Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Chadm on January 25, 2019, 02:45:47 pm
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Just beginning to look at tubs and these are of interest any thoughts? Any info would be much appreciated.
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Both Hot Spring and Caldera are made by Watkins so there are going to be similarities. As a current Hot Spring dealer and former Caldera dealer, I don't really think you can go wrong with either.
The Prism is more open concept and will seat 1-2 more people comfortably than the Cantabria. The Prism has in my opinion better filtration with the dual filter vs the Cantabria only having one. Prism is salt water compatible where the Cantabria is not. I have a lot of customers prefer the saltwater, but YMMV. There is more lighting in the Prism and for me, I fit in it much better than I did in the Cantabria. Both my wife and I along with numerous customers who tried our display model floated in the lounger where in the Prism, at least my wife and I do not have the same problem.
The Cantabria has in my opinion a nicer looking exterior. If you do not float in the lounger, I think it will offer better/more diverse therapy due to the UltraMassage sequencer in the lounge. Cantabria has the touch screen control panel where the Prism has the more tradition control panel with physical buttons.
Pricing should be similar on both.
If these are the two models you are deciding between, I would base my decision on the wet test and the dealer.
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Thank you good info.
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How are the warranties on both companies?
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Both Hot Spring and Caldera are made by Watkins so there are going to be similarities. As a current Hot Spring dealer and former Caldera dealer, I don't really think you can go wrong with either.
The Prism is more open concept and will seat 1-2 more people comfortably than the Cantabria. The Prism has in my opinion better filtration with the dual filter vs the Cantabria only having one. Prism is salt water compatible where the Cantabria is not. I have a lot of customers prefer the saltwater, but YMMV. There is more lighting in the Prism and for me, I fit in it much better than I did in the Cantabria. Both my wife and I along with numerous customers who tried our display model floated in the lounger where in the Prism, at least my wife and I do not have the same problem.
The Cantabria has in my opinion a nicer looking exterior. If you do not float in the lounger, I think it will offer better/more diverse therapy due to the UltraMassage sequencer in the lounge. Cantabria has the touch screen control panel where the Prism has the more tradition control panel with physical buttons.
Pricing should be similar on both.
If these are the two models you are deciding between, I would base my decision on the wet test and the dealer.
One thing to add onto this is if you are considering a tub with salt the Cantabria now has the same salt system as the 2019 Hot Spring Tubs. Ace is out and the freshwater salt system is the new system on both. I have it on my Caldera Geneva. Warranties should be identical on the 2. Insulation is the same on both. The Cantabria is from the Utopia series, has 3 pumps and is from the highest end of the Caldera line. Have had good luck with Caldera in general as far as warranty is concerned. Both these tubs are made on the same line at the Watkins Wellness factory. Reliability should be equal on both brands. I personally feel that Caldera makes a more comfortable run to sit in versus the Hot Spring. That’s a personal opinion though. Try both and see what you like better. I would think the Cantabria would be prices a little higher then the Prism but not sure as I’m not a HS dealer
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I wasn't going to be the one to mention Freshwater Salt since it hasn't been officially announced yet ;D
Both have 3 pumps. As long as you don't float in the lounger, I think the Cantabria is great. I floated and so did my wife (I'm 5'8 and she is 5'5) for reference. Warranty coverage is the same on both. Again, same parent company. Based on the last pricing I had for Caldera, I would have priced the Cantabria $500 more than what I price a Prism for.
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I wasn't going to be the one to mention Freshwater Salt since it hasn't been officially announced yet ;D
Both have 3 pumps. As long as you don't float in the lounger, I think the Cantabria is great. I floated and so did my wife (I'm 5'8 and she is 5'5) for reference. Warranty coverage is the same on both. Again, same parent company. Based on the last pricing I had for Caldera, I would have priced the Cantabria $500 more than what I price a Prism for.
what is a freshwater saltwater system? isn't that an oxymoron?
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I received a price of 12,500 for the cantabria does that seem right?
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I received a price of 12,500 for the cantabria does that seem right?
if that is a brand new unit with steps, cover, lifter, delivery, water-care kit it's an amazing price...I was selling the 'Prism' (formerly 'Gleam' I think lol) for more money than that 4 years ago LOL
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I received a price of 12,500 for the cantabria does that seem right?
Regardless of whether it is a 2018 or 2019, very good price. Should be closer to $15,000.
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$12,500 is ridiculously low. I’m at $15k all day. Only reason I mentioned freshwater is because it’s been available on all Utopias for the last 2-3 months. I have a couple in my showroom and a few out in the field already. @twincities it is Watkins new salt system. I’m sure you will be reading about it sooner rather then later.
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So what exactly is the freshwater salt system? Is it like salt like ocean water
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No it’s not. You use a low level of salt between 1500-2000 parts per million and the salt through electrolyce becomes chlorine. Low maintenance way of maintaining a hot tub. If the tub was made before November or so of 2018 it has what is called the spa frog system built into it. I’m guessing by the price you were quoted it’s a floor model without the salt system in it. Whereabouts in the country are you? I have had tubs with both systems. The freshwater Geneva I have now has only been at my house for a few months now. It has maintained the tub with minimal maintenance but I also had good luck with both the spa frog system and a nature 2 system in the past. Is the tub you are looking at a floor model?
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It wasn’t a floor model he quoted October of 2018 that feature seems nice! I’m located in southern I’ll very near stl.
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Southern il
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So what exactly is the freshwater salt system? Is it like salt like ocean water
It's the evolution of the ACE Salt System from Hot Spring. Except it's affordable, cheap actually, and does the same thing! Yay! I'm digging it.
The name is funny... You'd think they would come up with something that isn't an oxymoron, but silliness aside, it works very well, and relatively inexpensive to add on and maintain. Plus, the cell life is predictable, which was always the knock on ACE
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Just a question wondering why a lot of people say they float in the cantabria tub?
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You are more buoyant in water when laying down vs sitting. Additionally, every lounger is contoured differently and everybody is different in height, weight, amount of body fat, etc which is why you are going to get a different response from different people regarding loungers. If you are leaning towards the Cantabria, schedule a wet test. Its the only way you will know if you float or not.
I'm shorter, so I tend to float in bigger loungers, especially when I cannot brace myself at all which is why I fit better in the Prism. The heel rest on the Prism lounger was in the perfect spot for me since I'm too short to actually touch the foot jets. I also floated in the Geneva, but did not float in the Martinique, Kauai, or the Tahitian. YMMV.
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Thank you so much I’m going to schedule a wet test I’m a taller guy so we will see.
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I think everybody is different. I’m about 5’9 or so and don’t float in most of the Caldera lounges. I have a Geneva and don’t float in that. The other brand of tubs I carry (Marquis) I float in the lounger in the reward but not the other tubs. Kind of a weird thing. My wife does float in almost all lounges so she doesn’t use the lounge In Our tub. Only way to tell is to try it
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Did you purchase one? We're quoted $14,900 for 2019 Prism with freshwater system in southern IN.
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Does anyone know how much the three pack of the FreshWater Salt System titanium cartridges run? Apparently that’d give one year of salt coverage in the spa. Are any other chemicals needed through the year?
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Does anyone know how much the three pack of the FreshWater Salt System titanium cartridges run? Apparently that’d give one year of salt coverage in the spa. Are any other chemicals needed through the year?
Roughly $275-$300. Will need some ph down and some liquid chlorine as well. I’ve had mine running for about 4 and a half months now. Original cell still. Water looks and feels great still
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Thanks! I couldn’t find this info anywhere else, so I appreciate it. On average, how many people use your tub at what frequency - and which model do you have?
I’ve historically gone the Silk Balance route which was great, but I was turned off on getting a 2018 Hot Spring because of the ACE replenishment cost. $275-300 is easier to stomach though...
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I have a Caldera Geneva. Use it 4-5 times a week. 2 people mostly once or twice a week 4 people. My self, my wife and my 2 kids
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Just a question wondering why a lot of people say they float in the cantabria tub?
Opinions from others can be useful and helpful but typically not when it comes to using their feedback of whether you will float. Two people could test a spa and once will say "poor design I floated" and the next person "great design, didn't float at all".
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We are also deciding between the cantabria and the prism. Leaning towards the prism. None of the dealers anywhere near us have either one in stock to test out unfortunately. Looking to see if there’s any other thoughts/opinions out there. I like that the Canatabria has a cooling seat, however I prefer the jet placement on the Prism I think, especially on the lounger. I am worried about floating in either one of them if the lounger.