SteveH

We just got our new Caldera C-45 delivered a week ago and we've used it every day since. Installation went well even with a layer of snow on the deck. We filled the tub up from our well in four installments and we had plenty of water. After filling we turned the tub on and one of the jets wasn't working. My wife and I freaked and were depressed all night while the tub warmed up. The next morning the tub was fully up to temperature and all the jets worked. There must have been an air pocket stuck in the jet pump or maybe some ice had formed that melted as the tub heated up. We absolutely love this tub. It is the perfect size for two or three adults to comfortably move through the cycle of hydrotherapy. There are three primary seats in the spa and three secondary seats so I wouldn't recommend a fourth adult but a child would be fine. The jet pumps are very powerful and the foot jets in the lounger alone are worth the price of the spa. The volcano jet in floor well is very very powerful and works out tough muscles in the thighs and calves better than anything. We were often dissuaded by people when we were shopping to not get a lounger as they are useless and you float up in them. Well let me tell you; it's not true. The lounger in the C-45 is very comfortable and is quite deep and is angled so you don't float up; the footcups also help you stay in the lounger. My wife and I both agreed that we wish the neck pillows had adjustable positions as I am 6'4" and the Ecsta-seat pillow is a bit low for me but I am comfortable in every seat in this spa. Already one of the jet covers popped off but I'm told it happens and you just snap them back in. We considered Marquis and Caldera and we're very glad we got the Caldera. It is the perfect spa for us and we are already feeling the benefits and stress relief.

Hi, We just rebuilt our deck and added a spa platform. Long story short we bought a Caldera C-45 for $6995 from our local dealer Galati Pools in Newburgh, NY We found the Caldera to have much better hydrotherapy and jet arrangement than the Marquis at a lower price. Very surprised that Marquis won Consumer Reports best buy OR perhaps the demo unit we wet tested was defective. You MUST wet test the tubs before buying. I am 6'4" and did not know until the wet test just how important the tub depth was. Caldera is 38", Marquis was 34". Most tubs loungers are a waste but Caldera has a deeper and better contoured lounger than the others we saw and the heel holds make a big difference as to whether you will float or not. I got caught up in comparing 'gallon per minute' flow rates through the jets. Marquis makes a big deal about the 40 GPM rate on their HK40 jet. I found the Caldera Geneva/C-45 to have better hydrotherapy than the Marquis. Watkins refused to provide me with individual jet flow rates but the dual 2.5 HP pumps do provide incredible power. The Marquis seat controls appear to be co-dependant upon one another, i.e., you must get the selector dial in the correct position at more than one seat position to control your own jet combination at your seat wherein the Caldera the controls were more logical, you control your own seat/jet combination at your own seat more easily. We saved money since we didn't need exterior lighting, built in music or the air bubble jets so the C-45 was a perfect choice for us over the more expensive Geneva. We can plug in a light and iPod boombox to complete the scenario. Our tub gets installed in 2 weeks. Will let you know how it goes. Steve

Hi, My wife also has Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue so we just rebuilt our deck and added a spa platform. Long story short we bought a Caldera C-45 for $6995 from our local dealer Galati Pools in Newburgh, NY We got an electrical quote from a local top electrician who wanted to trench the 230 line out to the spa for $1700 but we found another guy who will use PVC piping under the deck for less than half that price. Make sure you follow local codes and ordinances or you will have trouble getting a C of O. We found the Caldera to have much better hydrotherapy and jet arrangement than the Marquis at a lower price. Very surprised that Marquis won Consumer Reports best buy OR perhaps the demo unit we wet tested was defective. You MUST wet test the tubs before buying. I am 6'4" and did not know until the wet test just how important the tub depth was. Caldera is 38", Marquis was 34". Most tubs loungers are a waste but Caldera has a deeper and better contoured lounger than the others we saw and the heel holds make a big difference as to whether you will float or not. We didn't need all the bells and whistles like built in stereo, exterior lighting, and air bubble jets so we saved a lot of money and all we need to do is plug in a light and our iPod boom box. Don't get caught up in all the fancy features; focus on the hydrotherapy and the seat/jet arrangements and your own personal comfort during the wet test. My tub will be installed in about 2 weeks. I will let you all know how it goes. Steve

Here in the Hudson Valley we had local dealers for Baja, Marquis and Caldera. We wet tested the Marquis Epic and was surprised how underpowered it was for the Consumer Reports best buy. The Caldera had great therapy so we bought the C-45, a modified version of the Geneva without the air bubble pump which we thought was a waste and added nothing to the hydrotherapy. I am 6'4" and I fit comfortably in the Geneva/C-45 lounger. I can even relax in the neck jet seat without crunching down. The depth and contour of the lounger as well as the heel holds make this one of the more comfortable loungers we sat in. The 38" depth of the tub made a big difference to us. Marquis is only 34" deep across the board; too shallow. I don't think I will float much in this lounger but I will let you know. Our C-45 shipped today and should be installed in about 2 weeks. We paid $6995 at Galati Pools in Newburgh. The Geneva was $8500 list. The air bubbles, 2 extra jets and 2nd control panel were not worth $1500 to us so I think we got a great deal. The Marquis Epic was $8000 and just didn't compare to the Caldera C-45 at $1000 less. I'll bet you will be quite happy with the Niagara.