Editorial Review
The Seca 700 Balance Beam Scale is the renaissance of a classic as it calls for more than just a tool for weighing. This classic beam scale represents 160 years of manufacturing experience as well as the courage to set new standards. The Seca 700 has an increased capacity of up to 400 lbs. In addition, the Seca 700 Balance Beam Scale provides more comfort for the patients' individual needs and ease of use. The slip-resistant, heavy-duty, cast-iron base on the Seca 700 eliminates the need for a mat. Measures in LBS and KG.
With an included Height Rod, the Seca 700 Balance Beam Scale is a complete measuring device. By merging the classic body design and white color with innovative features, the Seca 700 Balance Beam Scale is truly a superior product that offers long life and a five-year warranty.
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Customer Reviews
Great Scale 
2007-05-19
Fast shipping, easy set up even though the manual is lacking and best of all the scale is very accurate and repeatable which to us is very important when trying to lose weight......
I can weigh myself 2007-03-09
I weigh over 475 and wanted to start to lose weight. Because of my size going to the doctor weekly was really hard. I bought this scale and I can use it at home. It is accurate (compared to my doctor's) and was very easy to put together. I would recommend to anyone to buy this. I don't know that it is good enough for a doctor's office, but I do know that it's great for home use.
excelent 2007-02-21
Scale was simple to set up, and worked perfectly. I had a calibration weight, and tested it, right on the money.
Together in four minutes 
2007-01-29
The previous reviewer downgraded this scale based on difficulty of assembly. So I first searched other websites for similar criticism. I did not find any. But I did note (and very much like) its longer five year guarantee, and thus went ahead with its purchase. Well, it couldn't have taken over four minutes to assemble (even with two house cats "helping")! Following the one page diagram, I: slid the bottom half of the column into the base (and locked it with two screws); slid the top half of the column and balance head into that (locking with two more screws); tilted the unit on its back and connected a bar between the balance head and the base. Done! I don't see how it could have been any easier. Only thing that stops me from giving it five stars is that for home use, I'd have preferred it were a little more compact (the balance beam is about 5 ½ feet off the ground).
Post Script: A close read of the manual's fine print revealed that Seca has downgraded the guarantee to only TWO years!!!
Scale is accurate, repeatable, but hard to assemble 
2007-01-09
Very poor assembly instructions. Once put together it works. Needs to
sit on a hard surface (not a rug).
Very Reliable 2008-06-27
I've purchase this scale few months ago. Although I'm not basing my comparison based on my experience with other similar and comprable scales, I can attest that it's worth every dollar I spent and here's why:
1. Very accurate. No matter how many times you step on it, it will remain consistant. You can't get tha with floor scales.
2. Very easy to assemble. I took me 10 minutes to put it together. Although, they don't have instructions for the hight attachement.
3. The price @ $220 was reasonable. God knows I spent that on the last 3 floor scales.
4. I contacted the manufacturer to confirm the warranty based on the many conflicting reviews I read. I found out that the warranty is indeed 5 years. Call or e-mail them to make sure. I know I did.
Here are the draw backs:
1. The size is rather larger than I expected. Therefore, if you have a small bathroom, you'll need to take that into consideration.
Overall, I think it deserves a solid 4 stars.
excellent product 2008-03-28
I run a gym program, where accurate weight is important and where the scale receives moderate to heavy use. There are many scales on the market, of course, and we have tried several electronic and dial step-on scales over the years. They are invariably fast and easy to use, but repeatability is not a strong suit on any of the machines we have tried. The step-ons are accurate to one or two percent, but that is not good enough for our programs. The Seca 700 is a very accurate and well-built scale and is not overly expensive, given its excellent performance. It was easy to assemble. We removed the height rod and attached it to a nearby wall, where it looks great and is very useful to us. We could not be happier with this scale.
OK Scale with Reservations 
2008-03-06
The scale is attractive looking but has some drawbacks. First it is bigger than I anticipated with a very large footprint. A bit hard to fit in most bathrooms. The scale is easy to put together until the last step, when you are setting up the counterbalance. The instructions are all diagrams with nothing written, and they are extremely confusing during the final steps. The biggest complaint I have is the weighing process. The pointer bobs up and down for over 10 minutes before it finally stops, and everytime you adjust the weight the process starts over. And if you shift your feet on the scale, the pointer starts bobbing again. Doctors scales don't do this. It is nice that it measures in eighth lb increments.
Excellent scale! 2008-02-09
Just as good as the doctors office. I've always wanted a balance scale and now I own one. A good purchase!
Which Scale? 2008-01-31
If you are looking at purchasing a physician's balance beam scale, you understand they are more accurate, repeatable, and durable than other types of scales and over the long run should be cheaper than replacing the regular strain gauge and digital bathroom scales every few years. You have three brand choices: Detecto, Health-o-meter, and Seca. Price isn't a consideration because careful shopping reveals less than a 15 dollar price difference between these three brands when one compares the equivalent models. Before choosing, I searched the net for reviews and information. Finding little, I contacted 7 companies which sell them (5 sold all three, 2 didn't sell Detecto) and 2 firms which calibrate & repair medical scales. I asked each which scale they would purchase for their own home and why. On to the review:
Detecto looked like a winner out of the gate. It is the only brand made in the U.S.A. However, looking at pictures I found on the net, the fit and finish did not appear to rise to the level of the other 2 brands. Additionally, no one I contacted recommended Detecto. The eliminating factor: Detecto has reduced their warranty from the industry standard 2 years to 1 year. Folks, this happens when the 2-year warranty is costing them too much money and it doesn't speak well for their quality.
The Health-o-meter brand is owned by Sunbeam and is made in China. Fit and finish are very good and it has a 2-year warranty. None of those I contacted had anything bad to say about them. One put it best when he said the Health-o-meter vs. Seca was basically a Ford vs. Chevy argument. I do not believe one could go wrong purchasing the Health-o-meter model. They are great scales and should serve the needs of anyone for many years to come. If you buy a Health-o-meter make sure to get the 402kl or the 402lb as they are the best of the line (the EXP is not as sturdy and the CERT model is not worth the extra money).
Seca is a German company and the 700 model is made in China. Fit and finish are excellent and it has a 2-year warranty (the 5-year warranty listed all over the web is not accurate, call Seca if you don't believe me). All 700s have integrated wheels (optional and costs extra on the other 2 brands). Additionally, everyone I contacted chose Seca over Health-o-meter. Most chose on the basis of its modern, less clinical appearance, several felt it would be more durable in the long run because it outweighs the other 2 brands by at least 10 pounds, and one said she had never had a Seca returned.
I purchased the Seca 700 `pounds only' model with integrated height rod (5 bucks extra and I liked the looks) and have had it for over a month. It arrived well packaged and took 20 minutes to assemble. It was perfectly balanced out of the box and the weight was dead-on. It is highly repeatable; the weight will remain the same no matter how many times you step on and off. The heavy extra-wide cast iron base and the inherent strength of the round column design speak well for long-term durability. The balance beam is constructed of thick aluminum and is very robust. The beam has 1/8 of a pound graduations (the other brands 1/4 of a pound), is easily read, and the design of the beam `pointer' makes it very easy for one on the scale to tell when the beam is level and the weight is accurate. I also like the sleek appearance. Bottom line: I prefer the Seca 700 and recommend it without reservations to anyone. I'm very satisfied with my decision.
