Homedics Therapist Select SP-10H Shiatsu Pillow, Beige
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List Price: Our Price: $30.88 You Save: $29.11 (49%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Homedics Therapist Select SP-10H Shiatsu Pillow, Beige
Customer Review: Capabilities are slightly exaggerated - I would say, lower back massage only
Summary: 2 Stars
The manual states: "the Shiatsu Pillow is very versatile and designed for use on the neck, back and shoulders. However, you may find it works will for other body areas as well."
I wish it were true because I bought this pillow for someone who needed a neck massage more than anything else but it is not true. For the shiatsu massage to work some significant force/pressure needs to be applied against the body by the massager. This can be accomplished - with some difficulty - for the lower back by squeezing the massage pillow between your back and the back of a seat but it would be VERY DIFFICULT to keep the pillow in place on your neck or at your shoulder AND keep your neck and/or back muscles relaxed at the same time. The heavy, traditional pillow-shaped pillow will tend to naturally 'go down' and, once you turn it on, the energetic movements of the massage engine will make it even harder to keep the pillow in place. There is nothing in this pillow's design that would help it stay attached any part of your body.
To make the story short, the intended beneficiary of this pillow rejected it after a few minutes. I will probably use it myself for an occasional heated back rub but this product does not live up to expectations.
Now, for specs and operation:
- The soft parts are polyurethane foam.
- Body is 100% polyester.
- Mesh (allows you to see the massage engine) is 57% polyester, 43% nylon.
- Comes with an 8-9 ft. long cord with a polarized plug.
- The in-pillow control button cycles when pressed between massage/massage+heat/off.
- There is a flap the covers the massage engine which, when lifted, allows you to see it through the mesh.
- Turns itself off after 15 minutes.
- The massage little knobs light up (red) when 'massage with heat' is on.
- Made in China.
The massage, once the pillow is in place is quite strong and it's not bad at all on the lower back. The heat is moderate which is understandable because we don't want that nylon to melt.
I will grant this pillow 2 stars (I don't like it) because the claim that this is 'for neck, back and shoulders' is only about one third accurate. In addition, there is no way to adjust the strength of the massage or the heat. They are either 'on' or 'off' with no setting in between. I bought it for neck massages so I was out of luck.
Customer Review: Excellent investment
Summary: 5 Stars
I was very wary about buying this without trying it, but my muscles were aching very badly and I didn't have $200.00 for a long massage. I store tension in my neck and shoulders, not to mention the heavy weight I carry on them from books and my laptop I carry in my backpack for work and school. I got the pillow, and I have no regrets.
The material on the pillow is soft and confortable. It reminds me of a baby's teddy bear.
The rotating massaging balls are relatively comfortable to rest on, so massaging the neck and shoulders is not uncomfortable. There are two balls, one large, and one small. The large ball gives a very, very deep massage. This machine is not for pansies. The small ball can barely be felt, but the machine worked the muscles really well. The balls were very hard at first and I grit my teeth for a few minutes, but otherwise, it was good.
The day after I used this, my shoulders were sore. My backpack was heavy and it was torture, but that's the sign of a good massage. Just keep sipping on water and you'll be good to go. The following day, my shoulders felt great.
The heat on this pillow could have been better, but the heat is a definite plus. I used this on my stomach for menstrual cramps and the minor heat felt really good, but it takes time to build, so be patient. The heat on my neck and back was like heaven.
The noise is a little problematic, but throw on some relaxing music with headphones, and the noise is greatly reduced if not gone entirely.
There is a note that says don't use before bed but after using the pillow, I slept all night long. Usually it takes me a long time to fall asleep, but I didn't need much after using the pillow to drop off into the land of nod.
I was a little skeptical about the headache prevention, but I haven't had one, except for a little twinge of caffeine withdrawal in the afternoon. I'll have to use it longer to see if this really works.
I'd give this machine an A- for two reasons:
1. Heat
2. The small ball doesn't really massage.
Customer Review: Great product but suffers from capacitor plague
Summary: 3 Stars
I've used two of these and while it works - it's great!
Like others have written in their comments, the product ceases to work after a limited amount of uses. I've read other reviews that said the motors are weak and stop working and that Homemedics made a shoddy product, but I posit that they really don't know what they're talking about.
After this one stopped working I pulled it apart to determine what the problem was; I had a hunch that, at least in my case, I have now been able to verify.
The device appears to suffer from a failure known as "capacitor plague." This is not the fault of it's design or manufacturing process, but of defective capacitors likely made by Taiwanese electrolyte manufacturers that stole an incomplete formula for them. Many products suffer from this problem including, from low-end devices to high-end (and expensive) devices such as Apple Mac products. Identifying defective capacitors before failure is an almost impossible task.
The markings of the capacitor that has failed in mine are MEF 1553 230v - I am unable to locate a suitable replacement because I can't find a spec sheet for it. If anyone can shed some light on where I can get a replacement, please let me know.
I would still recommend this product and would venture to guess that these types of problems will reduce in frequency as has been seen across the electronic industry in general (as the defective capacitors are mostly out of circulation according to some).
I would rate the product higher since I don't consider Homemedics to be the reason the product fails prematurely, but a consumer product failing is still a consumer product failing.
Customer Review: Beware - There's a Newer Version Released Under Sharper Image's Name
Summary: 3 Stars
After purchasing this product I have found an upgraded version on Amazon.co.uk only. (Do a search there for HoMedics SP-39H-GB Deluxe Shiatsu Massage Cushion or copy and paste this link http://www.amazon.co.uk/HoMedics-SP-39H-GB-Shiatsu-Massage-Cushion/dp/B002Z9HBII/). The model available at UK has at least these improvements:
1) A remote control.
2) Vibrate massage
3) Clockwise and counter-clockwise head movements
The newer version is available since november 2009, and this got me intrigued. Why in the world nor Amazon.com nor Homedics.com are offering it in US? After lots of research I accidentally came across the answer. On Homedics.com at right corner of the footer, there is a "Our other sites" section and one of them is "Sharper Image". It turns out that the upgraded massager released under Homedics company at UK is the The Sharper Image MSG-P110 Neck, Back and Shoulders Shiatsu Massager Pillow, Black in US.
I am giving this product three stars for now. I haven't tested it yet and can't compare to the upgraded version. I have purchased it to a loved one and she is overseas. I intent to buy the "Sharper Image" (Homedics, as matter of fact) improved model too and ask her for feedback. But I felt it was important to write this review righ now to give everyone considering purchase this product a heads up.
I will update this review in a couple of months comparing the two versions.
Customer Review: Thank you Homedics!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this pillow! It's smaller than I expected, but has a very strong motor. It really digs in which is fantastic. I have some real problem spots, so much so that one particular area in my right lumbar has gotten hard and rather numb over the years. People quickly give up from exhaustion when they try to massage it by hand, while I can hardly feel them. This pillow digs in there and gives me the relief I need. Regarding the sound some people have mentioned, yes it does make that usual mechanical rotation noise, but this is to be expected, especially when you're using it right next to your ears! Just throw in some earbuds and it shouldn't bother you. :) I originally purchased this for my neck, but the rollers are set a little too far apart to effectively get both sides. I have a fairly slender neck, so it would probably work well on larger ones. I just lean a bit to one side or the other to get my neck massaged, no big deal. Its GREAT on shoulders and all over your back! You can even use it on your legs or feet (of course I put a sheet or something over it before I do the feet, just a personal preference). :) I love the fact that it's so adjustable... you can lay on it, place it behind you on the couch, flip it sideways to focus it on one side of your back, turn it upside down to reverse the rotation direction, or lay it on top of yourself for a lighter massage. I even bought one for my mom right after mine arrived. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat!