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The lowest price we have found is 10,900.00 (no stereo) and the Envoy is in a similar range.
Try to wet test them all on the same day or same weekend at least. You are talking about 3 very good brands so you're going in the right direction. The distance of 1.5 hrs to one of the dealers is potentially an issue and not something we generally recommend but sometimes depending on where you live your options can be limited. Next time you talk to that dealer ask up front what they might charge for service (yes even though the spa is under warranty they can charge for the trip out to your spa, especially when its that far away).
We have had our Geneva for a few years now and are still quite happy with it. It is billed as a circuit tub where each seat hits a different area and by moving thru the seats you get a full massage. I was a little skeptical about that but I have to say we normally trade places at least 3 times in the 3 main seats and each one is something different. I would say there are 3 of the 6 seats you will use 90% of the time in the Geneva and the 4th location isn’t a seat. There is a large jet on the edge of the foot well (I think the new Geneva has two of these.) and you can float over this jet and work places you cant get to any other way. When wet testing make sure to try that out on knees and hips etc. along with being able to divert power to the jets you want with things set to the middle position the massage is really nice in all 6 locations if you get a gang in there for socializing. Dealers don’t a lot of time explain the little things a tub has that you find out later. Ours also has a setting called whirlpool and it sends the water around a big circle. It is a very relaxing mode and great when you just want the hot water therapy. I can’t comment much on the other ones as I have only been in the Envoy a couple times at a friends and it seemed nice as well. We paid about 12k for ours and that was a couple years ago.
Quote from: bud16415 on July 07, 2017, 02:39:39 pmWe have had our Geneva for a few years now and are still quite happy with it. It is billed as a circuit tub where each seat hits a different area and by moving thru the seats you get a full massage. I was a little skeptical about that but I have to say we normally trade places at least 3 times in the 3 main seats and each one is something different. I would say there are 3 of the 6 seats you will use 90% of the time in the Geneva and the 4th location isn’t a seat. There is a large jet on the edge of the foot well (I think the new Geneva has two of these.) and you can float over this jet and work places you cant get to any other way. When wet testing make sure to try that out on knees and hips etc. along with being able to divert power to the jets you want with things set to the middle position the massage is really nice in all 6 locations if you get a gang in there for socializing. Dealers don’t a lot of time explain the little things a tub has that you find out later. Ours also has a setting called whirlpool and it sends the water around a big circle. It is a very relaxing mode and great when you just want the hot water therapy. I can’t comment much on the other ones as I have only been in the Envoy a couple times at a friends and it seemed nice as well. We paid about 12k for ours and that was a couple years ago.Would you purchase a Geneva again? How much do you spend on chemicals and is it easy to maintain the water?
Yay, congrats on the hot tub shopping! Caldera's Utopia series is similar to Hot Spring's Limelight series. (The Pulse is same footpring in size, without a lounge or "Captain's Chair)Even though the Geneva looks similiar to the Envoy- they are still quite different in the design, jetting, filtration, controls...etc.I most definitely agree that soaking these two could make a big difference in your decision. Good Luck!
Quote from: TemptingDestiny on July 08, 2017, 08:00:20 pmYay, congrats on the hot tub shopping! Caldera's Utopia series is similar to Hot Spring's Limelight series. (The Pulse is same footpring in size, without a lounge or "Captain's Chair)Even though the Geneva looks similiar to the Envoy- they are still quite different in the design, jetting, filtration, controls...etc.I most definitely agree that soaking these two could make a big difference in your decision. Good Luck!So, do you think the Envoy is a better quality tub? The dealer at Hot Springs told me the Hot Springs is a Bentley and a Caldera is a Yugo. He said it's not comparing apples to apples. I like the cabinet on the Caldera much better than the Envoy. Is the filtration better on the Envoy?
Almost 30 years ago I remember my x mother n law who owned a spa company using bleach in the hot tub. I don't recall too much other than the bleach poured straight from the bottle. I was wondering if the Frog cartridges were more of a gimmick that would require more money. An Artesian dealer told me he quit ordering his floor models with the Frog system because customers were complaining of either too much chemical being released or not enough and that the cost is too expensive. I don't know yet the Geneva or the Envoy. I have to talk to both dealers again this week. I have really been leaning towards the Geneva. May I ask what you have yours placed on and do you live in a cold climate? The warranty says it must be on a concrete slab or a deck. One Caldera dealer told us gravel and another told us Slab or deck. We plan on doing a slab. I can't wait to get it. Thank you for the information. The fact that you would purchase the same model same brand again says a lot!
Quote from: Spayedkitty on July 08, 2017, 10:20:57 pmQuote from: TemptingDestiny on July 08, 2017, 08:00:20 pmYay, congrats on the hot tub shopping! Caldera's Utopia series is similar to Hot Spring's Limelight series. (The Pulse is same footpring in size, without a lounge or "Captain's Chair)Even though the Geneva looks similiar to the Envoy- they are still quite different in the design, jetting, filtration, controls...etc.I most definitely agree that soaking these two could make a big difference in your decision. Good Luck!So, do you think the Envoy is a better quality tub? The dealer at Hot Springs told me the Hot Springs is a Bentley and a Caldera is a Yugo. He said it's not comparing apples to apples. I like the cabinet on the Caldera much better than the Envoy. Is the filtration better on the Envoy?That's actually a pretty cringe-worthy statement especially when considering the 2 brands mentioned...Watkins Manf. builds both tubs, they both retail for 11-13k, but yet one is a Yugo and one is a Bentley? So basically everyone buying a Caldera over 10k is a getting an unreliable overpriced junker? is that what he's saying? Makes no sense at all, pure rubbish