Brand Specific Forums > Hot Spring Spas
Hot Spring vs Hot Spot
Water Boy:
--- Quote from: hottubdan on April 07, 2010, 10:01:52 am ---I am a Hot Spring/Hot Spot dealer. Hot Spot warranty is 2 years. Although it is a shorter warranty, standards are the same. Multiple testing. We have found, because they are a little simpler, the Hot Spot line is relatively trouble free. Warranty has a cost, so, if the Hot Spots had the same warranty as the Hot Spring, price would go up.
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Oops, I was wrong. :-X Thanks for the clarification Dan!
I guess this is why I was wrong. When I type in "Hot Spot Spas Warranty," this was the first page that pullled up for me. I guess they need to update their website!! ;)
http://www.ohiopools.com/hot-spot-warranty.html
Spatech_tuo:
--- Quote from: honeypot on April 07, 2010, 04:49:39 am --- One big difference I see is the warranty (2 years vs 5 years). Wonder if hot tubs malfunction in that short of time frame? Or maybe I should consider that to be related to the overall craftmanship.
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Warranties are NOT free, they are included in the price. Length of warranty should never be equated directly to quality; I've seen poor quality spas with long warranties and good quality spas with short warranties. What Watkins has done is create a Hot Spot spa for people unable/unwilling to purchase their premium Hot Spring spa line. The fact that one has a shorter warranty is simply a way to bring the cost down because if they had given it the 5 year warranty they would have had to charge more for the product.
Compare the features, length of warranty, price, how well each fits you, the jets, the look, the size, the layout… and decide which on you truly want understanding that whichever you get will be in your back yard for the next decade+.
Vanguard:
Here is the link the the Hot Spot warranty:
http://www.hotspothottubs.com/pdfs/warranty.pdf
honeypot:
It seems that most of the comments have focused on the warranty... how about the continuous pumping that the Hot Spring has and the Hot Spot doesn't (i.e., is it a big disadvantage to circulate the water twice a day vs the continuous pump). How about the salt water treatment that is available in the Hot Spring, but not the Hot Spot. That is something that is really interesting to me as far as ease in maintenance of the water and dryness of the skin. What are 'your' feelings? Is it worth it?
This decision is made so difficult because of the price difference between the two. I am looking at a dealer who is offering the Tempo at 5,995 and the Envoy at 10,995 (without the salt water purification system... that would be an addition 1,000). This price includes everything except the electrical work. Good prices?
Some more information from experienced hot tubbers would be so appreciated. I'm getting anxious. :-\ Thanks a bunch. honeypot
Vanguard:
I personally like having the 24 hour pump. I just like the fact that the water is always circulating. The cost to do that is very little. If I had a swimming pool and could circulate the pool all the time, I would, but the cost to do that is prohibitive. However, the Hot Spots as do other brands of spas without 24 hour circulation still have more than adequate circulation to keep your water clean, clear and hot. There are no big drawbacks to not having a 24 hour pump. The main key is to get the water to turn over a certain number of times a day. Both methods get you there.
The ACE system is still so new that it is hard to comment on. Most people like salt because the water feels "softer." That is one of the reasons salt systems have become so popular with pools. Salt systems on pools tend to cause a lot of corrosion of metal products as well as degradation of natural stone products around the pool. From what I've seen so far with the ACE system, they are doing things differently. But again, the system is so new that it is hard to say if the $1,000 system is "worth it." I think the worth is up to the consumer.
There is a big difference in price and I can see where that could make it difficult. Wet testing should tell you a lot. The Envoy is a great spa. One of my favorites. I would seriously consider it for my next hot tub. However, my wife is only 5'2" and she refuses to wet test so I'm wary of getting an Envoy for myself. I'm worried it will be too deep for her.
Some of the things to consider if you want that add cost to a Hot Spring are things like the control panel. There is a huge difference between the two. The Hot Spring has a lot more functionality than the Hot Spot. The water fall on the Hot Spring is different and more expensive. The Hot Spring is full foamed with different layers of different densities of foam. The Hot Spot is full foam, but the method is different. I believe the method for the Hot Spot is less costly. The warranty as has been mentioned is three years longer. That costs more.
If you feel like you can absolutely live without all those things, then go with the Hot Spot. I know how I am. I want the "stuff." I'm looking at cars right now. I'm all but ruling out cars that require me to put a key in the ignition. My current car has that and I really like it. So now I don't want to do without it. I can't buy a Camry LE because it doesn't have the "stuff" I like in it. I would buy a Camry XLE because it does have the stuff I like. Nearly identical cars, same quality (current issues aside), same size, etc. But I would pay more for it just because I like it better.
Either way you're going to have a good spa. They will both last a long time. I would try to negotiate a little on the prices to see if you can do better. Be prepared to walk if they don't negotiate with you. Leave it with them that if they can find a way to do better that they can call you. Once you feel like they aren't going to go down anymore, then go ahead and make your deal.
Good luck with this. I hope I've answered more of your questions.
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