Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsSTRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST PURCHASE - OWNED 2 - SHORT LIFE - LOUD NOISES & VIBRATIONS
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2014
UPDATE TO INITIAL RATING: I initially gave the TF 1000 the highest rating. However, after using 2 new TF 1000s, each for several months, I have to change my rating and describe my experience for others who may be considering buying the product. I WOULD STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST PURCHASING THE TF 1000. The MAIN REASON is the TF 1000 HAS A SHORT LIFE – LESS THAN A YEAR WHEN USED REGULARLY! When you see an excellent rating, I would advise you to send a question to the writer asking them how long they have owned the machine and how much they have used it, and how it works after a few months of regular use. I tried this and received only a very few answers, none had owned it long or used it much.
I have owned and regularly used 2 of the TF 1000s, and my experience has been the same on both - INITIALLY GOOD, BUT DECLINES RAPIDLY. I must first say that I weigh 175 pounds, and I do not use the treadmill for running, only walking and normally no faster than 3.0 miles per hour. I received both machines in April, one in 2014 and the next in 2015. By November of the year of purchase, after approximately 7-8 months of use, and with regular cleaning and lubrication, they began to make noise and vibrate. At first it was intermittent and only slightly distracting. However, both the vibration and noise increase in frequency and volume until both are constant and so loud that they disturb others, and are so distracting that the user cannot even think, much less listen to phone calls or music or videos.
I worked with AMAZON to replace the 1st machine, purchased in 2014, and THEY WERE GREAT! I found it impossible to contact the manufacturer without Amazon. They would not answer my calls nor respond to my voicemails. On my 1st purchase I thought the machine may have been flawed, and was willing to give the manufacturer another shot. The 2nd experience is exactly like the first one, and I will eventually try to work with Amazon to get a refund or an upgrade. I cannot do the replacement now, because although AMAZON WAS GREAT IN FACILITATING THE EXCHANGE, without any monetary cost to me, the process takes considerable effort on the owner’s part and I am too busy at the moment. Again, AMAZON STOOD BEHIND THEIR GUARANTEE of 1 year and sent me a new machine, paying for the shipping of the new machine as well as the return of the old.
However, the process for me as the owner took considerable effort. I had to make contact with Amazon to arrange the replacement. I also had to request Amazon ship me the new machine before I returned the old, (not the normal sequence). That way I could use the new shipping material to repack the old machine and return it. (The packing material is too large for most people to save.) One must also remove the old machine from the place where it is being used. In my case, the basement. That is not easy! Although the machine is smaller and lighter than most treadmills, it is still awkward and weighs more than 120 pounds unpacked - a real struggle to move, especially up and down stairs.
One must also carefully unpack the new one and repack the old one, ensuring that the packaging is not damaged, so that it can be reused; then arrange and wait for a pick-up with the shipper. This process takes a large open space. I used my garage, which meant having to park the car outside for a few days. Finally, one must then move the new machine into place (again mine was the basement, which meant down the stairs). Luckily the set up was relatively straight-forward in both cases.
Initially, the TF 1000 seems pretty sturdy, and looks like it could accommodate a person who weighs considerably more than my 175 pounds. But maybe with more weight it might fail sooner than the 7-8 months I experienced, on both machines. I believe the noises and the vibrations come from the front roller and the way it is attached. I believe the manufacturers could have done better here to create a better overall product.
I WOULD STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST PURCHASING THE TF 1000, IT DOES NOT LAST LONG WITH REGULAR WEIGHT, USE, AND CARE!
INITIAL RATING:
This is a great treadmill to use for walking, with a desk, while performing office work! It also comes at a great price! I've owned the big, full-featured, running treadmills, which feature settings for speeds from 1 to 10 or 12 miles per hour and elevations from 0 to 12, which have cost $2 - $3 thousand. They also have 2 to 3 times the weight. This treadmill is not one of those. It is made strictly for walking, and best suited for walking while working; it has no superfluous features or bells & whistles!
It runs quietly and smoothly. It is solidly constructed. It's sized perfectly for office and work spaces - no unnecessary plastic extensions or aggrandizements requiring more space. Although the walking area is shorter than most running treadmills, it is amply wide and the length is just fine for walking, even at the upper ranges, (4 miles max). More length would just use more office space. The side rails are longer than normal, and very strong, which gives added support and confidence while walking and doing office work. Having an off/on switch and speed control buttons on these handles adds greatly to the ease of operation.
Shipping, Packaging, Assembling + Tips: It arrived a few days ahead of schedule and was not damaged. Other positive features are - it comes fairly well packaged and almost completely assembled. Without any assistance, I had it working in 30 minutes. The most difficult part of this was getting the machine out of the box without damaging the box, (just in case it had to be returned). In its package, it is a little heavy and awkward, but if you raise the carton and the machine to a vertical position after removing the top and the other items in the carton, you can carefully 'walk it out' without causing any damage to either the carton or the machine. I also recommend raising the treadmill to a vertical position when lubricating it. This position allows for easier access under the belt when applying the lubricant.
My wife also uses the treadmill about 2 - 3 miles per day, and has nothing but compliments for it. I've been averaging about 6 miles per day. We've had it now for three weeks. I will post an update if things change, but I've regularly used treadmills for over two decades and all initial indications are positive.
If you want a treadmill to walk on while performing desk work - phone, email, reading, or viewing video content - this is a great choice at a great price!
3 July 2014 - Update
Treadmill still working terrifically. Regularly use it - average 6 miles per day, 5-7 days per week, sometimes up to 10 miles per day. Wife also uses the same treadmill - 1-3 miles per day, 3-5 days per week. No noises, no slipping, no problems. Very Happy we made this purchase. We are happy we made this purchase!
