New Merit Elliptical Reviews
The Merit 715 E isn't quite the value it once was with the addition of a price increase this year.
See ReviewThe Merit 725 E was an award winner last year, but with a price increase, it looks to be just ano...
See ReviewWho Manufacturers Merit Ellipticals?
General Information:Another Johnson produced line, like Vision, LIvestrong, Matrix and Horizon. The packaging on these machines is nothing short of spectacular, especially considering the price, but keep in mind, these are cheap machines. It is impossible to build a quality treadmill for $500. The low end models (around the $500 price point) can look very good, but the components are simply too cheap to hold up well over the long term.
Manufacturing Philosophy:Hit low price points and sell as many as you can seems to be the philosophy of this brand for, and at this point, they are doing it very well. We gained a much greater understanding of Johnson's business in the past few years with our visit to their headquarters and facilities in Taiwan and China. Johnson is the most integrated manufacturer of fitness equipment in the world. This can be both good and bad. The good is that you are in control of almost all aspects of production. The bad is that you are in control of almost all aspects of production. If you mess up, there is no one else to blame. They really seem to be focused on doing things the right way, so it appears that this is a case where it is good overall. We were impressed with their quality procedures, design, and testing processes, and the reviews will reflect our better understanding of their operations.
Company Outlook : Johnson will remain a player in the US market simply due to market penetration. Additionally, the quality pickups that Icon has made are also being made by Johnson. The only problem is typically you buy these at mass retailers or online, so the service level you might need is typically not present.