Should I choose the MA601 or MA801?
Charder's professional line of body composition analyzers allow users to monitor detailed progress, with detailed and accurate analysis of the body. There are currently two main Charder models: the MA601 and MA801 Body Composition Analyzers. Which one's the best for you?
Each model is designed to suit the needs of different types of professional users, and the most suitable model depends on what you're using it for! To begin with, let's first go through their features and specifications:
Of the two devices, the MA601 is the lighter and more portable model, weighing just 12 kg (27 lbs). The column can fold easily after unlocking the column lock with a simple twist, making it easy-to-transport and setup for mobile measurement stations.The MA601 operates at three frequencies - 5 kHz, 50 kHz, 250 kHz, and completes a scan in less than 40 seconds. In addition to a detailed Result Sheet that provides assessment of Body Water, Cellular Health, Full-Body and Segmental Fat and Muscle, it can also output a Child Result Sheet that is focused on growth and designed for growing subjects.
Overall, these features make the MA601 a great option for most gyms and clinics! Charder's unique Muscle Quality assessment of grip strength also makes our devices uniquely suitable for sarcopenia evaluation.
The MA801 is physically larger than the MA601, weighing in at 31 kg (68 lbs), but in terms of footprint, it only takes up a little bit more space compared to the portable model. The MA801 utilizes 5 frequencies - 5 kHz, 20 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, 250 kHz, completing a scan in less than 45 seconds, providing even more precision and accuracy in body composition measurements. The internal storage database can store up to 100,000 measurements compared to the MA601's 50,000.
As Charder's premium device, the MA801 Body Composition Analyzer naturally improves upon the MA601's outputs, giving a more detailed picture of body composition. In addition to the wide range of outputs provided by the MA601 in the Standard and Child Result Sheets, the MA801 adds the Medical Result Sheet, which provides:
Detailed Abdominal Fat
- Visceral Fat Area: Visceral Fat is highly correlated with risk of obesity-related diseases. The MA801 provides this assessment with greater precision compared to MA601's Visceral Fat Level.
- Subcutaneous Fat Area: For those tracking body fat for primarily aesthetic purposes, Subcutaneous Fat Area is a useful
Body Water Balance
- Edema Index: Extracellular Water exceeding 39% of Total Body Water can be a sign of Edema, and is a crucial indicator for potential health risks in medical settings.
Age-related Evaluation
- Phase Angle Percentiles: Phase Angle is an important health indicator, with abundant research indicating that a lower Phase Angle has significant correlation with poor health outcomes. As there is no universal definition of "high" and "low", comparing Phase Angle results with standard distribution for the subject's age group is important context!
- Body Fat Percentage Percentiles: The definition of a "normal" body fat percentage can vary significantly based on age, gender, and ethnicity. Placing results in context is important for a more objective evaluation, particularly for older subjects.
Advanced Cellular Analysis
- Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis: direct measurement of cellular hydration status and strength is crucial in particular for subjects with abnormal body water balance, or those requiring more intensive monitoring of health status (such as dialysis patients).
Anthropometric Estimations
- The MA801 provides several anthropometric estimations (circumference of arms and waist) thate are of interest for further study of bioelectrical impedance analysis, as the closer estimations can get to calculating physical size, the more accurate overall results can become. These anthropometric results specifically are primarily of use for research purposes.
In addition to functions, the MA801's sturdy build and larger touchscreen make it an excellent choice for clinical settings with higher traffic, and usage in research or professional sporting associations.
Summary
There are of course many commonalities between both the MA601 and MA801. Both are fully compatible with the Charder Insight professional PC software, and both are operated in nearly the exact same way, making it easy to transition between devices if upgrading.
If portability or pricing is a primary consideration, then the MA601 would be the more suitable model.
Conversely, if you expect to be measuring subjects with abnormal body water regularly (such as in clinical settings), older subjects that would benefit more from placing results in greater comparative context, or professionals like athletes that require top-tier precision, our clients have generally preferred the MA801.
Please free to contact us with more information about your usage scenario and we'd be happy to provide personalized recommendations!
