I just bought my wife (and I admit...myself) one of these machines from eBay (china); here is the link: www.ebay.com/itm/291323669712?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Make sure you buy the 160mw version!
It cost about $500 US with shipping, but considering the treatments cost about the same for an 8 week course, I decided to spend the same amount and keep the machine!
The machine arrived in exactly 5 days via DHL (I live in Japan) and everything was in the box that was pictured (even some Velcro straps that were not mentioned in the auction). The machine was well packagedThis particular machine has 6 large paddles and 4 small ones. There are other models that have more pads...I suggest maybe getting the 14 paddle version, so you won't have to rotate the pads to different areas. There was some assembly required...I had to attach the plastic paddle holders to the sides of the unit...the screws were already in place. Once I plugged all the paddles in and set up the machine, I fired it up, and a brilliant flash of red from the paddles signaled it was doing a pre-test...all looked good.
My wife agreed to be the first guinea-pig, so I strapped the paddles onto strategic areas (tummy, thighs) set the power to the suggested 60% (there are 20 increments on the touch display, so I adjusted the power up to the 12th mark) and waited for the smell of bacon (just kidding...sort of). My wife said she just felt a little warmth, so we might bump up the power a little for the next session. After 20 minutes (automatic timer) we positioned the paddles to the areas that weren't covered, and set it for another 20 minutes (should have gotten the 14 paddle unit...but it cost much more). Since this was just the first session, we aren't expecting much, but I will post any changes. Anyway, afterward she then ran for her usual 20 minutes. She is in no way overweight, but struggles with the usual problem areas most women face.
Now for my experience...I wanted to focus just on my stomach, love-handles, and a little fat that has made it's way under my chest (no one likes man-boobs). I placed the large paddles on the large areas of my gut and sides, and put a couple small paddles just underneath my pectoral muscles. The large paddles were a little warm, but the small paddles actually felt like they were stinging me. I picked one up and felt the surface...it was cool to the touch...so it was the laser(s) that was giving me the sensation...it actually felt like it was stinging underneath my skin. It wasn't too uncomfortable, so I continued (might have been that there wasn't enough fat). Once my 20 minutes was up, I removed the paddles...and found a small rash under the small paddles, but nothing under the large ones. I'll probably bump up the power on the large paddles, and not use the small ones for the next session. I have read online that most people have a slight irritation of the skin after treatment, so I'll keep bumping up the power until I get similar results.
Anyway, I'll post changes and updates as they come along.
-PJ