Good Gear or Gimmick: ConnectScale

Here is the question: Is it good gear or a gimmick? Check out the press release below and let us know what you think about the ConnectScale. Would you buy it? What potential uses do you see?

ConnectScale has introduced the first fishing scale that combines Bluetooth wireless technology and the power of mobile devices to allow anglers to quickly and easily weigh and record their catch.

The ConnectScale and the ConnectScale mobile app work together to create a streamlined method for recording vital fishing data. The angler simply weighs their catch using the 55-pound limit, water resistant scale and then essential data, including weight, time/date, temperature, and GPS location are instantly sent to the app on their mobile device of choice.

“My hope is to provide an innovative product that both professional and recreational anglers alike can use to capture catch data and ultimately improve their fishing results.” – Ben Arnold (founder)

In addition to decreasing the time anglers spend weighing their catches, the ConnectScale and app offer several other features to simplify the data capture process. After releasing their catch, anglers can add further information to their catch log including lure type used, species caught, and a photo of the catch. The angler’s GPS location at the time of weighing will also be automatically logged by the app and anglers wishing to keep their GPS location private from other users can do so with a privacy setting.

The app also features full social media integration with secure login and ability to share each catch to Facebook and Twitter. The scale itself is accurate to within 1/100 of a pound, records weight in pounds, kilograms, or ounces, has as an oversized hook and a hold and reset function to allow for use of bags and fish grippers to make weighing fish of any size up to 55 pounds an easy task. Weights are displayed on the LCD backlit screen. An auto-shutoff feature helps preserve battery life while the memory function serves as an additional information backup.

ConnectScale currently has a working prototype scale and is finalizing development on apps for iOS and Android devices. The first units will be available for purchase this summer at $70. ConnectScale will be launching an IndieGOGO campaign on March 16th with a goal of $25,000 to help raise funds to complete the Bluetooth Qualification and Certification process as well as purchase the initial order quantity of scales. The campaign will offer perks that include great discounts off the regular retail price for individuals as well as a larger bundle package that will be ideal for Bait and Tackle owners, Charter Captains, or Fishing Tournament Organizers wishing to resell or offer a scale to their clients.

ConnectScale, based in Blountville, TN, was founded in 2015. Founder Ben Arnold is a MBA graduate of the University of Tennessee and has over 10 years of professional experience in Process and Technology Consulting and Data Analytics. ConnectScale is devoted to developing the go-to fishing scales for recreational and tournament anglers alike.