Hi All
Interesting reads on this site. Trying to find some clear answers. Built my yard last year for a max 89x89 tub (deck encloses 3 sides - deck is 24 inches high). checked out artic, jucuzzi, sunrise, bc and sundance. big factors for me are:
- size - since tub sizes are edge of acrylic to edge, panel wall dims are a couple more inches inside of the acrylic edge - i want a tub to fill the deck hole as closely as possible to save accidents (small kids) and for asthetics
- large cooling steps - wife likes the idea for her and kids, i do too for easier entrance, deck is 24 inches high, most tubs are 36+
- warranty
- over all size for seating (family of 5, and my 3 kids will only get bigger), more open area tub than cockpit style
- operating cost - chemicals aside, energy costs, regular maintence items
budget - max $8500 all in
so far:
-Jucuzzi sizing is at best 84x84, so i have to fill spaces around my deck
-Arctic - too cockpit, no real steps, 84x84, heard of leak issues b/c they do not use insulation for structure
-Sunrise - seems little info out there on them, 84x84, 1 off from dealer and wrong colours
so...its come down to bc 380 or sundance hartford 680 - both the right size but there is a $1000 delta - sundance is $1000 cheaper, has 2 pumps + circ, 42 jets, more jets and seems to have a better filtration model. bc is 23 jets (stainless), one pump+hush, and its 3.5 hp main, but has a more accomodating interior footprint - big wide steps for cooling would fit all 3 kids on the first one easily. sundance has no steps, thats a downer for us.
read jeff in whitby's post...if the sundance 880's 2 motors are way more powerful than the bc 750's 2 motors...then i will likely see a large difference b/t the power of the sundance hartford 680 with 2 pumps vs the bc 380 single 3.5 hp pump. this, alomng with price and its size (footprint in deck) is largely why i am looking closer at the sundance. as well, the bc warranty is 2 year everything, 5 year shell and lifetime contruction....sundance seems better, 3 year all moving parts, 5 year leak/shell.
i like the bc dealer better. sundance dealer really bad mouthed bc dealer.
i'd appreciate any opinions b/t the two tubs
- general quality
- performance
- filtration (not going with uv bulb or ozone)
- maint costs
- energy costs
- insulation (bc says icyline foam vs sundance open and closed cell foam)
- comments on leak frequency
- warranty
thanks folks.