Sundance Chelsee Vs D1 Nautilus

[workerbee]

Hi everyone. I'm new here and would first like to say thanks to everyone for the wealth of info that's available here. My wife and I have decided to pull the trigger on a spa purchase this year after a couple years of dreaming.

We're not quite certain which particular brand or model we're getting, but we've narrowed it down to models without a lounger since we've sat in a couple and don't particularly like them. On to my question though...

Is the D1 Nautilus more comparible to the Sundance Chelsee or the Sundance Optima? The price we were quoted for a year-old floor model Nautilus (never filled) was $1500 higher than the Chelsee, so I'm making the assumption they're not in the same class, but I don't really know. Both dealers were very helpful and didn't really disparage any of the brands we mentioned as candidates, although they naturally preferred their brands.

Thanks for the help, and please accept my apologies for the torrent of future questions - both stupid and otherwise.

[workerbee]

Is the Sundance Chelsee too new to know what it compares to? Should the D1 Nautilus be compared to the Optima when considering price/features?

[Roger]

Is the Sundance Chelsee too new to know what it compares to? Should the D1 Nautilus be compared to the Optima when considering price/features?

I am partial to D1 as I have a close connection to them, but I have worked on more Sundance than D1. I would say D1 is in a bit higher class than Sundance, but that is only my opinion. Sundance makes a fine product. The Nautilis happens to be my all time favorite tub. Lots of leg room, lots of space for your company, penty of power, very quiet, backed by one of the most solid manufacturers in the business, with a great reputation for longevity and solid poerformance.

[egbert]

Is the Sundance Chelsee too new to know what it compares to?

The Chelsee is just the renamed Bahia with a few small changes. The Chelsee has a waterfall, slightly different jet configuration, optional stereo, and LED lighting.

[workerbee]

Thanks egbert. Does it seem to be more appropriate to compare the Chelsee/Bahia to the D1 Sojourn? Given that the D1 dealer was quoting a $9500 for a new model Nautilus, that would explain the difference in price. I'm just trying to get a sense of what constitutes an apples/apples comparison.

While we're on the subject, is the Chelsee/Bahia on the same level as the Tiger River Caspian, or is it closer to the Hot Springs Vanguard?

Thanks for the info.

[Chris H]

Thanks egbert. Does it seem to be more appropriate to compare the Chelsee/Bahia to the D1 Sojourn? Given that the D1 dealer was quoting a $9500 for a new model Nautilus, that would explain the difference in price. I'm just trying to get a sense of what constitutes an apples/apples comparison.

While we're on the subject, is the Chelsee/Bahia on the same level as the Tiger River Caspian, or is it closer to the Hot Springs Vanguard?

Thanks for the info.

I would say that the Sundance Optima would compare nicely to the D1 Nautilus at $9,500. The Hotspring Grandee, not the Vanguard, would compare to the Optima and the Nautilus.

The Sundance Chelsee would compare to the Tiger River Caspian, but in my opinion the Chelsee is a much better spa than the Caspian. The Chelsee is larger and should cost around $500 bucks more than the Caspian. It is $500 bucks well spent in my opinion.

[workerbee]

Thanks egbert. Does it seem to be more appropriate to compare the Chelsee/Bahia to the D1 Sojourn? Given that the D1 dealer was quoting a $9500 for a new model Nautilus, that would explain the difference in price. I'm just trying to get a sense of what constitutes an apples/apples comparison.

While we're on the subject, is the Chelsee/Bahia on the same level as the Tiger River Caspian, or is it closer to the Hot Springs Vanguard?

Thanks for the info.

I would say that the Sundance Optima would compare nicely to the D1 Nautilus at $9,500. The Hotspring Grandee, not the Vanguard, would compare to the Optima and the Nautilus.

The Sundance Chelsee would compare to the Tiger River Caspian, but in my opinion the Chelsee is a much better spa than the Caspian. The Chelsee is larger and should cost around $500 bucks more than the Caspian. It is $500 bucks well spent in my opinion.

Thanks Chris H, that gives me some perspective. As a newbie, it's kind of hard to be sure how the different brands/models match up feature and price-wise. From what I've seen so far there's a lot of nice spas out there. I think I'm getting to the point where I can narrow it down to what I like that's in my budget.

[Jim_The_Jim]

Thanks egbert. Does it seem to be more appropriate to compare the Chelsee/Bahia to the D1 Sojourn? Given that the D1 dealer was quoting a $9500 for a new model Nautilus, that would explain the difference in price. I'm just trying to get a sense of what constitutes an apples/apples comparison.

While we're on the subject, is the Chelsee/Bahia on the same level as the Tiger River Caspian, or is it closer to the Hot Springs Vanguard?

Thanks for the info.

I would say that the Sundance Optima would compare nicely to the D1 Nautilus at $9,500. The Hotspring Grandee, not the Vanguard, would compare to the Optima and the Nautilus.

The Sundance Chelsee would compare to the Tiger River Caspian, but in my opinion the Chelsee is a much better spa than the Caspian. The Chelsee is larger and should cost around $500 bucks more than the Caspian. It is $500 bucks well spent in my opinion.

Thanks Chris H, that gives me some perspective. As a newbie, it's kind of hard to be sure how the different brands/models match up feature and price-wise. From what I've seen so far there's a lot of nice spas out there. I think I'm getting to the point where I can narrow it down to what I like that's in my budget.

All of those spas are mediocre, and not worth the money. Take a look at an Arctic or a Haven and you will see a huge difference in value right away. I believe that a smart shopper will take a look at other products, before spending money and every time the see the difference and compare prices, it can only help their decision. Spa sales people are all over this site, and the pose as spa shoppers, because they realize that most of the readers never post.

[Roger]

All of those spas are mediocre, and not worth the money. Take a look at an Arctic or a Haven and you will see a huge difference in value right away.

Again you forgot to add "in your opinion" because we all know your opinion is different than 99.9% of the opinions out there.

[scchuck]

All of those spas are mediocre, and not worth the money. Take a look at an Arctic or a Haven and you will see a huge difference in value right away.

Again you forgot to add "in your opinion" because we all know your opinion is different than 99.9% of the opinions out there.

I too, am looking at the Sundance and have figured out a couple of things in the first 30 minutes of searching this forum. Someone tell me if I've got any of this wrong.

1. Sundance, D1, Jacuzzi all make great products.

2. Wet test before you buy because it's pretty tough to change the fit.

3. Local dealer support is key.

4. Jim the Jim really is a goober and if you take whatever he says and do the opposite, you're probably close to being dead-on.

Have I missed anything or am I ready to go shopping?

[workerbee]

scchuck, sounds to me like your ready to go shopping!

My wife and son are scheduled to go wet test that Sundance Chelsee on Thursday around closing time. We're all looking forward to it, as it will be our first test. Next up is a Hotspring and Tiger River test, but that's not scheduled yet.