Baracuda G3 Automatic Cleaner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We'd had a Haywaward Pool Vac for many years, but the constant replacing of parts was costing us over $100 a year.

The Baracuda cleans okay, but it is not as good as the Hayward was since it does not seem to hit all areas of the pool. A relative has the same Baracuda cleaner and the same problem, so it is not something with our setup or pool, it is a cleaner fault. Again, though, the cleaning is okay with the Baracuda - it is better than nothing.

The real fault in the Baracuda G3 (and presumably G4) is that the cleaner gets stuck on the main drain if the main drain is an anti vortex raised drain. Rounded main drain covers are available for purchase (at about $60 each) to help the cleaner go over the main drain, but many people have had problems with those products staying down over the drain.When I called Baracuda for help, they admitted they were aware of this issue. They said it was due to my 'non standard' pool design, but my 'non standard' pool design is soon to be required by building code, so Baracuda should get their act together and come up with a solution.

Also annoying is the fact that Baracuda is aware that they have issues with certain drain covers, but NO WHERE in their literature did they say that. In other words, let the people buy it and then find out it does not work right in their pool.

Because it gets stuck randomly, and I do not babysit my pool cleaner, the return period had passed by the time I realized the problem. Baracuda would not help, so I am stuck with a cleaner that does not work according to Baracuda's advertising. The cleaner is still under warranty, but they say it works as designed, so they won't help.

We did our homework about this pool cleaner before purchase, but this problem was not publicized anywhere. So, to others, if you have or plan on getting raised, anti vortex, main drains (and you should, for safety reasons), AVOID the Baracuda G3 and G4 cleaners.

Note that our previous Hayward Pool Vac, in our same alleged 'non standard' pool, never had this problem. I guess the extra money in maintenance is worth it for a product that does not need babysitting.

Even if you don't have that type of drain, I'd avoid Baracuda products just due to poor customer service.

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Product Description:
The Baracuda G3TM from Zodiac does all the pool cleaning for you. Baracuda G3TM IS TIME-TESTED. This top-of-the-line BARACUDA G3TM cleaner will thoroughly clean your inground pool floor and walls to automatically remove dirt, debris, bugs, twigs, leaves, sand and even pebbles. Its bumper fin and anti-stick design ensure maximum coverage and increased maneuverability. Baracuda G3TM IS EASY TO INSTALL. You can install the BARACUDA G3TM in minutes. Since it's pre-assembled in the box, just attach the disc and Long-Life hoses. No tools are required. We even include an easy-to-follow video to show you what to do. The BARACUDA G3TM also has the FLOWKEEPER?, a self-adjusting water control valve and surface skimmer all in one, which automatically regulates water flow ensuring peak performance. Baracuda G3TM IS POOL OWNER FRIENDLY. The BARACUDA G3TM is one of the most pool-owner-friendly cleaners ever made. It has only one operational moving part, the Long-Life diaphragm. If it should ever need service, its patented Quick Release Cassette lets you remove it, service it yourself or replace it poolside. Baracuda G3TM IS QUIETER. Other automatic pool cleaners have a flapper, which makes an annoying hammer noise. The BARACUDA G3TM is built to work quickly, effectively and quietly. ZODIAC, a leading manufacturer of automatic pool cleaners, has designed the Baracuda G3TM to clean your inground pool more thoroughly, effectively, and economically than ever before. No other automatic pool cleaner is built better. So, don't take a chance on another pool cleaner, tell your ZODIAC dealer or pool professional you want the cleaner that will clean your pool like never before...the Baracuda G3TM. The choice has never been so simple.

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iRobot Verro 300 Pool Cleaning Robot Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was on the fence about purchasing the IRobot Verro 300 OR the commonly recommended Polaris cleaners.With a $100 off coupon and a 30 day risk free trial, I decided to purchase the Verro 300.We have a large pool (20 x 44)and I was skeptical that this would work. After a couple weeks of using it and at least 3 calls to the technical support line, we decided to keep it and that overall it works very well.Though it isn't written in the manual (I learned this from my phone calls) periodic-filter-bag-cleaning (for my pool anyway) translates to machine wash cleaning after each use. For those of you reading this, buy extra filter bags and keep one clean at all times ready to go.I found the hose method of cleaning the filter bag doesn't work.Instead, I rinse the bag out with the hose and then I run it through the washing machine on the delicate cycle in cold water.It works great--climbs the walls to the tile line and gets both the deep and shallow end of my pool.Each time I use the Robot, it seems to go different patterns.Sometimes it runs vertically and others horizontally.My only complaint is it doesn't get my shallow end steps.Since I know that, I brush the dirt off the steps before using the Robot.

Because the IRobot filters the water, I definitely notice a difference in the water...it appears amazingly clean and we haven't needed to backwash our pool once.After the first couple weeks and learning the hose method doesn't unclogg the filter bag entirely, the Verro 300 cleans my pool in approximately 60-90 minutes.We're very pleased.It takes approximately 2 minutes to set it up and about the same amount of time to clean it when it's finished.

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Product Description:
Spend more time enjoying your pool rather than cleaning it. Get the Hands-free way to clean your entire pool from floor to waterline in 60 - 90 minutes with a push of a button. Durable, Easy to use, lightweight, designed for all pool surfaces and ideal for gunite pools. A powerful dual pressure Hyro-Jet system 'power washes' pool surfaces, deep cleaning pores, cracks, seams. The powerful vacuum and self-contained filtration system picks up and traps leaves, hair, sand, dust, algae and debris as small as 2 microns reducing run time of your pool filtration system.Circulates pool water; improving distribution of chemicals and temperature. Auto reverse feature allows the Verro 500 to navigate your entire pool while avoiding hang ups. Just drop in and let it go to work!Package includes: 1 iRobot Verro 300 Pool Cleaning Robot, 51' floating power cord with swivel detangler, Transformer, Mesh Bag (catches larger debris such as leaves and sand, etc.), Fine Filter Bag (Catches algae, bacteria, dust and debris as small as 2 microns).

Get 19% OFF

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Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 F3 Pressure Side Automatic Pool Cleaner for In-Ground Pools Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a test
I can't compare the Polaris 380 with other cleaners, but try Googling as follows:

Polaris 380 forum

,where you will find divers pertinent input (no pun intended), eg:

[...]

Having maintained a large in-ground plunge for the better part of a decade, however, I can confirm unequivocally that the Swimming-Pool Establishment employs very few rocket scientists.The 380 system doesn't perform as well as one might hope and with a very limited warranty is expensive and hard to repair; while your friendly local service establishment might not provide much help in this respect.

In the first place, the path of the Vac-Sweep unit isn't sufficiently random, following a somewhat repetitious path and often leaving a single large patch of debris on the bottom.This problem can be dealt with by everyday shifting the position of the thrust jet, a nuisance at best; while there doesn't seem to be an optimum position for best coverage.

For example, my steps are at the shallow end of the pool.But if I set the jet to a high position in order to encourage climbing, the Sweep will spend almost all its time at the deep end.Polaris would do well to emulate other makes of pool sweepers which include a mechanism to slowly rotate this jet and thereby encourage a less predictable route.

Furthermore owing to its geometry being intended more for styling than performance, it is reluctant to climb steps and platforms, leaving their surfaces for its owner to sweep manually-every day just before your afternoon splash. The main problem seems to be the geometry of the frame, bugling out in front of the wheels, especially the single-side wheel.Thus when it encounters a curved surface such as the edge of a platform or step, it can't climb because the two wheels can't engage the obstacle simultaneously.Instead it makes repeated thrusts like the adolescent puppy attempting to hump your pantleg, without however gaining any elevation, until finally the backup valve pulls it away. Clearly the Vac-Sweep should have been built with four wheels instead of three, the two front ones projecting well below and in front of the frame.Also it might have helped if the unit had been made more narrow in width so as to better navigate the steps.

You can deal with the foregoing problem by adding a second tire to the single-side wheel, so as to project a fraction of an inch beyond the front, thereby improving the chance of traction.But you will have first to stretch the new tire, a requirement entailing Herculean effort.Also it helps if you acquire two additional feed-hose floats, mounting them as near as feasible to the Sweep so as to enhance buoyancy.More than one or two floats so situated, however, significantly diminish its traction when the Sweep is at the bottom.

Performance may be improved somewhat by removing the wall-fitting pressure restrictor, thereby increasing the power and range of the Sweep (Incidentally, this mod may increase wheel speed beyond the specified 28 rpm, which we suppose could shorten the life of the system). In addition, when I replaced the booster pump, the new one proved noticeably more powerful.

Used without restrictor, however, increased gyration of the backup system can occasionally so tangle up your feed hose as to temporarily disable the entire system until you untangle it.So if you also encounter this result, I suggest you think twice about letting it run during a weekend getaway.

Even with the increased thrust, though, the Sweep may not reach the far end of your pool because it can't overcome a loop or two in the feed hose. This could be due to reduced traction as suggested above, exacerbated by the float (its bouyancy discouraging it from being nudged below the surface and the effect of friction of its bulge above the surface); to reduced flow owing to aging of the motorpump, or even something as subtle as the season; for it isn't entirely unreasonable to guess that if you use your system in the winter as I do, the reduced water temperature stiffens the hose beyond its ability to untangle.

My contact with the Polaris folk suggests they had been working on a scheme to eliminate the floats but apparently they were unsuccessful because that was several years ago and I haven't heard from them since.

The Sweep itself is also covered by a 12-year guarantee.But after 2 years when it begins to wear out, you're chagrined to learn that the warranty covers neither internal parts nor labor.You will not enjoy replacing the belts.

A minor annoyance with the filter bag:The Velcro means by which the bag is opened soon becomes hopelessly entangled with debris and eventually won't stay closed.Therefore never open it.After just a few attempts you will find it fairly easy to empty by shaking out its contents.

Unless you're really determined and just plain good at it, you'll find the sweeper system difficult to repair as many parts don't fit together right or can easily be interchanged unintentionally.For instance there are at least a dozen permutations and combinations of such ways in which the parts of your auxiliary booster pump can be misassembled, not just by amateurs like you and me but even by the trained technician during a repair job.

The pump subassembly fails by throwing water from its top seal.(Even if you're able to dismount it yourself, the cost of repair is well over $100 and so you might resolve to learn how to do it yourself).The motor is water-cooled through the motor axle so if a slight amount of air enters the system (for example, if the pump is reassembled incorrectly, if water level drops below skimmer port, or if a small crack should develop in the plumbing), or you experience unusually high air temperature on a still day (which we do experience here in California's High Desert), it quickly overheats, shortening if not ending its life, at a replacement cost over $300.

So at risk of oxidization, I've installed a supplementary cooling system comprising weeper-soaker hose wrapped around the housing and fed under pressure.However, don't do this yourself if you're concerned that its corrosive effects might void your warranty.But if you're interested, I am dalehileman@verizon.net and I'd be glad to elucidate in more detail.

Owing to the complexity of this auxiliary system, including an elaborate Sweep full of small parts, the booster pump with its overtemperature breaker, pressure restrictors, an overpressure relief valve, 70 ft. of tubing, and an intricate backup valve containing dozens of gears, its susceptibility to malfunction is so great that the unit cannot properly be tested by your friendly local repair facility unless they have an entire pool complex on their premises.Hence when you get it back, your repaired motorpump may still not work.

As I said, though, I can't compare its performance and reliability to that of other makes, while some users post Internet forum reports of great satisfaction and long life from the Polaris 380 System.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 F3 Pressure Side Automatic Pool Cleaner for In-Ground Pools

Product Description:
This mighty cleaner packs the power of 3 jets to swiftly scrub and sweep the bottom and walls of any size pool. In 3 hours your Polaris 380 will not only have cleaned dirt and debris, but will have also helped to distribute chemicals and heat around your pool. This independent cleaner runs off a separate booster pump so that the rest of your filtration system may run as efficiently as the Polaris 380. The unique filter bag even removes debris before it can reach your pump basket or filter making it the perfect complement to the rest of your pool equipment! Includes 31 ft. hose kit, deck or wall mount and complete instructions. Pump must be hard wired.

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Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 F1 Pressure Side Automatic Pool Cleaner for In-Ground Pools, Blue Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Polaris 360 is a very clever mechanical device that works great 20% of the time.Because it is made of cheap plastic parts that constantly break, it is more often under repair than in service.Having owned one for about three years now, I can say I've spent twice the original cost on replacement parts and service (even though I do most of the service myself).Hose life is 6 months, and $19 for a 6 foot replacement hose (my hose is 18 feet long).I've bought two of these Polaris 360's used on Craigs list for $100 each to cannibalize for parts (replacement parts are outrageously expensive).

Until the manufacturer improves the quality to the point that they are willing to offer a 5 year guarantee, I would avoid this product.In fact, I'd avoid the manufacturer, too.

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Product Description:
The Polaris 360 roams the pool bottom and vacuums the walls spotlessly clean without a booster pump and is Ideal for vinyl, gunite or fiberglass in ground pools of any size or shape. It even works great under your solar blanket! The internal back-up timer automatically frees itself from nooks and crannies, so it keeps cleaning any shape pool without interruption in 3 hours or less. Because it operates on the pool's return line so your skimmer stays free to clean surface debris. As the pool cleaner sweeps the pool, it also distributes chemicals and heat throughout the pool for better circulation and chemical effectiveness. Includes filter bag and 31' hose kit.

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Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 F5 Pressure-Side Automatic In-Ground Pool Cleaner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After receiveing the $85 quote to repair my aging Polaris cleaner I knew it was time for a new one.With all the incentives on the 380 or 3900 I was going to go with the 380 which was actually cheaper (after incentives) than the 280 but I started asking around - mostly pool professionals - and all (8 for 8) recommeneded the 280 even if the price were higher.

We are happy with the purchase and I was able to save over $100 by buying off Amazon vs. any retail store.There were a few other online sites where it was $15-$20 cheaper but didn't have the reputation or # of stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 F5 Pressure-Side Automatic In-Ground Pool Cleaner

Product Description:
This resilient cleaner is powered by double jets to sweep and scrub the bottom, walls, and stairs of your pool. The Polaris 280 runs off a separate booster pump for maximum efficiency and rapid cleaning power. It's one of a kind filter bag catches dirt and debris, relieving stress on the rest of your equipment and ultimately prolonging the life of your filtration system. Includes 31' of hose.

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