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HT Search - Hot Spring vs Marquis

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empolgation:

--- Quote ---QUESTIONS:
Anyone have experience / opinions on pillows?

Should we be concerned about not having a small circulation pump for 24/7 ozone injection?

Also what are your opinions on lounge seatings (I know wet test!)?  They feel great when dry testing, but with boyancy and the jets running they may not be as comfortable.
--- End quote ---
Pillows...  as everyone said, not a deciding factor; yes, the cushion pillow will eventually need to be replaced, the Marquis non-cushioned headrest will last as long as the rest of the shell. An interesting observation from my shopping is that every dealer that offers tubs with cushions has told me that "you will love the cushion and always use it" while those without have said "you will find after being in your tub that you will rarely, if ever, use the cushion".

Thus far in my research, regarding ozonators, I have concluded practically nothing - they just haven't been around long enough to have reliable data. I think there is no concern regarding not having 24/7 ozone (here is an area I have found absolutely nothing about either way as to which is "better") One small thing to consider is that the 24/7 CD ozone of the HS is suppose to require more cost/maintanance than the Marquis ozonator which has been said to last 7 or more years without maintenace/replacement  - but as said above only time can answer that definitively.

Loungers... you are on the right track. From my experience a dry test of a lounger means absolutely nothing - totaly different wet in 100% of my wet tests. For me, when I found the best fitting wet lounger it was clear that I did not want one in my tub.

You've chosen 2 great tubs, your concern about pillows and ozonator is moot, make your choice based upon your other concerns and needs (features, wet-test, etc...).

stuart:
As your hearing from everyone, both are good spas. I would not be concerned with the lack of a circ pump, in-fact I kind of like a spa without one better as long as they use a 2 speed pump that moves enough water while still being efficient. The difference in the efficiency in those 2 spas should be very little but you will pay a bit more over the long haul for maintenance items on the Hotspring (i.e. filters, pillows, ect.) and as Mendocino101 posted, your will turn over more water per day through the filters on the Marquis in addition to more surface skimming.

I don't think you can really go wrong either way though and a wet test should cinch your decision.

Bill_Stevenson:
Pillows or no pillows?  Ozonator, pros and cons?  These and questions such as what color(?), how many jets(?), how many pumps(?) and a bunch of others become at best secondary to the main issue.   The main issue is:  How does it feel to you when you wet test?  You are looking at very good tubes.  If you can't choose on the basis of how these two tubes feel, then look at the dealer and the price to help you.  Bottom line, you can't go wrong the either of these products.

Let us know how you do.

Regards,

Bill

wjmeehan:
Thank you all for your input.  

As I suspected wet tests are in order once all the final candidates are identified (we're getting very close).  We decided early on we would visit dealers without bathing suits to get a feel for the products and dealerships, and then go back for wet testing once we had the finalists.  If a dealer doesn't "Cut the mustard" it won't matter how good a product he sells!

Based on the responses about the pillows, and thinking about them, I assure you pillows will not become a deciding factor in our selection.

To update you on our search, this weekend we visited a few more dealers (Saratoga, Bullfrog, & D1).

The Saratoga is now the third candidate, it seemed to me to be a reasonably quality product at a lower price point than the HS or Marquis.  I personally think the other two are higher end tubs, but we feel it qualifies for a wet test.

The Bullfrog was an interesting design, but the dealership was a Mom & Pop operation which made me feel uncomfortable with the level of service we could get from them.  The shop had only two spas on display (only one filled - he wouldn't fill the other even for a wet test!)  The whole sales pitch was centered on how all Hot Tubs eventually leak (I sure hope not), and that this design isolated leakage points and would allow the customer to bring broken pieces back to the shop for replacement by the owner.  They guy even displayed how to remove the motor and controller board!  This did not instill confidence.  While my wife and I were sitting in the tub, he got a service call in which the owner was having heating problems - he told them to put some sort of thermal blanket on it, and didn't offer to come out for a service call to check it out (to be fair I only heard one side of the conversation).

Finally, we tried to find a D1 dealer in our area (based on the comments here and some surfing).  The dealer locator on the web site listed a single dealer (by zip code only) which when we visited no longer carried the product.  I emailed D1 - no response.  Finally I called them and after waiting 20 mins on hold (not great, but not too bad) I was directed to a local dealer which we will visit next weekend (I'm sure this new dealer will want to know about the problems with the dealer locator - I'm certain some people in the area can't find them, and they are only 20 miles away!).  I also think I've identified a new test for the manufacturer (email and call them to check customer service response).

We are going to check out the D1 and then start scheduling wet tests.  I even convinced a friend to come along for the wet tests to make sure the three of us will be comfortable in the tub (my version of real life testing).  She has developed some arthritis in her upper spine, and I'm hoping she will partake whenever she feels the need.

QUESTIONS:
How big a deal is a leak?  Can a HT be fixed if it eventually develops one?  How rare are they?  (I'm hoping this was mostly a scare tactic.)

Any opinions on the Saratoga line?

Once again, thank you all for your responses, you are making a big decision easier, and making us feel more comfortable with the process.

Cheers,
Bill

Shut_Down_Stranger:
I recently wet tested both of the tubs, these are the differences that I noticed.

The seats of the Marquis are more contoured than the Hot Springs.

The Hot springs has better "non corner" seats

The Marquis has different seat heights in the corner.

I liked the engineering and construction of the Marquis a bit better in terms of pumps fitting and side panels.

I would not ante the money for the Hot Springs stereo.

I liked the pillows.

The price quoted for the vista seems high

I liked the Marquis spa frog.

The hot springs is a larger and taller tub

either one would be a good choice. ...  

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