TANITA BF681W Body Fat Monitor Scale

by Tanita

Product Details

• Item Weight: 7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• ASIN: B000094ZGI
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,491 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 11, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com

A class above basic scales, the Tanita family scale and body fat monitor delivers a more informed and complete picture of your physical well-being. It does this by calculating body fat percentage using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, a safe low-level transmission of an electrical signal through the body. Each time you use the scale, it displays your current weight and body fat percentage on the easy-to-read, 2-line LED monitor. In addition, it can show recent readings and recommended caloric intake, as well as compare your readings to a healthy range. Tanita's calculations adjust for age, gender, height, and fitness level, and the scale can keep track of profiles and readings for up to four users at a time. Visitors can use the "guest" button, and anyone can choose to display weight only.

Using the scale requires a moderate amount of initial programming and simple toe-tap operation afterwards. Readings are in 0.2-pound (0.1 kg) increments and 0.1% gradations. With a 330-pound (150-kg) capacity, the unit is suitable for ages 7-99 and body types ranging from inactive to athletic. It is not suitable for pregnant women, professional athletes and bodybuilders, or people with pacemakers. The scale runs on four AA batteries, which Tanita includes. It measures 12-1/4 by 11-3/4 by 1-3/4 inches. --Emily Bedard

Product Description

Tanita's family model include an abundance of helpful innovations for weight and body fat management. These features include memory for up to four features,a healthy range indicator, body fat and weight recall, as well as a weight-only mode. Daily intake is an innovative feature that estimates how many calories should be consumed in a 24-hour period for a user to maintain current weight level.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick and accurate weight; directional indication of fat, February 15, 2004

By 

John P. Grider "gridejp" (Orangeburg, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TANITA BF681W Body Fat Monitor Scale (Electronics)

I've been using the BF681 since early January and it has worked well for me. The body fat monitor does not claim to provide the same accuracy and precision of, say, water immersion ("hydrodensitometry") or caliper measurements, but it can provide an indication of the direction you're heading from week to week, which is useful information for dieters. If your goal is to precisely know your % body fat, then you should shop for a set of calipers (though good ones can be expensive). If your goal is to monitor your weight loss to make sure you're losing fat and not muscle, then this scale can help you (it has helped me so far). Plus, you can pack it in your suitcase & take it travelling with you.

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works well for me, January 3, 2004

By 

E. Lawrence III "ewill3rd" (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TANITA BF681W Body Fat Monitor Scale (Electronics)

We bought this several months back. I got it to help me be inspired to lose a little weight around the middle and my wife is very thin so she likes it to keep track of her body fat %.
It was pretty easy to set up for the 4 of us in our house, even though I had to read the instructions... and with a push of a toe button, a 2 second pause and standing on the pads for a few seconds it gives you lots of information.
My wife likes it and I am completely satisfied with this product after several months use.
I lost about 11 pounds so far, now to get the body fat % under control... :)

48 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money--get a basic digital Tanita., January 29, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TANITA BF681W Body Fat Monitor Scale (Electronics)

At this price, accuracy is a given. My scale is accurate. The added features do not add value, however.

The "memory" function simply gives the last previous session's information. Having memory capability should provide at least ten session's information, perhaps more, to provide a meaningful trend. The product description is somewhat misleading in this respect.

The body fat monitor is a) inaccurate and b) inconsistent. The manual even explains that your readings will be different at different times of the day. The best I can say about this feature is that it MAY be helpful giving you a sense of progress provided you only take readings at a specific time of day (mornings are not recommended). Keep in mind that seasonal issues (dry skin in winter, vacation in Hawaii) will alter the monitor's results.

I like Tanita's accuracy--it should be accurate for the price they charge for their scales. Everything else is basically useless in my opinion. I highly recommend you look for a Tanita branded scale that is simply a digital scale. The HD17, even though it has the memory function, appears to provide the same level of accuracy but saves $30+ over the BF681.