Customer Reviews

Horizon EX75 Dual Action Elliptical Trainer

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was really impressed with how quiet this elliptical trainer is. I've read reviews of other elliptical trainers in which noise was an issue. It isn't the case with this. It accommodates a good range of heights (from 5' to 6'+) and is practically a gym quality unit.

My complaints (which made me deduct 1 star):

- Quality Control issues with the console. My electronic console's fan was extremely noisy. (The EX75 has a built in fan). The fan was noisier than the elliptical trainer! This was probably due to wiring getting in the way of the fan. The internal design isn't all that great for the electronic console, it's possible for the wires to touch the fan... you will be connecting 4 wires and then trying to stash them away, so the possibility of the wires touching the fan blades are real. In case that wasn't the cause of the noise, I called customer service. They were very helpful and concerned and sent me a replacement. The problem was the replacement had loose speakers inside. (It turns out that most of the electronic components are held in place with... melted glue from a hot glue gun). So I had to call customer service again... the next unit worked fine and I sent the others back with a UPS label. Customer service is very helpful, so even if you have a problem with the console, they'll get you through it.

- Instruction Manual isn't that great. It's shared with the EX55 and EX65 models. I'd want a more extensive manual about the EX75, especially detailing the different training modes more extensively. I'd also want a DVD (or at least a videotape) with some training details. After all, I can get a training tape with some cheap $100 exercise equipment. The manual should also detail better how to drag the wires from the base of the unit through the vertical mast to the electronic console better. It's not an easy task... I had to improvise with a long stick I had in the garage. I'm not sure how I would have done it if I just followed the manual.

- The electrical cord for powering the resistance of the flywheel and the electronic console is very cheap. It's the kind of off-the-shelf adaptor you'll get for a Radio Shack gizmo with the thin, curled wire. The power cable from my old Playstation (yep, the one from 1990) was of a better quality.

So those are my complaints. But if you can get past them, this unit performs VERY well.

Some things to keep in mind for this model (and probably other models as well) :

- You are not supposed to use this in a garage or unheated basement. Water could damage the unit. You also shouldn't use it if it's kept in extreme temperatures.

- Make sure you have enough ceiling height. You will be elevated almost a foot higher when using this machine.

- I'd recommend using a power strip with surge protection. First, the cheap power adaptor may not be long enough for you. And secondly, if you get a power surge, you may have a bulky, 200 pound paperweight.

For $800 you get an ultra quiet , well built, sturdy machine. This is money well spent and for me $800.00 is alot of cash so when I went searching for an elliptical I did a lot of reading up on them.

The warranty is by far the best on the market, the 18" stride is great (I am 5-11, 207 pounds). Its exremely low impact which is great for folks like me with bad shin splints! Easy to put together since I did myself in a little over an hour. The display is easy to use and read. It is very quiet and does not rock back and forth or sway from side to side. I have been using it almost every day of the week. This is not my first elliptical but I hope its my last for a long time. Good luck all!

I have had this machine for almost a month. It still seems like a great buy to me and I have been using italmost every day. Unlike alot of machines I read about this machine has a little fan built in that works. The built in speaker is kinda neat but is not the best. I have my machine near my pc anyhow so I wont use this feature much any how. I will update my review sometime up the road so all of you future buyers can have an honest opinion. Good luck and great health and fitness to all!

*UPDATE may 18th, 2008

I have now been using this machine for over a year. 0 malfunctions and has held up very well. I would recommend this machine highly. Happy shopping and good heath folks!

Got this from Amazon. The product arrived pretty quick. Took my wife and I about 1hr to put everything together.

I use it for 30 min. and I was sweating like crazy. I also like the built-in fan and speaker where you can hook up your ipod and listen to the music. THe forward peddling motion is a lot better than the reverse. There are some system out there that has smoother action, but personally, those system never really give me a true workout.

This model is not Precor, but it's not $2000 either. For the price, a home model, you can't really go wrong with this system.

My family absolutely loves this machine. It has tons of different styles of workouts to do. I've had a long history of running, and this thing gets my heart rate going and gets me huffing a puffing. The only complaint that I have, is that it squeaks. We've tried a lot of different things to stop the squeaking, some days it doesn't squeak, and others it does.

We just received ours yesterday. Came packaged well and took less than an hour to carefully put it together. Strong construction and very sturdy. I wasn't expecting gym quality, but honestly this is model is just as good as those $3K Ellipticals. We are very pleased with this purchase and you will be too.

Product is ok. Got on sale at $700, which was good because I don't believe it is worth the full retail price. Basic frame of the product is good and sturdy. Outside casing is cheap plastic which came cracked and broken in a few insignificant places. Operation of the unit is good. I like the control panel and the options for that. The built in speakers for cd/mp3 player is also a nice touch, although the quality of sound is nothing to brag about.

Built solid, enjoyable to use and not at all difficult or time consuming to assemble. I am very happy with this equipment and the $800 sale price is a very good deal for this model. Only criticism is the box it was packed in wasn't sturdy enough for the weight and was falling apart when I got it.

I'm completely satisfied. Not only is this a well made product that does what it says it will do; but the company's support is the best! No hesitation to help with problems or supply needed parts. They're simply the best.

I finally received my trainer after almost a month, 24 days to be exact! The item shipped to a nearby warehouse the day after placing the order only to sit there. I contacted Amazon several times and Amazon promised to remedy the issue. On one occasion Amazon promised to ship item again but, it never happened. Amazon did not provide quality support in my opinion.