Original > Hot Tub Forum

First Time Buyer

<< < (2/4) > >>

Topdog:
Your search sounds very similar to mine. Wanted a lounger and good therapy and foot jets.  We wet tested probably close to 20 spas, Marquis, Hot Springs, Master, Sundance... You mentioned Artesian - South Seas, have you looked at their Island series?  We wet tested the Artesian Antigua Elite and it fit the bill in most every area. Really like the separate pumps for individual seats so if only one person in - you only use one pump, two people two pumps, or engage them all for the neighborhood party. Plus they're variable speed so no need to get out of your seat to adjust a diverter to change the pressure or air flow.  It was also one of the only loungers  that we didn't float out of. Also had the best foot blasters and great neck and shoulder jets in the captain's seat. The Antigua is a 7' tub but we wanted a little more room (and have an 8' slab poured  into our paver patio), so went with the 8' Grand Bahama Elite which is the same layout with a larger footwell. It's actually being delivered tomorrow!  We paid 11.3k out the door with all the normal accessories, plus ozonator startup chemicals and installation. Believe the Antigua was around $9.5k.
I know you've heard it here over and over but I'll say it again... WET TEST!
Good luck, I'll post a review (and pix) on our Artesian soon.

schielrn:
Thanks Bullfrog and Topdog.  We are getting out to our first dealers tomorrow to just get some ideas and ballpark figures.  Once we narrow down the models we will definitely be wet testing.  I had figured the Island Series may be out of our price point, but it sounds like it isn't, so I will definitely add that as a consideration.  It's just hard to really get ballpark figures that are meaningful on hot tubs.  I am kinda perplexed that hot tub buying is still such a mystery and such a commission game when many other things have gone away from that approach.

schielrn:
We got out today to just talk to the dealer and get a feel for him.  The plan was to go to 2 places, but the kids unfortunately ruined that experience lol and only got to the Marquis/Artesian dealer.  We have decided not to go with the lounger, so that cuts our original list of 54 down to about 23 now.  We liked the Vegas Elite the way it felt with a dry test and plan to do a wet test, but wanted to narrow it down more.

Today's pricing came out at:
Marquis Vegas Elite 7,499
Artesian 860B 7,499
Artesian 850B 6,799
Artesian 748B 5,899

Tomorrow we will hopefully get to the dealer with Bullfrog, Hot Springs and Viking.

I would guess that # of jets doesn't make one better or worse seeing as the Vegas Elite only had 41, but they were larger, but then the 860B had 60, but they were smaller.  The 860B has one more pump, but not sure what the benefits of a smaller or larger jet would be and I am guessing the more pumps the more power?

Thanks!

d00nut:
Jet count is irrelevant, as the feel is what is important. 

The Wizard of Spas:
Numbers on hot tubs are tricky:  Jet count is only as good their ability to deliver water, which is only as good as the motor(s) size, which is only as good as the impeller's ability to handle the water flow, which is only as good as where the motor is placed inside the spa, which is only as good as how efficient the plumbing is. 

Just look at how motors are sold / presented between your Artesian and Marquis hot tub options:  One goes by horsepower (BHP) while the other goes by gallons per minute (GPM).  Which one is correct?  Well, if we were being picky (or petty, or snarky), I could say they're both being deceiving as break horsepower is what it is rated for for a few seconds when starts up but then it lowers to a smaller number, and GPM is its ability to pump that much water, but does the plumbing, impeller, and jets actually deliver that amount?  See how convoluted it can get?

Use things like jet counts, motors, etc. as a guide but make the comfort and feel of the spa the priority, then the quality and reputation of the dealer.  I hope this helps. Good luck moving forward.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page