Simple Set up - Great Device Addition to FitBit (Fat Percentage Feature is Questionable)
*Edited to clarify my use of BMI & fat percentage as interchangeable concepts*<br /><br />Fitbit has the exact approach that I am looking for in fitness devices: worry free.  I embraced the fitbit pedometer philosophy of set up and then update a journal wirelessly.  It works for me.<br /><br />So when the FitBit Aria was introduced and I got past the sticker shock, I realized it was a necessary addition for me given my lifestyle and infinite fitness procrastination.  Rather than manually entering weight numbers (what a chore!) this gadget inputs it for me.<br /><br />Yes, it makes a difference.  It also helps that it is very sleek looking and sexy (for a scale).  And it seems to work from a quite a distance (dependent on your wifi network strength) and does not require any other antennas.<br /><br />Why four stars?  Because it galls me to admit that the simple action of input weight numbers manually is often too much for me.  But for that e-link, there are lower cost options like "Eatsmart Precision Plus Digital Bathroom Scale" ($36.95) or the fancier "Ozeri Touch 440 lb Digital Bath Scale" ($48.95); both are well reviewed.  That is over a $70 premium for an e-link.<br /><br />Setup is very easy, I don't understand what problems other reviewers are having. The issue may be that getting to the actual download site is not as intuitive as it should be.  You can use any of these options listed at this link (I hope this link gets thru the Amazon link police.  If not, simply google "Aria Scale Set-up Questions" and select the fitbit link).<br /><br />help.fitbit.<br />com<br />[...]<br /><br />I think that the link above is far more useful than the "manual".  I used the PC zip file and there was no issue.<br /><br />There are a couple of things that are not intuitive but still easy:<br /><br />1. If you have multiple users you have to set up on one account and then send emails to invite the others. Up to eight fitbit users can hook up to it.  The steps are as follows:<br /><br />(i) Administrator is the first person set up<br />(ii) Administrator has to send an email invite from the dashboard<br />(iii) The new person has to accept email invite<br />(iv) The new person has to go on the scale and take a measurement - it will log as "guest" on the web log<br />(v) then the administrator has to go into the measurements on their FitBit account and assign that new "guest" weight measurement to the new person (there is a pull-down menu option).  Maybe the person can self-assign at the scale but if that option was available we missed it and had to go back to the admin's account.<br />(vi) After that, all future weight measurements go just to that person.<br />(vii) Note that the person's privacy settings do apply but only after the administrator has assigned that measurement to that person.<br /><br />2. The scale figures out who is on the scale and confirms by displaying the initials after it gives you the weight and body fat in percent.<br /><br />3. If the scale can't figure out who you are then it asks you to choose from options.  so far it easily identifies everyone so I have not seen this actually in use.<br /><br />4. if you are not one of the registered people then it will assume you are a guest and simply mark you as such.<br /><br />5. you can't see the other's weights unless they share it (guests do not have that option).<br /><br />6. it seems to have a great wi-fi range so I have not had issues with that.<br /><br />7. it is not intuitive how you get to the scale from the dashboard.  under devices (right hand side under "app gallery - learn more" icon), there is a "Devices" panel.  In rather light letters you will see that "Scale" has been added to the right of "Tracker" (if you have a FitBit pedometer).  That is how the administrator (the first person to set up) can get to the scale settings.<br /><br />8. Fat Percentage is a little gimmicky in my opinion.  Consumer Reports will not even rate Fat Percentage scales because the technology is inherently inaccurate (google "why CR doesn't test body fat scales").  Even the best bathroom scales have a 5% error margin or more in body fat readings.  I don't know the Aria's accuracy but after using it for nearly two weeks I would say that I have seen a 5% fluctuation that I cannot entirely explain.  Now that I am following the tips below, it seems to be giving a steady and more consistent reading.  Consistent does not mean accurate.  If someone has more data on Aria fat percentage accuracy then please do add your comments.<br /><br />TIPS FOR BEST FAT PERCENTAGE READINGS<br /><br />a. Best to use fat percentage to measure progress as the readings are not entirely accurate.  Reviews on other scales have linked fat percentage accuracy to price, so maybe Aria is more accurate than most.<br /><br />b. Measure yourself at the same time of day and under the same conditions.  Some advise to drink the same amount of water one hour before each measurement and most advise to not do it when dehydrated (like after exercising).  I just do it first thing in the morning.<br /><br />c. If you are so inclined, try the gold standard "DEXA Scanning" or "hydrodensitometry" (water immersion).  I am not that fanatical.  Honestly, for me, even 5% accuracy is just fine.  Those other tests go for $40 - $75 and can be done at health clubs and doctors' offices.
Rating: 4 stars