Accessories

Works for me
I know zip about body-fat monitors, but having just started the P90X program and needing something to monitor my current and (hopefully much lower) future BMIs and body-fat percentages, this unit works just fine for me.

It's simple (takes maybe 45 seconds to set up) and quick (10 seconds to do a reading) -- plus my BMI is dropping, so I'm happy.

And honestly, if a one- or two-percentage-point variance was a sticking point for me (as it is for others who posted here) I'd have bought something that cost more than 25 bucks.

Glorified calculator
The Omron HBF is a one trick wonder. It's a glorified calculator, and if you know the math, you can do the equation yourself. It would make you believe that you must grip the handles while it checks the BMI of your body, but you could put in any sex/age/height/build/and weight, and it will pop out with the number from the equation, and nothing based on you.

If you can't find the equation, or don't want to do it, it's an investment, otherwise, use a regular calculator and save your money.

Too Erratic
I've used this device for several weeks and depending on the time of day and the amount of water that you've drunk it will fluctuate up to 10%. Also the number's that seem realistic are 3 to 4 percent off what other fat moniters say. Good idea but spend a little more and get a better one or get a skinfold test one.

Too much fluctuation
They use this at my gym and I thought for the price, I'd get it to have at home to monitor fat loss instead of just the number on the scale.

I tried a few times (testing one after another until I got two of the same readings) and didn't change any settings and the fat percent varied up to 1.5% different each time and never got the same reading twice (after trying about 4-5 times). For $28.00, I would want something that doesn't vary that much.

I'm sending it back and will just use my tape measure and the scale to monitor myself.

Measurements inherently flawed
I had a series of electronic body composition measurements taken at a gym over a period of months. The practitioner used electrodes all over my body, with skin preparation as would be used for an EKG, and still the variation in readings was far greater than could be possible, thus invalid. As others have said, get calipers and learn how to use them.

Also, people, forget about BMI. This was a measurement developed to study POPULATIONS, and never intended for the evaluation of individuals. Use common sense. How can a value that considers only weight and height be a valid reflection of an individual's health and fitness? Muscle is denser than fat, so an individual with minimal muscle will show a lower BMI than a heavily-muscled one of the same stature. Are we to believe that the lower BMI in this example indicates the healthier of the two? Nonsense!