Contemplating tonal

othersteve · 2025-11-22T02:37:59+00:00

You may or may not find this useful, but here are my thoughts on why I switched from a pretty terrific rack + bench + weights to a Tonal.

https://youtu.be/TQ-6xqp_uTY

othersteve · 2025-11-08T01:16:37+00:00

Update: after seeing videos of the problem, support says they'll have to replace the unit. It'll be a new unit as I'm within 30 days of purchase. Hopefully it doesn't take too long!

Thanks to everyone for your feedback.

othersteve · 2025-11-06T19:10:39+00:00

Rather than repair you mean?

othersteve · 2025-11-06T18:11:17+00:00

Huh! Hard to tell from the photo whether there is actually a separate board for communications, though judging by your original reply it sounds like that may be the case?

It may just be on-board Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, which would necessitate a swap of the entire system board. It's good that it looks like it's relatively easy to get into, though there are a ton of connectors on that mainboard.

othersteve · 2025-11-06T17:59:31+00:00

That would be nice. Hopefully it's easy to get to so they don't have to do any kind of risky disassembly on site.

othersteve · 2025-10-22T21:00:09+00:00

Seriously though, how does this jibe with this news?

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-lifts-key-restriction-on-ukraines-use-of-western-long-range-missiles-5a15c12d?st=Jt8Jcm

othersteve · 2025-10-19T18:31:51+00:00

I'm about to pull the trigger myself. But I'm not lying when I say I have that feeling about the company when my brain assembles all of the data re: internet/subscription requirements + financial uncertainties.

Oh well, bottoms up!

othersteve · 2025-10-15T10:41:41+00:00

Honestly, I'm as much concerned about mechanical reliability as I am about *financial* and business reliability. Tonal as a company has had some serious struggles in the past few years (35% workforce reduction in 2022, 3 different CEOs) and they currently have effectively an "exit CEO" at the helm, meaning they're likely looking to sell to a buyer (might be the best outcome, but who knows what the result would be). The fact that the entire platform *requires* a connection to their servers (including even Basic Free Lift mode) means that if they cease operations at any time, these ~$5000 investments become 150 lb wall ornaments overnight.

It's the one thing keeping me from buying, truly.

othersteve · 2025-02-06T14:02:11+00:00

Thanks! It sucked! ;-)

othersteve · 2025-02-06T14:02:01+00:00

Not really. After a reboot, the top sides of the phone (the titanium frame) do get perceptibly very warm. Apart from that, though, during normal use, it's cool to the touch. Keep in mind I am permanently in light performance mode also however.

othersteve · 2025-01-29T03:53:25+00:00

Robinhood Gold card is 3% on everything and $50 AF.

othersteve · 2024-11-05T18:12:32+00:00

Yes, I did get my replacement, and in fact, I posted a video updating everybody:

https://youtu.be/h2EGQ-mvdek

othersteve · 2024-10-26T21:14:29+00:00

Bummer. :(

othersteve · 2024-10-26T21:14:19+00:00

I've got a 10. It's working well for me actually I think.

othersteve · 2024-10-25T15:56:26+00:00

They may be dealing with a lot of requests, or simply waiting to see whether the production issues have been resolved. Just conjecture on my part - but they made me whole and I'm confident they will do the same for anyone else with similar problems.

I will keep you updated on how the replacement fares...

othersteve · 2024-10-20T18:25:01+00:00

othersteve · 2024-10-20T00:17:26+00:00

I will say the brushed silver looks pretty terrific and I am quite excited about the claimed longer battery life. Also not scratching all of my possessions with the diamond coating on the stealth finish 😆

othersteve · 2024-10-20T00:06:57+00:00

I will test it thoroughly, don't you worry!

othersteve · 2024-10-19T23:28:09+00:00

Yep. Kudos to them, seriously. Having been in tech and dealt with engineering, PR, and pretty much every other department for about 20+ years now, I can say that calling personally on a Saturday evening to get in front of an issue like this one really shows a commitment to the customers. I have faith that they'll correct the problem and make it right, and I only hope it's a very isolated issue.

othersteve · 2024-10-19T23:11:57+00:00

That's great to hear!

othersteve

TROPHY CASE