Sanyo entered the massage chair industry just a few short years ago. They have the name, but they lack the retail store distribution. The biggest customer complaint is finding one to try. This is extremely difficult with most distribution channels pretty locked up. Sanyo has pushed more into internet dealers. Shiatsu massage chairs have been on the market for 30 years, so Sanyo is a late entrant. Their HEC-DR7700K Zero Gravity Massage Chair is their flagship model. This shiatsu recliner retails for about $5,000.
First off, you are buying a chair for your needs. Second, the company that makes it is like your mother-in-law, it is just part of the package. You pick the chair like your spouse, but then the manufacturer becomes your mother-in-law. Now, of course, manufacturers vary (just because you are big does not make you better, kind of like mother-in-laws). So, Sanyo, your potential mother-in-law, how will she treat you, or how is their customer service? Sanyo has a 24/7 call center for warranty issues located in the US (sometimes a big plus if you speak English). Their service in our experience has been fine, with most issues resolved in a relatively short time.
Warranty is always an interesting area. You can benchmark a manufacturer’s confidence by their warranty. The longer and more comprehensive the better and brings additional value and protection to customer. Sanyo’s warranty is weak. One would think that Sanyo would have one of the best warranties, but it is rather short compared to other massage chair manufacturers. Sanyo’s warranty is 1 year labor, 1 year parts, 3 years on the roller mechanism. Finally, Sanyo is offering in-home service, which it will cover for the first year. The warranty is a good indication of the company’s faith in its product. Sanyo’s massage chair warranty is weak for the price-remember the price tag is $5,000.
Officially, a zero gravity chair must recline back so your knees are above your heart. The HEC-DR7700K Zero Gravity shiatsu massage chair meets this requirement. In the zero gravity position, your weight is evenly distributed across your back. This takes the weight off your spine. This is a comfortable position. One can certainly relax before and after their massage.
The HEC-DR7700K has a built in Stiffness Detection Sensor based on lie detection technology. The Stiffness Detection Sensor can locate stress points on your back. Bby monitoring changes in your perspiration and pulse rate, it can pinpoint areas in need of attention and focus the massage in those areas.
Image that as you move on the chair, the chair adjusts the massage to where your body is now positioned. Sanyo has a Physical Shape Sensor that adjusts the massage rollers to your body shape. These smart rollers adjust as your body shifts during the massage. If you are a bit squeamish about massage, this feature will follow your every move.
Sanyo’s has an exclusive GK Roller Technology. The GK rollers have the capability to “reach out” of the massage chair. The reaching out is a great function for the neck and shoulders. Sanyo has added an extra thumb as part of the roller system. It is great to see 3 dimensional massage functions be incorporated to massage your neck and shoulders. These rollers extend out to give an extra dimension of massage sensation. Congratulations Sanyo on breaking into the 3 dimension robotic massage chair!
The massage makes or breaks any shiatsu massage chair. The Sanyo DR7700K has a variety of massage therapies. 5 automatic massage courses, 4 full body automatic courses and a total combination of 83 combination manual massage courses. Manual massage techniques include Grip, Shiatsu, Kneading, Tapping, Kneading & Tapping and various stretches. Need anything more? How about some 3 dimensional massage with Sanyo’s jointed massage head unit. This mechanism pushes outward and strongly grips your shoulders from above. This is solid technology in Sanyo’s flagship shiatsu massage chair recliner.