Greetings... And Could Use A Little Guidance.

[F15eWeapon]

Hello fellow forum members!

My wife and I have begun spa shopping in the past week or so, and we're narrowing things down. I've been reading nearly every thread on here learning as much as possible, and here is where we are at.

We want a spa for a couple of reasons. #1.. hydrotherapy Having a good soak with the right jets after a long day doing yard work or walking around Busch Gardens is just the best thing ever. We sleep better, and just generally feel better. #2. Entertaining. We have a good group of friends that are quite comfortable with each other, and I want a spa with room for 6 to 8 of us to enjoy some close company, typically with very mild jet useage, or at least a way to really mellow out the water action.

We don't want a lounger...we'd rather have the max space available for company. We also will only be buying from a local dealer that has a long reputation with our community. The 3 companies locally that fit the bill carry Dimension One, Jacuzzi Premium, and Hot Springs. Another very important factor for me is ease of care, and being able to enjoy as few chemicals as possible. I'm reasonably chemically sensitive, and having spent time in some friends very low end hot tubs, have found that bromine is easier on me, but still makes me itch terribly for 3 or 4 days. (but that's after a 3-4 hour exposure) Another friends chemical composition was clearly messed up, as I felt terribly dry skin within 10 minutes of being in the tub, and then had to deal with dry throat and a nasty chlorine taste in my mouth for a few hours. Needless to say I'm not going to be going for a dip at his place anytime soon.

The models that seem to fit our interests as far as layout and size are the D1 Nautilus, the Jacuzzi J-365, and the Hot Springs Grandee.

Here are my thoughts on each model so far. I have only done a wet test on the Grandee, and will do wet testing on the other 2 models this afternoon.

The Grandee is definitely a large tub, but when we sat in it, it just didn't FEEL as big as the others, which I find strange actually. Three of the seats sat very upright... which I actually didn't care for at all. The corner seats were much more comfortable. The Grandee has dual moto massagers... in the end I found them to be pretty gimmicky. When wet testing I kept floating out of the seat, and it was a struggle to stay planted to enjoy the jets properly. The foot jets were powerful and felt great, but they weren't very accessible for everyone in the tub. While I was impressed with the total level of filtration on the unit, (325 Sq. ft. I believe) and understanding the concept of not having a bypass, apparently filtering all the water it's actually circulating at the pumps (according to the sales guy, so taken with a grain of salt there), I just don't know if I like the idea of swapping out 5 filters for $50 a pop every couple of years. That will definitely add to the expense of the tub. Does anyone know if that much filtration is actually overkill? In comparison, the Jacuzzi has only 60 sq. feet of filtration, but also bypasses the filter in the system in part. The cost of the Grandee is approx. 10k... 11k once you add in chemicals,cover, lift and delivery + setup.

I will edit my post with my final thoughts on the Jacuzzi and D-1 as soon as I wet test.. but I welcome any and all comments in the meantime.

[Trigger]

Hey f-15.

You are looking at 3 decent brands of tubs and are spot on with the wet testing. Good luck.

I assume you do know you can run Bromine or Dichlor in any tub?

I use dichlor and add it AFTER I use the tub. By the next day, the chlorine levels are virtually 0. I have a feeling that your friend who had a chlorine smell in his tub was doing something wrong. You shouldn't smell chlorine at all.

[Roger]

Right, bromine has more of a tendency to smell chloriny<-----new word, than a proper dichlor (chlorine) regimen. An yes ou are looking at 3 of the top manufacturers, all with good track records for longevity and dealer support. And also the longest warrantys. Let the wet test decide. Nautilis<------my personal favorite. Should run ya about 7500-8500

Welcome to the forum, have fun in your wet test. All those tubs will filter better than you need them to.

[Jim_The_Jim]

I would spend some time researching hot tubs.

The major brands are not very good, and Costco seems to have just as good for a lot less money.

A spa is not something you can get rid of easily, so take at least a month of Sundays and read research and contact a lot of spa owners.

[Chas]

Hello F15e -

Welcome. You are doing great work in your shopping. Keep it up. I sell the HotSpring, and have a Grandee in my backyard. I like the spa. I also like the MotoMassage jets - my tub is 10 years old and has the single jets - I want to upgrade to a newwer tub with the Dual. But that jet is just one way of doing it - you may like another idea better. That's ok! That's what the wet test is all about.

You did make one statement I would like to address. You said, "I just don't know if I like the idea of swapping out 5 filters for $50 a pop every couple of years. That will definitely add to the expense of the tub. Does anyone know if that much filtration is actually overkill? "

The Tri-x filters are pricey, but they are designed to outlast regular filters by at least twice. Maybe three times, but they haven't been out long enough to say that and back it up with certainty, so I don't promise. But either way, they should cost you the same or less in the long run.

And if you end up with a HotSpring model which uses regular filters, you will replace them about 2 to 4 years. I sell them for $32 each, or $25 each if purchased two or more at a time. And, if you purchase one more filter - or better yet, ask the dealer to add it to the deal upfront - you can rotate them in and out of the spa, and stretch that for another couple of years.

Oh- and keep in mind that most of us dealers here don't sell over the 'Net. We will never see a cent from you. We are here to help. Some do sell over the 'Net - which tends to cast their opinions in a certain light, if you will.

[F15eWeapon]

Ok, so I wet tested the Jacuzzi last night. It was 300% more comfortable than the Hot Springs Grandee for me. It was very easy to just sit back and relax. Adjusting the jets was quite simple and essentially intuitive for me. I only have one tiny complaint, and that was how easy it was to accidentally shut off a jet in the foot dome with a stray toe. Easily corrected however. I also liked how easy it was at each seat to control whether or not air was coming thru the jets, or just water. In my mind, the Grandee is out of the picture strictly for ergonomic comfort and how the jets felt. The moto-massage in the end really felt like a gimmick to me, and it wasn't as relaxing in the end.

I'm hoping to check on the Dimension One later today... we'll see how it is... and then it'll be decision time.

Thank you everyone for your input (when it was constructive).

One general question. The jacuzzi guys are telling me that the Ozone is pretty darn corrosive to resin products, namely the shell, pillows and cover. Is that actually an issue? I can see how if the cover is sealed pretty well that the ozone would really have no where to go, causing some issues. Thoughts on this gentleman?

[Roger]

Ok, so I wet tested the Jacuzzi last night. It was 300% more comfortable than the Hot Springs Grandee for me. It was very easy to just sit back and relax. Adjusting the jets was quite simple and essentially intuitive for me. I only have one tiny complaint, and that was how easy it was to accidentally shut off a jet in the foot dome with a stray toe. Easily corrected however. I also liked how easy it was at each seat to control whether or not air was coming thru the jets, or just water. In my mind, the Grandee is out of the picture strictly for ergonomic comfort and how the jets felt. The moto-massage in the end really felt like a gimmick to me, and it wasn't as relaxing in the end.

I'm hoping to check on the Dimension One later today... we'll see how it is... and then it'll be decision time.

Thank you everyone for your input (when it was constructive).

One general question. The jacuzzi guys are telling me that the Ozone is pretty darn corrosive to resin products, namely the shell, pillows and cover. Is that actually an issue? I can see how if the cover is sealed pretty well that the ozone would really have no where to go, causing some issues. Thoughts on this gentleman?

Yes Ozone can be corrosive and may be depending on how much is gassed off into the space above the water. A good system for delivering it will minnamize this and Jaccuzi has a good system. All the brands mentioned do. To be honest there are several threads regarding the benifits of Ozone, or lack there of. Some are firm believers in it while others still see thing differently. I would not make it a deal breaker either way. I see it helping to extend the lenght of time inbetween chlorine additions when we re not using the tub, but that's about it.

[Trigger]

F-15

Ozone: Yes it is corrosive, but it does more good than harm, and I think a quality Ozone unit is an excellent investment. (Get the Corona Discharge style, as opposed to the UV)

The pillows and will eventually ned to be replaced, but it's not only due to Ozone, water will damage them and off gassing from chlorine. Covers too eventually get water logged, ripped or out of shape. They too eventually will have to be replaced. So fears over ozone damaging these things is overblown, IMHO.

[darrin]

How did your D1 wet test come out? we are looking at starting the same round of wet test D1 Amora Bay, Jacuzzi J-470 and HS Grandee. I've read your posts with a lot of interest..

Thanks..

[F15eWeapon]

Sigh... things aren't looking good schedule-wise to get out to see the D1 anytime soon here. Possibly this weekend, but we'll see. If I had to make a purchase decision right now, I'd go with the Jacuzzi. BTW..the 400 series is quite a bit more expensive I think. Do me a favor and ask what your dealers price is on the J-365... I could use all the leverage I can get!

[F15eWeapon]

Ok, wet tested the D1. I liked the footwell jets more, as well as the little nubs for accupressure.... other than that, I felt the jets were similar if not basically the same as what the jacuzzi offered. Seats were comfortable, but not as barrier free as the Jacuzzi... which makes it less friendly. Hope that helps ya'll We'll be getting the jacuzzi.