The Withings scale, or as they like to call it – Wi-Fi Body Scale, looks like a really nice device, but is it that much better than a normal bathroom scales?
I currently have a very functional scale. The Weight Watchers Body Monitoring Electronic Scale, which I picked up in Argos a couple of years ago.
Here’s a photo of it:
It works. It can weigh me. Do I really need anything more?
The withings scale looks very slick:
Data collection
Instant weigh-in by getting on the scale
Automatically turns on and offWeight
Display units : kg, lb, stlb
Graduation 0.1 kg (0.2 lbs) – 4 sensors
Maximum 180 kg (396 lbs)Display
Big graphical screen (2.4″ x 1.6″)
White, high-contrast lightingBody analysis
ITO Invisible electrodes
Fat mass
Lean mass
Body mass index (BMI)Personalized multi-user monitoring
Automatic user recognition
Comparison to reference values dictated by doctorsOnline connection
Private website secured by password
Monitoring weight fluctuations and fat mass graph
Comparison to reference values dictated by doctors
Ability to set objectives
Web browser supported: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari¹Connectivity
Wireless 802.11b/g
Very low power consumption
WEP/WPA/WPA2-personal security
Data sharingData can be set to private or shared with the other users of the scale
Ability to make your graphs accessible on a webpage
Ability to automatically publish your weight on TwitterContent of boxed set
Withings WiFi scale
USB 2.0 cable
(4) 1.5V batteries (AAA)
4 carpet feet
Installation guide
But, there’s always a “but”, the withings device costs a hell of a lot more than what I paid for my current scales. Even with a discount code (there’s several floating around online) it still ends up costing around €150 including shipping.
So what can it do that makes it that much better than simply plugging the details ie. the weights into one of the web services that I’m already using?
