Hi!
I'm just now starting my first Hot Tub search, so before I get to the models and my thoughts and questions, a little back ground.
- I'm a single guy that lives by himself and likes to entertain, so I would like a large tub with a high capacity.
- I'm going to be putting the hot tub on a pad (like an EZpad, etc.), directly on grass in my backyard (mostly because I imagine I will be moving within 3-4 years, and will either use the hot tub to help sell the house or bring it with me).
- I don't really have a size restriction on the tub
- I can afford to get something nice
- I live in Northern Indiana; cold winters and hot summers
- I'm not a huge fan of loungers, but think it may be worth getting one just so that other people that use the tub with me can enjoy it
- In the hot tubs I have tested and experienced, I really enjoy ones that have good foot massaging jets. My brother purchased a Sundance Maxxus based largely on the foot jets.
- I'm *not* looking for a sound system (or TV for that matter), and am not really swayed by any cursory features that aren't really hot tub physical enjoyment or performance related.
- Before you ask, or remind me of the importance of this, I will be wet testing every single one of the items I am considering!
- Every tub on my list is from a local dealer that has been around for a while.
Ok, so, that's where I'm coming from! I'm considering the following:
Sundance - Optima
D1 - Sarena Bay, Amore Bay, or Nautilus
Hot Springs - Grandee
Master Spa - LSX 1000
Clearwater - Orlando Signature
Some more specific thoughts:
Sundance: This is what my brother got (he got a maxxus), and I enjoy his, but I want to keep an open mind in considering all my options, and don't want to pay more than necessary for anything (but who does, really). I like the middle foot jets on the optima.
D1: I like the different layouts that are available and the tubs have a definite sexiness to them. I look forward to wet testing these!
Hot Springs: I've heard so many great things about the Grandee, but from just looking at the pictures, it's hard to see why. There seems to be almost a lack of foot jets. I'll be wet testing it, so maybe that will explain some of the hype
Master Spa: Before I get the deluge of comments about the companies marketing practices, let me first state that I live only 1.5 hours from Fort Wayne, where the main plant is, and my town has a local dealer that specialized in *only* master spas, and has been around for years and years. So I will have local support, and won't be buying this from a fly by night type operation. All that being said, the new waterbed type thing on the LSX 1000 looks awfully intriguing I must say! Is there anyone on here that has one? What do you think of that new feature?
Clearwater: This is mostly in the list because the D1 dealer is also a clearwater dealer, and even though I don't see them mentioned a ton on the forum, they do seem to be held in high regard, so I figured they should get at least my consideration.
Here are my questions:
- What are reasonable price ranges for the above listed hot tubs? (No sound system, with an ozone system, and standard accessories, etc.) It seems like price shopping on hot tubs is like pulling teeth, it just takes so much effort to get any prices!!
- Granted that the wet test is the ultimate distinguisher, is there anything that anyone would recommend keeping in mind as I assess and compare these different tubs?
- Does my plan to just use a plastic pad make sense given that I'm only going to be here a few years? Also, I have a nice level back yard, can I just plop the plastic pad on the grass and put the tub on that? I'm a pretty hands off guy when it comes to any sort of handy work, so anything beyond that will most likely involve hiring someone to do it for me. Any thoughts or recommendations?
- Are there any major contenders that should be on this list, but aren't?
- Are there any questions I should be specifically asking all these dealers?
- Aside from wet testing, is there anything else I can do to make an apples to apples comparison?
- I know there are a lot of debated topics, often including acronyms I haven't bothered to look up yet. Is there somewhere that can act as a good primer for these various topics, so that I can walk into the show room more knowledgeable and prepared (short of just trudging through the entire dead horse forums)?
I'm hoping to do a wet test marathon of these tubs soon, I will keep this updated as I go along.
Any and all responses are appreciated!