purchasing cardio equipment

I'm having a hard time finding unbiased information in stores. Everyone wants to sell what they carry. Anyway, I am thinking of putting a cardio equipment in my basement with very low ceilings. Can you recommend your cardio equipment? I went to Gym Source and they are VERY into their Octane Ellipticals which have only a 4" step height. That would work great but they are expensive (2K-4K) and they don't resemble the ellipticals I am use to (with the ramps such as the Precors at the gym). Anyone have an Octane? If I don't go with this my best bet is probably a treadmill. Any good recs? We don't really want to spend over 2K. I generally use an elliptical at the gym but I think I can get use to switching to a treadmill if I buy one.... Thank you!

Also I am considering putting a piece of equipment in my family room if need be if something higher makes more sense....

Re: purchasing cardio equipment

I switched from the ramp ellipticals to the Octane ellipticals when my gym (NYSC) got them a few years ago. It took a little getting used to but I haven't gone back to the ramp ellipticals. I feel that your legs move more naturally on the Octane (if that makes sense). The Octanes they have offer so many programs and I love that you have two options for handles (fixed handles and handles that move). Give the Octane a test drive at Gym Source!

Re: purchasing cardio equipment

Thanks- do you know anything about the vision ellipticals? I really like the feel of those and deciding between a Vision and an Octane. Seems like they'll end up closer to 3K than 2K though ughh

Re: purchasing cardio equipment

Sorry - don't know anything about those.