I have a flight in a few days. I used to just go with the bathroom scale at my apartment to weigh the luggage. However, since I'm traveling and don't have the scale, I decided to get this luggage scale. It has a limit of 50lbs. I can carry up to 40lb in my checked-in bag.
Now the problem is that when I lift my bag using this scale with 2 hands (one on each end of the scale) it weighs around 34-35 lb. However, when I lift it using one hand it gives a reading of around 38-40lb (it changes every time I weigh it).
Which reading should I trust? Is there a fault with the way I'm weighing it or with the scale?
by Wallenburg
12 Comments
Two hands. with one hand you’re touching the metal/cord and affecting the weight measurements.
Those scales are actually super accurate. It’ll weigh up to 110lbs. Hook it up to your suitcase handle, zero it out, hold it just like you are in the 2nd picture and slowly lift it. You’ll be within tenths of a pound accurate with what the airport scale measures.
You could get something with a known weight and weigh that item both ways
One hand, I have the same weight measure and with one hand it’s been accurate every time I’ve flown
Use 2 hands. By using one hand, you are restricting the movement of the cord.
We always use 2 hands with ours, mostly for balancing and weight issues. Call me a weakling, but lifting an awkwardly positioned/balanced 50-60lb weight with Ken hand without it hitting something is hella difficult. Often it would swing towards me and then be rubbing my leg.
We use a scale we got a primark like pre-pandemic, have had to replace the batteries like annually, and it still works like a charm. Saved tons of hassle in airports knowing while in the hotel/airbnb if we need to reshuffle or break out the packable duffle.
I have the same scale, yes, like many digital scales tends to sway a little but it’s reasonably accurate and never failed me at the desk check.
Weigh it both ways, put it on the airport scale and see which one was closer, then you know.
I also have this scale. Two hands works best.
While not very expensive, it’s a lot cheaper than paying for an overweight bag. One desk agent even commented about how I was 1.5 pounds under, just like I had planned!
Just use your bathroom scale – subtract your weight, from your weight when you are holding it close to your body.
These are all using strain gauge sensors. For them to function correctly the load has to be without any torsion or sideways force just straight down. If you hold it too far outside.or tilt it the case will act like leverage too. They are usually very accurate down to some grams but your measurement setup has to be correct and it’s more noticeable with the cheap ones that didn’t design the case properly.
I had one such scale, don’t have this problem. One-handss or two hands read the same