mtnguy

Pete, you didn't really say what your vision of spa use is: relaxation, therapy, etc. If it's the latter especially, absolutely positively wet test the dang things. All the stats re the hardware sometimes don't translate into an effective therapeutic experience. Re: lounge chairs, traditional ones create floating for lots of users; some units have a modified chair ("adirondack chair" is one label) that allows you to brace without floating. You probably know, but if not, you'll learn some tubs are much deeper. Jacuzzi about 38" on many models, Marquis about 35". (I'm 6'2" but was surprised I felt much more comfy in the shallower depths.) Personally, I'd also weigh carefully the longevity and history of service from the vendor -- as much as you can research this -- as well. In the current market, some less stable companies won't be there down the road.

fms, how about posting a pic? I'm intrigued!

Anyone know if I can use (or need to toss), some older bottles of MPS I found in storage today? By the same manufacturer and looks identical to the stuff on the shelves at my dealer, but probably 3 years old or so. Thanks for any insight!

New spa owner; what do folks recommend to apply to spa cover? Lots of cold and brutal sunlight here in Colorado. Is there a good product NOT "designed for spa covers" that is generally recommended?

Same dimensions as my wife and I! But I found the Jacuzzi models (some I think were 38" high) too deep for my own comfort and my wife floated like an inner tube. We ended up with a 35" model and the positions of its particular seating works well for each of us. (I tend to end up in the deeper therapy seat and she in the higher adirondack therapy chair.) It's the old "wet test" "wet test" "wet test" and if you are married | partnered, you better "do it together", yes?

I just had a Covermate III Cover lifter installed, but the bracket that mounts on the spa is made of plastic (the one on the dealer showroom is metal). It seems pretty vulnerable given the corner radius of the tub (attaching screws must be fairly recessed from corner and this allows much flex with the plastic structure of the bracket). Do others have experience with this lifter? Is my concern legitimate? Do they still make in metal? Thanks for any insight.

Matt, if there is any way you justify the higher pricepoint, the Epic (Marquis) likely will impress you with its hydrotherapy "force". My wife and I were very impressed after wet testing it compared with some other spas.

Hi, folks, I'm new to the forum, but I absolutely echo these comments about wet testing. My wife and I fell in love with a Marquis Epic after a "full baptism" wet test and after several other spas seemed "puny" in their actual therapeutic potential. That's all subjective, of course, but to us, it was HUGELY determinative of our choice of spas. It's a little weird but most dealers let you come in just at closing ... For us, the wet test swayed us from Jacuzzi to Marquis, but again, for others, the opposite might take place. For me, the "hand in the spa" wouldn't give me enough feedback to assess the spa.

Just purchased and began using 2009 Marquis Epic. We are new to the trizone controls scheme but when I went to dealer to learn more, I noticed their 2008 zone control knobs are molded slightly different, with a definite pointer aspect. (In contrast, the 2009 control is bisymmetrical; there is no pointing end showing what zone is being controlled.) The older model has some colored markings and a number on each position as well. Does anyone know why Marquis changed the knobs and whether I can order some old ones and replace them. They clearly tell the user what will happen with the different positions. (I am not sophisticated enough to know, but I wondered if the zones are actually being managed differently in the 2009 Epic. In the 2008, when in the full adirondack chair, it seemed to me you could control ALL areas of therapy, not only feet,legs and butt, but also the back. In the 2009 (unless I don't know what I am doing), you can control the feet, legs and butt with one zone position, but to control the back you are required to get up and move the zone position control. This might explain why the actual knobs were changed? Or am I imagining or missing something?) Thanks for any help. Newbie!

Dave, do you use that funny square "pad" as the water inlet|pickup with this pump? Is that why you later note this will not scratch the tub?