Hot Tub Review
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Envoy
Manufacturer: Hot Spring
Avg. Price: $0
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wmccall
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I decided to add an update to my assessment of three and a half years ago. All of my previous comments are still valid, but with time and experience there is more to be said. My Envoy has had a number of problems and some have been repeats. All have been cheerfully repaired by my very supportive dealer under warranty. The problems have been inside control panel (currently on the 4th one), and the controls for the Moto (currently on the 3rd one). The outside control was damaged by sand blown into it by a hurricane and it too was repaired by the dealer. No Charge.
Currently the Moto is sticky and prone to stalling in mid stroke.
After almost 4 years of use the Pearl Finish is degrading from the inside out. It looks like oxidation of the base layer coating. This is cosmetic and does not affect functionality. Also the two soft head rests are getting funky and will be replaced the next time I go to the store for supplies.
The spa still is used almost daily. The fundamental construction is sound with no problems with shell, pumps, filters (still using the original filter cartridges which are in good condition), heater, ozone, everything important is A-OK.
Would I buy another Hot Spring spa? Absolutely. My dealer indicates that my spa has been more trouble prone than most and your results may vary. Compared to other portable spas among my neighbors and friends mine gets used more and overall has had only niggling problems that have all been rectified by my dealer. The dealer is the key. Make no mistake about it, if the dealer had not been there for me, these niggles would have been much more significant. My advice to anyone thinking about a new spa is this: Buy the dealer first, then the spa.
Date Purchased: January 2005
Price Paid: $8600
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Well conceived and versatile spa
See my previous review for the full story
Cons:
Pearl finish is breaking down |
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wmccall
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The Envoy is a very nice spa overall. It is well made, beautiful to look at, and the jets are easy to adjust for variety. For people from under 5 feet to over 6 feet the spa is generally quite comfortable. The lounger is perhaps ideal for someone who is slightly less than my 6 feet. Taller people may find the lounger too small. The double Moto is a real improvement and quite effective. Most people leave the air jets off when using the lounger.
I like all 5 seats in terms of ergonomics, but find the Soothing Seven jets in the seat adjacent to the lounger to be too weak for me. Other people have found them soothing and relaxing, so this is a feature for each person to try for themselves. The foot jets are moderately strong at the lounger, and the foot jets in the footwell (three jets total for 2 separate seats) are all quite powerful. If your "feets is tired", as the old saying goes, this one's for you.
The two corner seats have very strong and effective jets. In both, the message is quite wonderful and there is enough difference between them to provide motivation to use both each and every time the spa is used. Truly, this spa offers enough diversity from seat to seat that most people move automatically and without developing strong prefences, to achieve a highly satisfying hydro-message.
The new ridgid filters have proven to be easy to take care of and can be cleaned more thoroughly in the dishwasher once in a while. They seem quite durable and should last for a long time. The water is always clear and it only takes a few minutes to remove all five filters and rinse them out once a week.
At night our pearl white Envoy is spectacular with the lights on. The pearl finish seems durable and easy to keep clean-at least with no children, but I suspect that would be true regardless of user age. I have found that baking soda is an extremely effective scouring powder for the ring around the tub.
The Envoy has two jet pump motors, each with 2-hp. Motor #1 is single speed, high. Motor #2 is two speed, high and low. For most purposes, however, both motors must be used together on high. This is particularly true if more than one person is using the spa. Even for one person, though, there is not one single pump that activates all of the jets for any given seating position. The spa is moderately noisy with both motors on high. There is a third pump for circulation and filtration that runs continuously and is silent.
The spa holds its temperature even with all motors and air jets in use simultaneously. The Envoy is large enough to accomodate 3 or even 4 adults. As near as I can determine, the spa uses about $10.00 worth of electricity per month and it gets used daily or even twice daily by one or two people.
The dealer has been very accomodating, knows the product inside and out, and has been in business for years. The Envoy is a very nice tub overall and it is highly recommended.
Date Purchased: January 2005
Price Paid: $8600
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Double Moto Message in lounge is very effective. Strong message in the corner seats.
Broad range of adjustment. Beautiful to look at. Easy to maintain.
Cons:
Ingress and egress are difficult.
The Soothing Seven jets are too weak.
The water feature looks dumb. |
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wmccall
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Seriously do your research! Hot Spring has it all
Date Purchased:
Price Paid: $0
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Everything about hot springs makes it a better spa. I went with the vanguard because I floated out of the lounge.
Cons:
None |
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wmccall
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I researched and wet tested several brands before this purchase. HS has corrected 2 drawbacks with this new model. First, the power is excellent with the 2-2.0HP pumps. Most will find that they have to turn down the air mix for a comfortable massage. second, a HS with REAL footjets! Very powerful. The diverse selection of jets not only provides a 5 position hydrotherapy rotation with no dead seats, it also allows for creative positioning if you have other muscle discomfort that needs working on. ( a tall person can create another seat below the waterfall by sitting on the floor) My wife and I are 5'8 and the fit is good. (My 5' daughter doesn't like the neck jets as she is too deep and they hit her head). Several jets are interchangeable. The new water feature is really nice at night with it's fiberoptics, although the kids tend to use the 3 streams for waterfights. Leveling bands on the base allow the spa to be leveled easily on inclined surfaces.
The floordrain doubles as the Ozone/heat entry point and can be a real hotspot if you're running at a high temp. With both pumps on High, you need to be close to carry on a conversation. However, one of the pumps has a low speed which gives a strong soak without the noise. Entry and exit is a little tricky from the front which contains the lounger. I'm thinking of adding steps to another side to bypass this problem. (it's not that bad but if someone is more immobile, they will have a hard time) I got the blue Granite color and surprisingly it has grown on me)
The spa included double tier wood steps, a cover lifter, GFCI Breaker panel, CD Ozonoator, silver ion cartridge, free delivery and set-up, dichlor and test kit. I don't think many would be disappointed with this spa. Will update on energy efficiency and reliability as time goes on.
Date Purchased: March 04
Price Paid: $7795
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
All Jets can run at once with decent power. The redesigned filters are touted as lifetime. Jet Diversity is great and the spa is very spacious for a 5 person. Footjets a major improvement. Water feature very cool.
Cons:
Somewhat limited color choices, Entry in front a little unwieldy due to the lounger "cut-out". With all pumps on full, noise level is on the high side. |
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