With a strong 3.0 CHP commercial motor, 7" Flat Screen TV, adjustable cushioning system, Intermix Acoustics™ Sound System and Interplay™ Music Port it's a huge improvement over older Epic models.
Is it right for your workout needs? Here's a review of the Epic 550 to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $1299 (Regular $1999)
Motor: 3.0 CHP Odyssey II™ commercial motor
Speed: 0 - 12 MPH
Incline: 0-12%
Treadbelt: 20 x 60"
Folding: Yes
350 lb Weight Capacity Deck
Lifetime Frame warranty, 12-year motor warranty and 1 year of parts and labor
Strengths:
1) 3.0 CHP Odyssey II™ Commercial Motor - This is one of the highest motor powers at this price point and great if you're planning to workout for long periods of time.
2) 7" Flat Screen TV with Multi-Colored Displays - You can watch TV and track your workout at the same time - or just choose to watch TV. When the TV is off, the screen shows all of your workout displays, plus a multi-color intensity profile, that displays your workout's intensity visually.
3) Interplay™ Music Port with Built-In Speakers - Plug in your iPod/mp3 player and listen to your favorite music while you work out. While this is becoming a fairly standard feature in treadmills at this price range, it's still nice to have
4) 28 Personal Trainer Workouts - These workouts were designed by a personal trainer and they automatically adjust the incline and speed of your treadmill, each focusing on an aerobic, weight loss or performance goal.
5) 2008 'Best Buy' Award - The Epic View 550 received a 'Best Buy' award in 2008 from a leading consumer magazine.
Weaknesses:
Despite the 'Best Buy' from experts, user reviews have been mixed, with an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 Stars. To be fair, there are only a few reviews so it's hard to get an overall consensus.
Also, at this price point there's a lot of competition. Brands like Nordic Track and Sole give you similar features with longer warranties and higher user reviews.
Overall Conclusion:
The Epic View 550 treadmill gives you a strong 3.0 HP motor power, a high 350 lb user weight capacity and an extra long belt. Plus you get some neat goodies like a built in TV, 28 personal trainer workouts and music port for your mp3 Player.
While the overall value is good, it does fall down a bit in terms of warranty and you can get more with other similarly priced brands. However if you're looking for a strong treadmill with a "Best Buy" award from an unbiased source, the Epic 550 may be right for you.
Where To Buy At A Discount:
You can buy the Epic View 550 direct from the Manufacturer. They often give you Free shipping, which can save you a few hundred dollars.
