Just bought a Bullfrog R7 - want aux buttons for jet controls (Gecko control)

[mattyj]

We recently had our R7 delivered and it's great so far. I didn't really consider the A series as it was the same tub with some accessories added in for a lot more money.

BUT, I really wish I had the auxiliary control buttons for the jets, like the A series does, as opposed to only controlling them from the front display.

I cannot seem to find the parts online to make this happen. I think this is because they just switched to Gecko controls and I am only finding the accessories for Balboa systems.

My assumption is that I can easily bore a hole in the shell or skirt to install these buttons and plug them into the Gecko controller. Does anyone have a parts list for the 2019 tubs yet?

[d00nut]

I had no idea...did Bullfrog really just switch to Gecko?  That makes my parts stocking a pain...

[Tman122]

We recently had our R7 delivered and it's great so far. I didn't really consider the A series as it was the same tub with some accessories added in for a lot more money.

BUT, I really wish I had the auxiliary control buttons for the jets, like the A series does, as opposed to only controlling them from the front display.

I cannot seem to find the parts online to make this happen. I think this is because they just switched to Gecko controls and I am only finding the accessories for Balboa systems.

My assumption is that I can easily bore a hole in the shell or skirt to install these buttons and plug them into the Gecko controller. Does anyone have a parts list for the 2019 tubs yet?

Ask your dealer............

[mattyj]

I had no idea...did Bullfrog really just switch to Gecko?  That makes my parts stocking a pain...

Yes, my R7 has a Gecko in.yt 

I asked my dealer. They said they don't have the updated parts catalog for 2019 Gecko models yet.

[Sam]

Yep, Bullfrog switched to gecko.  When I first heard I was very disappointed, but after speaking with people and seeing some in the field I have confidence that it will be a solid improvement.  Bullfrog takes reliability and quality very seriously and would not accept anything less than the best.  So far, so good.  I definitely have my reservations but I have faith that any issues will be addressed immediately and properly. 

I can't help with adding aux buttons.  Still learning the new systems.

[Jacuzzi Jim]

Yep, Bullfrog switched to gecko.  When I first heard I was very disappointed, but after speaking with people and seeing some in the field I have confidence that it will be a solid improvement.  Bullfrog takes reliability and quality very seriously and would not accept anything less than the best.  So far, so good.  I definitely have my reservations but I have faith that any issues will be addressed immediately and properly. 

I can't help with adding aux buttons.  Still learning the new systems.

  From our rep they switched to Gecko for various reasons.   One was ironically aux btns failing all the time.   

[Sam]

Yep, Bullfrog switched to gecko.  When I first heard I was very disappointed, but after speaking with people and seeing some in the field I have confidence that it will be a solid improvement.  Bullfrog takes reliability and quality very seriously and would not accept anything less than the best.  So far, so good.  I definitely have my reservations but I have faith that any issues will be addressed immediately and properly. 

I can't help with adding aux buttons.  Still learning the new systems.

  From our rep they switched to Gecko for various reasons.   One was ironically aux btns failing all the time.   

Haha, I've seen my share of failed aux buttons for sure.  My experience with gecko in the past still has me nervous.  There's a long list of manufacturers who switched from balboa to gecko only to turn around and go back to balboa.  Time will tell and I have faith in Bullfrog but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.

[Jacuzzi Jim]

 No idea if it's still the case or not, but when we had Artesian with Gecko the dumb thing was you could not just change a circuit board, you had to change the whole pack.   Looking at the current gecko in the new A6L I just hooked up, I don't see where it has changed, could be wrong though.     Lets hope for the best!   

[d00nut]

Generally speaking... Manufacturers switch because of the $$ 

Good news is... Watkins switch from Balboa to Gecko a couple years ago on Freeflow.  I stock both now.  Good news, reliability has been the same as far as I can tell.  But it was certainly money that made them move from Balboa