My job this week is to evaluate the $600 Internet Floor Scale. I’ve seen these 4×4 non-ntep scales online from time to time over the years and often wondered if they were any good. Well, recently after a local customer chose to purchase one (instead of purchasing from me) I finally decided it was time to evaluate this scale in person!
In the world of industrial floor scales, price often becomes the number one factor for many customers. I get it, virtually all of us factor the $$$ into our buying decisions on almost everything. However, when you know the ins and outs of a particular industry like I do, it can be challenging when you know the product differences in the different scales.
So in this entry I’m going to go over the $609 floor scale and give you my thoughts after seeing it in person. As for the price, I’ve seen the scale system for anywhere from $609 to $744 + shipping. The price is basically $200 to $300 less than any standard 4×4 NTEP floor scale, which is what we normally recommend.
Digital Weight Indicator
The digital weight indicator is the item you look at when you want to see the weight on the scale. It’s typically powered by 110VAC power and has either a LCD or LED display. In this $600 4×4 floor scale, it’s a simple plastic readout with a small display. While it functions adequately, the size and material leave room for improvement. A larger, more robust indicator could enhance usability and durability significantly. In fact, a simple TI500E indicator or Weighsouth WS-10 would be a better choice than what was provided.
Load Cells
Load cells are crucial for accurate weight measurement. In a floor scale, you typically have a shear beam load cell in each corner, for a total of four load cells. This scale features load cells that, while not top-tier, are serviceable for basic needs. They aren’t the cheapest available, but they don’t match the quality of higher-end models like the Sensortronics 65023 or the Rice Lake RL32018. For occasional use, they suffice, but frequent users might seek better quality. This was actually one area that I expected the manufacturer would cut corners. However, I thought the load cells would be virtually blank with just the m/v and color code. Turns out they actually were labeled and a little better than I expected.
Junction Box & Summing Board
The junction box with summing card inside is responsible for housing connections, is made of plastic in this scale model. There’s nothing wrong with a standard ABS plastic j-box. We’ve sold those for years. However, this box is a step below that. While it performs its function, a better quality ABS or stainless steel j-box would offer greater durability and reliability. For those prioritizing longevity or if you have any thoughts of placing this scale outdoors, this is a component to consider upgrading.
Floor Scale Platform Structure
Remember 4×4 floor scales are typically designed to have 5000 or sometimes even 10,000 pounds placed on them repeatedly. The scale structure needs to be constructed to handle that kind of weight, day after day. Therefore, most industrial floor scales are designed with heavy duty bracing and a decent size top deck plate. The normal NTEP 4×4 floor scale usually weighs anywhere from 225 to 300 pounds. And generally the closer the scale is to 225 lbs, the less it costs. Likewise, for example, the B-Tek Clydesdale is closer to 300 lbs (and is a great HEAVY DUTY floor scale). This $600 4×4 floor scale platform is lighter than typical low-cost models, weighing 40 to 50 pounds less to be exact. This reduction in weight might affect its structural solidity. While it may not be as robust as other scales, to be fair, it still offers a decent platform for less demanding non legal for trade applications.
Final Thoughts
In fairness, the $600 floor scale exceeded my expectations. I expected more glaring issues. While it may not be the best choice for heavy-duty use, it could serve well in less demanding environments or for occasional non legal for trade use. For those using a scale occasionally, this budget option might just fit the bill. However, for frequent use or heavy duty use, investing in a higher-quality scale is advisable. Truth is, in order to get this scale priced down in the $600 range, the manufacturer had to cut corners with every single component. The truth is, you could get a much better scale for only a few hundred dollars extra.
| ITEM | LOW END | RECOMMENDED |
| DIGITAL INDICATOR | Plastic, Small Display, non ntep | Stainless Steel, NTEP |
| SCALE STRUCTURE | Lightweight, non ntep | 225 lb + & NTEP |
| JUNCTION BOX | Plastic | Stainless Steel |
| LOAD CELLS | 2T non ntep | Sensortronics 65023A, NTEP |
Hope this entry has helped you. If you’re in the market for a floor scale, contact us (919) 776-7737 for expert recommendations (I might even have a non ntep $600 floor scale that I need to sell). We’ve been helping customers choose floor scales for many decades! Your perfect scale is just an email or phone call away!