Hot Tub Review
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Caldera
Manufacturer: Watkins
Avg. Price: $7210
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Rodguru
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I bought my spa from a local dealer in Sept of 03 as a "demo model".. Paid about 9000 for it. Problems:
The lighting unit blew out (about year 2). Under warranty. Slave control blew out about year 3 (also under warranty). That's about it.. The dealer I bought the tub from have total idiots working for them, and in year 6 I ended up firing them after they attempted to fix the lighting unit "4" times, and when I opened the cover I found that they didn't even plug the unit into the controller. I am just about to replace the heater (myself), and anticipate several hundred in repair costs, but overall, I couldn't ask for a better product (aside from the the dealer), the Manufacturer has been very very helpful since Day 1, and I'd highly recommend buying one of their top of the line spas. Nearly 8 years later, we use it nearly every other day. WOW. wish my cars held up this well! 7 years later and the cover still looks nearly brand new. Call Doris, (apparently the Wife of the owner), She'll take care of you like you were one of her family!
Date Purchased: 9/2001
Price Paid: $9000
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Maintenance is nearly -0-.. Put in about 3 table spoons of granular chlorine in about every other day, replace the filters (2) annually, and change the water about every 4 months. Very easy!
Cons:
Make sure you buy their products from good long term reputable dealers, that care about their customers, and you'll be satisfied.. Nothing wrong with their products which you can't fix yourself with a little basic knowledge of how to use a screwdriver. |
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Guest
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I bought my Niagra from a Caldera only dealer here in Va Beach that has since closed and have dealt with the local Hot Springs dealer since for any issues. There were a few small things that happened with the install but most were taken care of promptly and to our satisfaction and from what I can remember the only real repair we had to have done was within the first 2 yrs- a leak behind the front panel in a small tube and it was taken care of pretty quickly and without any further problems. I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed this tub!!! It looks fantastic, has been a real dream to use- in fact I'd say I have used it almost nightly since I've had it ;) and is truly VERY easy to care for! Granted it's usually only me in there and sometimes my husband but I had no problems keeping the water clear, odor free, and properly adjusted. We started with the "Soft Soak" system- a biguinide (sp??) one, never chlorine or bromine as I hate the smell etc.. and ended up basically interchanging it and mostly using BaquaSpa now due to what was being carried etc. Same type thing (the "shock" is a Hydrogen Peroxide based product. The only problem we had was a pretty pesky "scum line" that required quite a bit of attention until a very helpful saleswoman there told me about the Soft Soak's water conditioner that you put in once on a new fill to take the place of the waterline product that was what always seemed to CAUSE the scum line it was supposed to be stopping ;) haha
ANYway, the spa has been worth EVERY penny and has been SO helpful with what it was prescribed for- arthritis and back condition combined with Fibromyalgia.
The cover didn't last so long (like 3.5 yrs- MAYBE 4 before it was FULL of water... may have been from an install problem that may have left some extra large holes at the lift connection but from what I hear it's not all that uncommon...? it was pricey to replace (>$400) but it is very effective in being insulating.. very low costs to maintain this thing and I keep it HOT! (like 101-104degrees) so that's been pleasant!
HOWEVER, we have just discovered a 'bubble' in the shell in one seat and on further inspection during the day with it drained to get pics of the bubble as requested by service mgr, I also noticed some very fine "cracks" under the surface on edges and parts that would have been under some weight at some point. I thought that was not up to what I had come to expect from Caldera so with those pics and also sending in pics of the several screws that had rusted right away (wrong material cushion screw) that was never taken care of (the only problem they wouldn't address!) I have to say that I got a call from the service manager within around 2 hrs of sending the pics/email telling me that Watkins was going to replace our tub..period! No coming out to "pop" the bubble to see if it could be repaired vs. replacing the tub. So, I wanted to give credit where credit is due. The tub is close to 6 yrs old and they stepped up immediately to back up their product! AND credit also goes to the dealer as they dealt with it properly instead of some other horror stories I've read from larger or "cheaper" dealers. Hate to admit it but you get what you pay for eh??
Will I get it again? not sure... probably will replace it with the new version of the same tub but they are trying to tempt us with an "upgrade" to one of their hot springs tubs... more on that in a different thread... ;)
Happy tubbing!!!
Date Purchased: 7/2004
Price Paid: $8200
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Gorgeous.. even 2 outer lights on each side that change colors with the LED in the inner part of tub/waterfall and truly beautiful shell/exterior
Has been very reliable
Efficient
Easy to care for
GREAT water jets for strong therapy on back/neck/feet/etc..
Dependable
'Clean mode' to use when you exit
Cons:
the cover..wish it lasted LONGER for such a supposedly well made one... but could have been extenuating circumstances
cost- certainly not a cheaper model but again- you get what you pay for! |
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wmccall
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This is our 3rd spa, the first 2 being junk compared to this one! Not only does it look like the Rolls Royce of the spa scene, but it performs way beyond my expectations. Easy programmed buttons operate the sound system which is incredibly rich. Temps go to 106. Heats up super fast (ok my last one was a 110 and this ones a 220, so I am sure that helps) super quiet operating, even on the biggest baddest settings, theres no blower, so it doesn't offend the ears. All this and fun lights too! A dream some true for this gal! I got a steal too, I bought the floor model and saved a bunch. 7k including steps, delivery, and hauling of my old crappy one! The warranty is awesome too. Best thing I've done for myself in ages. Spa on folks!
Date Purchased: 07/20/07
Price Paid: $7000
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
large
pretty
powerful jets
nifty lighting
awesome stereo
charming waterfall
great warranty
Cons:
This review got attributed to me during the forum rebuild, I don't want to delete it. |
This message was modified Jan 28, 2010 by
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divegodive1
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I agree with tabasco. My Caldera is only 24 months old, has been broken 3 times and down for 6 months of total non use. I obviously have a lemon as the high limit keeps triggering and then the main board dies. The worst thing is the customer service both by Rec Warehouse in Leesburg and Tampa. Tampa site has now dropped the ball by not ordering parts again. They keep asking me to descibe the sysmptoms, which I do, and did even to the main guy in Tampa and put in an email which he accepted. Now I find out no part ordered again and they think I am being rude and pushy. DONT BUY A CALDERA as their is no reliable service and my store admitted they know the Hot Springs brand by Watkins better than the Caldera line.
Date Purchased: 9-07
Price Paid: $6800
Recommend: No |
Pros:
Best lounger jets when it works
Cons:
Reliability and lack of qualified service folks.
I emailed Caldera and they never responded. |
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tabasco813
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Very dissapointed with our Caldera tub. We loved it at first and it has some great features but the reliability is horrible. We had it repaired too many times to count while under warranty. It seemed that every time we would go out to get in it it would have another problem. The company did stand behind it while under warranty and replaced several parts, but now that the warranty is expired it's a money pit. The latest problem is leaks from joints in the plumbing. We have aways followed the recommended maintenance procedures, etc. If there were a lemon law on hot tubs we would have excercised it.
Date Purchased: 6/2002
Price Paid: $5050
Recommend: No |
Pros:
Design, appearance, and features.
Cons:
Reliability. Reliability. Reliability. |
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