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If you have been looking for a massage chair, then finding good information to make a decision is important. Even better, finding an unbiased review of a given massage chair can be helpful. Here are 5 important categories to evaluate the total massage chair experience. This system gives equal weight to each of the 5 categories with each category having from 0 to 20. A 100 point score means the chair and the company has achieved total excellence. The 5 categories are Warranty & Customer Service, Comfort/Ergonomics, Ease of Use, Features and Massage Therapy. The discipline of a systematic approach provides for balance help those seriously considering a massage chair. The Omega Montage Elite is the subject of this review. This luxury shiatsu massage chair is in the $4,000 to $5,000 range.

Warranty & Customer Service: It is important that the manufacturer stand behind its product. A good gage of the company’s confidence is its warranty coverage and duration. Omega gives covers 5 years on the frame, 3 years on parts, 3 years labor, 1 year shipping and 90 days in-home service. Omega is well above other manufacturers in this category with its parts and labor. Omega is, however, lower for the in-home service which some have increased to 1 year in-home. Customer service is competent and turnaround time on service is good. Our Rating in this category is 18.

Comfort & Ergonomics: Massage chair recliners need to be comfortable and fit the body well. The Omega Montage Elite is designed for comfort, luxury and relaxation. The massage recliner is comfortable to sit in. Omega has the first wireless remote to control most massage functions. The foot rest can be extended another 4 inches for taller individuals. In fact, people up to 6′ 6″ can fit in this chair very comfortably, certainly a first for massage chairs. Omega has made some important advances from a comfort and ergonomic standpoint. Overall Rating for Omega Montage Elite comfort and ergonomics and customer service is 19.

East of Use: These days companies are always adding advanced electronics, which can many times just be overwhelming without a technical degree. Omega has designed a main remote and a wireless sub-remote. The sub-remote controls 80% of the functions and is palm-sized. The footrest adjustment knobs are within easy reach. Extensive manual functions are on a side panel on the main remote. The Omega main remote is stylish and very intuitive to use. Our rating in this category is 19.

Key Features: The most prominent features of the Omega Montage Elite are the Footflex reflexology and the Lower Body Traction. The Footflex reflexology foot massage uses airbags to gently hold, squeeze and then release your foot. Additionally, there are airbags for the arch and the heel with reflexology points for total body relaxation. Omega has brought the lower body air massages up to par with the back massage technology. The air compression massage of the lower body is superb. With the Lower Body Traction, let the massage chair stretch out the lower body. The footrest holds onto the feet and raises to the horizontal position. The footrest starts to lower to 3 successive positions. Each position stretches out the lower back, hips, thighs, knees and ankles. You can hear the popping sound now with the Montage Elite massage chair. Our rating in this category is 19.

Massage Therapy: The Montage Elite has 5 full body automatic massages, 4 manual massages, 4 massage speed settings and in a total combination of 64 manual massage courses. The manual massage techniques include the following: Kneading, Tapping, Finger Press, and Kneading & Tapping (Shiatsu). The Kneading and Tapping functions have independent speed controls which allows you to adjust them in combination. The lower body massage is terrific, especially with the lower body traction. Something about being massaged and stretched to relieve those tensions. Relax to the music-massage synchronization function, which will massage you to the tempo of the music. The Montage Elite massage recliner has an arsenal of massage capabilities that will please the most discriminating, simply superb. Our rating in this category is 20.

How does the Omega Massage Montage Elite rate? Overall, our rating of the Montage Elite is an 95/100. The technology, intuitiveness and simplicity of this massage chair recliner is what the luxury category is all about. With Omega, the . Montage Elite has the best manufacturer’s warranty without the added expense of an extended warranty. The massage chair is easy to use, has advanced features, a wireless remote and thorough massage therapy. This shiatsu massage chair can accommodate both short and tall people alike. The Montage Elite was built for the American market. This is as good as it gets!

The Omega M-5000 DLX is the subject of this product review and evaluation. Omega makes massage chairs that have advanced technology, therapeutic massage therapy and aesthetically pleasing designs. This review will cover the important features, functions and the warranty coverage for this high end massage chair recliner.

The warranty helps to offset the risk the consumer is taking in purchasing a manufactured product. Machines are made by humans and humans make mistakes. You want to get sufficient warranty coverage to protect your investment down the road.

The warranty is from the manufacturer of the product. Let us take a look at the warranty coverage provided by Omega for the M 5000DLX. The DLX warranty covers the frame for 5 years. You are also covered for 3 years on the parts and 3 years on the labor. You also get 1 year of parts shipping covered. The M5000 comes with a 90 day in home technician service as well. This is certainly one of the best manufacturer warranties on the market today.

There are some fantastic massage therapies with the M5000. Select one of the 5 automatic programs. Choose the neck and shoulders for a wonderful massage to loosen those tight areas and invigorate your senses. There are 4 manual massage techniques to choose from with finger press, kneading, tapping and combination kneading/tapping. You can also change the strength or intensity of the massage to 3 increasing levels.

We really like the shoulder and neck massage in the DLX. It is hands above the rest. There some techniques that are just used in this massage. Omega will not reveal the programming that went into these massages, but they are tremendous. We enjoy the changes in the motions and how they naturally cohere into a very invigorating and penetrating massage. This is an excellent massage if you have tightness in the neck and shoulders.

For your full body pleasure, the DLX comes fully equipped to massage your buttocks, thighs, calves and feet. The M5000 has an air massage system to cover the lower body with soothing compression massages. The airbags are specifically designed to target each region of the body. The gentle or firm squeeze, hold and release helps release those aches and pains. The footwells contain reflexology nodes to penetrate into the feet relieving tension throughout the body and inducing total relaxation and balance.

The M 5000 comes with many designer touches to enhance the appeal of this massage recliner. Omega uses top grain ox hide leather for all the upholstery. The armrests come with highly varnished real wood. The remote control has advanced features like the back lit LCD. There are 5 auto programs that start with the touch of one button. The manual controls are tucked away in a concealed side panel.

One feature you do not see in the top brands is music. Afterall, a massage chair is there to help you relax. Music is one of the best methods to take your mind off the day and to relax. Omega understands this and incorporates an MP3 player for your enjoyment. Simply install the included USB stick into the USB port and put on the included headphones and drift off into higher levels of relaxation than you thought you could achieve.

The M-5000 DLX delivers all that a massage chair is about. It has full body capabilities including head to toe reach. Enjoy an excellent neck and shoulder rub down while your feet unwind to a soothing reflexology massage and your mind drifts off into more creative endeavors. You get peace of mind with the best warranty coverage from Omega. This is certainly one of the top massage chairs on the market today.

Match bicycle clothing, protective gear to style of riding and the terrain for enjoyable and successful riding.

Individual Choice In Biking Gear

While mountain bikers, road riders and others face different situations in their specific type of riding, there are similarities as well. Whether a mountain biker rides on the roughest, rockiest terrain or the smoothest paved bike paths in a state park, certain items of bicycle clothing, bike helmets and accessories are essential.

Each individual will make a choice as to the type of gear, color and exterior design, etc. usually based on the amount of money allotted for the sport. Some mountain bike riders who pedal only the sturdiest, heavily built bike over rough ground will take along spare bicycle parts. Others who ride on paved paths won’t need to give so much attention to breakdowns and repairs.

All riders, in any type of biking, should have a couple of good biking helmets, in addition to quality bicycle clothing, gloves, heart monitors, timers etc. Serious bike racers and those who tackle the most challenging mountain trails will probably need pads for the knees and elbows in addition to the best helmet that will fit the budget. Good equipment designed especially for safety and protection may be the difference between finishing the course and looking for assistance shortly after the start of the session.

Some mountain bike events and some road events require the rider to be active after the sun goes down. So the biker may need to invest in a helmet light, a bike light and so on. Tail lighting on the bike is also a must for these special events. It would be wise to discuss lighting and other safety options with an expert at the bike shop to make sure all the options are clear.

Quality Bike: The Cost Of Extras

Some who take on the roughest mountain bike terrain invest in heavy-duty bike wheels and tires, in addition to purchasing a bike with a very durable frame. Bent rims and a broken weld on the frame will stop a biker more quickly than almost anything else that can happen on the trail. It will probably be a good idea to take along a couple of extra durable, knobby tires for those trips over the roughest ground.

Tip: Some mountain bikers have started to insist on protective end caps for the handlebars, to protect the rider from injury during a fall. These items are most often found on straight or slightly curved bars, and are not usually a priority on the more gently curved racing bars. Only when all the proper equipment is in place should a mountain biker head to the open spaces.

More articles for cycle clothes and road bike clothing available here.

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