The Eat Smart Precision MaxView Scale, ESBS-51, is fully described and accurately pictured in the sales literature. If features and appearance are more important than repeatability and accuracy, this may be your scale. I selected the MaxView from the hundreds of scales that are on the market for several reasons. I wanted large digits (not analog dials) that could be read from a standing position in the shadow cast by my body without my glasses. Scales with 1 and 2” LCD displays and correspondingly small numbers were immediately eliminated. The 2¼” high, backlit numbers on MaxView’s 4½” diagonal screen are easily read. I wanted a scale that uses batteries that I typically have around the house, will hold a fair reserve of power and are available everywhere. The Eat Smart scale uses AA batteries that are included. Scales that use button style batteries dropped to the bottom of my selection list. I wanted a modern looking scale that doesn’t draw attention to itself. The glass and chrome Eat Smart pretty much matches that requirement. Scales that are oddly shaped and don’t fit under my feet and the oversized scales that take up extra floor space were eliminated. I also wanted a scale that you step on, get your weight, and walk away with a consistent, accurate reading. Unfortunately, this is where the MaxView scale lost 2 stars and my purchase recommendation. The MaxView displays weight to one decimal place in 0.2 pound increments. The extra digit increases the precision of the reading, but has nothing to do with accuracy. A manufacturer can display weight to 5 decimal places but that doesn’t mean the number is accurate. Within reason, repeatability is more important than the actual value. I use a scale to determine if I am losing or gaining weight. The precise number is not that critical. Unfortunately, the MaxView Scale does not provide a repeatable weight and, if the readings are not repeatable, the accuracy of the scale has to be questioned. I made 4 sets of measurements at random intervals ranging from 30 seconds to 2 minutes on different surfaces and generally got different weights each time I stepped on the scale. For example, one reading was 181.4 pounds. A second reading made 30 seconds later was 182.8 pounds. Weight gain and loss is a slow process that takes place over time. Random readings that vary even a half of a pound can add confusion. Sets of measurements made on a vinyl floating floor and sets made on concrete both had variations among consecutive readings. I sent the four sets of data to Eat Smart’s customer service to determine if I have a defective scale and got this reply back: “The manufacturing tolerance is typically plus or minus 2 pounds under 200 pounds, and 1 % over 200 pounds. If the readings are within this tolerance, the scale is working as designed.” Based on other reviews, I may have gotten a good scale since the variation between consecutive measurements was up to but no more than the 2 pound manufacturing tolerance. Placing the scale on a concrete floor did reduce the variability somewhat but the variation from one measurement to the next was still as much as half a pound regardless of the surface and regardless of whether I calibrated the scale between readings or not. The surface of the MaxView scale is not slippery, even with damp feet in a steamy bathroom. We returned another scale with metal strips on the surface that was slippery. Those of you who have purchased the MaxView scale or contacted their customer service know that Eat Smart requests that you send in reviews of their scale if you are happy with the product or service and call them if you are not. I don’t know whether this solicitation factors into their 81%, 5 star rating or not. But, it is definitely something to factor into your purchase decision. On the plus side, Eat Smart Customer Service was very responsive and forthcoming to my inquiries about the lack of repeatability. August, 2018 Update: I decided to do another repeatability test on this EatSmart (ESBS-51) bathroom scale now that the components have had time to relax and the flexures and pivots should be moving freely. This Eat-Smart scale has been used a couple times per day for 7 months. After weighing myself 14 times, I cannot tell you with any certainty how much I weigh. The readings indicate I weigh somewhere between 177.6 # and 178.8 #, but, with variability like that, who knows what a fifteenth reading may have been. A pound one way or the other may be sufficiently accurate for most people, but not all. The actual readings were 177.6, 177.6, 177.8, 177.8, 178.2, 178.2, 178.2, 178.0, 177.8, 178.2, 178.8, 178.6, 178.8 and 178.8. The measurements were made at intervals ranging from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The scale was not moved and was not re-calibrated between readings.
