Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: smileycanuck on November 13, 2011, 12:37:28 am
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What would you choose between these two tubs and why? We like the feel of both tubs and are going to wet test both, but can someone comments on the quality and insulation? I know beachcomber makes a good product, but a friend of ours told us he has a coast and likes it a lot. I went to look at them today and liked what i saw, especially the filtration being outside of the tub. I read a few posts that said coast has some problems in the past and to stay away!?
Thanks again for everyone's help! hot tub shopping is so confusing!
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I can't speak for Beachcomber as I have never come across one. As for Coast, I have carried them since 2009 so I can try to help. As for the Zenith, I personally like the layout but with all Coast's they come in multiple versions (classic, elite, luxury, northwinds) with multiple jet counts, and many other options including the method of insulation. I would need more specific info about the exact model.
As for the problems and to stay away, I would be be curious as to what issues and why. Coast is not perfect, but neither is any other manufacturer and for the most part I have been satisfied with the company and product.
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I can't speak for Beachcomber as I have never come across one. As for Coast, I have carried them since 2009 so I can try to help. As for the Zenith, I personally like the layout but with all Coast's they come in multiple versions (classic, elite, luxury, northwinds) with multiple jet counts, and many other options including the method of insulation. I would need more specific info about the exact model.
As for the problems and to stay away, I would be be curious as to what issues and why. Coast is not perfect, but neither is any other manufacturer and for the most part I have been satisfied with the company and product.
Castletonia, out of curiousity... do you have one of those seemless edge Coast spas? I have always been intrigued by those! The only question I have is... how does the cover work?
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Here are two pictures of my floor model.
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Hey Castletonia, thanks for the reply. We are looking at a Zenith classic with full foam and ozone. We live in BC and the dealer told us full foam is the best option for our hot summers and cold winters. We like the 3 cooling off stations and the two waterfalls that shoot from either side. A guy named "Stewart" on here wrote that "Coast has had so many quality and engineering issues over the last several years that I would shy away ."
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I have not seen what I consider quality or quality control issues but I don't sell high volumes of Coast as I carry three lines of hot tubs. Of the insulation methods Coast offers, their full foam will be the most efficient. Are you comfortable with the dealer because they are the ones who will facilitate the warranty and be the ones who ultimately take care of you. Overall, I believe Coast makes a quality product that is on par with what you see from your big names (Hot Springs, D1, Jacuzzi, etc).
Have you wet tested both spas? If not you should because your decision will become clearer because a hot tub can sit completely different wet than dry.
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yes our intention is to wet test both, and now i'm throwing an h20 banff into the mix because it's the same price and i like the roxul insulation method. I'm glad to hear you think coast is on par with the big names. I really like the look and feel of the tub (dry that is). thanks again for the reply, really helpful!
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I agree with Castletonia. When it comes to the spa itself, that plays an important role in overall satisfaction. However, this industry is rare in the fact that the dealer can play a bigger role than the product ever will. Make sure you are comfortable with the dealer, and know that they will take care of you should you need it.
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Just an update: We were told at beachcomber that we couldn't wet test the model we wanted, but we could test the two tubs that were full of water.....both being WAY over our budget so what would the point of this be. I'm totally turned off by this. It's like they are relying on their "name" and we should just buy the tub because it's a beachcomber!!??? or not. Wet tested the H20 and found the neck jets really annoying and the seats a little uncomfortable. Sooo then we went to coast and sat in the zenith. Fell in love, totally comfortable and good seating levels for a family with small children. Like the way the Ozone is put in the bottom of the tub, the filter being on the outside, and the waterfalls shooting from both sides! Also the fact that we can order it with canadian western red cedar. Dealer answered all my questions (and there were many).....so I think this is the one! Thanks so much for your replies and helping me make this decision.
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Just an update: We were told at beachcomber that we couldn't wet test the model we wanted, but we could test the two tubs that were full of water.....both being WAY over our budget so what would the point of this be. I'm totally turned off by this. It's like they are relying on their "name" and we should just buy the tub because it's a beachcomber!!??? or not. Wet tested the H20 and found the neck jets really annoying and the seats a little uncomfortable. Sooo then we went to coast and sat in the zenith. Fell in love, totally comfortable and good seating levels for a family with small children. Like the way the Ozone is put in the bottom of the tub, the filter being on the outside, and the waterfalls shooting from both sides! Also the fact that we can order it with canadian western red cedar. Dealer answered all my questions (and there were many).....so I think this is the one! Thanks so much for your replies and helping me make this decision.
Most of the dealers I've known do not make any model available for wet testing. I know that’s not what you want to hear but its reality. Some will of course, I'm just trying to give a general idea of what I see. I'm not saying you shouldn't be disappointed, I'm just saying you shouldn't think this is simply a dealer being uncooperative.
If the Coast seems like the spa that fits you well and the dealer is someone you think will be there after the sale that’s great
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wow i'm surprised at this! Jacuzzi, Sundance, H20, Coast, Artesian, even Bullfrog had no problem with this. THe dealers pumped water out of their running tubs into the one we wanted to test. I can't imagine buying something that is 7000.00 based upon its "looks" without seeing how it mechanically works. THis seems odd to me and totally broke the deal with beachcomber regardless of their "fancy" namebrand.
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With the competitiveness of the industry and with the economy, I feel it is stupid to not fill a tub for a wetest. I have 3 tubs filled on my showroom and if someone who is serious wants to try one of the empty ones I tell them if they give me 24 hours I will get whatever tub they want to try on my showroom filled.
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wow i'm surprised at this! Jacuzzi, Sundance, H20, Coast, Artesian, even Bullfrog had no problem with this. THe dealers pumped water out of their running tubs into the one we wanted to test. I can't imagine buying something that is 7000.00 based upon its "looks" without seeing how it mechanically works. THis seems odd to me and totally broke the deal with beachcomber regardless of their "fancy" namebrand.
Thats fine that it ended the deal for you. Many will with a little notice (I would) but I'm just saying it is not uncommon.
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wow i'm surprised at this! Jacuzzi, Sundance, H20, Coast, Artesian, even Bullfrog had no problem with this. THe dealers pumped water out of their running tubs into the one we wanted to test. I can't imagine buying something that is 7000.00 based upon its "looks" without seeing how it mechanically works. THis seems odd to me and totally broke the deal with beachcomber regardless of their "fancy" namebrand.
I'm a little surprised that most wont. I have at least 9 filled at all times, and will fill anything given adequate time...
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wow i'm surprised at this! Jacuzzi, Sundance, H20, Coast, Artesian, even Bullfrog had no problem with this. THe dealers pumped water out of their running tubs into the one we wanted to test. I can't imagine buying something that is 7000.00 based upon its "looks" without seeing how it mechanically works. THis seems odd to me and totally broke the deal with beachcomber regardless of their "fancy" namebrand.
I'm a little surprised that most wont. I have at least 9 filled at all times, and will fill anything given adequate time...
I wouldn't say most won't, I just know many don't. I'd expect a lot of the dealers here will because if you're going to take time on these forums to get a feel for what customers/owners/pros are seeing/thinking/wanting you're probably the proactive type that would go the extra mile but I just don't think its totally fair to label those that don't with a wide brush as the type someone might not want to do business with.
Wet testing is very important so while I would not exclude a dealer that only has 3 or so spas to wet test and not the one I wanted, I quite possibly may end up skipping his product in the end if I can wet test others and find something else I like (and I'd probably let him know a good part of not buying his product was the inability to wet test).
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Just an update: We were told at beachcomber that we couldn't wet test the model we wanted, but we could test the two tubs that were full of water.....both being WAY over our budget so what would the point of this be. I'm totally turned off by this. It's like they are relying on their "name" and we should just buy the tub because it's a beachcomber!!??? or not. Wet tested the H20 and found the neck jets really annoying and the seats a little uncomfortable. Sooo then we went to coast and sat in the zenith. Fell in love, totally comfortable and good seating levels for a family with small children. Like the way the Ozone is put in the bottom of the tub, the filter being on the outside, and the waterfalls shooting from both sides! Also the fact that we can order it with canadian western red cedar. Dealer answered all my questions (and there were many).....so I think this is the one! Thanks so much for your replies and helping me make this decision.
Most of the dealers I've known do not make any model available for wet testing. I know that’s not what you want to hear but its reality. Some will of course, I'm just trying to give a general idea of what I see. I'm not saying you shouldn't be disappointed, I'm just saying you shouldn't think this is simply a dealer being uncooperative.
If the Coast seems like the spa that fits you well and the dealer is someone you think will be there after the sale that’s great
3 weeks ago I swapped out and filled 3 tubs for one customer to test....and as spatech said most dealers do not, they usually have 1 or 2 filled and that's your options and for this I am very fortunate, the local jacuzzi and cal spa dealers would be sick to their stomach if they knew how many sales I took from them because I was willing to fill models that customers were actually interested in and not just the 1 or 2 of the most expensive models. I honestly feel bad for the sales staff who work for companies that will not at least make an attempt, I mean how do you pitch someone on your wonderful product and then in the next sentence tell them they cannot try it out?
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well said twincities! Exactly! I think beachcomber is used to rich people coming in and laying down 15000 for a hot tub and another 6000 for a wicker sofa (i kid you not i saw the price tag). So for a person like me who has a set budget, they obviously don't want or need my business. No worries....it made my choice a lot easier in the end!!!
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Here are two pictures of my floor model.
That cover is a beast! Is the foam molded like a J-400 series?
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You mentioned you like the filter outside of the tub, question why? Just curious pressured systems are not the newest filtration out there , does the water go from the main vessel thru the filter then the pump and heater , or being pressured filter does all go thro small skimmer then the pump , heater then filter and back to vessel. Ozone on the bottom,,,,, how long is the contact chamber,, but the biggest is the fit for you and the dealer who takes care of you the best,,,
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Hey Spa Guy! I'm by no means an expert on the filtration system but i believe it uses the same concept as a pool filtration system where it goes through skimmer first and then filter?? When we wet tested all the hot tubs and the dealer pulled the filters out in the water is kinda grossed me out that this dirty thing was dripping in the tub that i was sharing the water with. Some of the filters were really brown. The coast uses an older design like you said. THey called it a cyclonic filtration system with a water diversion blade that drives water through the filter to keep it clean.
I also liked that the filter didn't take up space internally, the tub felt really big compared to others that lose a seat to a filter (ex jacuzzi). THey put a floating removable cup holder tray on top of the filter. Not a big deal, but well thought out.
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On the filter demo he did that is a common filter demo. I would take a filter system that is in the main vessel over the cyclonic(bs) when he pulled out the dirty filter was that on a showroom spa he had running, it makes one wonder. All filter systems have the cyclonic action just like a sink when you turn on the water, and when you flush the toilet, they already create a vortex, and it's not to keep the filter clean, it to get full use of the filter,with the filter in the main vessel it has a surface skimmer more area versus a wall port, channel skimmer,
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Thanks for the info Spa Guy. Just to clarify, I meant that when we went around to the different dealers/stores, they would pull out the filters that were in the showroom tubs to show us their system. Coast only showed us coast filters/system.