FAUguy

Looks nice. Just wondering why you went with the J280 and not one of the J300-series models?

Just took a look at their web sites for those two brands and models. Did a dealer search, and nothing in the Ft Lauderdale area. Closest is Naples and Port Charlotte on the west coast of FL. Since you have a jacuzzi dealer nearby (I assume since you were looking at the 315 and 325) take a peek at the J-210 round spa. It is a very nice looking spa but I never wet tested or seen in person because A) My jacuzzi dealer sells nordic and steers round tub buyers that route; jacuzzi is priced at a premium in my area and the J-210 was way more $ than the first spas I referenced and C) The warranty was not as good either. The warranty issue may not be that big of a deal as the spas are quite simple and well made but it was one more factor. Really, it should be down in that $4K price range. It has two foot jets, varied level seating and nice looking shell and cabinet. Sundance also has a nice round spa that I did not look at for the same reasosn as the jacuzzi - same dealer but they sell them in different stores. Beachcomer also has a nice very well made round spa. If this is your first spa one thing you may discover is that sometimes you will stay right in front of the jets and kick back but often you will move from seat to seat to be higher and cooler or where the jets hit you differently. Sometimes you will just have jets off and sit in the hot water. One thing I like about the round spa with a whirlpool jet (I beileve all the ones I have mentioned have them) is that you can find a seat without jets or turn the jets off and just sit in the swirling water. It really is a nice effect and quite different from the direct jetting which in most spas in mainly on different areas of the back. FYI, I have a round spa, a D1 Arena which I love, but it is higher than your price rannge. The only J-200 series spa they had on display was the J-230 for $5800 or $4999 for the floor model. They said it wasn't a big seller, so they wanted to get rid of the floor model to put something else there in its place. I didn't see the J-210 there (round spa). The problem I an having is that all these other Spa Manufactures everyone is mentioning isn't in the S.E. Florida area. Most are on the west coast or north FL, 3-8 hour drive from Ft Lauderdale. It's hard to believe that the spa dealers down here only carry Jacuzzi, Leisure Bay, and Hot Springs. At this point, the only one (that I've seen in person) that I like enough is the J-325, since each seat had a different jet configuration, and it can work in a normal 120V/15A outlet. I read through the on-line manual for the 300 series and noticed 2 things: A) Even though the J-315/325 come with a pre-installed 120V/15A plug, it can be removed so it can work on a 240/30A line, which in doing so would boost the heater from 1kw to 4kw and it can heat the same time the pump is on, and B ) On the 2010 model there is a 'heat override' by pressing a button combination that can set the water temp to 106, past the normal 104 limit.

Just looked that one up, and it requires 20A service, I have a 15A plug.

Took a look at the Costco Site and none currently listed are for 120V/15A.

Ok, Just looked at Nordic, closest is St Lucie West. Weird why none of these have any dealers in the Palm Beach/Ft Lauderdale/Miami area.

Just took a look at their web sites for those two brands and models. Did a dealer search, and nothing in the Ft Lauderdale area. Closest is Naples and Port Charlotte on the west coast of FL.

I'm looking to purchase a spa later this year (in the south FL area) to have on my outside patio. We would prefer a standard 120V/15A spa, as that would not require any additional electrical work since there is a covered GFCI 120V/15A plug outside already. From what I can find, the only models that are compatible are Jacuzzi J-315& J-325, and Rec Warehouse 'Big Easy' model. We were at Rec Warehouse last week, which carries spas from a manufacture called Leisure Bay, and there was other 110V models (such as the Hilo), but required a 20A outlet and breaker on a dedicated line, which we were told would run about $400-500 to install. The 220/240V with 40-60A dedicated line would be pushing $1200. This was more than we wanted to spend just for electrical work, so the alternative is using a standard 120V/15A spa. The only one there at Rec Warehouse that could use a standard wall socket was this Big Easy model ($3800), and I didn't care for it. It looks horrible and doesn't even have a real water heater, as it uses a 'heat recovery' system from the pump motor to heat the water. So the other day I went to a local Jacuzzi dealer that has the J-315 and J-325, as both of those can use a standard outlet. Since I had by swim suite with me, I was able to get into the J-315 (yes it did have water in it and was plugged in) and tried it out. It was nice and I liked the jets, but since I'm tall (6'4"), my legs felt a bit cramped on the lounge seat since the water filter was down on that end. I had to sit in one of the other bucket seats to have enough leg room. I also got in the J-325 (but no water in it), and felt more comfortable as there was more leg room down in the foot-well. (I just wish the J-325 had a lounge on one side.) The J-315 was about $5300 and the J-325 about $6100 (installed with cover). Our target price range was about $4500 at the high-end, but I just can't seem to find anything else. I wouldn't mind having a 220/240V line put in, but not at $1200. So in this situation, are there any other brands & models of spas that are good quality that can work in a standard 120V/15A outlet? Suggestions are welcome!