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[bevo]

Hi all, looking to buy a new tub in the UK. Money is tight, only looking to spend 5-7K

Been looking around and everybody tells me that they are the best etc.

Came accross The Hot Tub Company who have been around for 20 years (so they say). Seen the Florida Range- Coral Springs III, which looks ok and is in the right price. They say it is a USA product with waterway pumps and controls and a Geko top side.

Has any body heard or got any veiws on this tub?

Also been looking at the Hot Spot Relay and Jacuzzi J270CD and possibly one from Artic Spa. Did not like the coast spas, I thought the valves were weak and cheap.

My main needs are a good array of jets with a good massage, low running costs and good filtration.

I know I cant have my cake and eat it, and my monies are tight and can not afford to go to the 13K+ for the top end stuff.

Any body got any thoughts or views.

Thank you

[footie]

I'm always skeptical when a company quotes an in brackets recommended retail price that is miles dearer than the price they will actually sell the thing. Bottom line is the tub is only worth their sell price and no more. I was in your shoes not 3 months ago but in the end I went for the coast brand that you didn't like, mainly because I liked the dealer I was going to be dealing with and I like the product. The reasons above are why I give the Hot tub Company a miss, that and the fact their weren't in my area.

Also I'm not entirely sure but I think these tubs are only part-foam insulated instead of full-foam, cheaper to buy but dearer to run and will probably in the long run cost you more.

[bevo]

I agree on the pricing and told them so. but to be fair they all do it! Have you been happy with your coast spa and do you have any running cost for it yet?

The tub is part foamed, but according to the we site and the dealer I spoke to they have some kind of thermal lock system which is not unlike the artic spas method see:

http://www.thehottubcompany.com/energyefficient.html

I have had an ebay special before. lasted 6 years and was a infinity spa, boy did that cost money to run. On average £90 pm in electric. All the dealers I talk to are saying about £20-£30 pm in electric............is this right or are they trying to pull the wool over my eyes.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

I have never heard of that Hot Tub company, I assume they are a smaller regional company. You can't go wrong with the Hot Spot or Jacuzzi IMO. Take your time deciding.

[footie]

I agree on the pricing and told them so. but to be fair they all do it! Have you been happy with your coast spa and do you have any running cost for it yet?

The tub is part foamed, but according to the we site and the dealer I spoke to they have some kind of thermal lock system which is not unlike the artic spas method see:

http://www.thehottubcompany.com/energyefficient.html

I have had an ebay special before. lasted 6 years and was a infinity spa, boy did that cost money to run. On average £90 pm in electric. All the dealers I talk to are saying about £20-£30 pm in electric............is this right or are they trying to pull the wool over my eyes.

I don't have the experience of hot tubbing like many others do on here so I can't give you a truthful answer to their costs, but I do know that there is a difference between part and full. I also can't answer whether this system used by them is as good as they are claiming but I do wonder why they don't go with the full foam as this method helps stop pipe movement which are the main cause of leaks.

[bevo]

They are an independant company part of waterside leisure. This what they say about the tubs:

thehottubcompany.com sells hot tubs made by a US manufacturer (established 30 years). They are North American made hot tubs, which are designed for cold climates; this ensures low running costs. The hot tubs supplied are rated 5 star ‘the highest rating’ by poolandspa.com which is an independent American consumer organisation and have also won ‘Best in Class’.

I am going over tommorrow to take a look and have a wet test, I will see if I can find out who makes them.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

They are an independant company part of waterside leisure. This what they say about the tubs:

thehottubcompany.com sells hot tubs made by a US manufacturer (established 30 years). They are North American made hot tubs, which are designed for cold climates; this ensures low running costs. The hot tubs supplied are rated 5 star the highest rating by poolandspa.com which is an independent American consumer organisation and have also won Best in Class.

I am going over tommorrow to take a look and have a wet test, I will see if I can find out who makes them.

Who is the manufacturer? There are many good US manufacturers (for example Caldera, D1, Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Marquis and Sundance are very good IMO) and there are some not so great. Forget the "5 star rating" and "best of class", they're paid for advertising. I assure you that they ALL say their are desinged for cold weather and claim low operating costs (whether true or not and they're certainly not all equal) and MANY have been around 30 years so those statements which are meant to give you comfort really don't mean that much IMO.

[bevo]

I agree I am to old to believe all the "best of" and so on. Just done a credit check on the company, they have been trading for 20 years but thier credit rated is very low and they have another company with a very similar name which is dormant. I will take alook anyway it only a 70 mile round trip.

[bevo]

They are an independant company part of waterside leisure. This what they say about the tubs:

thehottubcompany.com sells hot tubs made by a US manufacturer (established 30 years). They are North American made hot tubs, which are designed for cold climates; this ensures low running costs. The hot tubs supplied are rated 5 star ‘the highest rating’ by poolandspa.com which is an independent American consumer organisation and have also won ‘Best in Class’.

I am going over tommorrow to take a look and have a wet test, I will see if I can find out who makes them.

Who is the manufacturer? There are many good US manufacturers (for example Caldera, D1, Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Marquis and Sundance are very good IMO) and there are some not so great. Forget the "5 star rating" and "best of class", they're paid for advertising. I assure you that they ALL say their are desinged for cold weather and claim low operating costs (whether true or not and they're certainly not all equal) and MANY have been around 30 years so those statements which are meant to give you comfort really don't mean that much IMO.

[bevo]

Found out that they are made by "River Ridge" I have no idea who they are.

[footie]

Thermal lock I believe is the same as what other companies call Heat lock, if that is indeed the case then it's the lowest form of insulation you can get. I would be a bit worried about the runnig costs if this is true.