help me pick out an eliptical

[rick brophy]

I'm buying an eliptical. I always get the urge to do cardio later at night ( I usually don't go to bed til 4-6 AM and my gym closes at 11 PM, plus is a 20 minute walk from my apartment so it's a pain to go there just to do cardio ) so I think that it's worth the money and will get a lot of use, since my girlfriend will probably end up doing it too.

Anyway, I basically just want something that won't take much maintenance, is foldable or at least doesn't take up a shitload of space, and is less than 500 dollars. I looked at the Sport's Authority website since there is one about a mile from my apartment and found these 2 options:

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2097174&cp=2057738.710956.693947&parentPage=family

and

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2437309&cp=2057738.710956.693947&parentPage=family

Also I noticed a couple that were real cheap, but they kind of look like pieces of shit:

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=841755&cp=2057738.710956.693947&parentPage=family

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2372626&cp=2057738.710956.693947&parentPage=family

Anyone who has any opinions on the machines I posted, or thoughts on what one I should get would be much appreciated... Thanks

[pumpster]

Check epinions.com for feedback.

It's smarter to spend more than $500 on a new or used elliptical that will likely be more durable.

[Princess L]

Regardless, test it out for at least a half hour before making a decision.

[AVBG]

Regardless, test it out for at least a half hour before making a decision.

very good advice, some of the non-commercial equip. can't handle the workload of daily workouts over 10mins.

[rick brophy]

I only found 2 elipticals on epinions. Am I searching wrong or something?

[pumpster]

Search by brand names like precor, smooth, bodyguard, etc.

http://www.epinions.com/sport_and_outdoor/submitted_form_~ultrafinder/ultrafinder_submitted_~%20Go%20/search_vertical_~all/search_string_~elliptical

Here's another site:

http://www.exerciseequipmentexpert.com/best-elliptical-trainer.html