Just got done shopping hot tubs and wanted to share my experience. This forum was much help but I still feel like the more information that is out there the better for the consumer.
It came down to 3 tubs:
Sundance Chelsee - Price for a 2018 base model was $10,800 but the salesperson said they could probably do $10,400. Size was good as we might have 5 people in it, jets felt good on the wet test but maybe a bit too much. I didn't really like the motor controls but that wouldn't have been a deal breaker.
Hot Springs Flash / Pulse - Price for the 2019 Flash with the Freshwater salt water system, steps, cover and lift was $10,000. Price on the Pulse was $11,200. I was told the salt water system is currently a promotion that makes it free. The new salt water system seems a lot better than the ACE system. The store didn't have a Flash we could wet test but did have a Rhythm, a different store had a Pulse. The Pulse was out of my price range.
Jacuzzi J-345 - Price for a 2019 with added Ozone, and Smart tub features $10,950. They didn't have a J-345 wet to test but had a 400 series that was similar. My wife and I liked the feel of the jets, and I thought controls were better, IMHO, than the Chelsee. This tub is 7x7, same size as the Flash but a bit smaller than the Chelsee.
After looking at the specifications of all the tubs I felt like the Flash wasn't on the same level as the other two. Considering all the other factors (feel, value, cost...) we decided to go with the Jacuzzi. We are expecting the tub on Friday and hope to be using it soon.
