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#2675 - 10/21/09 08:19 AM
Help Me Choose!
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Swagmaster
Newbie
Registered: 10/21/09
Posts: 4
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Help me choose!!
Hot tub shopping is just plain nuts. Seems like each dealer has one high-end line, and of course it is the best in the market. The nearest dealer to cross shop is often hundreds of miles away, making honest comparisons very hard. Add to that nobody sells these online and it's a mini monopoly. I got to applaud this industry for such tight controls.
I have pretty much been looking at:
Caldera Geneva
D1 Diplomat or Chairman II
Coast Radiance
Sundance Cameo
All high end models. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
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#2676 - 10/21/09 01:10 PM
Re: Help Me Choose!
[Re: Swagmaster]
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Peteyboy - HotSpring Tech
Veteran
Registered: 07/24/09
Posts: 15
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All good spas - that Geneva Utopia is a beast.
Have you looked into HotSpring? I am a little biased but I do love them.
Basically look for: Reliability, energy efficiency, structural stability, warranty, and a good, reputable dealer.
The thing to look at most is does the spa feel good to you. Comfort is very important. Wet testing is the best way to tell.
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#2677 - 10/21/09 07:35 PM
Re: Help Me Choose!
[Re: Peteyboy - HotSpring Tech]
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Swagmaster
Newbie
Registered: 10/21/09
Posts: 4
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Do you it is a beast in a good way?
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#2678 - 10/22/09 01:56 PM
Re: Help Me Choose!
[Re: Swagmaster]
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Peteyboy - HotSpring Tech
Veteran
Registered: 07/24/09
Posts: 15
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Yes, in a good way. It's a big spa and has good jets. I would also still suggest you look at HotSpring and try to wet test different brands. The Geneva jets will feel different then say a HotSpring Vista.
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#2681 - 10/24/09 08:28 PM
Re: Help Me Choose!
[Re: Peteyboy - HotSpring Tech]
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Swagmaster
Newbie
Registered: 10/21/09
Posts: 4
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I think we are now looking at the Niagara. Same mold, but no lounge. Can you tell me your thoughts on why Caldera only has a 2.45HP pump. Even though HP isn't everything, 2.5 seems pretty low.
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#2682 - 10/26/09 10:32 AM
Re: Help Me Choose!
[Re: Swagmaster]
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Peteyboy - HotSpring Tech
Veteran
Registered: 07/24/09
Posts: 15
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Many spa companies quote Brake HP - the 2.5 hp should be Continuous HP. Brake HP is the instant the pump kicks on and is an inflated number.
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#2684 - 10/26/09 01:23 PM
Re: Help Me Choose!
[Re: Peteyboy - HotSpring Tech]
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curtkaniff
Veteran
Registered: 07/01/09
Posts: 16
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Petey is right...
Horsepower is rated 2 ways. Brake and continuous. Some companies rate either way. I sold Caldera for many years and the customer couldn't believe how the "2.5" hp motor outperformed the 5h.p. motor. It's all the same, just said differently!!
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#2686 - 10/26/09 05:18 PM
Re: Help Me Choose!
[Re: curtkaniff]
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curtkaniff
Veteran
Registered: 07/01/09
Posts: 16
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Swag,
Just out of curiousity... Where do you live and what prices are you getting on both spas??
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#2687 - 10/26/09 07:04 PM
Re: Help Me Choose!
[Re: curtkaniff]
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Swagmaster
Newbie
Registered: 10/21/09
Posts: 4
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We are in Ohio:
Caldera Geneva (Now looking at Niagara at $9100)
D1 Diplomat or Chairman II (switched to Nuatilus at $9400)
Coast Radiance ($9500)
Sundance Cameo (Now looking at Optima at $12,200)
I haven't gotten a lot of good feedback on the Coast. Not necessarily bad feedback, but not in same league as the other three.
Can't believe the price on the Sundance, I'm thinking that guy has got to come down some but I haven't tried yet.
The Sundance and the Caldera bot are very similar.
We have yet to wet test, but will most likely try the D1, Sundance & Caldera.
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#2688 - 10/26/09 07:36 PM
Re: Help Me Choose!
[Re: Swagmaster]
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curtkaniff
Veteran
Registered: 07/01/09
Posts: 16
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The Sundance guy is trying to maintain profit.. I shopped them recently (here in Florida) and the Optima was 10,500.. That price should be for the Maxxus. The Caldera pricing sounds about right. The lowest I sold a Niagara for was $7500 and that was a giveaway. They did have a pricing increase on their spas so I can see why it's around 9 now...
I will tell you one thing about the Caldera. Out of all the spas I've sold and seen out there, the Caldera had the least service calls than any other spa. Them and the Hot Springs (both Watkins product). Your real test is going to be the wet-test. Buy whichever spa feels best to you and your family. Remember, this is a long-term investment.
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