Nfuego

I wish I could help you more, but I've only had mine for 2 weeks... But, I sure would like to hear the answers you requested as well! I never thought about asking the questions that you did before my purchase....but definitely great questions...

Sounds to me like the LA salesman just did a better sell. Tell the guy he's getting 5 HP and the other guy is only offering 2.5 HP but they will both feel good. As a guy we say.....argggggg 5 is better!! Deceptive is what that is and good salesmanship! Nothing more. Absolutely not... Some folks just read what they want to read....don't they?

Waterbear, I'm ANGRY! LOL! I thought I had completely decided what I should buy...the ColorQ... Now, you have given me a choice that is half the price! Thanks a lot, pal! GRIN! Seriously, I really appreciate your time and advice!

I agree 100%. I think the funniest salesperson was the Hot Springs saleswoman. Admittedly, we went in to the store leary because my wife had called the day before and the woman was very short answered...kind of gruff... But, while we were looking, she saw that we had pamphlets from Caldera and LA Spas. She started saying how BAD Caldera Spas were AFTER admitting that the same people made Caldera that make Hot Springs. She never said anything about the LA Spas. She said that the company had tried to get her to sell Caldera in her showroom, but she refused. I'm sure the truth is, she couldn't sell Caldera because someone else in town was already selling Caldera when Hot Springs bought them out. We were considering a Caldera because of the size. The salespeople at the dealership I bought my LA Spa from actually was telling me things that discounted what I thought was so much better about the LA Spa OVER the Caldera! The LA Spa has 2 - 5 HP pumps. The Caldera had a 1 1/2 and a 2 or a 2 and a 2.5. Instead of bashing Caldera, he explained that both would be sufficient and enjoyable. What a concept!

Thanks very much for your reply waterbear... I really appreciate your opinion. Can you give me a short run-through on how a test kit like the Taylor you mention works? What learning curve is there for a novice? Is it all based on color? Do you have to be EXACT with measurements?

If this truly becomes an issue for me later and I find that cartridges would be a financial benefit, I am sure you could make your own converter using PVC Size Converters from Lowes.

That maybe so, and perhaps I dont have to wash the filters weekly, the dealer who set up the spa said I dont have to wash filters that often. But all I keep reading on this forum is people having problems with water chemistry and various types of goo etc. I have not any water chemistry issues apart from a high PH in the first week. Once this was brought under control my spa has been easy to maintain with no water quality issues. That suits me fine a few extra washes and no water chemistry problems = more time to relax in the clean spa. I can't comprehend why people think tossing 3 cloth items in a washing machine and pushing "Gentle" is so difficult.

That is also the only thing I would like different on my HEET. I have found on this forum that quite a few people post negative comments about La Spas. However I dont think any of those people own a La Spa. We find the hydropherapy is excellent in our spa. In my opinion some of the more expensive makes are no better and sometimes worse than my spa. There are lots of companies to buy spas from and as long as people are happy with their choice that is all that should matter. There was a comment about low quality jets, are Waterway a low quality manufacturer then? As for tips I run the filter cycle twice a day for half an hour, I clean the filters more often than my dealer and the manual says, I also check my water daily, as yet I have had no water quality issues. Nfuego Most importantly keep enjoying your spa. Thanks Stuart... As I stated in here, one of the biggest reasons for my purchase was the dealer. They are the best in town. I figured if the best dealer and most helpful dealer that provides the best service in town sells LA Spas, that was enough for me. So far so good...and NO...there has been no lack of enjoyment...even in this heatwave! I also run the filter cycle twice daily for 30 minutes and have been cleaning the filters often. Thanks for your comments!

The reason is they are a low quality spa that is overpriced. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy your spa and have years of trouble free service. And there we run into the major problem of this forum... Sales Ego, Ownership Ego, whatever you want to call it. No example or reason of your opinion. Just cutting down a purchase with no experience or reason for doing so. I looked at a LOT of spas and read a lot of forums and have found NO ONE that actually owns a LA SPA model that has any MAJOR complaints. When we were shopping, we would take in our brochures from one store or the mail to each place we were looking. When a salesperson looked at what we were looking at and started bashing this company or that company, they made my mind up immediately! I don't need to do business with someone that has to bash another model to make theirs look good.

Thanks DJS. We really liked everything about the LA Spas models...all of them actually. I'm really surprised they aren't more popular on this board. But, I don't really care if they are popular or not! I just want something that is worth my purchase...and from what I have experienced so far, I don't think I could be happier with any other brand. If you have any tips or comments, please let me know! Do you have the Ultimate Water Management system or the ozonator? I didn't get either one...

I don't see very many posts on here regarding LA Spas Hot Tubs, so I thought I would post my experience. We live in Springfield, Illinois. Pleasure Pool and Spa is the dealer for LA Spas in town. They were our first choice of where to buy a spa when we started looking because we used to live near their store and had an above ground pool. I used to go there to have them test my pool water and recommend chemicals for me. The people that work there are very helpful. With that said, we nearly decided we were purchasing from them before we even looked at any tubs. When we first started looking, we visited the store and found a model by the name of HEET. We considered buying that floor model, but when the time came, it had sold. So, we started looking at other retailers and brands. We visited at Caldera Dealer and really liked one of their models because it was smaller. We were putting our hot tub inside an existing screened in deck on the back of our house. We had an existing doorway that was 36" wide and the Caldera was only 35 inches tall compared to most other models that were 36 inches tall. When I saw that I wouldn't have to take apart my deck, I really wanted that model. It was a lot cheaper, too...and was sold from an unincorporated section of Springfield that did not charge the extra 1.75% tax that was charged in the rest of the city...Hey, money is money! It didn't have some of the features we really wanted...some of the frilly things. We then looked at some other brands. I don't remember all of them, but we looked at Hot Springs and PDC Spas and a couple of other brands. We really liked the Hot Springs and the PDC, although the PDC has external pumps with a large wooden cover which we thought would take up way too much room on our deck because we would have still needed to add a step for my wife (She's short). We also looked at a lot of other brands online. We got new brochures in the mail nearly every day. We wanted to make sure we bought something that could be serviced locally in Springfield, Illinois. I didn't want to wait for someone to drive from Peoria or Decatur which kept us from considering a Master Spa. So, we ended up right back at Pleasure Pool and Spa and sat down to crunch some numbers. We decided on the Oasis model. It is 9" smaller than the HEET, but still has the same number of seats. Some leg room is lost and the half seat is not included, but this seemed to be the best choice for us. Size was an issue because of the enclosed deck area. We went in asking for a price quote. We upgraded to the two - 5HP pump system with 52 jets instead of the 31. We wanted the air blower, 2 waterfalls (backlit), 4 light package with the different colored lights, standard shell and cabinet...no stereo or tv (we have them out on the deck already). We walked out with a sales receipt. We bought it right then and there. $8000 out the door...which is high, but I thought pretty reasonable. They ordered it and installed it about 3 weeks later. We've had it for two weeks. Aside from the water problems I have described in another post, our experience has been very good. We've had a couple little issues. One of the diverters popped off. It sure puts on a display when that happens! It is amazing how much water is pushed through a hot tub! I had to put plumbers tape on the threads and screw the diverter back on. Our control pad for the on/off buttons for the pumps, lights, air blower, temp settings has a crack over the #2 pump on/off button. We called our dealer and they are ordering a new cover and will come out and replace it. When they do that, I am going to tell them about the diverter popping off so, if it ever needs replaced, they will know it was a problem from the beginning...and hopefully would cover that fix if needed. All in all, we are very pleased with the hot tub. We really like the filter system and being able to toss the filters in the washing machine instead of replacing cartridges. I have read on here that some people have had to replace the filters after a couple of washes. I have not had that experience. We have had to wash them at least 9 times in 2 weeks (recommended washings every other day in the first weeks of setting up) because of the swimsuit suds problem we had. We toss them in the washing machine ALONE on a delicate cycle wash with a little bleach. We are very happy that we upgraded to the 52 jets instead of the 31. I don't really think going from 52 to 59 (and 3 pumps) would be worth the money, but I may be wrong. The seat in the 52 jet system that has about 20 jets to itself is incredible. The lounger is very comfortable. I wish I could turn off the two jets for your hands when in the lounger...other than that, everything is great. The waterfalls and backlighting is very nice. The other corner seat that has a raised seat is a bit too short for me. I can't put my back against the jets and my shoulders under the shell at the same time, but this all works out well for us. I am 6' and my wife is 4' 11". She has an inflatable booster seat to use in the other seats and I mostly use the lounger and corner seat that has all the jets anyway. I can't think of anything else to write...if anyone has comments or questions, I'd be happy to discuss!

Just a quick note to all that have viewed this topic. I re-entered the hot tub last night after 4 days of working on the water chemical levels. All is well today. No skin problems. I was amazed how the levels of chlorine dove off after a 30 minute soak. I know now to check the chemicals after using.

Spawning from this post yesterday: www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8269 The topic of Electronic Water Testers was discussed...and I being the newbie that already has had problems with my water...and problems reading those silly test strips, would like to know who uses an electronic water tester. If you do, do you like it? Is it difficult to use? Is it quick and painless? I see that they need cartridges of some sort. Are they expensive? What type of you use? I am looking at: LaMotte ColorQ Pro 7 and have been recommended LaMotte Pocket Colorimeter 4A Are the refills approx. the same overall cost? Do they work similar? Opinions?

Thanks very much SugarBear. I went to that website and was surprised to see the ColorQ PRO 7 Water Analyzer, Complete Kit - was reasonable. I assumed it would be very expensive... Before I jump the gun and purchase this item, has anyone else used the ColorQ Pro 7?

Just a note...the "Stabilizer" I use must be another bottle of chemical that I have called "Alkalinity Plus"...