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First time spa buyer. I've done lots of research, and am now shopping. I think I've narrowed the choices down to Hot Springs or Jacuzzi, and have visited dealers for both. My question is comparison...I've been told the Jacuzzi 300 series and the Hot Springs Tiger River models are a reasonable comparison of quality/reliability for the money. Looking for thoughts from those more experienced than I.
That makes sense; the J-400 series competes with Hot Spring and the J-300 series with Tiger River. You should do well with either. Compare the spas, warranties and features and certainly the dealers and take the plunge and wet test. Often times people are torn between two or three spas and after wet testing it all becomes much clearer.
Okay another dumb question when comparing models...I was under the impression that most if not all good quality spas had a 2 speed pump. But I'm finding some, such as the Hot Springs Prodigy, has a 1 speed pump. Although it has a circulation pump, it doesn't make sense to me to have a 1 speed main pump? The tubs I've been in before all had two speeds. Is this just a personal preference thing, or is there actually a big difference between having a 1 speed vs. 2 speed?
Two speed pumps are used when the pump is also are used to move the water for filtering (unnecessary if there is a circ pump) or if it is tied to a waterfall. Otherwise, a single speed is all you'll generally see (and IMO all that is needed plus singles tend to have a little better service life than dual speeds, not major though).
Secondary single speeds pumps except for Marquis I believe is a US phenomenon. All Canadian tub makers have all jet pumps dual speed. Having dual speed pumps definitely increases your therapy options. Servicing both types I've never seen a difference in life.
I'm going to politely disagree with spatech. The Jacuzzi 200 series was designed to go head to head with the tiger river line. The Jacuzzi 300 series and the original H.S. line compete for the same customer. The Jacuzzi 400 series is about 2-4k more than the H.S. line.What T.R. spa are you looking at? What Jacuzzi Spa are you looking at?
Frankly a Hot Spring is a Hot Spring a Tiger is a Tiger a 200 series is just that a 300 a 300 series. Do some J 300's compare HS? Sure. Do some compare to Tigers? Yep. Despite what Jacuzzi might claim, a 200 series is not in the same league as Tigers. [glow]More like Hot Spots.[/glow]My humble opinion.
Frankly a Hot Spring is a Hot Spring a Tiger is a Tiger a 200 series is just that a 300 a 300 series. Do some J 300's compare HS? Sure. Do some compare to Tigers? Yep. Despite what Jacuzzi might claim, a 200 series is not in the same league as Tigers. More like Hot Spots.My humble opinion.
I don't see or hear much about people caring to use the pumps on low speed for the jets. The jets on low speed are like using a blower for me, just moving some water without much benefit but to each his own. Of course it doesn’t hurt to have the pumps at 2 speed even if they're not used for filtering or a waterfall and as far as service, I don't think it’s a big difference so I didn't mean it to matter much when I said single speed pumps tend to have a little better service life.
The Hot Spot is not in the same league as 200 series. The 200 has a better warranty and better quality. IMO
I'm going to politely disagree with spatech. The Jacuzzi 200 series was designed to go head to head with the tiger river line...
What T.R. spa are you looking at? What Jacuzzi Spa are you looking at?