Review on Versatile Back Massager with Heat - Perfect Gifts for Christmas, New Year, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Birthday - Shiatsu Neck & Shoulder Massager for Pain Relief and Muscle Relaxation by Dave White

I had an older Victor Jurgen version of this model that I absolutely loved and purchased this one as a back-up. I got a lot of mileage out of my old one ( I have lots of back and neck issues), but alas. the day finally arrived that my older model gave up the ghost. So out of the box came this particular model. Having paid something like 30% more, I figured this was a new improved model.Boy, was I wrong ! ! The shiatsu action is no where near as good as the previous model: the direction of the massage heads do not change automatically (every xx number of minutes) nor can the user change the direction manually like one could on the old model; you cannot alter the speed of the massage (like the old one); being smaller in size means the massage action covers only about 2/3 of what the old model covered. Nor does it appear to have an auto shut-off feature. (The lack of that last feature is not just "a step in the wrong direction - - it’s a safety hazard!)The only "improvement”, if you can call it that, is that the controls are on the power cord. However, the switch is only a few inches away from the device, so it’s not THAT much easier to reach, much less be able to see which setting it’s on.Color me VERY disappointed ! !