Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill Treadmill

  • Reviewed On: December 11, 2011
  • Reviewed By: Gerard Lao

MSRP: $399, Price As Reviewed: $350, Model Year: 2011

Where To Buy : We Recommend Amazon.com

 

Pros

Treadmills411 Editor Comments

More affordable and better value

For just $349, the 715T Plus is cheaper than the regular 715T but features a more spacious belt and stronger motor at 1.5HP.

10 mph and 5% incline

Treadmill has a max 10mph and 5% incline. Although considered a lower pro, still worth mentioning considering the affordable price tag.

Cushioining and thumb pulse Heart rate monitor

We've seen more expensive treadmillsnot having these features so this is definitely a strength for the $550 715T.

 

Cons

Treadmills411 Editor Comments

Poor warranty

Although the 715T comes with a lifetime frame warranty, 1 year on motor and 90days on parts and labor is way below average.

 

 

Weak motor

Only has 1.5HP motor.

Limited belt space

Only has 18" x 47" which is way below the ideal belt dimension but this is what you'll expect for treadmills selling at this price.

Limited programs

Features only 4 programs.

Light treadmill

At 96 lbs, it's very questionable to hold up 250lb users.

Lacks features

Treadmill doesn't have noise reduction, fans, audio support, and quick speed and incline buttons.

Basic Components – 30.8% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Extra Features – 52% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Quality and Durability – 28.4% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Overall Score & Conclusion - 37.1% [View Score Details] [Visit Recommended Merchant]

Category Ranking Criteria Scored As Points Awarded Points Possible Percentage Explanation Notes
Main component Programs 4 6 40 15% Has 4 preset programs.
Main component Max Speed 9.1 to 10 MPH 35 45 77.78% Treadmill\'s speed range is 0-10mph.
Main component Max Incline Below 6% 5 45 11.11% Incline range is from 0% to 5%.
Main component Belt Length <50" 12.5 40 31.25% Belt length is 47\".
Main component Belt Width 18.0 to 18.4 12.5 40 31.25% Belt width is 18\".
Main component Motor Rating 1.26 to 1.5 HP 7.5 45 16.67% Offers a 1.50 HP continuous-duty motor.
    Subtotal 1: 78.5 255 30.78%  


Category Ranking Criteria Scored As Points Awarded Points Possible Percentage Explanation Notes
Extra Features Max Decline No Decline 5 20 25% Treadmill has no decline feature.
Extra Features Noise Reduction Belt or Deck or Motor No 3 10 30% Treadmill has no noise reduction feature.
Extra Features Shock Absorption (cushioning) Belt or Deck Yes 10 15 66.67% Has AeroSoft Cushion system
Extra Features Folding Yes 15 15 100% This is a folding treadmill.
Extra Features Fans No/Not Stated 3 10 30% Fan feature not stated.
Extra Features Built In TV No/Not Stated 5 30 16.67% Has no TV.
Extra Features Supports MP3 Players No/Not Stated 5 20 25% MP3 support not stated.
Extra Features Water Bottle Holder Yes 15 15 100% Image photo shows bottle holder on console.
Extra Features Money Back Guarantee Yes (30 days or less) 15 20 75% 30-day money back guarantee provided by Amazon.
Extra Features Fitness Tests/Competition/Goals No/Not Stated 1.5 7.5 20% Treadmill doesn\'t have Fitness test/Goals.
Extra Features Personalization: User Profiles/Progress Logs/History No/Not Stated 1.5 7.5 20% No user profiles mentioned.
Extra Features Heart Rate Monitor Grip 10 20 50% Treadmill has thumb pulse heart rate monitor.
Extra Features Quick Speed/Incline Buttons No/Not Stated 3 10 30% Doesn\'t have quick speed and incline buttons.
Extra Features Time Display on Console Yes 5 5 100% Time feedback displayed on console.
Extra Features Distance Display on Console Yes 5 5 100% Treadmill displays distance.
Extra Features Calories Display on Console Yes 5 5 100% Calories burned displayed on console.
Extra Features Console Design Modern or Intuitive 10 10 100% Has Intuitive console controls.
    Subtotal 2: 117 225 52%  


:
Category Ranking Criteria Scored As Points Awarded Points Possible Percentage Explanation Notes
Quality and reliability Frame Warranty 13 to lifetime 20 20 100% Comes with a lifetime frame warranty.
Quality and reliability Motor Warranty 6 years or less 15 30 50% Has a 1-year warranty on motor.
Quality and reliability Parts Warranty less than 1 year 10 60 16.67% Parts warranty is 90 day.
Quality and reliability Labor Warranty less than 1 year 10 60 16.67% Manufacturer gives a 90 day warranty on labor.
Quality and reliability Multi-ply Belt/Deck 1 Ply/Not stated 5 15 33.33% Information not available if belt is multi-ply.
Quality and reliability Machine Weight less than 200 pounds/not stated 7.5 40 18.75% Treadmill weighs 108 pounds.
Quality and reliability Machine User Weight Capacity 238 to 250 pounds 12.5 42.5 29.41% Can accommodate users weighing up to 250 lbs.
Quality and reliability Rollers less than 2"/not stated 7.5 22.5 33.33% Roller size is not stated in product description.
Quality and reliability Bonus Folding Yes -5     Roller size is not stated in product description.
    Subtotal 3 : 82.5 290 28.45%  
    Overall: 278 770 37.08%