The Vision T9550 Deluxe Treadmill – Average Specs, Overpriced

The folding model Vision T9550 Deluxe treadmill offers a unique one-two punch: you’ll feel the ‘burn’ both in your thighs — and your wallet.

The Machine

The Vision T9550 Deluxe treadmill comes with a blue backlit LCD with 3 upper digital windows for quick readout of your calories, time, and pulse. For programs, it has 3 User Log-In Profiles, 4 Classic Programs, 3 HRT® Programs, 3 Goal Programs, 5K, 10K, 5 Custom Programs, and the innovative SPRINT 8 workout feature. The console readout also shows elevation, speed, average speed, distance, and heart rate percentage.

The rest of the specs on the Vision T9550 Deluxe include:

• 3.0 HP Continuous Duty Motor
• 0.5-12 mph
• 0-12% Incline
• 20" x 57" belt
• 17 Programs plus SPRINT 8
• Contact Heart Rate Monitoring
• Drop assist folding frame
• 325 lbs. max. user weight
• Warranty: lifetime on frame, 5 yrs motor & parts, 1 yr labor

The Buzz

UPDATE: The Vision 9550 Deluxe treadmill has been discontinued and is no longer available.  Check out the latest Vision treadmills to find a comparable model. 

The 260-lb Vision T9550 Deluxe treadmill is constructed with heavy gauge welded steel and comes with 2.5" crowned rollers, a 4.4 mm orthopedic belt, and 8 variable-durometer elastomer cushions placed strategically at the front and back of the deck to cushion foot strikes at the front and provide firmer support for push offs at the back.

The challenging programs are good, as is the layout and design of the console. In fact, all of that would describe a pretty decent $1,400 machine — yet the MSRP on this model is twice that amount, and fitness pros writing in treadmill reviews have yet to see it on sale at a price low enough to be considered a good value.

Note: the specs listed above are for the Deluxe console model. It also comes in a Simple console (for $300 less), and a Premier console (+$200). Vision Fitness has raised prices dramatically on its treadmill line-up this year without any remarkable changes in design or improvements in component quality. That’s a shame because these are good machines, but should cost a whole lot less.

What We Say

Again, it’s not a bad treadmill for its overall package of components, style and programs, it’s just a very steep price. We have seen machines costing half as much as this (that even come with a TV in the console!) that are better packages.

At $2,799, the Vision T9550 Deluxe treadmill is over-priced for such average specs as a 57" belt length and a 5-year warranty on a 3hp motor.

In the $2500-$3000 range, you should be looking at a better class of treadmill such as a Sole (there are several good ones), the Pacemaster Platinum Pro VR, or the FreeMotion 3500 XLS. With any one of those, you’ll get superior value and the best bang for your buck.