I wish I could give star in half ; this product would get a solid 4.5 from I . round up to a 5 would mean folk who be not take the time to read the review might assume that there be really no room for improvement , but there be . after read this review you might think I work for Powerblock or something , but I do not . when you be spend between $ 150-400 on a set of `` high performance '' adjustable dumbbell , apply a bit of logic can go a long way for you satisfaction and safety . \*\*\* area that COULD USE IMPROVEMENT \*\*\* to help counteract the perceive bias I might have , I be gonna try something different ; I be go to start with the con of the Powerblocks . 1 . the magnet in the selector pin could be stronger . as a safety measure , there be magnet in the pin that hold it against the bar on the side of the weight stack , reduce the chance of it slip out during a exercise . this make a lot of sense , but the magnet be pretty weak . during some pretty basic exercise the magnet will come lose and lose they hold . now do not get freak out -- it be not like the pin fly out and it be scary to work out -lrb- there be a elastic band act as a backup safety also -rrb- . I be talk like millimeter here ; I can see that the pin have move just enough where you can tell the magnet be not hold . rather than a whole bunch of cheap magnet within the pin , two small high-quality earth magnet would give a better hold while still be pretty easy to remove . 2 . the weight selection process can be a bit finicky on carpet or non-flat surface . because there may be a bit of shift in the weight stack on carpet , sometimes it be tricky to stick the weight pin in correctly . I recommend leave these weight on a hard surface while in use , or better yet get the sport tray\/stand to accompany they . 3 . the pin can be put in crooked across two different weight . if you be not pay attention -lrb- and you should be ! -rrb- , it be somewhat easy to put the pin in crooked so that it cross two weight . you will probably notice this right away when you go to pick up the weight , and it be not that big of deal since the pin still hold onto the heavier weight , but possibly re-engineer the pin shape or something could help prevent this entirely . \*\*\*\* POWERBLOCK VS. the competition \*\*\*\* okay , now here be the part where you assume I work for Powerblock . let I say that this set of dumbbell -lrb- and the Powerblock line in general -rrb- be a much better choice than the selecttech -lrb- st -rrb- . while compare these 24-pounder to the 52 pound SelectTech 's be not really fair simply for weight comparison reason , I want to point out why I think this line be vastly superior : 1 . the  bowflex selecttech 552 dumbbell  and by the way , they be WIDE -- about 16 '' each . imagine do curl with 5 pound per hand and need thirty two inch across to do it -- make for a uncomfortable curl , especially for narrower people . the Powerblocks -lrb- PBs -rrb- , on the other hand , be narrower and more compact the less weight you add . all the stuff you do not need be leave on the floor , not in you hand . 2 . the st require you to turn two dial to appropriate number on each dumbbell . there be 15 different weight setting on the st , so what if you next weight be on the opposite side of the dial ? that be right , it will require eight click per SIDE of EACH DUMBBELL to pick up the new weight . that mean it take between 4 -lrb- minimum -rrb- and 32 -lrb- maximum -rrb- click of the dial to change weight each time . and you can not just flick the dial , either . the PBs , on the other hand , require two move no matter what weight you be select : pull the pin out , put the pin in . period . 3 . the st , while far `` cooler '' look , have a lot of plastic on they . pick a set up at you local Sports Authority and see if you can tell how the weigh selector mechanism work . then , consider how durable -lrb- and potentially unsafe -rrb- you think you $ 400 weight would be if you drop they . the pb be mostly metal , with the inner handle be the only thing that contain plastic , and it be not cheapo plastic either . if you drop they , I be guess they would hold up fine , although I would not recommend it . 4 . with the st you have to have the base to set the handle back into due to the design of the product . if you do not have a tray to hold all the weight that be leave behind , it would be a nightmare to put the handle back together and try and switch to another weight . in fact , I would like to see someone try = -rrb- the pb be self-contained , so they work fine without the stand . the weight that you do not pick up stay in a compact stack that will not move . \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* conclusion and summary \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* aside from those gripe , I really enjoy these Powerblocks . in fact , I grow out of they and trade up to the Sport 9.0 model -lrb- which I will review separately -rrb- . if 24 pound per arm be enough for you routine , it be a absolute no-brainer to pick these guy up . note that Amazon have build in the shipping cost to the price of these dumbbell . -lrb- edit 5\/25\/2012 : I notice today that Amazon be no longer include the shipping price in the cost . for 150 ship free , these be a great deal ! -rrb- pro + much more compact than the competition + quick weight change to ANY weight + well built\/durable + great price on the lower weight set -lrb- if 24 be all you need -rrb- con - magnet in pin could be stronger - do not work quite as well on carpet - possible to put the pin in crooked if you be not pay attention