Large plush non-slip mat

My local stores have switched to mystery-brand mats imported from China and frankly I just didn't want to risk a fall in the tub. The old mat was beyond cleaning so it was time for a fresh one.



This Rubbermaid mat is just what I wanted. A classic thick non-slip mat from a manufacturer I've trusted for years embossed with a subtle wave pattern. Yes the price is higher than the mats imported from China but it just isn't worth it to save a couple of dollars. Five stars for a great product.More detail ...

Great Product

I spent a lot of time reviewing other waterproof shower radios and this one seemed to have a lot of customer satisfaction. I've been using this radio for about 4 weeks now. Such a big improvement of the previous radio I was using. The sound quality is very good and the signal reception is excellant. I use it in the basement bathroom and even tucked away in the shower in the basement it manages to pull in the stations I had trouble receiving with the previous radio. Very nice.More detail ...

Directionally Correct but Accurate???

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.More detail ...

Good Shower Pillows

The surface of the pillows is very soft and feel just right when i put my head against it. Havent have any problem with the suction cup it sticks well to glass or tub wall. Very relaxing even for a long shower.More detail ...

Good Value Choice

I previously owned the Tanita 2001 body fat scale. When that one died I upgraded to the 679W Duo model and have been very pleased.



FEATURES

The scale measures weight body fat % and body water %. The scale has 4 metal pads that will send a low-level electrical current through your body. People with higher muscle content will allow the electrical current to traverse their bodies with less resistance than a Mr. McFatty person. The scale measures this resistance and calculates your body fat and hydration levels from it. I have found the weight body fat and body water measurements to be highly accurate when compared to a couple other scales that I've stepped on recently.



EASE OF USE

There are three buttons on the face of the scale right below the display that allow you to input your sex age and height. It's all very simple to make selections and input these data. Along with these three face buttons are three toe buttons at the bottom of the scale. You can store personal info for two users (the sex height and age info) into two of the buttons. Then everyday when you want your measurements if you're User 1 just touch Toe Button 1 or if you're User 2 touch Toe Button 2 and step on the scale. This way you do not have to input all that info every single time (like you need to with the Tanita 2001). This is a great feature. Some other brands or other Tanita models offer 2-10 User Memory but they often do not have corresponding toe buttons which means you still have to bend your fat self down and hit the user button with your finger first. Believe me after 3 days of that you're not going to want to do that anymore.



The third Toe Button is a Weight Toe Button that you can hit if you just want the scale to act as a normal scale. Finally you can bend down and use your fingers to input age height and sex as a one-time use for a guest.



DURABILITY

I've had my scale for 9 months now and it's always worked fine with no problems. It takes 4 AA batteries and I'm still using the ones that came included with the scale despite my nearly daily use. This is much better battery life than the Tanita 2001 model which seemed to only last 4 months or so. You will only need to occasionally wipe off the metal footpads to keep them clean for accurate readings. No big deal.



PROBLEMS/MISCONCEPTIONS

Honestly for about $50 there are no problems with this unit. It's a great buy. However I read some negative reviews here from confused people. First there are warnings all over the box and on the site that tell you not to use this product if you have a pacemaker or internal electronic device that's keeping you alive. This is obviously because it measures your body fat by sending an electrical current through your body. C'mon think people. And this isn't just for the BF679W it's for all "commercial" body fat scales. Second reviewers talk about the consistency of the body fat measurements. Your body fat can fluctuate 1 or 2 percent over the course of the day with these types of electrical conductance measurements based on where your body is currently holding water. If you always take your reading at the same time each night (right before you goto bed is ideal) you'll typically find consistent readings within 0.5% - 1%. If you measure your body fat right after you wake up there will be all kinds of water centrally concentrated in your bladder that will mess up the readings. Again this happens with all commercial body fat scales. Finally it's possible the BF679W tells you that you have 17% body fat and really you have 15% body fat based on thorough measurements from your doctor's office. I still think the number is going to be very close to your real body fat percentage. However this scale will still be able to do a reliable accurate job informing you when you've lost or gained an extra percent or two of body fat over the course of several weeks. So while your absolute body fat numbers could be slightly off with the BF679W your relative gains and losses will still be highly quantifiable with this unit.



Overall this is a outstanding durable scale that delivers dependable readings. I strongly recommend it and would encourage people who are thinking of buying the Tanita 2001 or any other body fat scale that does not have toe buttons to purchase this model instead; it's worth it.More detail ...

Pluses and Minuses Versus "Health Circle Quick-Rail Suction Cup Bath Rail"

I have 4 inch tiles in my shower and so can't use products like the Bridge Medical Single Grip Portable Grab Bar. Instead I bought this product and compared it with Health Circle Quick-Rail Suction Cup Bath Rail White 20" Long.



The official title on the box is "MHI Safe-er-Grip Bathtub & Shower Handle 17 Inches Long." The UPC code on the box is 3676810255 and "10255" is repeated four times on the box as though it's the model number. The UPC code was covered by a sticker "X000097Q6N Mommy's Helper Extra-Long Safer Grip." The outside of the box gives illustrated instructions and a piece of paper inside gives instructions in English. Nowhere is there advice such as "for non-porous surfaces only" "clean and dry the surface before attaching" "avoid grout lines " etc.



The unit itself is smooth all over and is attractively designed with a graceful curve. The top part is off-white with green levers. The bottom part is greenish-gray. There's a warning sticker ("..balance assist only...") and raised letters ("CONFIRM ATTACHMENT BEFORE USE...") in small print on the underside of the handle. I measured the length to be 16-1/2" and the distance between the centers of the 3-7/8" suction cups to be 12-1/2". Because of the 4" tiles the only way I could mount the bar and avoid grout lines was diagonally at 45 degrees to the floor (two tiles to the side and two tiles up). When the suction cups were activated I couldn't pull the item off the wall horizontally (didn't try to put all my weight on it).



Overall the product seems sound. Advantages compared with the Health Circle product: more attractive less expensive shorter (if you want to take it on a trip). Disadvantages: Instructions aren't as good and its lack of ribs may make it feel more slippery to some people. Buy this from Amazon.com!More detail ...

excellent scale

I just got this scale to replace an older digital scale that broke and I'm very impressed.



To weigh yourself you step on the scale wait about 3-4 seconds for the scale to stabilize and look at the reading. The weight is easy to read -- large numerals with a backlight. The only drawback of the backlight is that it will increase battery usage. You have a choice of units -- pounds kilograms or stones.



The scale itself is very sleek and low profile. It's 11.8 inches (width) x 11.7 inches. Some scales (both digital and analog) make a clunking sound as you step on but this is totally silent.



Like most digital scales it has to be placed on a hard surface such as tile or wood.



Some digital scales have a "fake repeatability." That is if you weigh yourself and then hold a small weight and step on again it gives exactly the same value. This scale doesn't have this undesirable feature. If you hold a small weight it gives an honest result.



I measured the variability of nine readings. The range (max minus min) was 0.4 pounds and the standard deviation was 0.12 pounds. This is excellent and much better than my previous scale.



I think that the absolute reading is very close to correct but I haven't had a chance yet to compare this scale to the one at my doctor's office.



The instructions warn that the glass surface is slippery when wet. It's not a scale you want to use after stepping out of the shower or bath.More detail ...

Just what I wanted

This was exactly as pictured and fit perfectly with my bathroom design scheme. Other reviews indicate that some were expecting a heavier fabric but this is the typical thin polyester you find with standard shower curtains and fabric liners (which was exactly what I expected). I would not describe it as vinyl-like by any stretch of the word.



Because the fabric is polyester you can use it without a lining but I like the look better when I leave the curtain hanging out of the tub so I have a clear plastic liner for the inside. I also recommend a light low-temp ironing before hanging for a nice smooth look without the folding creases form packaging.More detail ...

Saltier 914 baby scale

I bought this scale to weigh my cats as I have one that is 14 lbs and should be about 8 lbs (adopted her at that weight). I also have 5 others that I want to monitor their weight to keep them healthy. The cats are pretty good at staying on the scale and it registers quickly to get a weight; some of them love to lay in it. It appears to be very accurate as the weight did not fluctuate when I weighed them several times. I have only had it about 2 months and only use it about once a month so cannot attest to its long-term reliability but it seems like a good product to me. Since a half a pound is a big deal to a cat I wanted something to give me ounces and be accurate and it seems to do both.More detail ...

Purrrfect for the long aromatic bubbly bath!

I use mine every time I take a bath with water up to my neck instead of barely covering my hips.

I gave lots of them to my women friends who LOVE them. I've had mine for YEARS and it is still fine.

The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is it seals with a bunch of tiny suction cups that you have to press down tightly. Couldn't they design it with one circular suction sleeve? I think it's less work but that's such a trivial concerned that I'm ashamed of myself. OK 5 stars.More detail ...

Fabulous Scale Sleek Stunning with Precision Accuracy

We bought this scale to replace an older Taylor model. This scale is way beyond our expectations. We love the combination of stunning style with high quality digital accuracy. The readings are consistent and accurate every time. The large number display is terrific. You can see the numbers without bending down even in low light situations. We also enjoy the sense-on technology with no more tapping to turn on the scale. You simply step on and get a reading. Would highly recommend to others.More detail ...