This consumer report provides actual feedback from buyers of the Sole F80 Treadmill (2008 Model). Product Description "The Sole F80 Treadmill (2008 Model) has earned a reputation as one of the best-quality treadmills in its price range thanks to its unbeatable combination of high-quality components and user-friendliness. The treadmill boasts a strong 3.0-horsepower, continuous-duty motor, which delivers challenging speeds of up to 11 miles per hour and inclines of up to 15 percent. At the same time, the F80’s Cushion Flex Whisper Deck is built to protect your joints from excessive pounding, with the ability to reduce impact up to 40 percent compared to running on asphalt. And when you’re not using the treadmill, it folds into a compact footprint and locks securely in place, thereby saving a ton of storage space. The F80 is equipped with a host of user-friendly features, including six preset workout programs, two customizable programs, and two heart rate programs, along with a red display that tracks your speed, incline, time, distance traveled, calories, pulse, and pace. There’s even a 1/4-mile digital track that you can follow as you run and a peak-and-valley graph that corresponds to individual programs. Other details include a large stop switch for safety; a low-profile running hood; armrest cooling fans; speed and incline controls on the armrests; a wireless chest strap that measures your heart rate; and a 20-by-55-inch running deck." Amazon Buy the Sole F80 Treadmill
My wife and I both like jogging. I bought this F80 after some research online. We've put 50 miles on it and we love it! It has a very firm foundation. Motor is quiet. Belt runs smoothly. Folding is easy although I don't need to do it often. Speaker and Fan are convenient. The reason I didn't give 5 star is because of the heart rate monitor. It's very uncomfortable and not sensitive enough. I would like to try the two heart rate controlled programs but we gave up after trying a few times. So that ends up becoming a useless feature.
Actual excerpt from Amazon user review.
Great Treadmill - Solid Piece of Equipment!, July 6, 2008
I researched many of the same brands that were listed in prior reviews and decided to go with Sole F80. I ordered directly from Sole, since they're not sold in WA state, and the closest Dick's Sporting Good store was in OR and to far to drive too to look at their floor model. I did call them and the F80s were sold out. When I ordered my F80, it shipped the next day, with free shipping & no taxes (at least for WA state), and I got it within a week. We assembled it within an hour, the instructions are not the best, as others have said, but we were able to figure it out by looking at the diagrams in the manual, but make sure to read through the manual for safety instructions. We set it up in the garage and our garage floor was not level, so we put a shim on one side to level it, and after that it was rock sold. It really is a solid piece of equipment! I wanted something solid, with a good warranty, good deck, quite, didn't need all the bells & whistles - that some other brands offered, and this treadmill more than exceeds my expectations.
Actual excerpt from Amazon user review.
Great sturdy treadmill well worth the price, June 23, 2008
This is my first treadmill so I can only compare it to the ones I've used at the gym. There is absolutely no loss in quality compared to the gym ones. In fact it's a step up because the electronics are newer, I can keep it better maintained (and cleaner), and I can finally work out at my convenience with no one waiting for me to finish, wear anything I want, watch the TV channel I want -- I'm sticking to my routine a LOT more now that I don't have to make a big production of it. SO worth the investment. I did some research before buying and the SOLE has lived up to its reputation. Very good quality for walking or running.
Actual excerpt from Amazon user review.
Bottom line: Another quality product from Sole
Sole always deliver a solid product and the F80 is no exception
* Speed: 0.5 to 11 mph
* Incline: 15% maximum, rack and pinion gear design
* Weight: 250 pounds
* Deck Size: 33 x 75, Cushion Flex Shock Absorption Whisper Deck
* Maximum User Weight: 335 pounds
* Running Surface: 20 x 55
* Belt: Double woven 2-ply
* Rollers: 2-3/4 inches
* Folding: Yes, with the Easy-Assist folding feature
* Heart Rate Control: Yes, wireless chest strap included
* Hand Pulse Grips: Yes, and arm rest speed/incline controls
* Standard Programs: Six
* User Defined Programs: Two
* Heart Rate Programs: Two
* Cooling Fans: Yes
* Speakers and MP3 Plug-in: Yes Specifications: