Tanita BC554 Ironman Glass InnerScan Body Composition Monitor Elite Series Reviews

• Directionally Correct, but Accurate???

  
  By A24ZNV0A3GOH25 on 2005-08-18
  I've used a simple model from Tanita for over 5 years and was as happy as a man with one clock -- I knew exactly what time it was. The added features of the BC554 were irresistable, but now I had 2 sources of data and they were not in agreement by a significant amount (e.g. 3% body fat difference on a base of 16%).
  
  The weight measurement is as good as ever: precise, accurate and consistent. The best that can be said of the other functions is that they seem to be directionally correct and some are simply 'figures of merit', not measurements at all.
  
  Customer support is surprising. When I asked the inevitable questions via their web site, I received a phone call from them. The answers made sense, but only reinforce my assessment.
  
  It seems that the algorithms are based on a statistical sample using gender, age, height, and 'athleticism'. If your actual profile is close to the sample population, the accuracy is probably pretty good. But as you progress toward 'athletic' and away from the calibration population, accuracy declines.
  
  It seems to me that anyone purchasing this model is serious enough about fitness to fall into this 'no man's land'. The other issue is that I would expect some continuity between the measures for 'standard adult' and 'athletic adult'. But there is a chasm! I measured 19% at 'standard' and 9% at 'athletic'. The first is clearly too high and the second is too low. Maybe a calculated average is closer to an accurate reading, but that is a serious shortcoming in a top-of-the-line product.
  
  So, simpler & cheaper is my recommendation. Accept the idea that you are getting directionally correct numbers that are only accurate if you match the calibration population profile.
  
  

• Careful in choosing a Tanita model to fit your needs

  
  By A2Y8N13LK9PBRA on 2005-08-16
  Great looking scale, just wish they hadn't put stickers on the glass part that leave residue which is close to impossible to remove. There are several types of Tanita scales out for choices in functionality. This "high end" model only really gives you an expanded recall function over most of the others, that recall function is horribly engineered by the way. It only recalls the LAST measurements, shows no statistics and is pretty much useless in my opinion. I use a pad and pen, it works ten times better. The manual that comes with the scale is essentially non-existant, it has a five sentence explanation of what most of the measurements are looking at. It never explains how it comes to these conclusions, mostly for the reason that to explain the calculations, would invariably reveal how innacurate the result set would be. The other issue with this scale is that the icons backlight by LEDs are about a 1/4 inch big, making it impossible to see them when standing on the scale. The only way to recognize the setting that you are currently looking at is by memory or getting off the scale and down on your knees. The accuracy of the weight function seems dead on, however, I have had four people step on this scale and the body fat, muscle mass and other "features" are ridiculously off. One of the people to step on the scale was a nutritionalist who was very familiar with her measurements and it was way off, by at least 20% in fat measurements. The biological age feature is a joke, I change ages daily according to the scale. The thing that I will say is that the fluctuations are registered so that you can see if the measurements are either decreasing or increasing. My suggestion is that if you are interested in these scales, and they do have their merits, go with a much lower end model than this one as it is really not worth the extra fifty or so dollars from much similar models. Go out to Tanita's website and compare them to see what you would like to have as far as options are concerned. For myself, it does give me some record to set goals against and I like that, I just wish I had gone with a more reasonable model that a $100 selection.
  
  

• Great scale--shows real changes in physique over time

  
  By A2W8O0D3685G5J on 2006-03-09
  This was the top of the line consumer Tanita scale when I bought it ($115 US), and I'm glad I chose this model. I'm sure I won't use it as much as time goes on, but currently I am using it 3 times a day for the last month and plotting all the readouts in excel. I know you don't care, but just to prove that it does work, I have been constantly adding reps to my workout, and I am seeing results only a scale like this could tell me. My weight is staying constant, but my body fat is dropping by 0.06% per day and my muscle mass is increasing by 0.1 lbs per day. That's 3 lbs of muscle and almost 2% body fat in only a month! I only regret I didnt get this scale sooner. Oh, and it only stores your last measurement, so don't expect to track your changes with just the scale.
  Their instructions say to take your reading just before your last meal of the day. I also take mine right when I wake up and just before bed, but the afternoon reading seems to be the most reliable (smallest standard deviation from the trend for those math majors out there).
  If you are what Tanita considers to be an athlete (10 or more hours of workout per week or resting pulse of 60 beats or less), then you definitely need a scale with an athlete mode, bc otherwise your body fat % will be discouragingly high. I have had a few other people take their measurements using this scale (different heights, ages, body types, and genders), and the consensus is that it is pretty accurate for them as well.
  Yes, it does use electrical resistance for the readings, but you could chew the two AA batteries it uses and not feel anything. (I disclaim any liability for injuries resulting from chewing batteries)
  The instructions and reading material that come with it are informative and gives you explanations of all the extras (like BMR and visceral fat) along with the healthy ranges for both male and female.
  If you are serious about getting in better shape, I encourage you to get this scale or one like it. It will motivate you to keep going and think twice about that fourth doughnut. If you just want to lose weight, don't waste your money, any scale can tell you that.
  
  

• I would call this scale "the motivator"

  
  By A3OF0ZCUD7R73T on 2005-09-07
  OK... This scale is expensive. In this case, you get what you pay for. Why did I buy a scale that is so expensive? Because I did the research and this scale gives the most details and is super easy to use. You simply pick what button you want to be. (1-4) and you enter your weight, height, and age. Also you can select if you are an athlete...this makes the measurements accurate for people who work out 10+ hours a week. This scale is a must for athletic people because the other scales out there will say that you are fat and out of shape...even though you are looking in the mirror at your finely sculpted six pack abs and rock hard biceps.
  
  So how do you use it? You push the number you set up for yourself and stand on it. It gives you your weight and then does the other test. It is absolutely painless, in case you are wondering. Also, it takes between 5-10 seconds to do the measurements. I haven't timed it with a stop watch but it is quick.
  
  Then it gives you all this info. Weight, Body Fat%, Body Water%, Muscle Mass (nice), Physical Rating, BMR (This is the calories you need to survive through a day.), Metabolic Age (sweet), Bone Mass, and Visceral Fat (This is the fat you have around your stomach and organs.)
  
  Also when you don't need all this info and you just want your weight. There is a quick weigh option that just measures your weight. Very simple, quick and easy.
  
  Can you hit these buttons with your big toe to work them? Yes you can.
  
  So what do you do with the info? Well I made an excel spreadsheat with charts so that I can keep track of the data and also keep notes on what I did. For example one week I did cardio for an hour every night, in addition to my regular weight training and my body fat% went down, and my muscle weight increased. (awesome) Then another week we had a hurricane, so I didn't do any work out for 5 days straight. I measured myself after this and I was the same weight. Woo hoo, I lucked out right? Wrong...Even though I weighed the same...my fat% was up and my muscle mass was down. (bummer) So this of course motivated me to work out like crazy the next week to get my numbers back in line and even drop some weight. Can your scale do that? Or would you just look at the weight, see that it's the same and say, great I'll take another week off. This scale tells you the truth while other scales don't give you the complete picture of what is going on with your body.
  
  I am the type of person that likes to buy the very best and I am very happy with this scale.
  
  Bottom line is that this is the best scale...period.
  
  

• additional features not included in the manual

  
  By A2LQO0DGQBWZAP on 2006-04-14
  After recieving this scale I got answers to a few questions I had wanted to know before I ordered it that I couldnt find in the online manual (from tanita's website) or from the reviews that I did read. First of all, I was disappointed from what I read that the recall was only for some readings not all. HOWEVER, what no one mentions is that you can (once off the scale) scroll thru ALL the readings using the arrows keys as long as the scale hasn't turned off. You WILL have plenty of time to record your readings...all of them.. one by one. Don't worry about the limited recall. Secondly, the scale will beep twice to let you know when it's done recording and when you can step off. These are petty, but since I can't see anything while I am on the scale, these two features make this scale simple to use and important to me. Don't listen to people complaining about the small icons. Just step on, wait for the double beep, step off and record.
  I know a lot of people worry about the acurracy. It is clearly stated in the manual that it is more accurate to take the average number of all the readings. I personally use a spreadsheet and have it average the numbers every time I add in a new days worth of numbers.
  I am using this scale to track weigh loss and I tend to get hooked on a number even though I know I shouldn't (it's easier said then done). This scale keeps me focused on the overall picture. Also, once I started to exercise my weight didn't seem to change for the better which is descouraging. I found it helpful to see the muscle mass increase while my weight sometimes increased!
  
  
• Best scale out there (Oct 2005)
  By A3LBWCSOEU48BL on 2005-10-12
  This scale has so many functions. It is really cool. As for consistant readings, I get almost the same readings day after day. But if I change how much I eat or exercise more I can see the change.
  
  This scale is almost the same as the Tanita top of the line. Except this one lets you view the readings you want, rather then wait for the scale to cycle through the readings. This scale will also cycle through the readins, but you can stop them and go to any reading or let it cycle then go back to any reading you want. Also this has nice big preset number buttons. Which is important since you may be hitting them first thing in the morning when you are not awake yet. This scale also remember more readign from the last time. It has BMR instead of the daily calories reading.
  
  I find this scale is very close to another much cheaper Tanita scale in weight and body fat. Of course the cheaper scale doesn't have all the extra readings. My wife finds the metabolic age reading to motivate her. She likes thinking she is younger then she is. (What ever helps...) I like the muscle mass wieght reading along with weight and body fat%.
  
  The scale looks really good being half glass. The glass is strong and won't break unless you tried hammering it, etc. It is easy to use and does a reading in about 10-15 seconds. It takes more time if you are moving around as it waits for a reasonably steady weight reading.
  
  I wish it had the daily calorie reading and it was more accurate. It would be nice if the body fat could show accuratly that I had burned off half an ounce of fat... But no scale today can do that, or any other method while you are alive. So I will live with the best that is out today, October 2005.
  
  Thumbs up.
  
  
• A Good Source of Inspration
  By A3QNX5KWHDV0GD on 2006-10-18
  As long as you realize that this is not a precision measuring instrument, you'll be happy with this scale. What it is good for is monitoring trends in your weight and body fat.
  
  There are about 10 functions on this scale. Two, maybe three are useful. Your weight. That's a good one to have. Body fat %. This number will fluctuate considerably depending on many factors. Perspiration is one. So you have to get into the habit of taking readings in consistent environments, like the same time of day, x hours after eating or exercising, etc. Again, you're not getting an exact number, you're tracking trends. There are numbers for bone mass, body moisture %, calories required (BMI I think), visceral fat (or something like that. The fat around your organs), age (or what age your body's shape is in) and a physique index. My physique is up to 2 (I started at 1 having done little exercising lately). My age reading was 50 (being 54 I thought I was doing good till I read that the scale doesn't go over 50).
  
  So I check my weight, body fat, age, and physique rating, and pretty much ignore the others. Although some of the other readings can indicate that your environment is uniform. So I don't really need to know that I have 7lbs of bones, but that if that number changes, maybe some other factor has changed, too.
  
  I'm pleased with this scale. I've had it about 4 months now, and all is well. I just need to get that physique rating up, and body fat % down. The scale won't make you exercise, but it will make you glad you did.
  
  
• Complete Bodyfat and Weight Scale Analysis in one unit
  By ACLP0SKYROH6Z on 2005-06-02
  I have owned many of the Tanita scales over the years and they just get better and better. With all the functions built into this machine it should be hundreds more. If you are serious about losing weight, maintaining weight, or just want to know all the real factors on a daily basis this is the ultimate machine. Everything from muscle mass, water weight changes, and more this is great for the novice exercise enthusiast to the serious athlete. You can get a side by side comparison of this versus the other ones at www.tanita.com and you'll see how feature packed this is. It's also very reliable, easy to use. Go get yours today!
  
  
• Broken displays not a fluke, manufacturing defect
  By A1QTPU5NMWHKNO on 2006-09-05
  Firstly, I love this scale. Even if those who argue that some of the numbers other than weight are not meaningful the scale measures how those number change accurately and to me that is also meaningful. BUT a week after i bought the first one the display cracked. Amazon shipped a new one no questions asked. 30 days after that the display cracked on the new one. Again its being replaced but twice cannot be a fluke, given that other reviews here also mention the same cracked display problem it seems clear to me that the digital display is not sufficiently engineered to absorb even light shock from banging.
  
  
• Well Worth the Money
  By A12ILTUUB924F4 on 2005-07-28
  A question of accuracy! This scale is the very first I have ever used to actually agree with the measurements taken when I visit the doctor. Even my doctor was impressed with everything this baby could do.
  
  Use. You must weigh yourself in your bare feet, otherwise the internal scanner will not work properly. Once it does, look out! Perhaps one of the most important items it tells you is how many calories it takes to maintain your body "AS IS". This then becomes the figure to beat to lose weight. There's one more thing I get a real kick out of... and that is when it tells me I have a metabolism of a person less than my age.
  
  
  
  
• Excellent tool to improve your health and your shape - Helped lme lost over 200 lbs
  By A1AHG76Y8S89BJ on 2006-07-11
  Is an excellent motivational tool to keep you inspired day after day, as you see the results of your workouts, diet or life-style translate into numbers in the body composition display.
  
  I use this Tanita Body Composition Monitor, along with a Polar Heart Rate monitor (the s625x running computer) and the ABS Diet book (from Men's health Magazine) to go from 44 to 32 size pants, and I have been able to keep the weight off for more than 5 years.
  
  There will always be a debate on how accurate this monitors are, no matter which model or brand you buy. Independently of the technology that the scale uses, the data displayed will always be related to statistical groups.
  
  The important thing to keep in mind is that you have to record your results and see if the trends show improvements (e.g. decrease in fat %, increase in muscle mass, increase in metabolic rate, decrease in metabolic age, etc.). You get off the scale, scroll thru all the displayed measurements using the arrows keys (as long as the scale hasn't turned off). You have plenty of time to record your readings. This keeps you motivated as you see the numbers improve week after week. It may be slow improvement or small steps improvements, but over time the motivation will keep you focused and you will get the results you want.
  
  
• Good Till it Lasts...
  By AI1DQYKIY4A5L on 2007-04-12
  Today after 2 years of happy use, my Ironman BC-554 refuses to work properly. I call to the 800-826-4828 number on a sticker on the back of the scale for repair service orientation, and receive a message that the number has changed to (800) 313-2300. When I call there, what a surprise, its a porno line. So I go into the internet and finally get the number of the company. When I call, they request the original receipt, without it the repair costs $75 plus shipping. Since this is what I paid for originally, I see that this is a very short lived piece of equipment. I will not buy a Tanitas scales again. Thank you very much for your understanding.
  
  
• Tanita BC554
  By A2FQALSPP6YSJ0 on 2005-09-10
  Weight, body fat and visceral fat, all quite important, appear to be accurate. Some variation of fat and body compositions dependent on hydration, as stated in easy-to- use manual. As I'm 65 years old, some disappointment that metabolic rate reads only up to 50 years, regardless of possible actual rate over 50. Also, bone density only a relative measurement, not much comparison data given. All told, a useful measuring and motivational tool, easy to set up and use for small or even sizable family. Glad I bought it, though it isn't exactly inexpensive.
  
  
• Great Scale
  By A2FA1ESFAQELJ7 on 2005-07-21
  This scale makes a difference. It offers accurate results and is a great tool in monitoring the strengths and weaknesses of your body. Anyone who is interested in knowing their body fat percentage, bone density, muscle mass etc can not go without this product. It helped me to become more motivated so I could achieve the fitness goals I always wanted. Buy this product and with a little work and determination you too can meet your own fitness goals!
  
  
  
  
• Poor follow up service affects overall rating
  By A225VWBHNKXBK1 on 2006-03-29
  I was intitially happy with the scale, its ease of use and performance. However, after only a month of gentle use, the digital display broke. It has been difficult getting the item repaired and returned to me. I had to pay for shipping and insurance to send the item back. I had the original box,paperwork, shipping receipt and date of purchase, but had misplaced the receipt. Tanita is refusing to repair the scale without it. I guess they have a big problem with people stealing their scales and then sending them back at their own expense for repair.
  
  
• it works
  By A1O4F4R5BEQNFY on 2006-04-03
  I don't have any biological educational background. But I did read the instructions for this scale when I received it.
  
  The important point is to weigh yourself under the same conditions from weigh in to weigh in and to program into the scale a correct profile before you begin to use it. That way you are comparing apples to apples. I weigh myself each day after I wake up and after I have moved my bowels but before putting anything in my mouth. That provides the consistency needed to compare results. This scale is very sensitive. Think about it - even a 12 ounce glass of water is going to affect your weight if you drink and then get on the scale.
  
  I keep records of the read out on an Excel spreadsheet. I have gone on a fully researched diet based upon nutrition and calories and I have commenced a rigorous training program. I am 55 years old and I have lost 35 pounds in three months. I am 6'3" and I went from 215 lbs to 180 lbs.
  
  Do you really need all the extra read outs (there are a total of 9) beyond weight and body fat? No, probably not. But I love gadgets and this is just another one to keep me motivated and inspired. The interactivity of seeing progress is motivational to me.
  
  The scale is fun to use and keeps me involved in my diet and training program. (I also got a good blood pressure machine too that connects to my PC to keep records of progress).
  
  From reading the others reviews, my guess is that a lot of the scale's measurements are not direct measurements like weight but rather based upon statistical concepts and indirect inferences extrapolated from the information you input into the scale and the actual readings for weight and body fat. There is consistency of results so this implies to me that the scale works.
  
  
  
  
• Looks cool; easy and fun to use
  By AMY994TXLMZ2X on 2005-09-08
  I must disclaim that I am not an athlete (at least not yet) and frankly I don't really care, at this point in my training, how precise the body fat/water/bone mass measuring functions are on this thing. I bought it so I could get a general idea and just have some reference point to track my progress over the long haul. For me the important feature is ease of use, and I was amazed at how easy it is to program and use, plus I just like the way it looks, which encourages me to use it.
  
  
• Wow, what a gadget!
  By A1Z7Y0JBXL6FXH on 2006-03-31
  We got our Monitor yesterday and of course, got right into setting it up. Is it ever NEAT! I have been exercising religiously for about two years but other than weight and heart rate, really didn't have any way to gauge just how I was doing. Talk about pleased after getting the results from the body scan. At 53, I have a metabolic age of 39 - it definitely gave me a boost of confidence AND showed that dragging myself out of bed at 5:00 AM to do an exercise routine has proved to be worth it; and gives me incentive to keep it up. My husband, who has not been quite so religious about his exercises, found that some of his results indicate that he nees to get much more active!! It will be fun to see how much he improves over time. We are really pleased with this purchase (can you tell?)! I think anyone who is just starting an exercise routine and looking at getting into a more healthy lifestyle should definitely buy one of these to get an early baseline so they can get full benefit of it right from the start.
  
  
• The Broken Scale
  By A3AAB0GPCTSZ0Q on 2005-09-26
  My order arrived and I could not get the scale to work, calls and emails to Tanita went unanswered. The positive thing was amazon sent an UPS return authorization the very next day I called and a new one should be on the way. Will report then how what I think of the product!
  
  
• Don't Buy it
  By A11ZEAVMVS2AX on 2006-11-09
  This product does not accurately measure weight if you have a small foot. It works well for a men's size 10 but you have to coax it to measure a woman's size 5 foot. It was a really expensive investment that does not work 50% of the time!
  
  
• First is not best !
  By A2THFX4VO4IL5L on 2006-03-21
  Everyone reviewed this product in a very positive manner. I purchased this and compared the results vs my Body Fat Test at the Dr Office - and this device was off considerably ! I also purchased a Taylor Branded Body Fat Analyzer that apparently offers the same technology to measure body fat - and it was extremely close to the results that I received from my Dr.
  
  I also question the additional "Innerscan" body percentages. When I called Tanita Customer Service, they could not justify Bone, Muscle Mass, and Metabolic Age readings and were extremely vague in the interpretation of the features.
  
  Even though Tanita was the first to offer Body Fat Monitors...I would say first is not best !
  
  
  
• Love this scale
  By A2FBDUFNAVFG6I on 2005-09-28
  This is an awesome scale and can't believe how many functions it offers. I especially like the way the scale toggles through the multi settings as the varrious buttons light up, making it very easy to identify what setting you are reading. Every one who comes over to my house wants to try it out. I definitely recommend the scale to anyone who is concerned or serious about taking an active approach to becoming healthier and fit.
  
  Good job Tanita/IRONMAN!!! Love your product!!!
  
  
• Amazing
  By A23AEPG3Y9YBXY on 2005-08-20
  I love this scale. How can it figure out all those neat statistics? It gives a very thourough overall picture of your health and condition. Much more useful than a traditonal or even a body fat only scale to help manage ones weight and health. Read all the instructions before using to minimize confusion. Keep the read out reference book handy for interpreting data. Only saves last set of numbers, so record them somewhere else if you want to track progress.
  
  
• tanita scale
  By A3J4LOQVKEJJPZ on 2005-08-02
  this scale is GREAT, was sent FAST and UNDAMAGED for the BEST PRICE around. it does all the things it professes to do and is VERY easy to use. i recommend it to BOTH fitness enthusiasts and regular people alike. thank you very much. www.employyourequity.com
  
  
• The good and the bad...
  By A365INOVCWQZ0Y on 2006-03-15
  Weight-wise, this scale is the most accurate one I've ever had. For all of the other body composition elements, the readings are all over the place and you have to take several factors into consideration. To use the other functions, you really have to take measurements at the same time every day and take an average - understanding the dynamics of hydration, pms, etc., on the readings that the scale gives you. If you have a curious and scientific mind -- WHY am I getting this reading, etc. -- it can be interesting to see how the scale reacts to what's really going on with your body.
  
  
• Great Product, Great Support
  By A3D37PCTPEGHE on 2006-08-31
  I have purchased about 10 Tanita InnerScan products for myself, family, and friends. They are great products.
  They also stand behind their products. Somehow the LCD panel on my BC554 got cracked. I returned it under their waranty. It was replaced and returned at no charge.
  
  
• Be wary about using your Tanita in a bathroom.
  By A3P5QFWW2E8DPS on 2008-05-22
  Be wary of Tanita and their warranty claims. The product itself was decent, and fairly accurate, however Tanita is not a company that prides itself in customer service and product support. I used my scale in a normal bathroom environment, and after just 3 months you could see evaporation underneath the screen. I don't know if a gasket had a crack in it, or what the issue might have been, but the unit couldn't withstand the normal humidity of a bathroom. In fact, the unit was a good 20 feet from any active water, like a shower and tub.
  
  I shipped the unit in, and without even so much as a courtesy call, the "customer service manager" returned my unit with a note that my warranty claim was refused, even though I had spoken to someone before about the issue, and said it would be replaced no problem. The customer service manager was nice enough, but said that even though it was well within the boundaries of his discretion, he was going to refuse the claim, because they refuse all like claims regarding evaporation. He even admitted that it happens fairly often.
  
  Stay away.
  
  His recommendation? Buy another Tanita, and not place it in the bathroom. Right.
  
  
• Great scale with lots of information
  By A2A4R8WEY68LHP on 2005-07-19
  I really like this scale. It shows a ton of information and the guides are well written with tips on how to use the scale to get accurate readings. It also contains explinations of all the different readings the scale shows.
  
  
• Ironman Body Composition Monitor
  By A34JS1HH2P6NNA on 2005-08-20
  Very good product for ongoing fitness monitoring. Easy to use. A feature for weekly and monthly averages of the parameters would be useful. The scale's price is inexpensive for the level of information it provides.
  
  
• Great Scale
  By A3M4HGHA5J6QFI on 2005-09-26
  I really like my new scale. It is helping me keep track of where I am now and where I will be in the futureon my body parameteres. It is a constant reminder that I need to work hard to get my body in better shape. It is easy to program. All our family is using it and they all like it.
  
  

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