I've been reading reviews of scales, and it looks like the old beam scale - the one I remember from my Dad's clinic (he was a doctor) - is STILL the most accurate. I just finished reading the reviews on amazon for the Health o Meter Physician Balance Beam Scale. The reviews are saying what I want to hear:
"My strain-gauge bathroom scale as well as the more traditional spring- loaded one don't give me consistent readings. I could step on and off all day and never get three consistent readings. Even the range of readings fluctuates depending on the weather, positioning, stars and so on. Now about this one:
- This is a balance beam, so you're simply balancing your weight with the counterweight. There are no springs that get weaker or change with the weather, no strain gauges that vary based on your foot's proximity to the corners. Here's how good it is. I drink 24 oz of water after weighing myself. Step back on and I'm exactly 1.5 lb heavier. I've never seen a bathroom scale work as well."
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review also mentions that this model is the same as what I'm supposing is the Seca:
"This scale is IDENTICAL to the ones you can buy at *********.com for four hundred dollars more. The markings are the same, the weights are the same, everything is identical. This is a steal for a real medical scale. I am not kidding, this is the same one as the medical supply houses use."
Detailed comparisons -
"If you are looking at purchasing a physician's balance beam scale, you understand they are more accurate, repeatable, and durable than other types of scales and over the long run should be cheaper than replacing the regular strain gauge and digital bathroom scales every few years. You have three brand choices: Detecto, Health-o-meter, and Seca. Price isn't a consideration because careful shopping reveals less than a 15 dollar price difference between these three brands when one compares the equivalent models. Before choosing, I searched the net for reviews and information. Finding little, I contacted 7 companies which sell them (5 sold all three, 2 didn't sell Detecto) and 2 firms which calibrate & repair medical scales. I asked each which scale they would purchase for their own home and why. On to the review:
Detecto looked like a winner out of the gate. It is the only brand made in the U.S.A. However, looking at pictures I found on the net, the fit and finish did not appear to rise to the level of the other 2 brands. Additionally, no one I contacted recommended Detecto. The eliminating factor: Detecto has reduced their warranty from the industry standard 2 years to 1 year. Folks, this happens when the 2- year warranty is costing them too much money and it doesn't speak well for their quality.
The Health-o-meter brand is owned by Sunbeam and is made in China. Fit and finish are very good and it has a 2-year warranty. My parents and my brother both own Health-o-meter beam scales and highly recommended them. Additionally, none of those I contacted had anything bad to say about them. One put it best when he said the Health-o-meter vs. Seca was basically a Ford vs. Chevy argument. I do not believe one could go wrong purchasing the Health-o-meter model. They are great scales and should serve the needs of anyone for many years to come. If you buy a Health-o-meter make sure to get the 402kl or the 402lb since they are the best of the line (the EXP is not as sturdy and the CERT model is not worth the extra money).
Seca is a German company and the 700 model is made in China. Fit and finish are excellent and it has a 2-year warranty (the 5-year warranty listed all over the web is not accurate, call Seca if you don't believe me). All 700s have integrated wheels (optional and costs extra on the other 2 brands). Additionally, everyone I contacted chose Seca over Health-o-meter. Most chose on the basis of its modern, less clinical appearance, several felt it would be more durable in the long run because it outweighs the other 2 brands by at least 10 pounds, and one said she had never had a Seca returned."