My wife and I are comparing these models. Both seem to have good reviews. We like the way both of them feel, though the Life Fitness one made us feel more bouncy.

My wife is 5'11" 290 lbs and I'm 6'1" 200 lbs. So, we need something that can handle our longer strides and weights.

We can get the x5i for $2499 and the x6200HRT for $1899.

Obviously we are wincing at the prices for either of these and the Vision Fitness is definitely cheaper...But, we want to make sure we make the right choice.

We haven't tried out the Precor, but honestly I don't think we'll like it based on the design differences and reading posts, etc.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a ton.
Mike

We only have lifefitness x5i at our gym and it works great. Also its calorie counter is more accurate as compared to prior lifefitness models. You should try both of these before purchasing.

Yeah, we've been to see each of these two three times in the last two days...Trying each out, etc...

The x5i is more sturdy and can handle a larger person, too. I also noticed that the fly wheel carries less momentum than on the x6200HRT, which I think is a factor, though I'm not sure how significant.

The x5i's program interface is a little better.

The x5i doesn't have heart sensors on the handles, which is fine with me because I've seen a lot of them where the metal sensors are loose or fall off.

The x5i has adjustable stride lengths, which is a benefit because it will do a longer stride than the x6200HRT and when our kids do get older or we sell it, that will be an advantage. The stride length on the x6200HRT is 19 3/4". The available options on the x5i are: 18", 20", 22", & 24". Honestly I liked the feel of the x5i at 24", though it's hard to know what it would be during a long work out and over time, etc.

The x5i's mechanisms seem more tightly held. The fact that the x6200HRTs rear wheels just role in an indentation bothers me for two reasons: 1) it would crush someone's toes/fingers if someone accidentally got too close. 2) I think that means there more room for it to get out of alignment. When folding it up, the rear legs can be pushed from one side to the other.

The x5i has a nice cup holder and separate controls (thought limited) right next to the cup holder for quick/easy access while you are working out.

I think the angles that the foot pedals go through on the x6200HRT are better than the x5i, but since they weren't side-by-side it's really hard to judge that for certain...

The x6200HRT folds up, which is great. However, the release for the legs is just a press of a button and then those legs will come down. If you aren't paying attention or a child presses into the button to release it, bam...Granted, they don't have to know it is there and shouldn't be allowed to play with it, etc. If we go with that one I'll use bungy cords or a strap to hold the legs up just in case someone releases it as an added protection. It will also take up less room and is "moveable" since it has rollers on the front and does weigh less...

The warranty is the same for both of them.

The x6200HRT's menu is slower to change your weight, etc.

While I didn't test it, I'm guessing you can apply more tension on the x5i...

The x6200HRT is 25% less than the x5i. Delivered and set up, the x6200HRT will run is ~$2150 including tax. The x5i will run us ~$2780.

I guess the unknowns are reliability and the amount of benefit that we'll get from the features/differences, etc.

Right now my wife and I aren't sure what we are going to do...I think if money weren't an issue we'd go with the x5i. It's just hard to justify the extra money for "features" when in all honesty I think the x6200HRT would work well for us, though I think the stride length adjustments are a really nice feature.

Any more thoughts/opinions???