Digital scales

cnbbnc
cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
edited December 2 in Health and Weight Loss
I hate em.... I tossed my analog one and bought a digital today, and every time I stand on it I get different reading. The number differs by 4lbs which isn't gonna fly for me. BUT...when I put a 20lb box of cat litter on it it's accurate every time. Obviously it's me, but I don't know what to do now.

Do you stand on it a few times and take an average? Go by the first reading? Return it?

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    I would return it, it doesn't sound like it is working good.
  • tapwaters
    tapwaters Posts: 428 Member
    Is it on a hard floor? You shouldn't have it on carpet or very soft linoleum.
  • bekim123
    bekim123 Posts: 391 Member
    make sure you're not leaning one way or another as you stand on it
  • Annahbananas
    Annahbananas Posts: 284 Member
    cnbbnc wrote: »
    I hate em.... I tossed my analog one and bought a digital today, and every time I stand on it I get different reading. The number differs by 4lbs which isn't gonna fly for me. BUT...when I put a 20lb box of cat litter on it it's accurate every time. Obviously it's me, but I don't know what to do now.

    Do you stand on it a few times and take an average? Go by the first reading? Return it?

    There's a few from Walmart and target that is notorious for this. I read reviews for a week before picking the one I did
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    I've got the same issue with my Aria. I really want to just go back to a spring scale. I have to step on it 5 times for me to ensure I have a decent average. First two are complete trash. Next three I average.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    I think it might be because I'm storing it standing up...I don't know.
  • avic77
    avic77 Posts: 17 Member
    I just weigh once on the aria and take it for what it is
  • amandaleigh1417
    amandaleigh1417 Posts: 1 Member
    The same thing happens with my digital, I hate it its a struggle. I typically just take the first number it gives me though :/
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    This is a common problem w/digital scales. I have 2 of the same model and they often don't come up w/the same reading.

    I was thinking of buying a medical office grade balance beam style scale instead but,
    if Amazon reviews are to be believed, this is also a problem w/medical office balance beam style scales as well.

    So, my view is that even if the scale is inaccurate, if you use the same one consistently, you should at least get a proper indication of whether or not your weight is going up, down or constant.
  • Scotty_51
    Scotty_51 Posts: 15 Member
    I have a beam scale and as long as it's zero'd out it's very accurate. I've had a few weeks were I lost more than I was expecting, so I got on and off the scale to make sure, and it always gives the same weight no matter how many times I get on and off it.
  • daniip_la
    daniip_la Posts: 678 Member
    sgt1372 wrote: »
    I was thinking of buying a medical office grade balance beam style scale instead but,
    if Amazon reviews are to be believed, this is also a problem w/medical office balance beam style scales as well.

    For what it's worth, I have a medical-type beam balance scale. It's very accurate and precise as long as it's calibrated to zero properly. I've had it for a few years and I've never had a weight change after getting off and back on.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I feel very lucky with mine now. It always gives the same result, but I step on it twice just in case.
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    I'm going to keep the scale a little longer and see how it goes. If I stand very straight/still it looks to be consistent. Just don't remember having this issue with the digital I had a long time ago, but then again maybe I wasn't tracking as closely....

    Another thing that caught me off guard is it showing me a lower weight (no matter what the number) than the analog. Like I said...its measuring the litter correctly, so I guess I'm lighter than I thought. :smile:
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    walmart.com/ip/Health-o-meter-Glass-Body-Fat-Bath-Scale-w-Hydration-BFM145/21984588

    This is a new model but has the same features of what had been on the market for years.

    I have found these $30 digital scales to be awesome since 2011. I can step off and on many times and get the same weight. Knowing my "relative" hydration level, fat% and BMI are nice features plus it can be custom programmed for four different people.
  • adamyovanovich
    adamyovanovich Posts: 163 Member
    I store mine upright, and the first weight is always +5 lbs. The next 3 are always the same, so i figure the first is not calibrated correctly from it being set down. Also make sure it doesn't wobble, i have a few high spots in my bathroom that wont read correctly, all four pads must be on the floor and not wobble.
  • Annahbananas
    Annahbananas Posts: 284 Member
    edited July 2016
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    walmart.com/ip/Health-o-meter-Glass-Body-Fat-Bath-Scale-w-Hydration-BFM145/21984588

    This is a new model but has the same features of what had been on the market for years.

    I have found these $30 digital scales to be awesome since 2011. I can step off and on many times and get the same weight. Knowing my "relative" hydration level, fat% and BMI are nice features plus it can be custom programmed for four different people.

    Yeah this one is pretty decent
  • STEVE142142
    STEVE142142 Posts: 867 Member
    cnbbnc wrote: »
    I hate em.... I tossed my analog one and bought a digital today, and every time I stand on it I get different reading. The number differs by 4lbs which isn't gonna fly for me. BUT...when I put a 20lb box of cat litter on it it's accurate every time. Obviously it's me, but I don't know what to do now.

    Do you stand on it a few times and take an average? Go by the first reading? Return it?

    When you say every time you stand on it it's a different number are you weighing yourself multiple times right away or over the period of a day.

    If it's within a minute or two then I would say your issue is the scale. On the other hand if you're stepping on it at various times during the day you're going to get a different weight. I have access to scales at work. As part of the learning process I wanted to see what happens during the day and I found that my weight can vary from 2 to 4 pounds easily. When weighing yourself the most important thing is consistency wear the same clothes and weight yourself at the same time everyday.

    Also the other thing you have to remember is that your body weight is not a static number it's going to vary from day to day depending on how you feel what you've eaten the day before and other biological factors especially as a woman.
    What you're looking for is long-term Trend patterns that's where the concern should be.
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    STEVE142142 wrote: »
    cnbbnc wrote: »
    I hate em.... I tossed my analog one and bought a digital today, and every time I stand on it I get different reading. The number differs by 4lbs which isn't gonna fly for me. BUT...when I put a 20lb box of cat litter on it it's accurate every time. Obviously it's me, but I don't know what to do now.

    Do you stand on it a few times and take an average? Go by the first reading? Return it?

    When you say every time you stand on it it's a different number are you weighing yourself multiple times right away or over the period of a day.

    If it's within a minute or two then I would say your issue is the scale. On the other hand if you're stepping on it at various times during the day you're going to get a different weight. I have access to scales at work. As part of the learning process I wanted to see what happens during the day and I found that my weight can vary from 2 to 4 pounds easily. When weighing yourself the most important thing is consistency wear the same clothes and weight yourself at the same time everyday.

    Also the other thing you have to remember is that your body weight is not a static number it's going to vary from day to day depending on how you feel what you've eaten the day before and other biological factors especially as a woman.
    What you're looking for is long-term Trend patterns that's where the concern should be.

    No. It was weighing at the same time.

  • Dofflin
    Dofflin Posts: 127 Member
    Mine too. But its the same with the analog one I used to own. That's why I prefer to go by weekly/monthy. But I wish I could just actually KNOW how much I weighed, you know?! Soooooo frustrating, but not much you can do but be patient.
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    Now I've decided to return it. I just woke up...and after standing on it multiple times got numbers that are all over the place by 4lbs. It shouldn't be doing this.....

    And yeah. If I were just looking for a ballpark weight range it might suffice but I need a little more accuracy. I'll try that Walmart one. Thanks.
  • festerw
    festerw Posts: 233 Member
    I've got a Withings WS30 and it does not have that issue.
  • mysticatgal1
    mysticatgal1 Posts: 106 Member
    I had that with my last 2 digital scales and my last one was really bad. I got so frustrated I bought a spring scale this week. i miss the easy read number with a half or smaller increment but I feel better with the measurement.
  • VividDawn
    VividDawn Posts: 111 Member
    I replaced the batteries in mine, and figured I had to recalibrate it somehow. Looked online, couldn't find anything about it. Weighed a box of cat litter labeled 19 lbs, got 19.6. ....not sure the cardboard box it's packed in weighs over half a pound??
    But when I weigh myself, it seems right (72.4 the last couple days). While I wouldn't mind seeing an extra half pound on my weight, I do want accuracy even more! :)

    I also weighed my portable oxygen machine... "lightweight" for more freedom. HA! That darn thing I can barely lift, now I know why = 18.8 pounds. Pfft...lightweight my tailfeathers! :/
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