A very basic machine that is well packaged. Needs improvement in the quality of components even for those who are just regular walkers. The Image line could use a good update.
General Information
These products are produced by Icon Health and Fitness. They are the largest retail fitness company. Since this brand is not as well-known as other Icon brands, you typically get more for your money with an Image but since you get what you pay for, lower priced units typically will require more parts replacements than higher priced units.
Quality / Philosophy
Image is produced by Icon, and this factory has over 200 engineers that help craft their products. Put simply, they are the best designed treadmills in the business. In the past, they have had to be the best because they used the cheapest parts in the business. They have finally discovered that you can find some of the key component parts overseas for less and the eventual cost is less if you put more quality into the machine; so the quality of drive motors, rollers, and other key components are much higher than in the past and they price their machines lower than anyone else if you compare apples to apples.
Outlook
Icon is the largest fitness equipment producer in the world with over $1 billion in sales. If the fitness industry were a solar system, Icon is so powerful that they would be the Sun. In terms of stability, they are the best, but overall their customer service isn't up to the standards of any of the lower volume producers. Their latest gambit is to charge a service fee for shipping a warranty part and/or a trip charge if you want in-home labor- is this really a warranty? You decide! Although you get a value price for the product, you also get value service so keep this in mind when buying their machines. Due to the sheer number of units they produce, we pick up support in many cases where this factory leaves off.
