Panasonic has advanced its massage chair product line with the Real Pro Ultra Series. The Real Pro Ultra series uses a technology platform concept. Low and high end models share the same technologies. This scalable technology permeates the Real Pro Ultra line. We will look at the EP 30004 model which is second in the series.
One of the first and most important items you need to find out is the warranty coverage. The warranty is your long term protection against problems down the road. Although Panasonic is a household name, it doesn't mean it has the greatest warranty coverage. So beware, that you need to check and find out what the company's warranty coverage is for the massage chair you are looking to get.
The Panasonic warranty coverage is the following for the EP 30004 massage chair recliner: 3 years parts, 1 year labor, 1 year shipping on parts and 1 year in home technician specialist service. The 1 year in home service is generous, but they jip you on the 1 year labor. We would expect more from a name such as Panasonic. There are situations where you can get additional warranty coverage, so find out if you are interested in this model.
There are some outstanding new features incorporated into the Real Pro Ultra massage chair series. The EP 30004 has both a lower body stretch and a shoulder stretch. There is also a new massage technique called Junetsu. The Junetsu massage technique literally means ultra fine kneading in Japanese. The Junetsu massage technique uses small circular motions and a one second of thumb-like firm pressure. The effect of this massage is to reverberate through the muscle and penetrating to the surface of the bone.
The EP-30004 comes with an arsenal of massage therapies for your enjoyment. There are four pre-programs which are shiatsu, deep, Swedish and stretch. There is also a 5 minute Quick pre-program for which covers a variety of massage techniques and functions. You can use the some massages in manual massage mode for a total 8 possible manual massages. These include ultra knead (Junetsu), shiatsu, kneading, Swedish, stretch, tapping, rolling and grip. There are also 5 ways to target certain regions of your back including: neck, shoulder, middle, lower and full back.
You can also create self-programs to target specific regions with particular massage techniques. These are fairly simple to create. For example, you can select the lower back and a deep tissue massage. You then select the time duration and the massage intensity that you desire. You can also save these programs. It will save programs for up to 4 different users. There is also a voice guidance system for those less inclined to read through the user manual to figure these things out.
The EP-30004 make use of an air massage and compression system. Air is pumped with an air compressor to airbags. These airbags provide a squeeze, hold and release action. This soothing compression massage covers the calves, feet, hips, shoulders, arms and hands. This air massage system provides adequate coverage to the major muscle groups. There is also a shoulder stretch and a lower body stretch function.
We will say that the style of the chair is very sterile and industrial. This unfortunately is a Panasonic trait. Function over form one might say. Anyway, it is certainly functional. The EP 30004 has the arm massage concealed underneath a lift up arm rest pad. Open it up and slide in your arm for some invigoration. At least they got this right. Other than that, one ergonomic feature is an extendable leg rest up to four critical extra inches for us Americans.
Overall rating for us is an A-. We like the Junetsu massage and the air massage for the hands. The arm is weak because of the angle that the arm rest tilts up. The warranty needs a little more beef. The massage therapy is strong and effective. There are advanced features such as voice guidance and memorizing self programs. If you are checking out massage chair recliners in this price range, then use the EP 30004 as the benchmark to beat. - 15343
One of the first and most important items you need to find out is the warranty coverage. The warranty is your long term protection against problems down the road. Although Panasonic is a household name, it doesn't mean it has the greatest warranty coverage. So beware, that you need to check and find out what the company's warranty coverage is for the massage chair you are looking to get.
The Panasonic warranty coverage is the following for the EP 30004 massage chair recliner: 3 years parts, 1 year labor, 1 year shipping on parts and 1 year in home technician specialist service. The 1 year in home service is generous, but they jip you on the 1 year labor. We would expect more from a name such as Panasonic. There are situations where you can get additional warranty coverage, so find out if you are interested in this model.
There are some outstanding new features incorporated into the Real Pro Ultra massage chair series. The EP 30004 has both a lower body stretch and a shoulder stretch. There is also a new massage technique called Junetsu. The Junetsu massage technique literally means ultra fine kneading in Japanese. The Junetsu massage technique uses small circular motions and a one second of thumb-like firm pressure. The effect of this massage is to reverberate through the muscle and penetrating to the surface of the bone.
The EP-30004 comes with an arsenal of massage therapies for your enjoyment. There are four pre-programs which are shiatsu, deep, Swedish and stretch. There is also a 5 minute Quick pre-program for which covers a variety of massage techniques and functions. You can use the some massages in manual massage mode for a total 8 possible manual massages. These include ultra knead (Junetsu), shiatsu, kneading, Swedish, stretch, tapping, rolling and grip. There are also 5 ways to target certain regions of your back including: neck, shoulder, middle, lower and full back.
You can also create self-programs to target specific regions with particular massage techniques. These are fairly simple to create. For example, you can select the lower back and a deep tissue massage. You then select the time duration and the massage intensity that you desire. You can also save these programs. It will save programs for up to 4 different users. There is also a voice guidance system for those less inclined to read through the user manual to figure these things out.
The EP-30004 make use of an air massage and compression system. Air is pumped with an air compressor to airbags. These airbags provide a squeeze, hold and release action. This soothing compression massage covers the calves, feet, hips, shoulders, arms and hands. This air massage system provides adequate coverage to the major muscle groups. There is also a shoulder stretch and a lower body stretch function.
We will say that the style of the chair is very sterile and industrial. This unfortunately is a Panasonic trait. Function over form one might say. Anyway, it is certainly functional. The EP 30004 has the arm massage concealed underneath a lift up arm rest pad. Open it up and slide in your arm for some invigoration. At least they got this right. Other than that, one ergonomic feature is an extendable leg rest up to four critical extra inches for us Americans.
Overall rating for us is an A-. We like the Junetsu massage and the air massage for the hands. The arm is weak because of the angle that the arm rest tilts up. The warranty needs a little more beef. The massage therapy is strong and effective. There are advanced features such as voice guidance and memorizing self programs. If you are checking out massage chair recliners in this price range, then use the EP 30004 as the benchmark to beat. - 15343
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