Omron HBF-500 Body Composition Monitor with Scale

As you read this review, keep in mind that I am going to make a distinction between this weight monitor's "usefulness" versus the monitor "serving its purpose".

So, what is the "purpose" of this monitor? Well, it's supposed to measure your weight, BMI, AND body fat percentage. How does it do this? You plug in your sex, age, and height, stand on the scale, and it gives out a reading. The technical aspect of this involves comparing you to an average population sample the monitor places you against, and passing currents through your feet to measure your conductivity, which in turn can be used to extrapolate your body fat percentage.

Do we care about the technical part of this? No. What we do care is that it involves a standard, and what that means is that whatever it tells you your body fat percentage is, is an "estimate" more than anything. It works because the average is, well, average. The point is, you don't have to treat this machine as though whatever it tells you is accurate. If it says you are 20%, that could be 22%, it could be 18%. I don't know, it doesn't matter to me.

I do know that it finds my weight to within a pound of what it should be. And that my body fat percentage is within a percent of what it is using skin caliper methods. The accuracy of the first is more important.

Okay, so maybe it's not great (as several reviews note) at measuring BF%. But the method it does use to measure the BF% is a correct way of measuring fat. So, how do you use this, or how do I use it? I use whatever it tells me my BF% is as my own standard. Then I monitor my progress relative to my own standard. Mostly I use it just to weigh myself - and if that's what you're looking for, something to give you a way to monitor your body fat as well as your weight, then this is a decent product.

The issue of BF% inaccuracy drops this down one star, I'm sure they could have better done this to measure your progress against yourself, than compare your "conductivity" against a population average.

My other issue with this is that you have to press an "on" button to have it turn on. Most scales nowadays will simply turn on if you step onto them, for measuring weight, this monitor takes some time to load and calibrate.

My largest concern with this item is that it measures only in pounds! I find this a huge inconvenience as I am educated under the English/British system, and also prefer the universal metric system over the nonsense used here in America. Sure, I reside here, but every time it matters (i.e. in science, health care, etc) the gram is used. This should have at least been an option on the scale, and I am pernickety about this. This may be my own fault for not reading too carefully before buying this product, but had I known it measures only in pounds, I would have looked for a different scale and stuck to skin calipers for BF%.

After measuring my weight, the status bar indicating the beginning of body fat measurement would NOT appear. I returned it for full credit.

I've had this product for a couple weeks. The weight scale is accurate as expected, but the body fat measure is not. My body fat measurement varies every time I measure it. I can try the measurement 3 times within 10 minutes and my body fat measurement varies a difference of 4%. I take the average of my multiple measurements as a workaround, but can't rely on any one measurement being accurate.

I used the Amazon customer comments before purchasing this one. I agree that if you take a few minutes to read the Users Guide when you receive it, it is very easy to use. Those in the household who only want their weight are using it without reading the instructions for BMI, etc. and are equally pleased.

It seems accurate to me. I am nearsighted, so I was glad to find that the display "holds" the numbers until I can dismount the scale and bend down to read them. Also, every reading includes a comparison to the "norms" so you have a daily reminder to keep working your numbers into the good zone.

This item has some nice features, but they are not always accurate.
Since I weighed less on the old bathroom scale, I think I like it better than this one. My wife likes to keep track of all that stuff, but I'm a guy that wants the simple result.