Original > Hot Tub Forum
Best 110vAC spa money can buy?
ratchett:
Hi all! After waiting 20 years to buy my first spa, I finally have the place and chance to do it (wife wouldn't let me own one in our previous home). Our new house had a pool and patio installed (by the previous owners) with the intention to install a hot tub eventually. The electrician even installed a fresh dedicated 20-amp 110vAC line for the eventual spa. I presume they never wired 220AC because in this Zone10 climate, a 110AC tub is usually enough for the average person.
I know I can affordably run a fresh 220vAC line (holding a quote for it now), but the truth of the matter is that I'm a very warm climate (Florida's Space Coast). I don't *care* if temperature drops several degrees (since the heater will not run when the jets are running) . The problem is that I intend to rebuild the patio/pool area once I build the guest-wing of the house. So I am planning to upgrade in 5-10 years once I know I love the spa life (and I know the final true location for a full size spa). That said, I want nothing but the best construction quality for numerous reasons (I am an engineer after all, I can understand and appreciate the difference between a pressure-treated wood and tool-grade plastic support structure for long term use). I have also budgeted accordingly for this investment.
After extensive research into literally every name brand on the market (HotSpring, Jacuzzi, Marquis, D1, Sundance, Caldera, Bullfrog, Arctic, Canadian Spa, etc), I have settled on a 2019 Hotspring Highlife model Jetsetter (base model which is 110AC compatible, previously was considered the Jetsetter NXT model)
I'm getting quite a decent deal on the tub (about $3k less than another dealer in my area for the same make/model tub). But my hesitation is the size of the tub..... I am planning to use it 99% of the time exclusively (no kids/family aside from the wife who does not like warm water and baths at all). I am 5-foot 11 inches so it sounds like the lounger will fit me well enough (Neither dealer I visited had a jetsetter with water for testing so I couldn't wet-test this specific model). My wife is also the same height as me so I suspect she'll even be comfortable with the lounger. The Patio is large enough for really any size tub I want, but I don't think I NEED a large tub - 3-seater sounds more than enough for my own personal needs at this time.
However I just don't know if there's a better/larger option on the market. Am I really going to hate the lounger seat? doesn't sound like it since I'm the right size for it. The hotspring Prodigy would also fit the space and is 110AC, but I'd lose a lounger seat in the process.
I've tried to think long and hard about the decision I feel like I'm making the right choice as a beginner, but I'd like to hear from some experts with any advice in my situation.
My preferred HotSpring dealer also refurbishes and resells trade-in HotSpring spas, so if/when I decide I want to trade in and upgrade in several years to a full size 5/6 seater tub I can do that and still recover "some" of my investment (which in reality I'm getting this tub for a great deal, within my budget).
I really haven't found much else in 110AC which really catches my eye like these new HotSpring Highlife NXT spas. The Jacuzzi line of spa's (300 and 400 series) just don't have that same sexy modern design I'd like to see (even Sundance's mid-tier lineup looked cooler than Jacuzzi - even though I know they're made by the same company!)
(Note - I am NOT getting the ACE system installed because my wife didn't seem to like the "skin-feel" of the one she wet-tested with her hand - I'll be using the other ozone/chlorine system they sell. I've also read enough horror stories and the dealer even steered me away from the ACE system from a reliability standpoint to make it not worth my while to fight the boss on this one haha)
BullFrogSpasMN:
Nice little spa but with a 1.5 HP max pump size on 110 Volt circuit it definitely wouldn't have enough jet power for my liking but it sounds like you are going into this with reasonable expectations so you know what to expect...that said the Jetsetter from Hot Spring and the A5L from Bullfrog are definitely 2 of the 'nicest/smallest' tubs I've sold...both full foam insulation (real full foam, not 10" of dead air space like 98% of them have) a complete maintenance free construction, nice jetting, nice cabinet options, touchscreen control options, interior & exterior lights, high end warranty, etc. so don't think you could really go wrong with either. Good Luck!
ratchett:
Thanks for your response!
I honestly fell in love with the aesthetics of the JetSetter spa from the moment I saw it! I agree the pump is limited by the 110AC system, but it appears they have limited the jet-count on this version so the pump can handle the demands. The Jetsetter LX is a 220-only version of the spa which adds 4 jets to the calfs on the lounger, and 4 extra jets to one of the seats, so overall I wouldn't gain much from this configuration. Of course if I went up to a 220 I might as well splurge on something a bit larger so I have choices.
I've heard that HotSpring pumps tend to run a bit weaker than some other spas like Bullfrog even on the 220v systems, but this is my first spa. I really don't know how much I want to be blown out of my seat (honestly I'm in it for the hot soak in deeper-than-bathroom-tub water, the massaging features are really an added bonus haha)
I know both the Bullfrog A-series and the Hotspring Highlife use full-foam insulation, but do you know if Bullfrog uses multi-density foams depending on location like the Hotspring or is it the same density throughout?
Last question while I have you - I see in the marketing brochures that a "110-version" is available on the bullfrog A5L, but I'm having hard time seeing if there's any difference between the 220 and 110version of the A5L/R5L. Do you happen to know if the 110-version of the A5L/R5L retain the lower lumbar and palm jets on the lounge - or do they remove those small jets to save horsepower for the exchangeable JetPacks?
I really like some of the features of the Bullfrog, but the aesthetics of the Hotsprings Jetsetter really "grab me"
d00nut:
When we sold Bullfrog, we brought in a couple R5L's in on a 110V. Keep in mind, that they just put a smaller pump in the spa, as they don't actually change anything else.
Also, their 110V is 15A, so a true plug n play versus the Hot Spring 110V 20A.
We thought it would sell really well but you really do need to turn off 2 jet packs in the A5L or 1 in the R5L in order to get pressure even somewhat close to the 220V version.
As with everything, wet test if you can.
I agree, HSS doesn't have the most powerful jets compared to other spas I've sat in, but they are consistent. A Jetsetter feels exactly like a Jetsetter LX... minus the calf jets and hip jets in certain positions
ratchett:
--- Quote from: d00nut on October 31, 2019, 05:29:14 pm ---When we sold Bullfrog, we brought in a couple R5L's in on a 110V. Keep in mind, that they just put a smaller pump in the spa, as they don't actually change anything else.
Also, their 110V is 15A, so a true plug n play versus the Hot Spring 110V 20A.
We thought it would sell really well but you really do need to turn off 2 jet packs in the A5L or 1 in the R5L in order to get pressure even somewhat close to the 220V version.
As with everything, wet test if you can.
I agree, HSS doesn't have the most powerful jets compared to other spas I've sat in, but they are consistent. A Jetsetter feels exactly like a Jetsetter LX... minus the calf jets and hip jets in certain positions
--- End quote ---
Awesome! Thanks for your feedback! I noticed that most every other tub is a true 110V/15amp AC. The Jetsetter is the only one I noticed which is rated for 115/20amp which luckily my house seems wired for - they had a box with a blank plate about 18 inches off the ground using proper conduit and everything. My dealer said they are supplying/installing the outlet which the Jetsetter will plug into, so I don't even need to worry about installing a GFCI outlet or anything which is awesome.
Since it's just myself 99% of the time, I plan on turning off all the jets aside from the one I'm sitting in to maximize pressure if necessary. But like I said, I'm looking for more of a soak as opposed to a deep tissue massage so I'm not all that worried about that aspect (although wrist/palm massagers would be nice since carpal tunnel seems to run in the family)
Good to know the Jetsetter and the LX have the same pressure from the jets which are common on both, I was hopeful that would be the case.
In reality this is a starter spa for me to ensure I really like them before I splurge on a fully loaded top of the line model once I know exactly what I do and don't like in a spa.
That said, I'm still a bit concerned about the lounger. Seems like it's a love it or hate it..... Would wet testing a different hotspring lounger one time tell me if I'll like it or not enough to use it all the time? The Prodigy seems quite appealing, if I can get over losing the lounger! haha
Do you find many service calls on the Jetsetter NXT models? My dealer would be about 50 miles away so they cannot guarantee next-day warranty service and that does have me a bit concerned (although they are really an excellent company which I have a good feeling about - small family run business, dealing/servicing exclusively with HotSpring and nothing else)
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