Hot Tub Review
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Beachcomber
Manufacturer: Beachcomber Spas
Avg. Price: $0
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wmccall
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It has been a month now since we took delivery of our 1st Hot Tub, following extensive research and testing.
When we began, we were looking for high end built with low-end gimicks. We wanted a tub that was substance, not all flash/gimmick. We sure found that in Beachcomber. No watefalls... No overdone light shows.. just back to basics quality build and philosophy.
Let me say one thing for certain, this was the most comfortable tub while testing, and it hasn't let us down! The contoured, barrier-free, seating is the best design on the market. Many other manufacturers that offer barrier free design aren't molded nicely to fit your back-end, and are often just benches! Jacuzzi also seemed to do a good job at this!
We were hesitant to go with the 2 x 3.5HP pumps after seeing some out there that double this rating, but there is no shortage of power in these puppies. It all has to do with design! You can effectively run a 250-300 gallon tub on 1.5HP if the plumbing and jet layout is optimal, not just compensating by adding power to a poor design.
The extaseat is amazing! It messages the muscles/tendon/legiments on both side of your spine at the same time, and doesn't jet directly down the middle where the bone it, which would be useless! It does all this while gently messaging your neck with a neck jet at the top.
Good solid hand holds/grips for moving around the tub and entering/exiting has been used more then anticipated. We like the design (nothing to break, weaken/loosen, or discolour), but have used them much more then anticipated. Well though out feature, which Elite (Maax) has copied and incorporated into thier designs.
However, I am finding that we spend more time in the corner seats then the lounger. Next time I would purchase the 730 or the 750 and skip the lounger. It does provide a nice and well used play space for our 2-1/2 y.o. daughter!
The foot wells in the Beachcomber are deeper then many tubs on the market, and fit 6 adult fomfortably without playing a big game of footsies with each other!
Some like the Protec Design, Some think it is "old Shcool" or dated. I personally like it. Very simple to service and can be ordered with the pumps on ANY side of the tub. This is true customization!
Little quirks about the tub are well overweighed by the enjoyment it has brought my family. Things I would suggest for improvement: Photocell on the keypad so it is illuminated on touch of a button and only when dark out. Reflex foot message is very nice, but maybe not in an optinal spot on the 740. A new location or layout may make it feel even better. Also, I know many tubs have this, the heater and/or circ. pump shuts off when the water temp get of 3 degrees above the set temp. They call it summer protection mode, but not being a tech, I don't see what the circulation pump can't be running.
We got a great price on our tub, so took what we could get. I would however probably added the turbo option and garden lights. What's a couple of extra hundred when you are spending $10K already!
All in All, absolutley no regrets in our purchase decision! I would do Beachcomber in a flash again!
Date Purchased: 05/2004
Price Paid: $10000
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
- Comfort (Seating & Deep Foot Wells)
- Power
- Simplicity
- Design Thought & Build Quality
Cons:
- Summer Protection Mode (Most tubs have this) - Circ. pump shuts off when the tub gets over 3 degrees higher then temp. setting.
- Control Pad Always Lit
- Reflex Message Placement |
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wmccall
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Well I purchased a Beachcomber 740. I purchased the Beachcomber brand not because of the dealer or because the price was good but because it just looked like it was a well thought out and designed tub from the start. I liked the idea of the handrails. They were made that way to avoid any problems with leaking or breaking, which other tubs have experienced so say their owners on different forums. At the time I didnít think much about it but now I understand. I also liked the fact that it doesnít come with pillows due to the effects of chemicals on them. My dad had a tub that had that problem, after a while the pads where all discolored. I didnít like that then and I sure wouldnít want mine to look like that. Iím going to buy the weighted ones that you take out when youíre done. I bought the midnight blue shell because my wife wanted it and since I tried for 8 months to get her on board the hot tub wagon, who was I to argue. We got the plastic wood skirt mainly because Iím too lazy to add that to a ìto doî list and take care of it when needed. Of course we got the protec design, which I really like. I got the lounger cause I like to get a good book and lay in the tub and read. Seems like the only time I read something other than tech manuals is when Iím lounging out in the tub just enjoying life We also got the ozonator, hush pump, ever light, reflex foot massage and the lift and store.
Let me start with the hush pump. Itís called that for a reason. You canít hear it. Yet it moves a lot of water through the filter. 42,000 gallons according to Beachcomber. Iím really glad I got that. My electric meter hardly moves when just that is on. And on it is, cause it runs 24/7. Between that and the Eco One I use, my water is crystal clear.
The ozonator was something I had to pay extra for. Everything else was a factory promotion. Beachcomber doesnít believe in ozone because they say itís not proven effective. My oldest friend works for the EPA and he says that is all they use in Europe. He sayís ozone is very effective as a oxidizer. I donít know what the issue is with Beachcomber on the ozone deal but they do make this tub ìozone readyî for those of us who do want it. Another item Iím glad I got.
Next the reflex foot massage. This is a nice option. A good massage on tired feet really helps out. When I first used the spa I would divert all water from the lounger and two other seats for the foot massage. This would leave those seats useless as far as massage went. But since then I realize that keeping the output lower and sending some water to the lounger and seats gave a much nicer massage even though you have to have your foot practically on the jet. I donít know if that was the design but it feels much better at lower flow rates. Now if you really want to get the water churning then divert all water flow to those four jets.
Now the ever light. Itís a nice light that does so many things I donít have a handle on it yet. My dealer said something about 12 or 13 different combinations but I donít know how true that is. It does do a lot of different colors and different ways of changing from one to another. It is by far better than just a white light that does nothing else. BUT I find that when we sit in the tub at night I end up shutting the light off so we can see in the yard. Itís not what I would call ìeye candyî but itís not something I really use a lot of, least I havenít yet. I was going to get the garden lightsÖ.boy am I glad I didnít get those. That would be a waste of money, least for me.
Now the lift and store. Need I really say that itís something most people should get? My wife is small and wouldnít be able to lift the cover off herself so this addition is a must.
There is a lot of power in those pumps. Too much for me. After about 5 or 10 minutes I have to go from high to low. I end up getting a message on low speed. Much nicer then getting your back beat up. If others are in the tub and they want high I can just turn down the pressure at the individual jets. Just doesnít seem smart to spend the extra money to run the pumps on high and turn down the jets instead of running on low and opening the jets up. As far as the controls go, I like them. I really like that invert feature. When sitting in the tub its much easier to read. Getting around in the tub is a breeze. The foot wells are very big and enough room for many pairs of legs.
Lets face it, there is very little about this tub I donít like. But there is one. When the tub was delivered the 1-inch electrical access holes on either side of the tub at the kick plates where the protec sits are crap. It is just a one inch piece of plastic pipe that when cut at the factory is oblong. There is no threads, no way to hook up a electrical fitting to it. Both sides where like that. All you can do is jam a LB underneath the skirt and hope nobody kicks the thing out of place. You canít do anything with a oblong hole. Iím a electrician by trade and Iím embarrassed to let any one of my friends see how that was wired. Very poor design. Out of all the good ideas Beachcomber had, this one got past them. They need to do something about that. That is the only bad thing I can think of as of now. I only had my tub a short time and other things good or bad may come to my attention but for now that is all I can report on.
Date Purchased: 7/20/03
Price Paid: $7639
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
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Cons:
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