awolf

Just curious .. how did you compare the Chairman the Cameo?

I spent the last month in a similar search. Wanted Sundance Optima, but couldn't get comfortable when I finally wet tested - had to get the dealer to move the water from another tub. Same issue with J-365. Never tested a 400 series. Loved the Hot Springs moto massage on the lounge in the Aria, but that is a small tub and poor space usage. Never wet tested the Envoy, but thought the seating was a bit kooky. The next step up was the grandee or vista - just too big and I was leaning back toward needing a lounge. My sense is that Hotsprings is a good quality, poor seating design, and expensive. Initally wanted, then talked myself out, then ended up loving lounges when wet testing. Ended up buying a D1 Chairman. Best of all worlds as near as I figured. Now waiting for delivery ......

I am going to buy a Chairman today .. I think. Do you use the Aqua Finess treatment system they recommend with their tubs?

Mark and Packman - do you guys use the D1 "Aqua Finess"? That is what comes with the tub. It seems like a pretty expensive treatment process. I think I am going to pull the trigger on the Chairman today and buy it ; )

Mark and Packman - do you guys use the D1 Aq

Thanks for the links! Do I understand that using the Silvier Ionizer that many dealers promote is NOT an option with D1? Or just not their Vision Cartridge?

Thanks! Since I live in an area that will have snow in the winter, can I add the 'daily' Cl before getting in? Or would I need to go back out and add it after soaking (less desireable to go back out then ....) I need to go read up on why the Ozonator increases Cl demand. Must facilitate some reaction that scavanges Cl- ions? Also, The D1 salesman says I need their system, which is a weekly treatment, but it costs $150 for about 5 months of supply. I need to understand what the product is. (any help there?)

I am still shopping. While I am at it, I have heard many different approaches for how to maintain germ-free operations with everything from daily Cl treatment to Br floaters to silver catalysts to Ozone to UV. Is there a thread here that compares the methods on effectiveness AND operating costs to help me understand what I am in for. Is it brand dependent e.g. will D1 be different than Hot Springs or Sundance? Thanks

All I know is that I was sure I was going to get an Optima. Then, I wet tested it and completely changed my mind. However, I also wasn't a huge fan of the J-365, wet. So, that style of tub just isn't right for me. I am now leaning toward a D1 Chaiman, if I can can stomach the big price increase, maybe a D1 Californian, but there are non to look at, let alone wet test. I love the Hotsprings Motomassage, but their tub configurations are goofy. If only the Envoy just had two seats where that extra captains chair is .... My search continues as well. Everytime I read from someone who bought a slightly lower tier tub like Hot Spot, I think that maybe those will be great and just fine, instead of all the bells and whistles on these high end tubs. I just want to make sure I get a really nice back massage. good luck ...

Thanks, pig! Can you tell me what make you have? Since you are the same height as me, could be usefull

thanks! Interesting advice! No wet 200s around here, but I'll keep my eye out.....

Thanks Savant. Yes the Envoy is intriquing. I really WISH that instead of that driver's seat, they just had a corner and a middle or even cooling off seat. I guess I want the Vanguard with the Envoy's lounge, or something like that ...... Flair looks interesting .. haven't seen one of those yet. I do really like the moto massage .... other dealers bad mouth it, but it felt great in the wet Aria (which is just too small and really bad use of space where they could have had another seat).

Well, 3 weeks into the search and I am very frustrated. I have $ burning a hole in my pocket but have not found the right spa yet. Thought it would be the SD Optima. But, wet tested today and, along with the Jacuzi J-365, I have determined that dome in the middle is NOT for me. I can't sit comfortably with my feet against the dome and when I stretch them out and over it, I float out of seat. So - back to loungers. (This also nixes D1 Nautilus) Found 3 tubs that are pretty comfy dry. None had water in them. Anybody have any experience with the following: ? SD Hamilton - I am still not a huge fan of SD jets after wet testing Cameo and Optima. But the layout seems nice. This one was DRY D1 Latitude or Californian - I wet tested the D1 Diplomat and really liked the the lounger and the other seats EXCEPT the goofy short mini lounge. Neither my wife or I fit. I want the Chairman (not on floor), but it is really pricey. So am thinking about the latitude or californian.. D1 Californian. Since I liked the Diplomat, this might be a good move (no goofy mini lounge). Not on floor AND the jet layout doesn't look near as nice as diplomat or chairman. Same price as diplomat. Latitude will be cheaper ... HS Hot Spot Tempo. Looked like a pretty nice shape, dry. Except the jets go right up your spine on the lounger. Any experience/suggestions with these tubs Thanks!

Thanks so far .. this helps. Wet testing in NM is trickier than other places. Dealers often only have one tub with water, if any (and its a couple hours for me - joys of living in the stix). The Optima is too large to reach the far side as near as I can tell. Hoping to try a D1 this weekend, if I can get him to move the water from a smaller tub. I dry tested a hamilton - seemed like a pretty nice rig. Wish it had water .... ; (

I have posted in a few threads but not gotten any specific feedback on this. The question is how do you like or dislike your foot domes? What are the pros and cons? If you like it, how tall are you? Do you have any issues with being cramped when you put your feet on it? Do you need to use it to brace yourself in your seat when the jets are on? Looking at SD Optima, Jacuzzi J-365, maybe others. Thanks in advance

On the Jacuzzi 365, how do you like the foot dome? I wet tested and felt either scrunched up or when I stretched my legs over it, I sort of floated away out of the seat (6'1" here). Trying to figure out if I was using it wrong .....

Packfan .. how is it with that dome in the middle? Do you stretch your legs over it? Or pull your legs in and put your feet on it to brace you in the seat? How tall are you? Thanks! (only center dome tub I have wet tested is J365, so very interested)

Hi What did you like better about the 470 over the Optima? I am shopping now and and conflicted over what tub to get .. thx

Curious about the J365. I just wet tested it. When I didn't pull my legs in to put my feet on the dome, I stretched out and sort of floated away when the jets are on. I am 6'1" and 210lbs...... Did you find a comfy position when you wet tested?

Interesting.... since we don't have any D1s to wet test here, but there is a dealer who will order, I am curious what you like about the D1 over the Optima. I was ready to buy the optima, but at 6'1" found it too cramped when I put my feet on the dome in the middle. Thanks!

I am in a similar boat! Thought I was set to buy a Sundance Optima. But the dealers don't have a wet one and I am very concerned about being scrunched up when I put my heals on the dome in the middle. I wet tested the Jacuzzi J-365 (very similar layout as Optima) and didn't like that when I braced myself into the corner seat with my heal on the dome, I was too cramped up. I am only 6' - nothing outrageous there. When I stretched my legs out, I floated out of the seat and got no massage. This is very troublesome as I am ready to spend $ and just can't find a configurate that I like. I wet tested the HotSprings Aria and LOVED the motomassage. The other seats were all pretty comfy too. This tub would be the easy winner IF it had one and a half more seat instead of that stupid longe ledge. ugh. The dealer sugested I get the HOTSPINGS ENVOY. He doesn't have one in stock. Looks pretty nice. Seems like 450 gal for a tub that can not hold more than 5 people is a bit much. If only they had designed it with a regular corner and then a half (cool off) seat. That then takes me up to the 500 gal Vista. Also none in stock to try. So here is what I have: Sundance Cameo - wet tested - lounge isn't very comfy Sundance Optima - price is good. A bit large. Don't like the bump in middle - worried about being able to relax stretched out. No wet test Jacuzzi J365 - wet tested. Didn't like the bump in the middle. sort of floated away. hard to relax Sundance Aria - wet tested. Loved the lounge. Overall seemed too small for my family of 4 (and any friends) Sundacne Envoy - no wet test. Concerned that they could have made room for 2 instead of just one with that weird 5th seat. Sundance Vista - would need to order. 500 gallons .. hmmmm Currious if anyone loves their's Cal Spa - wet tested. Total slimebag saleman - he said that's what they are trained to do. Would never go back. Looks like poor reviews online too Caldera: I didn't look at any seriously. Maybe I need to start Sundance Hamilton: Step down - maybe just fine? Cal Looking for other ideas and experiences. Thanks!!!!

Curious about the EcoWrap. Are you glad you got it? I live at 7000 feet in NM - snow in winter. ALso, how are you liking the Optima? Can't wet test here in NM, but it looks like a good tub. Comparing it with A Jacuzzi 365. How is that hump on the floor? THanks!

Two Dogs - When you wet tested the Sundance Cameo, what DIDN'T you like about the jets? I am leaning toward getting the Cameo, but, where we live, wet testing is very difficult. Thanks!

Hi all, Brand new here. I am shopping for a new spa. Currently looking at Sundance Cameo or Hamilton and L.A. Spa HEET or AVALON. I have heard good reviews of Sundance. But, I seemed to have read somewhere that their jets "itch" or cause sting due to too sharp of a jet. Does anyone here have any experience on comments on this issue? Also interested if anyone knows if L.A. Spas are any good at all. Where I live (N. New Mexico), it is very hard to wet test spas, unfortunately. Many thanks!