spatech (the unreal one)

This site could use a spellchecker and a truthchecker.

That is half misleading and half untrue. For simplicity, just make sure the spa you are considering is UL or ETL listed. They check the spas out to make sure they are compliant and safe to use.

I agree that all spas will feel good to varying degrees but some will stand out. However, not all spas will FIT good. The fit thing is very important as some lounges will not work for some people. Some seats are too deep or too shallow. Some have grab rails where your head rests. Etc. BTW, Jim's spas are not the real issue so you may like the feel of his and maybe even the fit. The issue if you purchase from him is the person you've entrusted your $$ with and the idea that he is going to be able to somehow service your needs from afar (we've seen the reults of this).

If you have a circulation pump that runs 24/7 then ozone does as well. If you don't have a circ pump but instead use a 2-speed pump for filtration then ozone runs the amount of filtering time you set (typically 4-8 hrs/day). People sometimes want ozone but price is a consideration to some. UV systems are the cheapest but CD is better. As Chas noted, not all CDs are alike so the one he's talking about obviously costs more than the basic CD types. It depends on what you're willing to spend but I'm an ozone fan because I've seen what it can do for you (at the same time, it HELPS keep the water clean but it is not the be all and end all).

Well said, both are good spa brands. Therefore, don't worry so much about which one other people like but rather take a wet test and see which fits/feels best to you.

So-so quality, very high prices, no chance to wet test, getting service can be a chore (no local dealer), too many storeis of people not getting delivered what they expoected. Find a local dealer making a better product with local service and probably less $$. I'd recommend Hot Springs, Sundance, Marquis, Caldera and D1 though there are many others I would also suggest before T-spas.

I think I could handle that.

In reality, the manufacturers that sell the vast majority of portable tubs (Hot Springs, Sundance, Jacuzzi, Caldera, Marquis, D1 and others) make full foam spas. They make high quality, very well insulated products where leaks in the foam are an exception. If that does happen, it is in fact usually quite simple to repair. Ignore the gloom and doom stories you hear from non-full foam salesmen, that is simply a sales tactic and an opinion. If you like non-full foam spas take a look at makers such as Arctic, Coleman, Master, etc. but they are simply another alternative, not the "answer".

That's probably an old UV type and I'd be surprised if it's even doing anything for you anymore.

Then how does a professional drain a pool to avoid this?

It seems you're torn and looking for something to say "Aha, that answers it for me!" but in reality I don't think there are any serious differences in cost of operation and maintenance between the two spas. BTW, I would recommend trying Nature II with chlorine. I have great luck with it and pass it on to others.

I was only covering it from the dealer standpoint since people seem to think these extreme markups happen there mostly. We certainly could go back to the manufacturer. Maybe we should look at their suppliers as well. If everyone would just work for minimum wage then I could buy things much cheaper and live like a KING (after all, my earnings would of course remain constant ).

Before that there are (to name but a FEW) the delivery to the dealer, the dealer's monthly lease for their store, the dealer's business expenses (insurance, etc.), a profit for the dealer to live on, the sales person's commision and THEN the delivery, setup, support, etc. People think there are huge mark-ups on spas but really its just a matter of doing business no different than the furnature store, appliance store, etc.

but from the pictures I saw, I wonder if that isn't just a molding issue but maybe also an issue of sitting out in the sun uncovered and warping a bit? BTW Susmari, Beachcomber is a fine product. Wet test it and see how well it fits/feels.

This is at the heart of the matter SpaMan. Jim is gripping that his product is not UL/ETL listed and wants to bring a major spa manufacturer down to his level so he can say "SEE, they're not UL/ETL listed either so it must not matter that mine isn't". Unfortunately, Jim can't find another spa out there that is not UL/ETL listed so he's on his own taking the chance of selling them to owners and running into issues later.

That is a very good point. Most news spas will feel good. They will not necessarily all "fit" you well but the hot water and jets will feel good. Pay attention to whether it seems sturdy, what your dealer is like and how long they've been around and whether the manufacturer is known to be good about covering their warranty.

Well, if you won't wet test and really want an opinion on a short list I'd go with D1 or Caldera. If you're willing to spend more time you could include Master, Coleman and Beachcomber to get a larger mix. I don't know much about Vita or Leisure. I wouldn't go with Thermospas. If Costco, Sears and Home Depot offer spas you'll find they're selling what appeals to the pocket at point of purchase but you get less up front, quality can be so-so and the warranties aren't as strong or well backed IMO. Of course it's personal preference and you really have to wet test and make the call for what feels best for you...

Is that good or bad? I've never heard of Spa Crest.

What would you prefer, a spa that had two 3hp pumps and a hydromassage that felt so-so to you OR a spa with two 2 HP pumps that gave you a massage that made your eyes roll over in your head? There is more to designing and building a quality spa than simply hooking up a couple pumps and throwing a big number of the marketing brochure. Take a wet test and decide which spa fits and feels best for you and your family. This is a major investment; invest the time to find out which spa is best for you.

I love that catapult method of getting the spa off the truck.

I'm guessing another state, another name, another industy to "conquer".

That's Jim's legal strategy!

I had a good response for that but I don't think it would make it past the moderator.

IMO, I think it comes down to #2,3 for Hot Springs vs #1 for D1. The no bypass filtration is nice but the D1 filters fine too. The D1 shell is fine but I wouldn't worry about either here. BTW, the "lifetime" warranty from D1 is good but not what many think it is and can be confusing. In the fine print you'll find that it's really 100% covered the first 7 years (maybe more but I think it's 7) but after that you'd have to pay for removal, shipping to/from the manufacturer to be fixed. That's a fine warranty but not exactly the "lifetime" many assume it to be. Sounds like a tough decidion for you so take a bit of time and think it through. You'll be happy either way.

VERY good advice both on what to do for vacation and on the comment that Nature II will not work without some chlorine use.