Customer Reviews

Health o Meter HDL820-18 Digital Scale with LCD

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(26)

 

 

I'm more than satisfied with this scale. I was concerned that I would have to buy a more expensive scale to get good accuracy (see reviews of other digital scales in this price range,) but I've tested it several times over several days, and my weight varies by 2 pounds or less over the course of the day. My first weigh-in of the day is pretty much the same as previous mornings, sadly.

The neutral color (grey) and glass would blend in well with just about any decor, and the LCD screen is easy to read, with 1.5 inch high numbers.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it creaks quite a lot when I step on it, even though I'm nowhere near its 330 pound maximum load. That problem is in my head more than in the scale: I don't think it's going to break, but it sounds like I've got two people standing on it at once--I'm not THAT fat, am I?

An added feature is that when I'm craving, I go into the bathroom and look at it, and know that it isn't going to fall for any of my excuses tomorrow morning. So the last piece of cake still sits in the fridge. The scale has intimidated me into not eating it.

Accurate, easy to read, easy on the eyes, and intimidating--I think it's a good deal.

7/12/2008 update: Two years after I bought this scale, I like it as much as I did when I first got it.

In fact, today I realized my mother needs a scale, and I bought this one for her. I threw in a Sudoku book and got free shipping. And I look like a very thoughtful daughter. ;^)

But I got her this scale because I know that, even with her no longer perfect eyesight, she'll be able to read the numbers. And I know that after two years of daily use, this scale is still accurate.

I liked the look of this scale more than anything else. It's obviously important to place this (or any other scale) on a hard surface (as opposed to carpet, for instance), but I recommend checking your weight at least three times to ensure that you are getting a precise measure. A tap on the scale turns it on and after a few seconds of calibration, it registers a zero, at which point you may step on it. The scale determines your weight in less than 5 seconds depending upon how steady you are, and turns off a few seconds after you step off. The first reading usually read 1-3 pounds more or less than subsequent readings, so I trust the reading that I can reproduce after repeating the on/off cycle. That is, reading 2 and 3 were usually the same, so I trusted them. Other than that, I like this scale.

We're happy with this purchase. I especially like the increments in 10ths. The results are accurate/consistent.

The weight is accurate and the numbers are easy to read. If it would kick out a fortune, this would be the perfect scale...

Having a scale that only goes in pounds has been difficult when looking for small pieces of encouragement. This scale is not only good looking, but offers encouragement in steps of .2 pounds and does so reliably. I recommend it highly.

As others have also seen, I find that this scale gives inconsistent readings. When I first bought it, it was less than a pound difference, but it's gradually been getting worse.

I bought this scale over 6 months ago and it seems more recently that the measured weight is fluctuating by 2-3 pounds. So I am not sure what my weight is around. I think digital scales will fluctuate somewhat but by smaller amounts but there are other issues with this scale. This includes how one steps on the scale, places their feet and how much pressure one places which will rapidly change the results. Since there are no instructions how to do this it is hard to get a real result.

I agree with some of the other reviews. I have seen on occasions 5 different readings on 5 different attempts. When I decide to weigh myself a little later, my weight is probably much different.

So... It is worth buying a better scale even if it will cost more...

This scale includes some sneaky and deceptive firmware that makes it seem much more accurate than it really is.

Here's why I bought this scale: a friend had this scale, and to test it out, I weighed myself three times. Each time I weighed 167.6 pounds. "Wow" I said, "This scale is really accurate." So I bought one.

However, after I bought it, I determined that if two successive weighings differ by less than a pound or so, the scale will show the original weight. In other words, the scale lies about the weight so that you will think it is accurate. That is, if two successive weighings are close, that is, if it is likely that the person is weighing him or herself twice, it displays the original weight.

Here's how I determined this: I weighed myself four times, and got exactly the same reading (e.g. 167.0). I then weigh something else, or weigh myself with one foot on the floor. After "resetting" the scale, I weigh myself again, and get a reading of "167.8."

Another test is this: I weigh myself then pick up a glass with 12 ounces of water in it, and weigh myself again. The result: same reading.

This "feature" is very inconvenient if there are two people using the scale who are similar in weight. But even if you live alone, you will find that your readings are much less accurate than you think.

Here's what I want in a digital scale. You step on the scale, and it shows your weight. Every three seconds the weight may go up or down a bit, due to measurement inaccuracies. I suspect that this is how the company designed it originally, but that the variations were so large that they knew people wouldn't buy it.

If you want an accurate scale that doesn't deceive you, look else where.

I had to replace the batteries constantly, and we only used the scale once a day. Batteries would last a week or two tops

Don't buy!

i tried this scale both in the bathroom (ceramic tiles) and in the kitchen (hardwood flooring) literally over 30 times. i got a range of weights between 184.3 and 112.8! (in reality i weigh about 123 lbs) i never got the same number twice in a row, every single time it was something different. and even getting the scale to calibrate is a huge chore. i will be returning this thing immediately. i have never been so disappointed in a scale before.