Quality:
Although I've only been using this product for about a day, and despite the product being made of plastic I do not get any impression that the product will break anytime soon. Overall, it feels pretty solid. The only part of the device that I think will start to show wear and tear first will probably be the center dial that allows the device to be adjusted for different hand sizes and preferences. Its a little shaky, but nothing serious. I do expect this device to last for a fairly long time, that is, if I don't drop it from a considerable height more than a couple times. Also, the instructions are pretty clear and is packaged nicely.
Consistency/Accuracy:
I've used the product at least a dozen times for each hand over the course of the day and the readings appear to be pretty accurate and consistent. When my hand had adequate time to rest, I scored between 142lbs and 149lbs for my right hand. When my hand was tired, I consistently scored between 130lbs and 136lbs for my right hand. As far as carry over in lbs of force rating from this device and the IronMind Captains of Crush grippers, it seems rather close, but not exact. I could close the CoC #2 for about 8 reps presently and the CoC #2.5 for about 3 reps (I haven't trained with grippers in over a year. When I was training, I was able to close the #2.5 for about 15 reps or so. I believe this is a clear testament to how strength gained in the tendons and ligaments of the hand will last much longer/diminish much slower than strength gained solely in the muscle).
Anyway, if you didn't know, the rating of the CoC grippers that are given on the IronMind website and their packaging is inaccurate and used solely as a reference point. For example, the CoC Trainer that is rated as 100lbs of closing force required to close the gripper on the manufacturer's website really only takes about 60lbs to close (according to RGC numbers from CannonPowerworks). The CoC #1 doesn't take 140lbs of force to close, it takes about 80lbs. The CoC #1.5 isn't 167.5lbs, its closer to 90lbs. The CoC #2 isn't 195lbs, its closer to 110lbs. The CoC #2.5 isn't 237.5lbs, its closers to 125lbs and the CoC #3 isn't 280lbs, its closer to 150lbs.
With that said, for my left hand, I scored 126lbs of force, at best, but I have never been able to close the CoC #2.5 with my left even though it averages at about 125lbs of closing force, though there's a few lbs variance between most grippers of the same kind. With my right hand, as I've said, I scored 149lbs of force at my highest, but the closest I've been to close a #3 with no set was no more than 1/4".
On the other hand, a person whom I let use the device scored 147lbs at best and he cannot close the #2.5 (which averages around 125lbs of force to close). So, clearly, there isn't an exact carryover between the two ratings (Hand dynamometer vs IronMind CoC Grippers).
I think these differences may come from the fact that I'm probably generating all the force being applied to the dynamometer entirely from the musculature of my hand/wrist/forearm since I don't really have much muscle elsewhere on my body (I haven't hit the gym in a while and even when I did in about 8 months - 1 year of working out my #'s weren't impressive: approximately 300lb squat max, 185lb bench max, 315lb deadlift max @ 180lbs and a horrible diet). Meanwhile, the other person who I gave the dynamometer to never really worked their hands out but is stronger than me in terms of their #'s in all other lifts. So, I imagine that that person is somehow generating force from muscles other than those in their hand/wrist/forearm which is increasing their score on the dynamometer but somehow doesn't transfer into grippers for whatever reason. Similarly, torsion spring grippers use a different mechanism and have a different feel when closing than testing grip strength on this device.
Value:
For $30, I think the price is appropriate for the product you'll be receiving. If the price went back up to the original price of $80, I definitely would not have purchased this device. I mean, it works well, and seems sturdy enough to last a good amount of time, but $80 for some plastic and a little electronics thrown in is a bit too much. I am the type of person that is willing to spend the extra money to purchase the highest quality equipment. However, I figured this will suite me just fine since I have yet to rededicate myself to the pursuit of closing the #3 (and #4). Even then, I'm sure there isn't *too* much of a difference in accuracy and consistency with this device compared to the $400+ Baseline brand hand dynamometer. Nevertheless, I will eventually upgrade to the Baseline hand dynamometer.
I rated the product 5 stars because it does exactly what it's supposed to, appears to be consistent and accurate with it's results, and seems sturdy enough and functions well enough to justify the $30 price tag.
I hope this was helpful (it's my first review).
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 8.54 x 5.51 x 1.54 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.4 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 7.48 x 4.72 x 1.18 inches |
| Brand Name | CAMRY |
| Color | Black |
| Manufacturer | CAMRY |
| Part Number | EH101BK |
| Style | Hand Gripper |
