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The Schwinn 430 was released in 2006 and is Nautilus’s budget elliptical machine. This elliptical is priced at $799 but you can find it online for as low as $599, placing it in direct competition with lower priced elliptical machines. At this price range, the Schwinn 430 has everything you could ask for, and much more than many competing ellipticals. The cons list below is short because you cannot expect much else for this price. If you need more programs, heart rate control, or a better console, you will need to move out of this lower price range. This machine is a great buy for the budget elliptical price range.

Pros

• warranty is competitive for this price level
• 18” stride length with articulating pedals
• space saving footprint
• 16 levels of resistance

Cons

• LCD console is not backlit

Pedals and Motions

The Schwinn 430 elliptical uses an Eddy Current Braking system (magnetic brake). The 16 levels of resistance are quite substantial for this price category and you will probably get less on a competitively priced machine. The stride length of 18” is a great feature for this price range, as most will be between 14 and 16 inches which is just too short. You are getting a solid and comfortable machine with articulating foot pedals, which is much more than you can get from other budget ellipticals. Consumers report that the pedal spacing is more comfortable than most machines in this price range.

Programs and Console

This elliptical machine gives you all of the LCD display feedback you will need to monitor your workout. The only con is that the console is not backlit, which means you will need to workout with decent lighting in order to read the console. There are very few ellipticals in this price range with the backlit display, but a few do exist. The 8 programs are really all you need and include. The Schwinn 430 does not have heart rate control or a wireless chest strap, but that’s to be expected. You will be able to monitor your heart rate from the stationary hand grips.

Product Design

The user weight limit of 275 lbs is a decent weight limit for machines in this price range as the average user weight limit tends to be around 250lbs. This machine requires 110v power supply to power the console and the elliptical. The warranty could be better, but it is actually pretty good considering the price. Most ellipticals in this price range will only offer a 90 days parts and labor warranty.

Extra Accessories

This machine has a water bottle holder.

Price and Where to Buy

You might have trouble finding the Schwinn 430 at your local mass retailer because they tend to only carry the 418 model. If you’ve chosen this machine, your best bet is to purchase this online with free shipping.