The Real Pro Ultra series is Panasonic's next advance in their massage chair line.  This series incorporates some of its newest technology and functions shared across models.  We will take an in-depth view of the EP-30004 Panasonic massage chair.  This review evaluates and opinionates on categories such as features, functions and warranty coverage.

Panasonic has advanced its massage chair product line with the Real Pro Ultra Series.  The Real Pro Ultra series uses a technology platform concept.  Low and high end models share the same technologies.  This scalable technology permeates the Real Pro Ultra line.  We will look at the EP 30004 model which is second in the series.

One of the first and most important items you need to find out is the warranty coverage.  The warranty is your long term protection against problems down the road.  Although Panasonic is a household name, it doesn't mean it has the greatest warranty coverage.  So beware, that you need to check and find out what the company's warranty coverage is for the massage chair you are looking to get.

First, we want to look at the long term protection given to the customer.  You want to make sure you get adequate warranty coverage.  It is just like an insurance policy.  You hope you don't need it, but if you do, then it is there.  The other factor is to make sure you go with a name brand company.  You want to make sure the company will be there down the road as well.

So what does Panasonic give you for warranty coverage?  With the EP-30004 you get 3 years on parts and 1 year on labor.  You do get in home technician service for that first year as well.  This is perhaps the most generous part of the warranty.  The 1 year labor is just too short.  Most manufacturers give you 3 years on the parts.  Maybe you can get an extended warranty, but you need to find out.

The Panasonic warranty coverage is the following for the EP 30004 massage chair recliner:  3 years parts, 1 year labor, 1 year shipping on parts and 1 year in home technician specialist service.  The 1 year in home service is generous, but they jip you on the 1 year labor.  We would expect more from a name such as Panasonic.  There are situations where you can get additional warranty coverage, so find out if you are interested in this model.

So enough warranty, let us move on to bigger and better things like features.  The EP30004 comes with many advanced features like the lower body stretch and the shoulder stretch.  Panasonic has added the Junetsu massage therapy technique.  This is a kneading type massage and makes small motions in a circle.  It can penetrate in a given area with a radius of about 1 inch.  There is also firm pressure to penetrate deeper into the muscle tissue.

You are reading this review to learn about the advanced features of the Panasonic EP30004 massage recliner.  The Junetsu massage therapy is a deeply penetrating massage type.  It makes use of thumb like motions in a circle pattern.  While in motion it penetrates into the muscle through to the bone for excellent relief.  Additionally, the EP 30004 can stretch you out at both the shoulder and the lower body.

If you are into massage, then check out this barrage of massage therapy options.  You get 4 automatic programs and 8 manual massage programs.  These manual programs can be coupled with certain back courses for a multiplied coverage potential.  There are even specific regions like the neck, shoulder, middle back, lower back and full back modes to choose from.  From simple beginnings, come a multitude of variety and choice for your massage therapy needs.

The Real Pro Ultra Series is known for its variety of massage therapies.  The EP 30004 is no exception with 4 automatic massage therapy programs and 8 manual massage therapy programs.  The 8 manual include junetsu, shiatsu, kneading, Swedish, stretch, tapping, rolling and grip.  You can also select from 5 manual back courses.  These cover different regions of your back for excellent coverage and relief.

One interesting feature of Panasonic massage chairs continued in the Real Pro Ultra series is the self-programming.  You can memorize certain programs that were just performed by hitting the self program button.  This means you can repeat that particular program on demand.  This is great as your trouble spots shift in time.  This allows you to target areas for recurring treatment.  This is available for up to 4 users.

Besides the voice guidance, Panasonic includes the self programming feature.  The self programming button will remember the last 5 minutes of massage performed.  It then stores it in memory for instant recall.  This is particularly effective for regions you want to target for repeated massage therapy.  After all, massage therapy is most effective when done on a recurring, frequent basis.  You can use the self program for up to four users.

Now if we take a look at the lower body, we will see that Panasonic takes care of it with an air massage system.  Air massage systems use airbags and compression style massage therapy.  This is very effective to loosen tight muscles.  Air bags provide great flexibility and can easily cover large muscles of the body effectively.  The compression massage is very soothing and relieving as your muscles relax.  There are also stretching capabilities which can elongate the shoulder and legs.

We are unimpressed with the look of the design.  It tends to be very industrial.  However, it is very functional, which hopefully makes up for its lack of savvy design.  There is a leg extension which goes an extra five inches.  The arms and hands are massaged by lifting up a cover on the armrests. The compression is actually firm.  At least the Panasonic design team got rid of the unsightly arm massage apparatus.

We will say that the style of the chair is very sterile and industrial.  This unfortunately is a Panasonic trait.  Function over form one might say.  Anyway, it is certainly functional.  The EP 30004 has the arm massage concealed underneath a lift up arm rest pad.  Open it up and slide in your arm for some invigoration.  At least they got this right.  Other than that, one ergonomic feature is an extendable leg rest up to four critical extra inches for us Americans.

This is a high end luxury model with some great massage therapy features.  The design is a bit industrial and the warranty lacking for a name brand.  The air massage covers most of the body.  The Junetsu massage therapy is great for working out knots.  If you are looking for a chair, then try this one out, but it is not the ultimate massage chair recliner.  It is however, fairly close.

Overall rating for us is a  B.  We like the Junetsu massage and the air massage for the hands.  The arm is weak because of the angle that the arm rest tilts up.  The warranty needs a little more beef.  The massage therapy is strong and effective.  There are advanced features such as voice guidance and memorizing self programs.  If you are checking out massage chair recliners in this price range, then use the EP 30004 as the benchmark to beat.