simply simple massage
your ultimate massage resource
Links & Resources
Be sure to visit these sites for more open source goodies:
›› Open
Web Desgin
›› OSWD
›› Bulletproof
Links
›› CSS
Tinderbox
Panasonic Real Pro Elite Massage Lounger
Panasonic's Real Pro Elite Massage Lounger is another one of those chairs where you get a super fancy LED remote with functionality and features that are amplified... only at the expense of your 401K retirement funds.
The lofty appearance of the chair almost emanated an invisible yellowish light around it, conceitedly calling out to its prospective owner to come check out the super new and cool functions it had to offer. Needless to say, I was another one of its victims lured in by the advanced technology it displayed.
When I first sat down, I immediately noticed how roomy and comfortable it was just sitting alone on the chair itself, so my initial impression was a good one. I then proceeded to pickup the fancy remote and to my surprise, the computer began to verbally walk me through on how to get started!
The reclining span was very generous, allowing me to relax at a 180 degree angle (it may have been able to go farther but the specifications don't say). The chair then began its process of scanning my body with its Intelligent Body Scan Technology, which is supposed to give you a more personalized and perfectly contoured massage. There were five pre-programmed massages: Shiatsu, Deep, Swedish, Stretch, and Quick -- all of which can be adjusted for intensity level. The Shiatsu and Deep massage were a bit overpowering even at its lowest intensity. I felt some of the styles were a bit uncomfortable and tedious while some of the others were a little better. The Swedish was my favorite -- a more light and delicate massage that I found to be a lot more soothing than the others. The Stretch was also interesting in that it actually stretches your muscles and has unique massage movements. As for the Quick, it was a mixed combination of everything.
While the Panasonic Pro Elite Massage Lounger does have a couple good points to it, many of its features were a bit overstated. All in all, it's a decent chair but many of the features it boasts are hardly noticeably different from the other chairs that don't offer these functionalities. On top of that, several of the massage functions were just too strong for my liking (and I can usually handle some pretty intense massaging).
For me at least, if I'm going to put in a couple grand into a massage chair, I have to be able to live with it for the next 4-5 years. And at a whopping $4,000 (price at time of writing), the Panasonic Pro Elite Massage Lounger just doesn't live up to the expectations I had. Maybe if you've always wanted that fancy remote that talks to you and you're willing to dish out an extra $1000-$2000 for it, then by all means go for it. Just be ready to be able to handle some tough massage, and I mean tough!
Ratings
| Appearance |    |
| Functionality | |
| Comfort | |
| Ease Of Use | |
| Value | |
Average | |