Buying an Artesian Island Series, and need advice from experts!

[kelclsub]

I've done a lot of research, and have landed on the Artesian Island series for the best bang for the buck. I am going with the Isla Margarita to have the size to handle friends over with plenty of space, and also to give my kids something to swim around in (dropping the temp. to 98/99 of course for that purpose). I'm hoping to put the order in tomorrow, but wanted to get feedback from the forum on a few items I'm torn on. I have wet tested the Artesian (Cayman and Tahiti), but unfortunately, the places in my area don't have a Isla Margarita OR an Elite tub for me to try (or even a tub with footblasters). So, here are my questions:

1) Elite vs Regular. I'm going to be using the lounger when alone, but probably one of the two captains chairs when my husband is in the tub. I want a nice relaxing massage, but will probably never want a true "beat to death" experience. I've had some salesmen tell me that you're getting the same power with the Elite, but you get more control in the captains chairs. I totally want that! However, I've been told by some salesmen that you sacrifice jet power in those Captains chairs to get that control in the Elite. They explain that the elite and regular have the same total horsepower, but you're losing one large 3 HP continuous pump to gain 2x1.5 horsepower pumps...so that in the regular, the two captains chairs are splitting that 3 HP with a diverter, giving you the potential to have the full 3HP in one Captain chair...but in the elite, each captains chair is capped at it's individual power flow pump of 1.5HP. So, you're paying more money for control, but won't be able to get an adequate powerful massage when you want it. To this, the former salesman group (fans of elite) tells me I'll never feel the difference between 1.5HP and 3 HP in the Captains chair. As a side note to this elite vs. regular issue, I wonder if in the regular, my husband wants to turn the diverter down from his "half" of 1.5 HP, that would push the power to my seat, and if I also want less than 1.5...you're stuck dialing the jets to lower pressure?? Or whatever the air buttons do? I've read that diverters is the tried and true, but the control in the elite is alluring! Also, not sure if elite vs. regular affects the lounger at all? HELP!! I don't want to get the elite here, and feel disappointed with the massage, but I also don't want to pass up on the Elite if it's going to still give that same level of massage with some additional features.

2) Footblasters. I haven't been able to try it (none in my area), so it's hard to make this decision. Some salesmen tell me that the footblasters are like larger shower heads with nodules and don't give a good massage, I'm better off sticking with the small 1.5" jets around the small footwell bump in the regular margarita. Some salesman (and forum posts) say that footblasters are a GREAT massage, and a definite great choice! I'm sure it's personal preference, but any ideas on this? I also read you need to make sure to have a dedicated pump for the footblasters, and I assume the Margarita Elite has this? Not sure about the regular when you upgrade to footblasters?

3)Purification. I'm not sure the difference between the diamond and crystal AOP, and when the frog @ease is automatic or is an option... and the "nature's 2"...I was told they would include "Optix AOP/Sanitizer," and I'm not sure what that means!! I asked and he said it was the "options are there, nothing will beat AOP with Nature's 2," but since he chose not to use the terminology "diamond," I'm guessing that's better than what I'm getting??

4)Color This last one is silly, so feel free to ignore it. We like a classic look, and are going with the gray cabinet and are thinking about the white pearl or mineral white shell. It's hard to get a real picture of these color combos outside with water, but it seems that mineral white is matte, with texture, and a shiny silver that looks like a space ship? The pearl is a shiny white, with a slight silver or cream color to it??

Side note: I've been quoted $12010, $12716, and $12726 for the regular margarita with dynabrite lighting, tranquility and pillow falls, ABS, Optix AOP/sanitizer, steps/cover/install/chemical (first two won't charge tax) and $12712 and $13041 for the margarita elite with the same upgrades (won't charge tax).

Thank you!!!  

[RDspaguy]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dt9-hwS6t3pk&ved=2ahUKEwiN7vW055nqAhXCZs0KHcGWDrcQtwIwA3oECAUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0VpFmgHRHJFEJhKH1DwV3S

The AOP is a combination ozone generator and UV purifier and will work well with nature2 or spa frog mineral purifiers. None of which completely eliminate the need for chlorine or mps (non-chlorine shock). I am not sure of the difference between the crystal and diamond.

Two 1.5hp pumps use more electricity than one 3hp pump, but if only one seat is in use you will save electricity by only running one 1.5hp pump. Yes, the diverter will shift water flow from one seat to another. Not sure what control the two pumps give you.

@ratchett, @castletonia, @CanadianSpaTech, anything to add?

[kelclsub]

9 hours ago, RDspaguy said:

 

The AOP is a combination ozone generator and UV purifier and will work well with nature2 or spa frog mineral purifiers. None of which completely eliminate the need for chlorine or mps (non-chlorine shock). I am not sure of the difference between the crystal and diamond.

Two 1.5hp pumps use more electricity than one 3hp pump, but if only one seat is in use you will save electricity by only running one 1.5hp pump. Yes, the diverter will shift water flow from one seat to another. Not sure what control the two pumps give you.

Thank you! I watched the video, it was very helpful. What's the difference between nature2 and spa frog?

Do you think the elite and regular will give a similar pressure massage?

Any thoughts on the footblaster vs 1.5" jets dome?

[RDspaguy]

Spa frog and nature2 both use silver and copper ion to reduce contaminants in the water. The frog@ease system has a sanitizer component, where nature2 requires you add sanitizer manually, which is my recommendation after each use.

I am not familiar with this brand so can't give you a recommendation on anything brand specific. I work on all brands. I would assume your assessment is correct in that the two pump system is a set pressure to each seat but the diverter allows you to shift flow and reduce one seat while increasing the other. I still am not clear on the additional control that the 2 pump system is supposed to provide. Are they variable speed pumps?

[kelclsub]

I've attached the pump layout.

2016-ISLAND-ELITE.pdf