[MrBungle]

LR6 is the type of double A battery that I have to use in my TENS

ULTIMA 20 is the model of unit...

[pop_rocks]

you are getting some really nice replies here, moose'
the tens is a really great tool for healing and recovery
i agree with mrBungle, that a good battery (or in you case maybe a fresh charge) makes a difference

[moose eater]

Originally Posted by pop_rocks

you are getting some really nice replies here, moose'
the tens is a really great tool for healing and recovery
i agree with mrBungle, that a good battery (or in you case maybe a fresh charge) makes a difference

Yep, the thread had been more or less dead for some time now.

I'll probably take advantage of some of the recommendations re. models and such, as well as pads, and eventually replace my unit and pads both.

The things are surprisingly inexpensive, even for good units. A whole lot cheaper than the good-but-way-over-priced units they had at the time of the Fair.

[pop_rocks]

yeah, i think the cheaper ones can work just as good as the expensive models you can buy
when my mom found out we like the tens so much she gave us her machine and some of the pads she had
/no doubt one of the high-dollar ones, probably bought at the fair
other than a different shape of the actual pad they seemed to work just like the cheaper pads i purchased online
it also came with more preset settings
how long have you ahd your current unit?

[moose eater]

I'd guess I bought it on-line shortly after I started this thread.

The cheaper pads are shaped like someone's interpretation of dinosaur feet, and the source of them prides themselves in being less expensive, though others have pointed to the quality of pads as a key element.

I paid somewhere near $45 for mine, and it had some of the higher ratings, but the number of ratings weren't as many as some others.

I think in the searches we were doing for the thing, I found well-reviewed units ranging from $20 to $80, and there were sites on-line that offered reviews exclusively, but I often question whether they were pimped or not, doing positive reviews in exchange for $$$$. Not uncommon in all sorts of marketing schemes. Which is why I asked here; consumers with no axe to grind are often the best source.

Edit: Not $5 but $45. Ooops, and corrected. I should review before I hit 'post'

Originally Posted by pop_rocks

yeah, i think the cheaper ones can work just as good as the expensive models you can buy
when my mom found out we like the tens so much she gave us her machine and some of the pads she had
/no doubt one of the high-dollar ones, probably bought at the fair
other than a different shape of the actual pad they seemed to work just like the cheaper pads i purchased online
it also came with more preset settings
how long have you ahd your current unit?

[pop_rocks]

i think the model i got was called the tens-7000
i purchased it on amazon for about $30 and spent another 15-20$ on a package of additional pads (40 count i think)
our until is not rechargeable, so i picked up a bunch of 9v batteries (say $10) too
so far its lasted the better part of the year and works really well

[moose eater]

Out of curiosity, what percentage of your settings for type of pulse/massage (at 25% intensity or greater) do you find to be uncomfortable or unusable?

I'd say that at least 4/5 of mine are more or less worthless, leaving me using a very limited number of the settings for style of massage/pulse, and rarely getting over the mid-way mark in intensity.

Originally Posted by pop_rocks

i think the model i got was called the tens-7000
i purchased it on amazon for about $30 and spent another 15-20$ on a package of additional pads (40 count i think)
our until is not rechargeable, so i picked up a bunch of 9v batteries (say $10) too
so far its lasted the better part of the year and works really well

[pop_rocks]

our machine goes to 6 i think and normal use is at about 3
depending on which muscles you are putting it on i can sometimes take it up to 4-5, but that is pretty strong
/i will start off getting comfortable at like 3 then slowly ramp it up
the one i have only has like four presets, in addition to the massage setting ( a steady buzz)
it has a setting called tap" thatsends a strong jolt down the line about once every second or so but i prefer the continuous settings
it has a way you can mess with the settings to customize things, but i onlu use the two most of the time ( steady buzz and tap)

[moose eater]

Originally Posted by pop_rocks

our machine goes to 6 i think and normal use is at about 3
depending on which muscles you are putting it on i can sometimes take it up to 4-5, but that is pretty strong
/i will start off getting comfortable at like 3 then slowly ramp it up
the one i have only has like four presets, in addition to the massage setting ( a steady buzz)
it has a setting called tap" thatsends a strong jolt down the line about once every second or so but i prefer the continuous settings
it has a way you can mess with the settings to customize things, but i onlu use the two most of the time ( steady buzz and tap)

I believe mine has 10 or 12 settings for type of pulse/massage, and an extensive range of settings for intensity...

I use most of the three or so types at the lower intensity or it's too much and painful at some levels.

I'd far rather have a greater # of useful but unique settings, and something that doesn't at times emulate a torture device.

[Borderliner]

I have pain in my feet from bad back and used TENS units and a piece of equipment from a Chiropractor muscle simulator which is like a huge TENS unit. Both help good for acute pains less on chronic pain in my experience