is defective as well. It might be worth trying another one of the same brand. Bring a battery to the store and try them right there.</p>
<p>I assume you are talking about inconsistencies in readings taken just seconds apart? I have a Tanita digital scale and it is consistent from one measurement to the next, within 0.02 pounds. It only reads in 0.2 increments, so if my actual weight is 159.1, I might get 159.2 on on measurement and 159.0 on the next. Otherwise, it has never varied at all.</p>
<p>Now, measurements not taken immediately after one another do vary as my actual weight fluctuates throughout the day. I have found that it is best to weight first thing in the morning. Get up, brush my teeth, go to the bathroom, take off the PJs, and hop on the scale.</p>
<p>I have one of the pricier Tanita scales with the “body fat” measurements (which are pretty much worthless). But, it does have more substantial “load sensor” feet than the lower priced scales, which may make it a bit more consistent.</p>
<p>If I were buying again today, I would probably get their basic scale without the body fat stuff, but with a large backlit display. Like this one:</p>
<p>I have the same scale that I actually got on the BBB clearance table because it was NOT in the original packing (probably a return) for $10. I LOVE it…and it is very consistent and accurate.</p>
<p>It is extremely consistent from one reading to the next.</p>
<p>One thing I have noticed is that you have to stand pretty still, because moving around even a little can cause the reading to change a little bit, making it hard to lock in a weight.</p>
<p>And you have to have your toes just in the right (and same) spot. Mine has a brushed nickel “band” at the top…and I just make sure my toes are on that. If not…I do NOT get consistent readings.</p>
<p>Notrichenough:
Thank you for pointing out that scale. I had looked at other ones by this company this morning but had not see that one. Most people posted very positive comments about this company. </p>
<p>I like the size (another one by this company was 3" larger) and the fact that the surface is black. I saw many scales with a clear surface and I think that will just look messy is a short time. I mean, who has perfectly clean feet every time they get on a scale? Smudge marks would drive me crazy.</p>
<p>Sylvan: Thank you!!! I will admit to being a bit nervous as I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m doing it with my husband, so I think that will help both of us.</p>
<p>bookreader…you are a braver person than I am…I would NEVER do a diet with my husband. He doesn’t need a diet…but check out Weight Watchers…men can eat a HUGE amount more than women on the same diet. That would drive me nuts. DH already eats twice as much as I do and has never needed a diet!!</p>
<p>I got a weight watchers scale which broke completely - within weeks. I don’t think I weight 58 pounds! I have a Homemedic now and have exactly the same issue. I stand on it I weigh “A”. I pick up 5 # of books and I weigh “A + 5”. I put down the books and weigh myself again and I weight “A - 7”. Every time. Who knows what is correct. I’m pretty convinced the only accurate scale is the one at the Y with the sliding weights.</p>
<p>I replaced a sliding weight scale with the Tanita digital. They are both accurate, but the Tanita is much more consistent. It has never varied by more than 0.2 pounds from one measurement to the next. Most days, I can take four readings in a row and all four will be identical. And, that’s been the case weighing every day for a year and a half now.</p>
<p>thumper - on the particular diet we eat identical portions so no issue there. However, men loose more easily on this diet so I expect him to loose more than I will loose. I’m ok with that because he needs to loose more than I do. </p>
scale!</p>
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