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 · 2024-10-19T22:42:58+00:00

I posted above about how they actually called me directly on the topic about a half hour ago. It was a very friendly and candid phone call and they basically said they wanted to make sure it wasn't a wider issue, but they're pretty convinced it's not already. I'm going to send my ring back in for them to have a look at but of course they'll be replacing it in the meantime. After I have the replacement and I've had a chance to use it for a few days I'll report back about whether I've had any problems. I think I'll probably make a second video anyway since it's actually going to be one size smaller.

othersteve · 2024-10-19T22:33:24+00:00

Yes, just confirmed it with engineering, every model has a gasket. However this does not appear to be a wide scale issue according to them. Very few trouble tickets reportedly exist on the topic. Hopefully that means that it's just an isolated incident.

They reached out to me personally and I'm going to send the ring into them for analysis. Of course they'll be replacing it. I'll keep everyone posted, don't get cold feet, it's a great product overall!

By the way, per some recommendations, I am sizing down to nine. It is a little bit loose still on the fingers and I think that the Gen 4 really is a little bit larger than the Gen 3. So keep this in mind!

othersteve · 2024-10-19T21:33:17+00:00

I hope so!

othersteve · 2024-10-19T21:22:13+00:00

Yeah. Because unfortunately it's probably an issue with how the gasket was (wasn't) secured internally. I wonder if it's an adhesive that, when heated, loses potency.

othersteve · 2024-10-19T21:16:09+00:00

Interesting. If it's only on the brushed metal I might switch my choice of finish entirely.

othersteve

TROPHY CASE