Firewire

I would generally think another month or two and they will really be feeling the hit. Although, I purchased about 2 weeks ago and got a better price than I did two weeks before that (Late August-ish).

Can this thread be saved to always be on top or something? Like a sticky note?

Great info. Thank you! I was wondering if you could add a plug outlet and you answered that for me!!! I was thinking of doing that for an easy location for the sump pump I plan on using to drain the tub when needed.

Limulus, Where is your general location? Just so we can compare locale. I will be needing a very similar setup of supplies and was quoted $800 and $1180. I live in Oklahoma City.

Here is a 3 day shot of the pad we had poured yesterday. 6" with rebar/wire mesh combo and a slight drainage slope (it's under 1 " irregardless of what my photo skills look like ). It looks like a hill, but in person the pad is nearly level. I will have some build up work to do on the right side of the pad. The concrete guy said he does a less than 1" slope on all his hot tub pads for drainage. Then I get on here and see all sorts of posts about it needing to be perfectly level and forgot the drainage! Yikes. Oh well, I will just deal with it as it is! The swim spa is about 17' X 8' so we will have plenty of room around it. I had no idea the damage a bobcat and concrete truck can do to a yard.

I'll keep my fingers crossed. I did look into the D1, but it was nearly $10K more for the 19' model I liked ($34K), plus the nearest dealer to me is 300 miles away. But the D1 does look nice! Unfortunately price was a concern this time. The more of us that get a swim spa the more info we can get out to the public I guess.

Spatech, Anything is possible I guess, but with the costs of energy these days the Sunbelt requiring both a 60 & 30 amp combined with overall price and local sales/service is one of the keys factors in at least us going with the H2X. But I'll admit, Dr Pats post did help give me that warm and cozy feeling even if it is a questionable post. From all the greAt reviews and comments, I wish Hotsprings would have had something in the swim spa line up for us consider. Important thing is that we are excited to get our first spa!

Thanks for posting that pic Peter Smit. I like what you have. I placed my order for a swim spa and opted NOT to get the cover lifter because I want to see what the cover is like first. I don't want a wall and I think that is what the dealer sells. I want what you have in the pic where is folds nice and neatly to the side. But I don't know if simply buying two of these will work with a swim spa multi section cover.

I had a quote for about a 75' run of 50 amp at $800 and 60 amp at $1100 in Oklahoma City, and I would think it would be cheaper here, but maybe that at least gives you an idea.

Are there any suggestions for Swim Spa covers? Two piece.

Your post couldn't be more timely!!! We just decided last night on the original H2X. I greatly appreciate the monthly bill info. That is very helpful to know because I planned on $100+ on the Sunbelt and $50+ on the H2X. The Swim experience info good to know as well. Do you have a cover lifter? Is it needed? Thank you for taking the time for your post!!!!!

Glad I read this post! The marketing on some websites made me think Microban was a must! Now I can save $300 and forget it. If it was free I wouldn't mind, but paying extra sounds like a waste.

Thanks for the pics. Never have owned a spa before it is good to see how easy it can be to add insulation.

But the D1 simply uses regular spa jets to create the current right??? I like the 19' length, but discarded them because of their swim system. I will take another look at them based on your suggestion. If pricing is mid-twenties or less.

Thank you for the reply! That is great to hear that you felt it is a well built spa. I have never owned a hot tub, so I am trying to sort through all the sales pitches. Your opinion from a service point of view is great as well. That is what is all really comes down to and you obviously have seen a lot more than a consumer such as myself has.

We are buying a Swim Spa and have narrowed our choices down to two. Both can be purchased and serviced locally. Sunbelt Spa - Olympic 15'7" with the 2 Badu Swim Jet System (2500 gal) Master Spas - H2X 17' with Propulsion system (2150 gal I think) One of my biggest concerns is the monthly electric bill. H2X only requires a 50 amp hook up while the Sunbelt requires a 60 amp and 30 amp hookup. I have a 200 amp panel with 7 open slots, so I am not worried about that, but what I am worried about is the over all operations costs of the higher Amped unit. I will be including a 4" cover and it will be on a 6" concrete slab. I'd like to know if the price of additional monthly electric service may sway my opinion on which spa to get. I already know the cost to install the 60/30 service is $300-$400 more, but the cost of the Sunbelt spa might be $3000-$4000 less similarly equipped. I just can't find much info on Sunbelt Spas and what little info I have found hasn't been negative really. The flash of the H2X website definitely works and makes theirs sound like the obvious choice even if it does cost more. I also looked at Hydropool, but wasn't sold on their Patented Swim Jets or cedar cabinet (instead of synthetic). Endless Pools, Swimex, etc. are just toooooo expensive for a Swim Spa that I am looking for ($20K-$24K complete and I am not sure the H2X can be had below $26K). Hydroworx uses the badu jets and has many praises, so Sunbelt has it's pluses since it uses the same technology. And Endless Pools has many praises using the propulsion, so H2X has it's pluses since it uses that technology. And I am not concerned so much with a serious swim. It's just an exercise and play place for me and my family. Considering price, the decision might be easy in that the Sunbelt is a good value (loaded out $22k w/ crane delivery and install, cover, led lights, microban, etc.). It has the Badu Swim Jets (not just a series of 6 regular jets at the end), Balboa controls, etc. The frame has me somewhat concerned in that I guess it's only wood and not steel. And the insulation I really don't know the quality of that. H2X touts the Icyelene. Thank you for any help!