Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale
Omron HBF-510W Full Body Composition Monitor with Scale
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 List Price: $79.99 Sale Price: $59.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping 
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Product Description
New Advanced Accuracy
Full Body Sensing
Provides comprehensive understanding of your body composition to help you reach your fitness goals.
Contents:
1 Monitor / Scale
4 AA Batteries
1 Instruction Manual
Advanced Accuracy
Full body sensing is more accurate than measuring with fee alone.
5 Fitness Indicators
Body Fat
Track your body fat percentage... and get excited as it trends down!
Visceral Fat
Work on lowering the fat around your internal organs to help reduce your risk of high cholesterol, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
BMI (Body Mass Index)
Get a better picture of your ideal weight by seeing an automatic computation of your height/weight ratio.
Skeletal Muscle
Watch your muscle mass build by the numbers, and use this data to minimize "rebound" weight gain in the future.
Body Weight
Still an important standard of fitness, especially in combination with your other fitness indicators.
Measuring Your Fitness Easily and Accurately!
Omron Introduces Full Body Sensing.
Throughout the day, your body composition can change. Omron's Full Body Sensing advanced technology is more accurate because it measures your whole body composition - from arm to foot - compared t foot-to-foot monitors. Seconds after you step on the lower sensor pads and lift the upper sensor bar, your personalized Fitness Indicators are automatically calculated. Whenever you take a measurement, you can trust Omron's clinically-proven technology to deliver precise and customized information. Daily reinforcement for a fit lifestyle!
Model
HBF-510W
Display
Weight:
0 to 330 lb. with 0.2 lb. increments (0 to 150 kg with 0.1 kg increments)
Body Fat Percentage:
5.0 to 60.0% with 0.1% increments
Skeletal muscle percentage:
5.0 to 50.0% with 0.1% increments
BMI:
7.0 to 90.0 with 0.1 increments
Visceral fat level:
30 levels with 1 level increments
Body fat percentage and skeletal muscle p
Details
- Better accuracy due to full body sensing, with hand to foot technology
- Monitors Body Fat Percentage
- Body Mass index (BMI)
- Monitors Body Weight
- Four Person Profile
Rating
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.
Rating
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.
Rating
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.
Rating
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.
Rating
This is not your everyday’s bathroom scale. Beside the real purpose of a scale is to tell you how much you weight, this scale does so much more. It could tell you your required daily calories intake to maintain (or lose) your weight, body fat percentage, BMI..all using an interesting method of measuring. Pull the handle out of the scale, step on it barefoot and raise the handle to shoulder level, read the display and rejoice (or cry). The scale sends a very low electrical current through your body and measure resistance betwen muscel and fat and perform the calculations. Don’t worry, you don’t even feel it. The scale can keep history information for 4 separate users, if you have more than 4 in your family, you need 2.
You have to read the manual to set it up, but it is straight forward. And don’t lose the manual! If you measuring body composition once a month like me, you need to keep the manual handy. I really like the scale, as a matter of fact, I ordered another one for my Mom. I love it when it tells me my body fat percentage is down a few points after a month of diet and hard work out. Every home should have one of these.
Rating
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.
Rating
This is a handy, reliable, compact scale that includes a full body sensor and body composition monitor. It measures weight, BMI, visceral fat, body fat and skeletal muscle. This is a product that surprised me. It works much better than I had expected. Last year, I went on a “food program” and lost 107 lbs — so I know a thing or two about scales. During our weight loss phase, my husband and I purchased at least four scales. The last one was a physician’s post and beam scale. I compared the reading from this scale to the Physician’s scale to determine its accuracy (it was within a 1/4 pound of that scale). I weighed myself multiple times in a row to determine whether the scale would reliably produce the same result. In this category, I found reliable results when I weighed myself with the handset intact in the base. If I was holding the handset for the weight portion, the results varied by as much as 3/4 of a pound. This makes sense when you realize that the handset is attached to the base by the spiral cord (like a phone cord). So for the most accurate weight results, measure with the handset in the base. The body mass and fat readings seemed about correct to me — but I don’t have anything accurate to base those on. Frankly, I don’t think any home scale really can measure those truly accurately, but they are fine to use as a motivational tool for weight loss. The scale is NOT completely intuitive, you will need to read the instruction manual in order to fully use the scale. Once you realize how to set everything, it is simple and easy to use. The instruction manual includes a couple of pages on “Long-term planning for successful weight loss”, which I found a little odd — but I suppose is a nice thought. The handset fits nicely into the base with an area that completely hides the cord. The on/off switch can be activated with your big toe, so that is also handy. One nice feature is that the scale is QUIET!! It doesn’t beep to let you know that it has completed your reading. This may not sound like a big deal, but it is important when you have a spouse that likes to weigh himself every morning at 5am while you are still trying to sleep. I highly recommend this item!