FOUR WORDS...BEST ELLIPTICAL ON MARKET-Read this review BEFORE U BUY!!!

UPDATE May 8, 2007: 5 months and the machine is as strong as ever. Very little maintenance, still very motivated to use it about 3 times a week for 20 to 30 minutes. Absolutely no problems to report.


UPDATE Jan 10,2007: We still LOVE our Octane. Have been using it every day since we received it. Machine is very durable, with very little in the way of noise or squeeks. X-Mode is very challenging and makes the workouts seem very quick as it motivates you to continue. I will update in a month...

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
After months of research and countless visits to two seperate fitness stores, I decided to purchase the OCTANE Q37E. I also looked at the following:

1. Schwinn 418
2. Smooth CE 2.1
3. Sole products
4. Life Fitness X1

My wife and I originally were looking for an elliptical in the $1200 to $1400 range. We tested all the above and conluded the following:

The scwinn was a good product but felt flimsy.
The smooth was awful feel and was huge.
The sole was not in stores, so I relied on feedback from the Sole website. I e-mailed them several times with no response, so I crossed them off the list.

Then I came across the Life Fitness x1 and was a little pricey for our budget but was light years ahead of the products above. (i.e $2000) very smooth, great electronics but a little on the big side.

On my way out of the store the sales person showed me the Octane. WOW!!!!
I was floored. Small footprint, quiet (although, not as quiet as the life fitness)smooth feel to the stride(20.5")

We bought this over the life fitness mainly for the following reasons:

1. Small footprint
2. Very low step up. You can step from the back (much more comfortable)
3. Longer stride (20.5") You should NOT purchase any elliptical with less than this because it is very uncomfortable and you will not use it.
4. Handlegrips. very diferent positions that very your workout.
5. programs are GREAT!!! X-Mode prompts you to do certain things.

The bottom line is that you need a machine that is smooth and will motivate you to use it. The other above (except the Life Fitness) are cheap products that you will not use. Spend an extra $500. You will not be sorry.