First, allow me to say that this scale is absolutely amazing and has helped me a great deal. I am partially/legally blind, and the talking feature of this scale prevents me from having to ask someone to read the scale for me. The voices that are used to speak the weight are very clear. This scale is very sturdy and nice-looking in any bathroom with its clear glass and metal surface. This scale will also read weight in 4 languages (English, French, Spanish, and German) and will read in kg or lbs. For me at least, this scale seems to be very accurate and mimics each weight that I have received all doctor's visits so far. For those that do need to read this scale, the numbers are large and very readable. Batteries are supplied with the scale (3 AAA) and the scale came well-packaged. I highly recommend this scale to anyone who is looking for a talking scale. Update (August 3rd, 2014): I am updating this to make a few additions to my previous review but also to update on the effectiveness of this item after heavy use by a wide variety of people. As someone else pointed out, this scale reads very quickly. The voice is a bit more delayed, but it takes the data that scale registered initially. This means that, if you keep adjusting yourself when you are on the scale, you will not get an accurate reading if you are just relying on the voice feature. Stepping off of the scale then back on helps to solve this problem. If this scale is being used by someone that is very unsteady, another person holding them in place or them holding onto a bar, sink, etc. while stepping on the scale may be beneficial. Also, this scale not registering weights 1 lb or less is not so much the scale's fault as it is the fact that bathroom scales do not accurately measure weights 1 lb or less so many companies will ensure that their scales will give an error rather than providing a weight range that they know to be very inaccurate. Further, I have had a range of people use this scale to get a better idea of its accuracy beyond my own weight. It performs very accurately until you get within 5 lbs of the maximum weight limit for the scale. At that point, the weights just go all over the place or give an error. Again, this is not necessarily a fault of the scale. Household bathroom scales are built to withstand a maximum weight. Rather than risking someone getting hurt due to the scale being stressed beyond its maximum and the scale breaking/cracking, the scale is set to increase error potential (just like at the minimum level but for different reasons). Typically, this setting is within 5-10 lbs of the maximum and that can further depend upon the materials that the scale is made out of. I hope that others find my extended review helpful, and I am confident that anyone will be quite happy with this scale (especially at the price point offered on Amazon) provided that the guidelines that myself and others have mentioned are kept in mind. Update (August 4th, 2014): Unfortunately, Taylor does not offer a manual in electronic format for this scale. However, after contacted Taylor directly, I did have the representative put a note in to indicate that this would be valuable feature offered since it is likely that people with a visual impairment would be more prone to order a talking scale. It stands to reason that not all of those who have a visual impairment will be able to read the manual. He said that he would have a member of their product engineering team contact me and he was a bit stumped as to why that was not a feature that was offered yet. That said, Taylor's customer service is wonderful! Very short wait times if you have to wait and very prompt, complete service. What I am going to do is offer a brief setup guide for this scale. It is not complicated, but I know how frustrating it can be to not be able to see the manual that comes with a product and having to ask someone for help with such a simple task. Step 1. Insert the batteries (included) in the battery compartment (top center on the back of the scale). Step 2. Make sure that he scale is on a flat, hard service. Carpet is not an option with almost any scale (unless such is specifically stated) because the unbalanced surface causes errors with accuracy. Step 3. Step onto the scale and you will hear a weight reading in lbs with the default female English voice. Step 4. Step off of the scale. You will hear "Ready for operation" and two quick beeps will sound a moment later. The scale will turn off automatically a moment after that. Step 5. To change the volume, roll the dial at the upper right front of the scale and step on the scale again to listen. Repeat this step until you have your desired volume. Step 6. To change the language and weight measurement, press the solid button at the upper right front of the scale once, then step on the scale to hear both the language and weight measurement change. Repeat this step until you have your desired language/weight measurement. English, French, Spanish, and German are the offered languages and all except the English voice offer kg instead of lbs. Also, all voices are female. I hope that this has been helpful to those who needed a guide.
