Need digital food scale that has USDA database and shows carbs

I need a food scale for doing various diets like Body for Life and Atkins.

Something digital that has a database of foods in it (USDA or other). 
So I can put a potato on it, pick ?potato? from a list, and then it
weighs it and tells me the carbs, proteins (in grams), and calories
for that portion.

Can this be had for around $50 or $70?

If you find a good one, I would love to know what their return policy is. 


thanx in advnce

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Clarification of Question by sherpaj-ga on 03 Mar 2004 19:26 PST

Need to buy something soon, any help is appriciated.  thanks

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Request for Question Clarification by snapanswer-ga on 16 Mar 2004 21:11 PST

Sherpaj-ga,
  I am posting my original comments, plus a couple other scales I
found.  I think you already settled on the best one, but, I thought I
would mention my intentions in case you have not placed your order
yet.  (Given the dollar value of the question, I didn't want to take
advantage by simply posting my comments.)

The accuracy of Soehnle scales makes them a respected brand.  I have
provided a link to an America's Test Kitchen review of scales (which
might provide insight about brands, though scales with built-in
nutritional information were not included).  For each scale, I have
provided a link to the company web site, as well as
http://froogle.com/ price comparison results.

Also of note, the manual for the Soehnle scale mentions that "Body
Control Software" and cable are available to allow the scale to talk
to the PC to add that extra techie factor.  I will post a
clarification if I receive an answer to my email regarding the
availability of the software.

Salter is considered a reputable brand, though two reviews note less
accurate results.  I would be less likely to buy the DigiWeigh and
Escali scales since they are apparently trading companies and do not
manufacture their scales (though lower prices can be tempting).


America's Test Kitchen:  Digital Kitchen Scales Review
http://www.americastestkitchen.com/ratingchart/644.htm

DigitalScales.com:  Scale Brands Review (includes Salter, DigiWeigh, and Escali)
http://www.digitalscale.com/brands.htm

Epinions.com:  Soehnle Nutritional Scale Review by Rodger Copp 02/10/2003
http://www.epinions.com/content_89648565892




Soehnle 69012 Food Control Digital Scale
http://www.soehnle.de/SoehnleKW/Produktbereich/Produktbereich.asp?pbid=8

Froogle Price Results ($82.99 - $119.99)
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Soehnle+Food+Control+Scale++&btnG=Search+Froogle&tiled=1&scoring=p

Amazon $99.99
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009K3RZ/




Salter 1400 Nutritional Scale
http://www.salterscales.com/

Froogle Price Results ($69.99 - $89.99)
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?tiled=1&scoring=p&q=Salter+Nutritional+Scale&btnG=Search+Froogle&sa=N

The Chef's Resource $89.95 
http://www.chefresource.com/salter-nutrition-scale.html

Williams-Sonoma $89.95
http://ww2.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=srki1%7Cwnutrition%5Csscale%2Fsrki1%7Cwnutrition%5Csscale&skus=4760302&pkey=sa0s10nutrition%2Cscale&cmsrc=sch






Digiweigh DW99DK Computerized Diet Scale (AC International Corp. ChinaPro)
http://www.chinapro.net/product_detail.asp?pid=76

Froogle Price Results ($20 EBay - $79.99) (On EBay, confirm DW99DK, not 94)
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?tiled=1&cat=863&q=Digiweigh+kitchen+scale&btnG=Search+Froogle&scoring=p

Fitness Industries $49.95 (perhaps less with low price guarantee)
http://www.fitnessindustries.com/products.asp?dept=1019




Escali Cibo Digital Kitchen Scale 63N (63E appears similar, but Yellow)
http://www.escali.com/cibo.html

Froogle Price Results for All Cibo Models ($59.95 - $94.75)
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?tiled=1&cat=863&scoring=p&q=Escali+Cibo&btnG=Search+Froogle




Search Strategy:  Use Froogle to find additional scales and prices.

Search Terms:  digital nutritional food scale
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?cat=726&q=digital+nutritional+food+scale


I hope that you have found this information useful and easy to
understand.  If you have any questions about this information, please
do not hesitate to post a clarification request prior to rating the
answer.

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Clarification of Answer by snapanswer-ga on 18 Mar 2004 14:05 PST

The additional software and cable to connect the Soehnle scale to the
PC can be purchased for $15 by calling their USA office at: 
866-695-3434.

thanks for the excellent work.  Also thanks for the extra bit about
the software and cable.  you are awesome.

Sherpaj,
  This is an interesting idea.  The only scales I found with similar
features did not have complete USDA food databases and were $20-$30
over your target price.  However, you may find them worth evaluating:

Soehnle Food Control Digital Scale $99
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009K3RZ/

Salter Nutrition Scale $89
http://www.chefresource.com/salter-nutrition-scale.html
http://ww2.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=srki1%7Cwnutrition%5Csscale%2Fsrki1%7Cwnutrition%5Csscale&skus=4760302&pkey=sa0s10nutrition%2Cscale&cmsrc=sch

It's a little difficult to get excited about a scale where you need to
keep a code book nearby to lookup each food.  What's needed is a way
to pick the food from a list on the screen.  But, I can't find one.

I was hoping for a bit more, but i guess that is all there is.  I am
ordering the $99 unit you showed.  Please put your comments in as the
answer.  thanks.

Thank you for the 5-star rating and tip.  I really appreciate it.  I
am glad that the information is useful.