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1) The shell: The Artesian and Marquis and Master seem to have a much thicker shell. The Artesian dealer told us this allows them to have a lifetime warranty on the shell. It also allows them to use lighter foam and less of it. Claim is this is better for servicing down the road. The spas that use the 3lb structural foam do so because the shell is thinner and flexes (I tested this flex theory and it holds true). Thinner shells do flex, but it is an issue?I don't think any reputable brand has issues with their shells, certainly not the ones listed. Skip this altogether IMO.2) Pumps: The Artesian tub we wet tested had 1 pump. Another had 2. This dealer said he does not like circulation pumps, they are weak and more pumps means more to break down and replace down the road. Are more pumps better (to an extent 2-3 plus a circulation pump)?So what you're saying is a dealer that sells a spa that doesn't utilize a circ pump is telling you why you don't want one. Is that a surprise that he's not pro-circ? I could give you reasons why I'd prefer a spa with one and all you'd end up with is opposing positions.3) Several dealers have said that manufacturers make multiple lines (high, middle and low end) within a brand. They also have said (not all of them) that all the tubs use the same shell, pumps and inner works. The only differences are warranty and bells and whistles. Is this true? Is it worth getting a longer warranty (up to 5 years) if tubs are going to last 10-20 years anyway? The jets themselves may be better on the higher end spas as well but there's some truth here in what you're saying. As far as longer warranties go, they are not free, its included in the price and its nice to have but only you can determine your level of desire for a longer warranty. 4) Filters: The Hot Springs uses 5 filters and filters 100% of the water. The Sundance has bypass filtering (the water from the jets goes through the bypass so the filter will not restrict the flow... more pressure. Other tubs use 1 -2 filters. What is the skinny on filters? Does it all boil down to sufficient surface area on the filter? How much is enough/too much? What about these so called "micro" filters that claim to filter down to microns...?I'm not a fan of micro filters because of their short life cycle but otherwise this entire subject boils down to the fact that the opinions you get on this overall subject will mirror how that dealer's brand filters but in the end all good spa brands filter well.5) Ozone: Dealers (non hot springs) tell me the hot springs ACE Cell needs replacing about every 2 years to the tune of $600-$800 and the Ozone bulb needs replacing every year to the tune of $100. Is this accurate and does the UV bulb really do enough to notice? The feedback you get at the stores will obviously fall in line with what their product uses. Find the tub you want and assume you'll use a simple chlorine routine. When you decide what spa you want then you can consider if you want to pay extra for water chemistry aids but they aren't what should sell you on a certain spa. I will say my experience with UV bulbs was that owners would not even notice when the bulbs were out and that told me a lot but maybe some have merit but I'll take it if its there but I'm not adding it (and maybe not replacing the bulb once out, if I even notice). I have been accused of over researching things before I buy, but this is a large purchase and I don't want to be disappointed.And we've seen others buy on impulse and then come here asking questions after the sale about what they bought so over researching isn't such a bad trait. I'd skip those last two brands (not a fan of Master at all) and go with your gut on the models you wet tested along with your comfort level with the dealers.Thank you to all of you for commenting on this and my previous threads.
I'm going to have to defer until you narrow it down to 2-3I can help better then, take your time, find some comfort in a brand and a dealer.
To date wife and I have wet tested the following tubs...Sundance Cameo (http://www.sundancespas.com/880series/cameo/)Hot Springs Vanguard (http://www.hotspring.com/shop-hot-tub-models/highlife/6-person-hot-tubs-vanguard)Caldera Makena (http://www.calderaspas.com/shop/paradise/makena)Marquis 660 (http://www.marquisspas.com/hot_tub/models/660.asp)Artesian South Seas 729 (http://www.southseasspas.com/content/spas/standard/729L.html)Artesian South Seas 748 (http://www.southseasspas.com/content/spas/deluxe/748L.html)We are going to test Master and La-Z-Boy Tomorrow...I realize that many of these are good and a selection from any of them might make us happy. Some questions I have now are...1) The shell: The Artesian and Marquis and Master seem to have a much thicker shell. The Artesian dealer told us this allows them to have a lifetime warranty on the shell. It also allows them to use lighter foam and less of it. Claim is this is better for servicing down the road. The spas that use the 3lb structural foam do so because the shell is thinner and flexes (I tested this flex theory and it holds true). Thinner shells do flex, but it is an issue?
2) Pumps: The Artesian tub we wet tested had 1 pump. Another had 2. This dealer said he does not like circulation pumps, they are weak and more pumps means more to break down and replace down the road. Are more pumps better (to an extent 2-3 plus a circulation pump)?
3) Several dealers have said that manufacturers make multiple lines (high, middle and low end) within a brand. They also have said (not all of them) that all the tubs use the same shell, pumps and inner works. The only differences are warranty and bells and whistles. Is this true? Is it worth getting a longer warranty (up to 5 years) if tubs are going to last 10-20 years anyway?
4) Filters: The Hot Springs uses 5 filters and filters 100% of the water. The Sundance has bypass filtering (the water from the jets goes through the bypass so the filter will not restrict the flow... more pressure. Other tubs use 1 -2 filters. What is the skinny on filters? Does it all boil down to sufficient surface area on the filter? How much is enough/too much? What about these so called "micro" filters that claim to filter down to microns...?
5) Ozone: Dealers (non hot springs) tell me the hot springs ACE Cell needs replacing about every 2 years to the tune of $600-$800 and the Ozone bulb needs replacing every year to the tune of $100. Is this accurate and does the UV bulb really do enough to notice?
We are fortunate to have 2 reputable dealers with long term good reputations that represent enough brands to give us a good sampling.
Quote from: jujubee on May 20, 2015, 02:06:12 pmTo date wife and I have wet tested the following tubs...Sundance Cameo (http://www.sundancespas.com/880series/cameo/)Hot Springs Vanguard (http://www.hotspring.com/shop-hot-tub-models/highlife/6-person-hot-tubs-vanguard)Caldera Makena (http://www.calderaspas.com/shop/paradise/makena)Marquis 660 (http://www.marquisspas.com/hot_tub/models/660.asp)Artesian South Seas 729 (http://www.southseasspas.com/content/spas/standard/729L.html)Artesian South Seas 748 (http://www.southseasspas.com/content/spas/deluxe/748L.html)We are going to test Master and La-Z-Boy Tomorrow...I realize that many of these are good and a selection from any of them might make us happy. Some questions I have now are...1) The shell: The Artesian and Marquis and Master seem to have a much thicker shell. The Artesian dealer told us this allows them to have a lifetime warranty on the shell. It also allows them to use lighter foam and less of it. Claim is this is better for servicing down the road. The spas that use the 3lb structural foam do so because the shell is thinner and flexes (I tested this flex theory and it holds true). Thinner shells do flex, but it is an issue?All reputable brands will have a shell that will outlast the tub. This shouldn't be a factor in your decision as long as you stick with the brands above. And there are others. Not sure about South Seas they are not around here.Quote from: jujubee on May 20, 2015, 02:06:12 pm2) Pumps: The Artesian tub we wet tested had 1 pump. Another had 2. This dealer said he does not like circulation pumps, they are weak and more pumps means more to break down and replace down the road. Are more pumps better (to an extent 2-3 plus a circulation pump)?You need the amount of pumps that make the tub feel good to you and your wife when you soak. No more, no less.Quote from: jujubee on May 20, 2015, 02:06:12 pm3) Several dealers have said that manufacturers make multiple lines (high, middle and low end) within a brand. They also have said (not all of them) that all the tubs use the same shell, pumps and inner works. The only differences are warranty and bells and whistles. Is this true? Is it worth getting a longer warranty (up to 5 years) if tubs are going to last 10-20 years anyway? Yes several manufacturers make several lines. Each line is designed to meet a price point and as such cost less to manufacture. It could mean different pumps and controls but it definitely means less bells and whistles and less warranty. Quote from: jujubee on May 20, 2015, 02:06:12 pm4) Filters: The Hot Springs uses 5 filters and filters 100% of the water. The Sundance has bypass filtering (the water from the jets goes through the bypass so the filter will not restrict the flow... more pressure. Other tubs use 1 -2 filters. What is the skinny on filters? Does it all boil down to sufficient surface area on the filter? How much is enough/too much? What about these so called "micro" filters that claim to filter down to microns...?Sufficient surface on the filter and the quantity of water that moves through the filter creates adequate filtering. They all do it. HS has a lot of filters and ALL the water that the circ pump and jet pumps move goes through a filter during use and non use. The other brands use a jet pump that moves water through a filter during non use at a much higher rate than the no bypass system on the HS. And some of the water bypasses the filter during use (high setting on the jet pump.) Either system works.Quote from: jujubee on May 20, 2015, 02:06:12 pm5) Ozone: Dealers (non hot springs) tell me the hot springs ACE Cell needs replacing about every 2 years to the tune of $600-$800 and the Ozone bulb needs replacing every year to the tune of $100. Is this accurate and does the UV bulb really do enough to notice? The Ace system is a saltwater chlorine generation system. Different than Ozone. Chlorine is a proven disinfectant for the nastys you introduce to the water. Ozone is nothing more than a supplement to a good sanitation system like chlorine. Either choice should not be the determining factor in your purchase.I would skip Master and Lazyboy also. Neither has a good reputation.
One more question...We have decided on the Caldera Makena. The local dealer will NOT budge on the price but will discount some of the extras. So Tub, cover, stairs, cover lifter, chems and delivery = $9k + tax comes to about $9700I called a dealer 100 miles away and he said if I pick the tub up (since delivery will be outrageous for that distance) he will let me have everything for $7800 (no tax since out of state).Is it worth saving the nearly $2k? Will/can the local dealer refuse to work on it or service it if it requires warranty work?I don't want to not support the local guy but $2k is not chump change even if it will cost me $500 to get a trailer and go get it still saves me $1500.