Welcome to our forum.
1. Â Full foam is better (HS) Â because it is better insulating.2. Â Open (ie, not full foam) is better because there is easier access if there is a repair or leak down the road (coleman)3. Â A pump must be ventilated to keep it operating cooler and lasting longer (HS)4. Â A pump should not be ventilated since the extra heat stays in the unit and helps to heat the tub. (coleman)6. Â Hot Springs continously circulates the water with a seperate pump.7. Â Coleman states the small pump doesn't do as good a job filtering as a 'part time' pump that is pumping bigger volumes8. Â Coleman is made with a metal frame vs a wood frame for Hot Springs. Â (does this matter?)Does anyone have any final opinions on a Coleman vs a Hot Springs? Â (This is worse than buying a car!!)
Am I missing any other brands in this same category?
Owning a HotSpring is like owning a Honda Accord, everybody and their brother has one. Â
We are wet testing the Coleman 481 premium tonight, but were very impressed with the local dealer. Â I was in on Monday and they had a floor model sitting there empty. We got a call the next day that it was ready to test. Â Has all the bells and whistles, stereo, ozone, coverlifter, steps, premium package for $6,700. Â I have been waiting for Hotsprings to fill their Vanguard, but they told me that I should sit in the Grandee to get a feel for what it would be like, and they want $8,800 for their floor model with no steps or stereo. Â Not real impressed with my HS dealer.
Actually my brother doesn't own a Hot Spring.
We were very impressed with the spa's feel, except for the fact I could not fit into the seat with the neck and quad jets. Â I was too tall for it. Â Also, when they hooked up the tub to power so we could wet test it, they crossed the feeds and fryed the circuit board, stereo and lights. Â Also, the thing that really bugged us was that when you would turn the 1 power jet on max for the foot massage, the water fall would shoot all the way across the tub. Â I was told they had fixed this problem on the 05 models, and I asked if they could fix this on the 04. Â He should be calling me tomorrow with the answer. Â Other than not being able to fit in the one seat, everyother seat was extremely comfortable.