So much better than you'd think it would be, even if you have high expectations
Deserves six stars, at least. What a set. Wow, is what I kept saying as I opened it and put it together. The machine itself, and everything in the set for that matter, feel quality-made, and robust. Precision metal in many places, this is a well-made product. So know that when you're looking to spend your money on it. The base is very solid. You have to use bolts that are included to put it together, 8 on the legs and cross bar and 2 for the vertical pole. They go in a little tight, so you might not be sure you have them in the right spot or aligned right. I'd suggest just a tiny bit of wax on the threads and they will thread in nicer. It isn't that they don't thread in correctly, they do, it is the two types of dry metal causing binding when screwing together. Rub the side off a candle, or add just a tiny bit of oil on the ends of the threads and they will go right in. Obviously with something of this caliber you want to make sure you don't cross thread bolts and mess something up. Pro tip, make sure the clamps that hold the machine to the vertical bar are clamped tightly, or else when you add weight and forces, it'll spin around the pole when you turn it on. I learned this the hard way. So give those clamp screws a few extra turns before clamping them down. The suction cups will hold very well to a flat floor or surface. However, they're also great for dampening the machine if not stuck down to the floor. It is heavy enough that it won't be sliding all over by itself. So will work on a bed and things of that nature too. Possible to have 4 items at a time going, and it can handle it. It is quite the visual when you set it up like that. So be prepared for that. There are 2 of one length pole and 2 of another. The shorter ones are supposed to go towards the motor side, however I'm sure if it suits you, you can mix and match. They simply screw onto a threaded receiver in the machine unit itself. You can also buy extensions. The included remote works well, is pretty basic, up down, and some pre-programmed rhythms which are nice. The best part about that remote is the "pause" button. This stops the machine quickly. Good in cases where something slips or is in a not so desirable angle or such. The app connects easily, wouldn't mind more functionality out of it, but for what it is, there's tons of user programmed settings on there, so I think that has it's place, probably best to try some out, figure out what they are and then browse to find something you like. Toys. The toys are top notch quality. One of them is very large, uncut as well, which is a new thing for me. Some fantasy and other inclusions. You get every one in the picture, and they all work with the click lock system. Which if you don't know you can unscrew from the bottom of the toys and use them as normal suction cup based toys. I think this is great of the Hismith toy line and something they should point out more to people. Don't lose the little part you unscrew though as they are hard to find. The wired remote goes 0-100, and has a dial, but it isn't a dial that goes 0-100. So it spins and doesn't have a stop. So you won't know where you are on the dial without looking. I think this is fine and is not an issue, might be an issue for some, but with the variety of options to control, I'm confident anyone can find something that suits them just fine. There is not case for this included, if you are familiar with their more "regular" machines, you'll be used to having a case and some foam to break it down into. This came with foam in a box, but isn't something you'd break down because of the bolts mentioned before, would take more work to do so. So I think that makes sense. They give two rubber toppers for the center pole. I'm not sure if they slip off and people lose them or something. I'm pretty good about keeping things together, so I don't think I will need another, but it is there if you need it. The center pole also has threads, as if you could get extensions. I'd like to see them offer maybe 3 or 4 set of extensions, so you could put this on a floor and raise the machine up to above a tall bed height to be useful in that manner. Maybe they do and I simply haven't seen them yet. Seems like someone thought about it having the threads on that center rod though. All in all a weighty, impressive machine and set. Read more
