Hot Tub Review
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Beachcomber 580
Manufacturer: Beachcomber
Avg. Price: $0
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wmccall
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We have just purchased a used Bachcomber 580 and so far has proven to be a total charm. After being in many hot tubs ( friends and hotels), we decided we wanted one for home. We had reserved one at a local dealer, but when we saw the Beachcomber 580 with seating of up to 9 advertised by a private ad, we had to take a look. We did, we bought.
I have read that the jets may not be powerful enough, but when you turn off some other jets in the tub, they are plenty powerful. I personally also find that jets running too hard aren't really relaxing and are usually noisy. This tub is really quiet even on high power, seats many and is rock solid. Fit and finish are absolutely without reproach. I have seen, on cold weather, that the temperature will drop one or two degrees and will not recover without the cover on. A 5.5 kw heater as opposed to the 4 kw heater may be a future purchase. This tub is already 5 years old, and aside from changing a few jets that were popping out, ($15,00 each), and the spa cover ( $400.), the tub is in excellent shape. Would I recommend a Beachcomber? Definately. After being in many different types and brands, this is without a doubt the most comfortable and relaxing hot tub I have seen so far. If we ever get rid of this one, it will be for a top of the line beachcomber replacment.
Date Purchased: 04/09
Price Paid: $0
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Quiet, comfortable, large
Cons:
heater and power??? maybe not. |
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wmccall
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I started shopping for a tub about 2 years ago. I compared Vita, Beachcomber, Sundance, Infinity, and Arctic spas. What turned me on to the Beachcomber line of spas was the design and look. The tub I bought is the 580 in midnight blue with midnight blue cover and step. Other features it has is the protec option, Enviroskirt, everlight, garden light, and reflexology jetting.
Let me start with the color and feel of the shell. The acrylic is beautiful, flawless, and low maintenance. I find the shell extremely comfortable and a seat for everyone. If you love to throw parties but don't like touching feet you will love the huge foot well in this tub. All the jets are interchangeable (between like sized ports) and you can customize your own "special" seat. The color is perfect and the lid and step match up great.
The protec option brings the spa pack (motor(s), heater, and controller) outside the tub covered by a nice entry/exit step. By moving the spa pack out of the tub Beachcomber was able to provide Full Foam insulation allowing no air pockets in the tub cabinetry. There has been studies done whether it is better to have the motor in or out the tub and it really comes down to what you believe will be better. One plus outside the heating issue that I have seen is that the motor is extremely quiet. I have been in tubs that were so loud you had a hard time talking with other people in the tub. This tub is quiet yet still powerful.
There is only 1 4HP motor driving 25 jets at one time in this tub. I have been in more powerful tubs. I personally don't need new skin every time I get in my tub so I like the fact that there isn't a crazy amount water flow through the ports. If I need more power in one seat I shut the jets off in one of the other 8 seats. That's right there are 8 seats plus the step. With the reflexology jetting you can divert all 4HP water flow to 3 foot jets in the foot well. When you add the air into this powerful water flow it sounds like a 747 taking off. Now throw your feet on top of that and I guarantee you will let go of your shoe inserts.
The heater spec in a 4KW. I think it should have a 5.5KW Heater in this tub. The tub dimensions are 89x89 and there is a lot of water (400 Gallons) exposed when the lid is removed. I notice the temperature drop one degree while in the tub and it doesn't recover during my soak. There is an upgrade available and I would strongly recommend it.
The controls are simple. KISS, yup more manufactures need the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid!
The lights. Wow! I really did not want the garden light package, but now that I have it, I love it. The garden light package is 4 modules, one on each side of the tub, that light the outside of the tub in 3 different colors. You can cycle through all the colors or keep a constant one, your pick. Inside I have the everlight that is made up of LED's. RED, Blue, and White. They blend together and create beautiful changing colors or as on the outside they it can stay lit on one color. The nice part of the everlight is that it is guaranteed never to burn out. LED technology gotta love it.
The Enviroskirt is another great option that the dealer threw in for free. It is a faux wood finish. It looks like cedar, but itís not. There is no maintenance to the cabinetry of this tub. Just wipe it clean. Also if you look closely there is no lip between the end of the shell and the cabinetry. This allows the water to run off the shell and down the skirt not getting trapped on a ledge. This is a bonus if you take the wood option cabinetry. In some tubs I have seen the wood on the ledge get discolored within the first season due to water settling. More and more manufactures are going to the rounded shell option and the vertical wood slats to shed water away from your cabinetry and prevent wood damage.
Before you purchase a spa look into the set up costs. This is something your dealer may not talk to you about. It cast me $1000.00 for a cement pad and electrical. I did all the work myself which saved me about 6-7 hundred. You may also be required to have a building permit. Some cities consider spas as pools. Educate yourself on the installation, it is as important as purchasing the right tub.
I would definitely recommend this tub and the manufacture to any person looking for a great tub for a reasonable price. There are cheaper tubs out there, but the old saying still stands; YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
Date Purchased: 10/03
Price Paid: $6981
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Big.
Quiet.
Comfortable seats.
Flexible jetting options.
Great lighting.
Enviroskirt. No maintenance faux wood.
Cons:
Heater too small.
Large lid is hard for smaller people to open.
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