The Schwinn 438 is no longer available -
See the Schwinn 431
 The
Schwinn 438 elliptical trainer is the upgrade to the popular
418. The Schwinn 418 received
a "Best Buy" rating from Consumer Reports, where they
mention it was better quality than comparably priced models.
The 438 is a good value when selling at around $1,000 price range.
I've tested both models and found it to be one of the smoother
elliptical strides for a moderately priced elliptical. The 18"
stride had a nice elliptical motion, in comparison to other
budget models, which tend to be more circular and bouncy. The
articulating foot pedals helped to keep my feet aligned with
the motion. Overall, the Schwinn 438 felt stable, weighing in
at 172 lbs.
 I
was not crazy about the single wheel that runs along the rail.
It can cause a slight shift left to right. I prefer the concave
wheels found on the Schwinn 420, or the dual wheels found on
Sole ellipticals.
The 438 cost $200 more than the 418. These are the additional
features:
- Upgraded console and display with a backlit LCD and LED
prompts.
- 16 levels of resistance in comparison to 8 levels. More
moderate
 changes
from one level to the next.
- Wireless heart rate control. The rate of your excursion
is determined by your heart rate.
- A better selection of programs, including 10 profile, 3
HRC, 2 custom (per user), time trial, calorie goal, fitness
test, BMI test, recovery mode, results mode.
- Built-in fans, to cool you off when you're burning all those
calories.
- A longer warranty that includes, 3-years parts, 1-year electronics,
and 1-year labor. Not bad for this price range.
Customer Reviews - Amazon.com
There were over 69 reviews - most positive with 4.5 stars out
of 5 (Click here to see all reviews at Amazon.com ).
Realizing you are paying less than $900, here are some issues
customers had with the 438.
- There were several complaints about the customer service
being non-responsive, which is typical for companies selling
budget products.
- There were some problems with wrong parts sent in the box.
That happens.
- Several people complained about noise issues. When it works
properly the 438 is very quiet, but like any inexpensive elliptical
it may not always be silent.
- Several people wrote about problems with the console buttons
not working on the console panel. Apparently, there is a simple
solution. You back off the screws a notch or two and relieve
the pressure on the panel.
Our Review
Depending on the price I would opt for the Schwinn 420. Last I looked the Schwinn 420 was $300 less. It the most popular elliptical trainers on Amazon. And has some impressive customer reviews and ratings, considering the price.
I would not recommend this elliptical for someone weighing
more than 210 lbs. or over 6" in height. One person that
was 6'4" complained about the handlebars hitting his chest.
If you can afford it, you may want to look at the higher priced
NordicTrack 990. It has also received "Best Buy" ratings from CR, I I also give it a "Best Buy." What makes this elliptical attractive is the power incline, which adds an whole new dimension to your elliptical workout.
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