BF calipers v. infrared BF monitors?

[jacopomiller]

I know everyone says that calipers are more accurate than other home techniques for monitoring BF. But my experience is that infrared monitors give me readings that are way off. I have an emjoi infrared monitor that tells me I have 24% BF, and accu-measure calipers that tell me I have less than 10% BF! Has anyone had a similar experience? How do I know that my calipers are correct? What exactly does 10% BF look like? I'm 25 at 200 lbs. with mild vascularity, but no abs to speak of. Does 10% sound about right?

 

[gonelifting]

I think I have the accumeasure digital fat caliper. I`m a beginner so I may not be using it right but I`m 215 pounds and it registers 18% consistently enough. I see my upper 2 abs After losing about 15 pounds I thought I`d be less body fat% but 185 is too high need to be like 200 pounds I guess to see them all.
So I`m not sure how accurated 10% would be, You should be able to see abs??? not really sure.

I think water submersion is the most accurate way of testing.

 

[SOEX]

jacopomiller,

You're better off using the regular calipers for the test.

Everyone sees their abs at different BF % levels. Personally, I start seeing them around 10 %, but they're not completely visible till I get down close to 5%.

I know Mr. X sees his at 5%, while above that he said he couldn't see them.

I would trust that you are around 10%, + or - a couple of %.

The most accurate readings are with Hydrostatic tests. That's where they dunk you in water and use an equation to figure your BF.

 

[AustinTX]

From industry studies, so take it with a grain of salt...

The infrared devices (Futrex was tested) had an 84.1% correlation with DXA measurements; The leg to leg electrical impedence (american wts and measures and tanita) had 89.1% and 95.9% correlation.

BTW, DXA is Dual X-Ray Absoptiometry and is considered "the" accurate measurement.