Customer Reviews

Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I bought this a while ago, and suspected it was off as I'm pretty thin, active, and it was giving me measurements in the 28% to 29% range. But as of today, I had an underwater body composition test at a professional lab, and it turns out the scale was off by about 10%, making it completely useless. I followed the instructions for the scale carefully, tried taking the test at various time of the day, and while the results didn't vary by more than 2-3%, they're just consistently terrible. Definitely on my "do not buy" list. (The weight measurement seems to be off by a bit more than 1/2 pounds, if I'm to trust the measurements at the lab. But if it is, that's not too bad for a home scale.)

I received this scale as a gift from my girlfriend. The primary reason I wanted the scale was its supposed ability to calculate a body fat percentage. The scale divined that my body fat was around 18% which even when used right after waking up every day varied by a few percentage points. According to the information that came with the scale anything over 20% body fat for a man in my age range is high. Essentially, if this scale is to be trusted, I'm borderline fat. Thing is, at 5'8, 150 pounds, and a 28 inch waist I'm reluctant to trust this scale's measurement of my body fat at all. Maybe I'm skinny fat. Strangely enough, I can bench around 235 pounds and I am fairly athletic, going to the gym four times a week or so. The manufacturer does state that the scale doesn't work on accurately on "bodybuilders or highly trained athletes." I don't consider myself in either of these categories though. Fit would probably be the best description.

Why the scale is inaccurate (I think)
I decided to play with the scale and change my height from 5'8 to 6' even. Low and behold I went from nearly 20% body fat to 7%. Based on the bio-electrical impedance method of measuring fat, my height shouldn't really change the level of body fat much at all. Under that method (which this scale supposedly uses) an electrical impulse is sent through the body and because water (which muscle primarily is composed of) conducts electricity easily but fat does not, it's able to determine a rough estimation of your body fat percentage. Your athletic level shouldn't matter because the electrical impulse should reflect a higher muscle and lower body fat because of the varying electrical resistance. However, because this scale uses a formula for determining your body fat based primarily on height and weight, if you're even reasonably fit, it throws the calculation dramatically off. The formula the scale uses to determine your fat percentage has the same flaws as the Body Mass Index (BMI) which is why it doesn't work if you have more muscle mass than the average person.

What to buy instead
Fat calipers or a body fat scale that doesn't require height or gender information to calculate your body fat percentage. Height and gender should only really be needed for your BMI. Beware though, body fat scales aren't known for accuracy. But if you can find one that's consistently inaccurate(it gives the same body fat % every time you weigh even if it's wrong) they can be great for measuring progress.

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.

I picked up this scale to help measure the results of a new diet ("greens, beans and proteins") and a renewed fitness regime. In the past, I've used a traditional scale with mixed results -- the most frustrating of which was always weighing in heavier at the doctor's office than I did at home. Over time, my traditional scale lost about 7lbs of accuracy. I like that this scale calculates body fat/muscle, BMI and viceral (belly) fat. I've found that each time the viceral fat number lowers, it translates to a new, smaller clothing size.

It's also fascinating to see what's happening with your body fat/muscle ratio. For example, you might think that you've plateaued at a specific weight for more than a week -- but you'll discover that you've been trading out Fat for Muscle (heavier) during the week. This means that you're making great progress -- that won't show up on a typical scale.

This scale doesn't store stats to a database or website, but that hasn't been a problem. I keep a notebook in the bathroom to keep track of weight, BMI, etc throughout the week and transfer the info to an excel spreadsheet periodically.