Hi All,
New to the forum and looking for your opinions. I have read up on a lot of reviews but haven't seen anything comparing the Bullfrog A8 (top of the line) with Jacuzzi's J585 (top of the line).
A little background on my due diligence up to now, I have researched the following in person:
Sundance
Jacuzzi
Hotsprings
Caldera
Bullfrog
Calspas
Coleman
All are good products from what I can tell. But in the end, I wet tested Sundance, Jacuzzi, Caldera, and Bullfrog because of sizing, style, and features that made sense to me.
Fortunately in San Diego there are 3 dealers all within a mile of each other representing the brands above. All have been very professional and I don't worry at all about service from any of them. So service is a non-issue at this point from a dealer standpoint at least from what I can tell. Warranty - that is a different consideration which I don't know and look to you on.
I want the product that will feel great therapeutically speaking, hold up well to outside elements since it is going outside, and look great from a cabinet design standpoint. While money is important, I am willing to spend more if I need to for the better product that is more hassle free.
Bullfrog -
I like the jet packs concept although I wouldn't ever change them out, but more importantly I like the concept of much less plumbing in the tub to every worry about. That intrigues me. I was able to wet test an R7 model, not the A8 model I would get, and at least feel which Jet packs work best for me. Being able to select which ones I like is very cool. I don't care for the look of the standard cabinet, but I like the look with the "Slate" contemporary upgraded panels. So if I bought the A8 Bullfrog, this would be how I would buy it.
Jacuzzi -
I like the lighting, waterfall, and design of Jacuzzi's. But the new Jacuzzi J500 Luxury series (J585 in this case) with the woven exterior is the way I would go if I went the Jacuzzi route but I haven't seen one in person or wet tested it. I do have a nice brochure that outlines the J500 series and it shows great pictures but seeing it in person is important too. It looks like a classy tub to me and is considered their flagship. So, if I liked the model I wet tested, I would think this is even better.
I know where they are both built (Utah and Mexico respectively) and I know that Bullfrog has a good name and so does Jacuzzi, but what I really need is first hand experiences from A8 owners or J500 series owners. Particularly 2016 owners since some features have changed from 2015 to 2016 on the A8. The J500 is new altogether.
I would be getting a fully loaded tub here WITH the sound system so any separate opinions on the systems in each would be great to hear too.
Thanks all.
