Wet Test Results: Jacuzzi - Sundance - Sweetwater

[Buckeye]

Alright, my wife and I just wet tested a Sundance Optima, a Jacuzzi Premium J-365, and a Sundance Palermo (Bahia wasn't in yet to fill up).

Before I start let me tell you that we have never had a hot tub before, so we don't have anything to compare to.  We were lucky enough to have all three of these tubs available from the same local dealer to give us a good fresh comparison.  We are also plannig on wet testing a few similar tubs from other lines around town soon.  As for now we're sorting this "family" of tubs

First we tried the Jacuzzi J-365.  All of the seats were very comfortable to sit in for both of us.  I'm about 6'1" and my wife is about 5'6".  We liked the variation in jets/configurations among the seats and would probably use all of them alot.  The footwell jets felt wonderful.  My wife liked the calf jets, but with my long legs the jets hit me below the calf.  If I layed my legs out, angled the jets up, and diverted for more pressure, I could feel it much better, but it wasn't as enjoyable as it was for her.  The waterfall was nice but not necesary, as was the stereo for several hundred more dollars.

Second we tested the Sundance Optima.  As Wisoki has told us many times, that there is going to be a difference in the power between the Jacuzzi and the Sundance even if the pumps are the same - he was spot on.  The Optima was very powerful.  In fact my wife faulted it for having too much power.  Staying in the seats with the most jest was difficult at full power.  When I was in that particular seat, I tried to reach over to one of the diverters and accidently got in front of the whilrpool jet.  Let me tell you, I just about got my 190lb @ss blown right out of the seat.  Although the tub seemed overpowering for ametures like us, I think after getting a better feel for the diverters, turning down some of the jets, and such, I would really enjoy this tub.  My wife also thought that the tub was a little too deep for her, but I don't know if the water level was the reason or if it was the seats.  At any rate she wasn't as comfortable as she was in the Jacuzzi.  I didn't notice any problems.  Even though I think this is a better tub once you play with the controls, I think that I would have to harness it by turning down the jets in order to enjoy it as well as I enjoyed the Jacuzzi's massage.  I payed attention to the "no moving parts" jets that are featured with Sundance, but the swirling motion wasn't as pronounced as they were on the Jacuzzi's  jets that perform thay type of effect.  The air injector jets (14 small jets that let air in and don't push water - basically non-therapeutic) were nice, but I didn't see that they added much other than bubbles that floated up and the noise that this created.  I felt the same way about the auxilary control.  Very nice toys, but if I could take it off to save money I would.  Don't get me wrong - the tub rocks, but the values compared to the costs just don't add up for us.

Third we tried out a Sweetwater Palermo.   We would have liked to have tried a Bahia (no lounger) instead, but it wasn't in to try yet.  I won't touch on the size being comfortable or not since the Palermo has a lounger in it - and we weren't comparing loungers.  I can say the power was just not there in this tub.  I fact when I diverted all of the power from one pump to one of the seats that had a few of the swirling jets (with the spinning part), one of them didn't seem to even want to spin!  If I cupped my hand and moved it closed to the jet, the back pressure would cause it to spin so I know it wasn't stuck.  Now, I know that when my back is up closed to the jet that would cause it to work, but I just had this weak feeling about the tub because of it.  I tried to make sure something wasn't wrong with it, but I don't think there was... well besides me jumping out of the Sundance Optima and into this Sweetwater.  The seats gave a massage, but...        Oh yeay, one last thing on comfort.  The headrest "comfort pillows" were the most comfortable out of the three tubs.  The cost was less than the other two and would probably me a reliable tub, but I would feel shorted.

Although we are still looking closely at some other tubs and dealers, I would have to discard Sweetwater from my shortlist.  As much as I like the idea of having more firepower than I need with owning the Sundance Optima, I probably need to let go of the idea and save $1000++.  I'll agree that technically the Optima is the superior tub in the group, but the value-vs.-cost factor and the actual comfort just came up short.  I must say that I was suprised with the Sweetwater, and may have to wet test a Bahia when one becomes available just to double-check them.  After speaking with Wisoki in a recent email, we thought that the Sweetwater tubs would not have the issue of lacking power that he describes the Jacuzzi Premiums as having.  If you're not familiar with this discussion you can find it in previous post.

I would like to know if anyone else has come to the same, or different conclusions, or if you have any other suggestions to consider.  Please keep in mind that we have never owned a hot tub and someone put the Sweetwater Palermo on my deck as a gift - well I would surely enjoy it...  

Thanks,

Buckeye

[johnnythunders]

Jacuzzi is very powerful,i just got out of mine.I was in the lounger for 20 mins and the other seat next to the water falls for another 20mins....I am 6ft 2 and have to reach the jets with my feet and at times have to hold on so i will not float outtt.Why would you want a Sweetwater?Its not that much cheaper then the Jacuzzi!Johnny Thunders :-/

[Buckeye]

JohnnyThunders,

I looked at the Sweetwater just to compare.  It's several hundred cheaper than the Jacuzzi.  It was first shown to me as sort of budget version to the Sundance line.

[twok99]

Among a few other brands I looked at Jacuzzi, Sundance and Sweetwater.  Took Sweetwater off the list pretty quickly.  Ended up with a Jacuzzi 370 (now 375).  As compared to the Sundance, it had plenty of power, LED lights in the waterfalls, ABS pan, great filter cover and I saved almost $2000 (370 vs. Optima).  My one comment on the power, as a new user all I wanted was that blast on my back, now as a experienced user, almost every day for 11 months, I do short term high power when the body needs it but most of my time is spent in a calmer relaxing mode (25 vs. 75% of the time).

[johnnythunders]

Yep its a budget spa made by Jacuzzi or sundance same company,the  Jacuzzi J-315- J-345 are Sweetwaters too.when you go from the Jacuzzi J-355-J-385 they are Jacuzzi's don't let anyone tell you different.Johnny Thunders

[dpgtech]

     The 365 is a great spa.  when the diverters are in the middle position the jets lack some power but 95% of the its probably going to be two or less in the tub, and as you observed the 365 has plenty of power with out blowing you out of the seat. Jaccuzi has also gotten rid of most of the 'moving parts' jets and replaced them with rifled inserts.
      The warranties are the same, look at both of them.  the 365 and the optima have the same capabilities in the LCD display, the jacuzzi has an abs pan, and the waterfall can be turned off.  the sweetwater has a lesser warranty than both of the latter.  The Jaccuzi is an excellent spa for the money. MHO

[johnnythunders]

Those Rifled Jets feels like Needles hitting the sore spots of the body.At times it feels good getting poked lol.Johnny Thunders

[IonHeaven]

I am so glad I found this site before making my spa decision. I've really learned a great deal and am a better informed buyer.

I've been wet testing several spas and Sundance was one of my first. Three of us felt the jet power was not as enjoyable as other spas we have tried although they seem like a great spa otherwise. We also tried Master Spa...felt great but too expensive for us, Hyrodropool...really felt great but hesitant about the company and not finding any info about them, Saratoga Spas, Jacuzzi, Hot Springs and Beachcomber.  

I compared a Jacuzzi and Hotsprings Sovergn spa at the same store  today. For some reason, I liked the jet positoning and seats better in the Hot Spring. Also I liked the way the neck and shoulder jets felt better...but that's me. I'm short, 5'2" so someone larger may prefer the Jacuzzi seats and jet positions better.

My other choice is the Beachcomber 720X. No 24/7 circ pump or ozonator, but everything about it sure felt terrific. I'm not sure how the Beachcomber compares overall to the others, or what to really base my decision on at this point.  

I've come a long way to narrow things down to these 2 and am curious about how you came to narrowing down between Jacuzzi and Sundance?

Thanks!

[spaguyohio]

If Master Spa is too expensive, you could always try their Down East line.

[Buckeye]

I've come a long way to narrow things down to these 2 and am curious about how you came to narrowing down between Jacuzzi and Sundance?


Ionheaven,

I spent a bunch of time trying to get familiar with who's who in the industry.  If you search the forum you'll find a few versions of the top 5 or 6 manufacturers.  From there I found their websites and did searches on them to see where me local dealers were.  2 or 3 of my top 6 list didn't have a local dealer.  One listed someone who was around an hour away so that one was hard to consider.  Once you make your rounds you'll realize that these dealers carry other lines too, so when that happened I would go back and try to find out what I could about them the forum.  I had a great price on a tub that may have been a good choice but after emailing around a dozen owners that I found between this website and another forum or two I found mostly owners who had problems.  Most still liked their spa and would recommend it, but I eventually dismissed it.  One guy told me to call him and we spoke for about 45 minutes - great information from that guy.  One of the manufacturers on my top 6 list had some great looking stuff and I was very comfortable with the dealership, but their warranty wasn't as good as either Jacuzzi or Sundance Warranty.  So that's mostly how I got here.

Hope that helps!

Buckeye

[jett]

ditto...I wet tested all three with the similar results. My boyfriend loves powerful jets and I advised him when he is ready to look for a spa that the Sundance is for him, very powerfull..overkill for me. I did not care for the Sweetwater jets, they did not seem to provide the same quality massage as the Sundance jets. After wet testing nearly 10 spas, I just ordered the J385 , the jets seem to accomodate both of us and I like the layout and the features. Good luck with your decision!

[johnnythunders]

Jett you did right you wet tested before you bought anything...hope you be very happy with your spa :)JohnnyT

[Constance]

 :oI am looking at the same brands mentioned here but have not wet tested any yet.  I really liked the baha from sweetwater, BUT after seeing how scratched up the outside was on our friend's baha, I thought I'd better stay away from this brand.  I was told by another dealer that Sweetwater's outside material was not colored all the way thru and was made different from other brands.  Can anyone comment on the quality of the sweetwater base finish?  Does everyone with this brand have problems with the finish scratching easily and looking bad?

[johnnythunders]

when you walk into a Sundance Dealer and see the high prices on sundances you freak out a bit,then they are more then happy to show you their cheaper but good spas called sweetwater.Its a cheaper spa then sundance and Jacuzzi and you are still paying a price when you can have a Jacuzzi J355 and up for the same prices.The Jacuzzi's J-315 - J345 are Sweetwaters so go for the higher number models.look at  other dealers to wet test but I don't think for the price for a jacuzzi you cannot go wrong.But checkout the others.JohnnyT

[CalicoskiesNC]

We almost bought a J365, changed our minds 10 days from delivery and went with the Optima.  I like to think I did get worthwhile features on my Optima that justify the price difference of $1500 between the J365 and Sundance.  ($6500 otd to 7944 otd) Taking into consideration that the Optima is larger and holds 111 more gallons than the J365 we almost bought, its more like a dif of $1000 in price. These are things that we considered worthwhile:

1. I have an air blower that my entire family votes as one of their fave features for the feel of the jets (softer and slightly cooler) and for the sound effects, not found on the Jacuzzi.  

2. I have adjustable air diverters with knobs, not just on/off push pad buttons found on Jacuzzi.

3. I have the microclean filtration system thats FDA compliant and approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (not sure if it keeps my water cleaner, but it sure makes me feel good and I do have clean water so far)  

4. My footwell has 2 foot jets for each corner seat which comes in handy since I and everyone in my family has 2 feet each, this compared to 1 footjet per corner seat on the Jacuzzi.  

5. I have 2 fantastic whirlpool jets, not found on Jacuzzi.  

6. Even tho the pumps are rated the same between Jacuzzi and Sundance, after wet testing both tubs I can definitely say the Optima is much more powerful and all 4 seats plus the footwell can be used at once and be supplied with plenty of power, not so in the J365 my family was in.  

7. I have stainless steel rings on my jets and stainless handles, not so on Jacuzzi.

8. Optima pillows are much larger and wrap around to allow you to lay different ways.

9. I have a secondary control panel, very convenient to change pumps from all seats.  

I know some of these seem minor, and some may be features others do not care for or about, but these were things that sold us on the Optima over the J365.  We also felt more confident in the Sundance dealership over the Jacuzzi.  I'm sure we would have been happy with the J365 cuz any tub in my yard is gonna be fun, but we decided the features listed above justified the cost difference and after 1 wk of tubbing we remind ourselves every day that we made the right decision for us.

I'm not sure about JohnnyThunder's comment that the lower Jacuzzis are Sweetwaters and the higher Jacuzzis are Sundances.  I found alot of differences between them.  All 3 seem to be very high quality tubs, just sort thru the features to fit your needs and budget.  But IMO, the Jacuzzis are Jacuzzis, the Sundances are Sundances and the Sweetwaters are Sweetwaters.  JohnnyThunder implies that they are all basically the same with a dif label glued on.  I disagree and so will anyone who wet tests and reads their manuals.