As delivered, the box containing the LifeCore LC985VG Elliptical Cross Trainer was only in one piece courtesy of yards of packing tape applied by UPS. The box was far too flimsy to hold equipment weighing well over 100 pounds. I accepted deliver reluctantly, but happily the damaged internal packing materials protected the contents.
This device is mostly preassembled especially when compared with similar exercise equipment from other manufacturers. Being able to view assembly instructions for this kind of equipment on-line is essential. LC985VG assembly instructions were relatively clear although they could be improved on two points. Step 5 quite correctly informs the assembler that a second person is required to connect the computer to the motor/flywheel. However, even in a brightly illuminated room a flashlight or better yet a headlamp would help the person making the connection. Step 5 does not make clear how critical it is that this connection be firm and solid. Only when the entire machine is assembled can this connection be tested, and returning to Step 5 would be an irritating and time consuming process of disassembly. Also, step 5 or the beginning of step 6 omits the need to place the "hat cover" (a plastic sleeve) onto the upright tube. In step 6 the user is told to attach six bolts and then to slide the hat cover over those bolts. At that point it is too late to slide the hat cover over the bolts unless the bolts just put in place are removed. This sleeve is cosmetic except that it covers what amounts to a black hole for bolts and washers. I elected not to add the hat cover and quickly lost a washer. No spare parts are included for this kind of problem.
All necessary tools are provided, but a bright flashlight or head lamp is very useful especially when attaching the computer/control panel with four small black screws under the panel and the foot pedals. Also, I had to tap one bolt with a hammer (almost any hard object would have been sufficient) to clear metal shavings that were partly blocking a hole.
The mechanical action of the LC985VG is very smooth although I have only used it for an hour, so only time will tell whether it remains that way.
The computer/control panel is horribly designed, and the printed manual is badly written. I had hoped that the DVD that accompanies the LC985VG would help, but it is devoted almost entirely to exercise and not the device itself. One problem with the manual is that it appears to be written for two models of this machine. For example, it references a MODE key when there is no such key on the model I have. Similarly, the manual references UP and Down keys that are no where in evidence. The latter is a trivial matter because my model contains a knob that is turned clockwise for up and counterclockwise for down, but it is symptomatic of the poor quality of the manual. The computer's menu structure makes everything irritating. For example, at one point I tried to change the calorie setting, but instead I ended up changing the resistance level.
This machine comes with 12 preset exercise profiles with automatically varying resistance levels. By trial and error with little understanding of what I am doing I have been able to select one of the profiles. The mark of a well designed computer interface is that its use is obvious on its face. The LC985VG interface is user hostile.
The mangled shipping box, less than perfect assembly instructions, and stupidly designed and badly documented controls aside, this device compares favorably to much more expensive commercial equipment that I have used especially since it takes up much less space.Get more detail about Lifecore LC-985VG Elliptical Trainer.
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