Hello All,
I test soaked a 2005 Hotspring Vanguard. I wanted to test it because of the Moto-Massage DX because I am not a huge fan of the regular Moto-Massage. I generally didn't like the massages in the spa, however the fit of the spa was exceptional because I did not float in any of the seats. My personal opinion is that the therapy in a Sundance is better.
Before I entered, I first turned on the jets and my first feeling was that I could not have both the Soothing Seven and the Hydro-massage jets on full blast at the same time. This is disappointing to me because quite honestly I like to visually see performance and when the Soothing Seven is off in the Vanguard it looks as if an entire half of the spa is off.
As I enter the spa, I initially sit in the Soothing Seven seat. I actually like the Soothing Seven because it doesn't pound my back like most other jets. However, as I start sitting there I notice that the jets do not hit me in the same area of the back as a Grandee. It is very noticeable difference.
I move to the Moto-Massage DX seat (the main reason I write this). Depth wise, I am extremely comfortable in both Moto-Massage seats in the Vanguard, where as I am not comfortable in either of the Moto-Massage seats in the Grandee primarily due to the depth of the seats. Unfortunately, I first notice, that the thing that moves up and down, does not move as aggressively as the original Moto-Massage. I also don't feel the jet moving as far down as the original Moto-Massage. I rate it a D. Yep, a D. It would have been an F if I floated.
I then move to the seat with 10 precision jets. I get absolutely no therapy out of this seat, but I like how Hotspring offers a very large variety of massages in their spas.
I move to the regular Moto-Massage seat. I like it better than the other 3 seats I just sat in. This seat I am expecting a good massage on my back and generally get it. I start realizing this thing moving up and down has pretty much sold 600,000 + spas. It is amazing because the jet is just a controlled fire hose. It does feel good and the moto-massage is starting to grow on me.
I move to the Hydro-Massage jets. I like jets that rotate so before I entered the spa I removed a rotating jet from a Sovereign so I can use it in the bottom jet. I wish Hotspring offered these jets in one of the deeper seats. These jets give a good massage and I would recommend any purchaser of a Hotspring to spend the $20 bucks on an extra rotating jet.
Remember these are only one person's opinions.
