Our most helpful positive review

1 people thought this was helpful.

Great machine, great price January 13, 2010

Very happy with purchase over all.  I was looking for elliptical over the holidays and decided on this one for a couple of reasons. First, the sale Sears was offering was a good deal. The same machine on every other website I found was selling for twice the price where as the other ellipticals that were on sale were the same price on other sites. Second, Star Trac has good ellipticals and the warranty to back them up. The majority of their products are top of the line and they have very few lower end models unlike many of the other brands Sears carries. (fun fact: After my purchase I realized they use Star Trac ellipticals on The Biggest Loser.)  I was hesitant to purchase because there were no reviews posted and I could not try it out at my local Sears. I decided no reviews was better than a ton of negative reviews like some of the other brands I looked at. It shipped in a timely manner. When an additional discount was offered after I placed the order a quick call to Sears resulted in a refund to compensate.

My favorite things about the machine:

1) Very smooth.  I put a little lube on the tracks it runs quietly with nice fluid motions. It is very stable. This was one of my biggest concerns with buying a budget elliptical but I am thoroughly impressed with how well this machine feels and sounds.

2) Size. Takes up less space than my old treadmill and it is easy to move.

3) Nice display and functions. Very sharp looking and I like that everything is displayed throughout the work out. The preprogramed tracks are great, especially how you can set the base resistance for each. You can also base the length of your workout (counts down and signals finish) on time, distance, or calories burned. It not only assigns a number to each of the resistance levels but also portrays each as going down hill, level, or going up hill. I have not tried the heart rate programs.

I now will explain my only disappointments.  The explanations are more lengthy then the pros because I consider them minor and want to address them as best I can.  My over all feeling is this is an excellent product but there are a couple of things you should be aware of.

 Two minor complaints:

1) Difficulty of assembly. Assembly took about three hours partially due to directions being incorrect. The screws were vacuum packed on a labeled board which seemed straight forward and helpful but actually were very obviously mislabeled (the labels on the board were completely different from the labels in the directions and the first screws needed in the directions were not listed on the board). This required extra time to ensure which ones to use for each step. I was able to figure it out based on the number required in the step and size in the diagram. The directions also lacked a few key steps that became obvious as the assembly progressed. Some of the screws are already in place and must be removed first and then put back after attaching two pieces. This is mentioned for one step in the directions but not for when attaching the handle bars and I did not realize the one screw already in place was not to be re-screwed in until the handle bar was put on AND the cover was put on. Also, the screws used to assemble the covers were very difficult to screw in by hand with the tool provided. On the positive side I was able to put it together without any assistance, it can be a one person job and does not require excessive strength (manageable by an average female).

*see edit below* 2) Must keep moving.  I am still having some issues with the power to the console functioning properly. It is run on battery that you charge through use or with the provided adaptor. In order to activate the control panel you must start on the machine, there is no on/off switch. The console is very nice looking and works like a touch screen as opposed to buttons. However, when I first started using the machine the touch pad did not function easily until after I had been going for a couple of minutes. This occurred every time I used it even though I was using the machine for 1 hour every day, the manual says the battery takes 30 minutes of use to fully charge the battery. When I leave the adaptor plugged in the panel works right away but only when moving and the screen clears right when you stop. I have also taken a break mid-workout to for something as short as switching a DVD and the console shut down and therefore I lost my stats. This may be an issue with my battery not being able to hold a charge because the manual says the "pause feature may not last as long until the battery regains its charge." I will try leaving it plugged in up until I use it and see if I get better results but otherwise it is a tolerable annoyance and that I can deal with considering I got the machine for $500.

Edit 12-03-2010:

Hey, I know this is a really delayed edit but thought it a necessary follow-up to my review. I still feel it has been a great purchase almost a year later. Figured out the kinks with the console a day after the original post and it is still running great today. I keep it plugged in when not in use and unplug it when using it. Keeping it plugged in between uses keeps the battery charged and ready to go and then during use the motion keeps it charged. If you don't do this the buttons don't work as easily when not fully charged (difficult to pick the program you want to run and it won't stay on if you stop) and not unplugging during use it has the same effect for some reason.

Our most helpful negative review

1 people thought this was helpful.

Do not buy this!!! January 18, 2010

This is a defected product and there technical support people are very rude!!!  The computer does not work on it and they wanted me to wait 30 days for a new one because they are backordered (maybe because they are selling broken ones).  I'm waiting for the delivery company to come take it back because I refuse to wait 30 days to use a product I just bought.  I got what I thought was a great deal but I guess you get what you pay for...****!!!  I hope I save someone else from going thru this headache I'm going thru.