Welcome to our forum.
Vita and American Whirlpool are both owned by Maax and my assumption is the build and construction is the same. I personally think the American Whirlpool hot tubs look nice and have comfortable layouts. This was my opinion when they were called Maax Spas and even prior as Coleman Spas. Why Maax keeps changing the brand is confusing. Living in an area that has winters, I have never been a fan of their insulation, I just don't believe it to be energy efficient and feedback from numerous customers would suggest the same. Also not a fan of steel frames either.
When the dealer says they have one on the way, if it one that they ordered and hasn't been sold? The allocation system works if the dealer marks that unit as sold.
I don't know anything about those 2 particular tubs, but I will say I'm not a fan of the 24/7/365 circulation pumps. I prefer the two speed jet pumps as I can control when and how long they run.
Quote from: cranbiz on March 04, 2021, 01:59:28 pmWhen the dealer says they have one on the way, if it one that they ordered and hasn't been sold? The allocation system works if the dealer marks that unit as sold.The one on the way is one they ordered but have not sold yet. Which is a little surprising to me since all of my other local dealers for Hot Springs, Caldera, and Bullfrog don't have any inventory that isn't already sold. All of them are into the summer months for delivery.
Thanks for the insight. It does seem odd that they are constantly changing name. Maybe buyouts or something like that but it doesn't give me a great feeling about purchasing their product. Why don't you like steel frame?
Quote from: castletonia on March 04, 2021, 02:44:18 pmVita and American Whirlpool are both owned by Maax and my assumption is the build and construction is the same. I personally think the American Whirlpool hot tubs look nice and have comfortable layouts. This was my opinion when they were called Maax Spas and even prior as Coleman Spas. Why Maax keeps changing the brand is confusing. Living in an area that has winters, I have never been a fan of their insulation, I just don't believe it to be energy efficient and feedback from numerous customers would suggest the same. Also not a fan of steel frames either.Thanks for the insight. It does seem odd that they are constantly changing name. Maybe buyouts or something like that but it doesn't give me a great feeling about purchasing their product. Why don't you like steel frame?
Maax was originally (and still is) a manufacturer of bathtubs, showers, and bath fixtures. When Coleman was restructuring and looking to get out of the spa business in the late 1990s, Maax bought the business. They continued to market the product under the Coleman brand name for 10 years. When that deal ended, they used the Maax brand name for a little while, but since the Maax brand was known for bathware, they created the American Whirlpool name.Coleman/Maax/American Whirlpool and Vita have sold plenty of hot tubs in my area and my impression is that they've always been a tier-two product: cheaper than the top tier brands, generally decent quality, decent dealer network and support. But I haven't given them serious consideration because of the insulation. I live in New Hampshire and want full foam for the energy efficiency. I also want quiet operation; I wet tested Coleman and Vita before and they were loud.And as long as I live where it gets cold, I wouldn't own a hot tub without a 24 hour circulation pump.
Quote from: A.O. on March 04, 2021, 01:39:04 pmI don't know anything about those 2 particular tubs, but I will say I'm not a fan of the 24/7/365 circulation pumps. I prefer the two speed jet pumps as I can control when and how long they run.Is the only difference just the noise level and run frequency? I've heard some say having 24/7 circulation helps keep the water clear and makes keeping it a temperature more efficient. Others have said jet pump is better because it can push a higher volume of water. I'll be honest that I probably wouldn't enjoy having to program the thing for when I want it to run. In that sense I think a dedicated circ pump would suite me.
Quote from: wcmorris on March 04, 2021, 03:51:17 pmQuote from: A.O. on March 04, 2021, 01:39:04 pmI don't know anything about those 2 particular tubs, but I will say I'm not a fan of the 24/7/365 circulation pumps. I prefer the two speed jet pumps as I can control when and how long they run.Is the only difference just the noise level and run frequency? I've heard some say having 24/7 circulation helps keep the water clear and makes keeping it a temperature more efficient. Others have said jet pump is better because it can push a higher volume of water. I'll be honest that I probably wouldn't enjoy having to program the thing for when I want it to run. In that sense I think a dedicated circ pump would suite me.I have owed both types, neither one makes a difference in the clarity of the water, It takes maybe 30 seconds or so to "program" for filter time or duration, its right in your topside controls, couple button pushes and you are done. Noise isn't much different between the full time circulation pump and the low speed of the jet pump.When going to change/clean the filter I don't have to mess with turning off the circulation pump, or with one tub I had, I had to cut power to the tub. All I have to do now is change it during the off cycle .. dont have to mess with anything.Much prefer the non full time circulation pump. But that's me.