New shopper, looking for guidance.

[MEMan]

I live in Maine.   I am having trouble finding a way to intelligently compare hot tubs, but just found this forum, and was hoping there might be some help here.

I am willing to spend in the $5K-$8K range for the right tub.

After 10 years of putting it off for other maintenance items and expenses, I have saved up enough to build a deck, and put a hot tub on it.  I am confident of the deck design (6x6" posts 6' O.C with two extra 6x6" posts under the hot tub location, lots of cross bracing...)

I want a tub that is good for up to 4 reasonably sized adults (not squished), but will usually be used by two. 

I want a lounger.

I am taller, so want a deeper tub, at least 36" if not more.

I am looking for reliability (including surviving Maine winters) and energy efficiency.

I want to have relatively hassle free ownership, for at least the first few years, so am willing to buy new, for the warranty.

I would like simplicity of maintenance, and not have to be a chemist.

The local dealers I have visited carry:  Hotsprings (Limelight/Hot spot), Sundance, and Dynasty.  They all offer 5 year parts and labor warranties.  They are all within 45 minutes of my home.

Their prices are within a couple thousand dollars for similar priced models.

I just am having trouble finding good materials online to compare/contrast tubs.

[MEMan]

Also, I searched the forum and couldn't find anything on Bullfrog tubs.

Does anyone have any information on them?  It seems like an interesting concept, but wondering what it is like in the execution.

[castletonia]

Hotsprings and Sundance make quality hot tubs and both offer economical lines as well (Hot Spot by Hotsprings and the 680 series by Sundance).  Dynasty makes a decent hot tub but I would not put them in the same conversation as Hotsprings or Sundance.  I have never come across Bullfrog so I cannot help you there though I do agree the idea of changing the jet packs is unique, I doubt it is something most users would do regularly.

I would personally go between Hotsprings and Sundance but you also need to do some research on the dealer because even though both are quality brands and reputable companies, the dealer is your contact and service provider so that should be treated with a fair degree of importance.

[Waterbug]

  For a first time tub owner, I would suggest Hot Springs tubs.  I've never owned the other brand that you mentioned.  You could probably find a reliable tub from a lesser know manufacturer at a lower price, but a first time buyer wouldn't know ALL of the features/equiptement/issues to look for.  I'm on my 5th tub and the Hot Springs was the most reliable/easiest to maintain.  Only had my latest tub for 6 months, so have no solid opinions on it yet.  The dealer I bought it from carried it and Hot Springs and up front it looked as good for less money.

[x96mnn]

I went through my purchase 3 months back and had to choose between Bullfrog, Sundance and Hydropool if I wanted to purchase locally.

I went with Hydropool because of dealer support and comfort level, also liked their insulation. During my research I received a fair bit of info on Bullfrog, mainly from my neighbor who purchased one 6 months before.

Bullfrogs claim to fame is the ability to replace your jet packs or change the configuration of your tub. With that said you better have some extra cash, (although your buying a tub so you do), as the seats cost between $300 and $500 to buy. You always have the option though to change your configuration on where the jets packs you currently own are placed which I could see value in. My tub of is fixed jets and I would love to have the jet in the right corner in the left corner. Bullfrog is known as a top tub manufacturer, rated top ten manufactures with a spray foam insulation which from what I personally see is very energy efficient. Downfall to the bullfrog may be the spray in foam though and its not because water follows the path of least resistance, (although a valid point my opinion is a leak is a leak), but when something goes wrong they end up digging out foam to get to parts. I witnessed this on my neighbors tub when the lighting system failed, (nothing huge, light came lose), and they replaced it. Now these were small lights so no big deal but if you got into the bigger parts your going to lose energy efficiency. I m not sure if they would blow in more insulation in that case, I just know they did not when they replaced the smaller lights. The no hassle 3yr warranty is nice!

Sundance. I did not find a lot of info out about, the dealer was awful. I would need to leave comments to owners. What I will all say is I was nervous about the insulation, it looked like r20 rapped in garbage bags. It is probably not that simple and much more advanced but not being able to get info so I go by what I saw. If you find out for sure what or how they are insulated I would be interested in finding out.

As for your water and not being a chemist I am not sure if any one system is completely straight forward. My neighbor used this product that was supposed to give him a year out of his tub and only to add Bromine pucks. Well after the third time filling the tub in 60 days I was not going to try it. There is a bit to the water maintenance, I add a spa lite pack, two bromine pucks, some oxidizer and if alkalinity/calcium or PH is off I add what is needed to bring them back in line. I also use a product called polysheen once a week or if four or more people were in the tub, couple cap fulls nothing serious. My water is always clear and my neighbor now follows the same process as me. I had to purchase a product called watts Pooldoc as I am color blind and the test strips are no good for me. Here is an excellent review of the pool doc. http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=213

There are salt water systems and oxidizers which again I cannot comment on. I was told but a fellow who was in the industry that the primary thing for a spa was keeping the PH in check, that regardless what you do or have if you do not do that you will not be happy.

Hope my post was helpful.

[RUBADUBDUB]

Sundance is Full Foam.

If I had the choice it would either be the Hot Springs or the Sundance. Both top tier Manufacturers. Pick your tub and be sure to set test it to make sure it suits your needs.

[Spatech_tuo]

Sundance is Full Foam.

If I had the choice it would either be the Hot Springs or the Sundance. Both top tier Manufacturers. Pick your tub and be sure to set test it to make sure it suits your needs.

Because both Hot Springs and Sundance are very reputable brands put a lot of stock into the dealers you'll be choosing from.

[TwinCitiesHotSpring]

The "Flair" is a nice model in the Limelight series from Hot Spring, it will be at or around the top of your price range but it has (2) 2hp pumps, silent 24hr circ. pump, 65sq. ft filter, 41 jets, 5yr warranty, and the lounger you are looking for...here is our showroom model



you also said: The local dealers I have visited carry:  Hotsprings (Limelight/Hot spot), Sundance, and Dynasty.  They all offer 5 year parts and labor warranties.  They are all within 45 minutes of my home.

well just be aware that not all models will carry this warranty...Bullfrog, Hot Spot Line, and Sundance 680 line DO NOT have a 5 year component warranty, the Limelight and Jacuzzi 300 series do

[lover]

I have purchased my 3rd spa in 12 years and this time I am not leaving it behind when I move!!!

It is a Master Spas Twilight Series 8.25... They also carry a number of different lines with differnt price ranges.

They feature amazing lighting, features that allow you to go low chemical like there patented EcoPure filter. They also use a Hybrid Ozone system so I don't use bromine or chlorine in my spa, I hated the smell of that stuff and it took a lot of testing and upkeep! The best part is that with the biomagnetics in it patented to MasterSpas I no longer hurt from my arthritus. These are medial grade magnets much like the ones I use to be treated by at physcio... now my tub takes care of that!!!

The people are ever so friendly TOO

[Spatech_tuo]

I have purchased my 3rd spa in 12 years and this time I am not leaving it behind when I move!!!

It is a Master Spas Twilight Series 8.25... They also carry a number of different lines with differnt price ranges.

They feature amazing lighting, features that allow you to go low chemical like there patented EcoPure filter. They also use a Hybrid Ozone system so I don't use bromine or chlorine in my spa, I hated the smell of that stuff and it took a lot of testing and upkeep! The best part is that with the biomagnetics in it patented to MasterSpas I no longer hurt from my arthritus. These are medial grade magnets much like the ones I use to be treated by at physcio... now my tub takes care of that!!!

The people are ever so friendly TOO

Can't you fake it a little better than that to make it at least kind of appear like its coming from a spa owner?

If ever a post looks like an infomercial its this one and I'm not just saying it because its about Master.

[LissesineFeef]

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[sorebikr]

Can't you fake it a little better than that to make it at least kind of appear like its coming from a spa owner?

If ever a post looks like an infomercial its this one and I'm not just saying it because its about Master.

Please tell me more about these biomagnetics!  I've found that excessive exercising with my Shakeweight(tm) has led to strain on my wrists and elbows.

[Tman122]

I have purchased my 3rd spa in 12 years and this time I am not leaving it behind when I move!!!

It is a Master Spas Twilight Series 8.25... They also carry a number of different lines with differnt price ranges.

They feature amazing lighting, features that allow you to go low chemical like there patented EcoPure filter. They also use a Hybrid Ozone system so I don't use bromine or chlorine in my spa, I hated the smell of that stuff and it took a lot of testing and upkeep! The best part is that with the biomagnetics in it patented to MasterSpas I no longer hurt from my arthritus. These are medial grade magnets much like the ones I use to be treated by at physcio... now my tub takes care of that!!!

The people are ever so friendly TOO

Spam!!!! Busted

[Sherlyn21]

I am trying to find new robes to put on after we get out of the Hot Tub. The ones we have now are plush kind and do not absorb water well. SO I would like to ask anyone here on what they suggest to the best robe to get.

I see many that talk about Terry Cloth, Waffle, etc..  I want to buy these ASAP so any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Chas]

"Please report me to admin. I'm a filthy spammer."

I love it!!

I guess we can't suqqest things around here anymore.