Epic, Sundance Optima, Jacuzzi 385

[spahopeful]

I'm still searching for the perfect Hot Tub for me and still looking for suggestions.  I am really looking for good foot jets around my ankles.  I liked the volcano foot jet in the Optima.  I liked the Marquis Epic from my wet test, except  I couldn't get lots of action on my feet and back at the same time.   I am starting to look at the Jacuzzi 385, thinking that since it has 3 pumps that mayby I will be able to get better jet action from both feet and upper body at the same time.

I have not heard most people list Jacuzzi as one of the top three and am wondering why?  Also, I wonder if 3 pumps can really get more jet action than 2 pumps when either system can only utilize 50 amps of power?  I am 6'2 and will wet test, but my wife is 5'4 and will not wet test.  I am concerned if she will tend to float more in one of these three.  Any specific suggestions are great for me.  

[Snowbird]

Hello spahopeful,

I am 6' 7" and my wife is 5' 4" and we have a 385 since December and use it at least twice a day.  It has 3 pumps but only 2 control buttons - a weird set up.

Button 1 controls the 2-speed pump that powers the jets on the right as you face the main control panel.  We like low because high is pretty strong.  This is also the filtration pump sucking water through the 2 big filters.  The computer on ours is set to come on low speed at 6am, noon, 6pm and midnight for 30 minutes.

Button 2 controls pumps 2 and 3.  Pump 2 is a 2-speed pump that controls most of the left side of the tub and the foot jets on the right.  Pushing button 2 once puts it on low - pushing it twice puts it on high.

Here is the weird part.  Pushing it 3 times shuts off pump 2 and turns on pump 3 that is a one-speed pump.  Not sure which jets it uses since we never use it.  So it has 3 pumps, but only 2 operate at the same time.

When we use the pumps we turn on pump 1 on low and pump 2 on high.  I have knee and ankle problems and I get a good massage sitting in the far seat on the right  (the one at the end of the lounge.)  I use the lowest jets on both sides of the tub.

The 385 has a 4th pump that is a low voltage 24-hour pump.  It is always on and circulates water through the heater and ozonator.  The temp swing is 1 1/2 degree so if set at 100, it won't begin to heat until 98 which is too cool for us. We like 100 or 101 so we set it at 101.  Occasionally we bump it to 102 for short periods when we are in it.  This is too hot for everyday use since it makes us sweat in the water.

By the way, I find the lounge useless but wifey thinks it is okay.

One thing I do not like about the Jacuzzi is the control knob on the diverters and air buttons.  The levers keep popping off on the valves and the air buttons occasionally stick down in their housing.  A minor issue since they pop out easily enough and the levers go right back on - for now.

The other thing is that every once in a while a jet pops out and floats around the tub with us.  Each jet can be adjusted individually and shut off by turning the housing - a very nice feature.  Turn it too far and it comes out.   They go back in easily though.

The 385 has an odd jet in the seat to the right on the control panel. It is on the right side of the seat about half way up.  Not sure what it is for since there isn’t a matching one on the left side.  We turn it off.

The only other peeve I have with the 385 is the filter cover.  When pump 1 is on high the cover lifts up even though the water level is high enough to cover the skimmer inlet.  The tech came out and installed new clips that are tighter.  It is better now but it still lifts up about a ¼ inch.

All in all I like the 385.  The dislikes are all minor.  Both of you should wet test the tubs that you like several times.  Take your time and try all the seats, knobs and buttons.  

Once you find a tub that you like, make sure you can work with the dealer.  He is as important as the tub.  One way to tell is to see how patient (or impatient) he is while you are wet testing.  If he makes you fell like a pain in the butt, find another dealer.

I hope this helps – Good luck.

[ggwagner]

Wet test for sure if you want the best tub for you and your wife.
Note that some tubs will have their heaters shut off when all three pumps are running at the same time - an issue you may want to avoid. Heater may even shut off when two pumps are running if you don't have 60 amp service.
Check with the dealers on this.
If foot massage is important, you're right about the Optima being ideal.
As for floating, tub seats should have you're knees higher when you sit in the seat. This position will keep you from floating. Think of when you swim and you lay out flat - you'll float. When you curl with knees up, you sink. Thus seats with better shape/slope at the knees will help prevent floating.

Hope this helps.

[OC_Spas]

Note to Snowbird

All 3 jet pumps on the J-385 can work at the same time. Pumps #2 and #3 are only high-speed.

"On the three pump J-385 model, this sensor pad controls both pump #2 and pump #3 in the following sequence: A) Press once to turn on pump #2 in high-speed; B) Press a second time to turn on pump #3 in high-speed; C) Press a third time to turn off pump #2; D) Press a fourth time to turn off pump #3."

Hope this helps...

Jim

[cappykat]

Since you have the Epic on your list I'll add my comments on it. We've had since Sept 05.  We love it for the most part.  The only drawback is that you can't have both the upper jets on with the foot jets.  I agree with you there.  It's not a big deal because I think the jet flow/volume is superb compared to the J385.  That's the primary reason we chose the Epic.

My husband is 6'3" and I'm 5'3" and every seat works for both of us. Just keep wet tesing and you'll find the right tub for you.

[dpgtech]

The 385 is a great tub.  the foot jets are very  powerfull.  youcan get a lot of therapy to your back and feet at the same time.  the third jet pump which is a two hp continuos duty pump operates the three large foot jets and the whirlpool jet that snowbird mentioned on the right side of the control panel about half way up.  wet test because the 385 has some deep seats.  all three spas are good spas. in my area typically the jacuzzi is the best value for the features and warranty versus the other two.  the epic is is priced 1500-2k more than the 385 in my area.  just mho.

[harry_the_jet]

i also have the 385 and love it.  I would agree about the diverter valves popping off, but it is a minor inconvenience to the warm, sooothing feeling you get from the tub itself.  My kids have nicknamed one of the seats The MASTER BLASTER as it seems to be a very hearty back massage when the diverter is full on that spot.  All in all, i am very happy overall with my 385.  good luck and wet test, wet test, wet test...

[ssbraun]

My first Maxxus had the handle come off one of the diverter jets...second one hasn't.  A dab of silicon would probably fix up that issue, I think...For me that wouldn't be a deal breaker.

Steve

[paul]

I've had an Optima for 10 days and love it.  though i didn't choose it for this reason, the foot jets are great.  also, for what it's worth, my brother has had a Sundance for 8 years with no problems.  good luck

[Brewman]

The footjets on our optima are one of the things we like about the spa.  We didn't really start to appreciate them until we had the spa a few months.

[dpgtech]

even though the 385 does not have a center foot dome the foot jets are bigger and more powerfull than the optima's IMO.  the 385 has a 2.0 continuos duty pump that runs just the foot jets and the whirlpool jet.