Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Revlis on January 07, 2005, 03:29:25 pm

Title: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Revlis on January 07, 2005, 03:29:25 pm
I've wet tested both, and just can't make up my mind which one I'm going to get.  They are both great IMO with the obvious differences.

I'm curious about why people here made the decision to go with one or the other, and if in the end they made the right decision or not?

Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: doodoo on January 07, 2005, 03:43:18 pm
We went with the Optima becuase of the lounger. We were both very attracted to the lounger at first but after the wet test decided with the Optima.  The Optima has a defacto lounger given the seat config and shape but is not as reclined. She who I obey, kept on floating in the lounger and getting pushed around by the jets. So that was the principle deciding factor. the secondary was that we could fit more people in the tub (came in handy new years eve).

But most importantly wet test and wet test some more. Sit in there a while longer than usual, bring some friends or kids or whatever, but wet test. That is ultimately what will tell you which oine to go with. It's hard I know but this is an important point in the purchase of the tub. You will have it a long time and should meet all of your needs.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: tony on January 07, 2005, 03:51:00 pm
From the start I wanted a spa without a lounger, so the Cameo was not an option.  As doodoo stated, you can lounge in a number of different ways in an Optima and I really like the four corner seating.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Revlis on January 07, 2005, 04:11:38 pm
Doodoo, you don't miss the ability to lean back further and have the leg jets on you at the same time?
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Brewman on January 07, 2005, 04:13:53 pm
Another Optima owner here.  We didn't really care for the lounger, and wanted the extra seating.  It's a pretty subjective thing, if you like the lounge experience, go with the Cameo, if not, the Optima.  

Brewman
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: wmccall on January 07, 2005, 04:21:31 pm
Quote
. She who I obey,



Funny, that was a factor in what we chose as well.

Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: ttodd1 on January 07, 2005, 04:30:20 pm
OK well I'm starting to think I have the only Cameo...   :-/

We wet tested both the Optima and Cameo and found the Optima didn't fit us very well.  We felt it was shallower than the Cameo (go figure).  I really like the lounger and is great for me to look up at the stars at night.  Husband sits on the high point of the lounger and uses it like the cool down seat too.  We've had 5 people in the Cameo and I think the lounger was the best seat in the tub.  But as Brewman said, it really is a subjective thing.  Keep wet testing til you can pick one that you know you will enjoy.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Chris_H on January 07, 2005, 04:45:19 pm
Does it matter if you are the only one with an Cameo?  

I am the only one with a Super Custom Fallsburg.  You don't hear me complaining.  I guess I should be...
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: ttodd1 on January 07, 2005, 08:02:33 pm
Wasn't complaining.   ???    Just made an observation.   I've always like being the "unique" one in the group.  8)
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: nm-tn on January 08, 2005, 01:14:03 am
I bought the Optima and love the layout
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: newtotubbing on January 08, 2005, 12:54:03 pm
When I tested the Optima I felt cramped by the foot dome.  I could not get my legs in a comfortable position because of the foot dome.  In my opinion, the lounger is one of the best places to stretch out and relax.

Jonathan
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: hottubber on January 08, 2005, 01:05:37 pm
 You may be tossed between probably the 2 best models in the line, possibly in the industry. I had the same dilemma last year. I opted for the Optima after extensive tub soaks or "wet tests" as they say.
I found the Optima to being a better overall featured spa even though it did not have the lounge. You will love the foot jet package in the Optima. I think the open seating arrangement is better for the LONG TERM ownership. The lounge may get old quickly. It is not a very used area in the spa after the first few weeks.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: newtotubbing on January 08, 2005, 02:08:36 pm
Quote
 The lounge may get old quickly. It is not a very used area in the spa after the first few weeks.


Not sure I agree with you on this.  I hit the lounge everytime I'm in the spa.  

Jonathan
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: ttodd1 on January 08, 2005, 06:09:31 pm
I alos use it every time I'm in the tub.  Great to stretch out and relax.  Don't think it will get old here.   ;D
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Winnsome on January 08, 2005, 09:34:43 pm
We have had our spa now for almost 4 months.  The lounge seat is still by far the most utilized seat in the spa.  And we use it every night.  Maybe only missed 5-6 nights in the 4 month period.  It's the best seat to get the back and leg massage.  Both my wife and I still fight over that seat.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: nm-tn on January 09, 2005, 01:06:12 am
The Optima will hold 4 adults more comfortable in my option.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Netnutty on January 10, 2005, 01:47:47 pm
I have a Cameo also. I wet tested both and while I think both the Cameo & Optima are great spas, I wanted the lounger.

I also like the extra foot jets on the Cameo. Both my wife and I can blast our feet together after a long day at work.

My wife and I primarily use the spa with just the two of us, so we didn't need seating for a lot of people which the Optima would be better suited. My teeagers never want to go in with us, and I won't let them have friends in there any more, after seeing the "soup" they turned the water into with my last spa.

I also like the different seating options of the Cameo, and typically I move to two or three different seats during my soak, thus getting different massages from various jet configurations.

Netnutty
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: wmccall on January 10, 2005, 01:53:40 pm
Quote
II also like the different seating options of the Cameo, and typically I move to two or three different seats during my soak, thus getting different massages from various jet configurations.

Netnutty


That is the main reason I bought a 6 person tub even though it is just the 3 of us 95% of the time.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Revlis on January 10, 2005, 03:00:26 pm
Yea, I know I definitely have to wet test some more to figure out what's right for ME, but I thank you all for your reasonings as to why you chose which....  I love the lounge, but want to room....  so next question....

How many adults have you fit in your cameo's without getting "uncomfortable"....   I'm sure that's a different number of adults that can be in the "comfortably."

Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: ttodd1 on January 10, 2005, 03:23:15 pm
Alot of that also depends on the size of the adults.  My family is on the big side lets say.  I've had 4 for sure in it and it wasn't bad. Changing seats was the real fun part.  ;D  Now I would think that 5 - in my case - would be pushing it.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: ndabunka on January 10, 2005, 05:38:32 pm
If your considering the Cameo you need to also look at the Jacuzzi J-375. Made by the same company but is significantly less expensive. Still high quality but will save you at LEAST $1,000 for "nearly" the same tub. Thanks what I did. PS - The Jacuzzi has no "air bubblers".
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: doodoo on January 11, 2005, 03:26:12 pm
Quote
Doodoo, you don't miss the ability to lean back further and have the leg jets on you at the same time?


Not really, we use our tub heavily and by turning sideways we can get a very good look at the stars. Beside the footwell for us was absolutely dreamy. That being said you can achieve that much better and more comfortably with the lounger. But for us (yes Bill - rather she who I obey) knew that we had other needs and the Optima met those better for us. We are social bugs so we always have people over that soak with us and you can put more people comfortably in the Optima than the Cameo. The wife just kept on floating in the lounger and getting pushed around by the jets so she was fighting that all of the time. I did like the Cameo a lot as well but for us this was a better choice. And so it should be for you as well or she who YOU should obey! lol.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: nm-tn on January 22, 2005, 02:43:03 am
Quote
If your considering the Cameo you need to also look at the Jacuzzi J-375. Made by the same company but is significantly less expensive. Still high quality but will save you at LEAST $1,000 for "nearly" the same tub. Thanks what I did. PS - The Jacuzzi has no "air bubblers".


I have to disagree. I got my Optima for 7 grand with everything including tax. Yes it came with all the bells and whisles.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Brewman on January 22, 2005, 07:25:39 pm
Quote

I have to disagree. I got my Optima for 7 grand with everything including tax. Yes it came with all the bells and whisles.



This oughta bring Needsaspa out of the woodwork.
Brewman
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Mendocino101 on January 22, 2005, 07:31:59 pm
Quote
The Optima will hold 4 adults more comfortable in my option.


A true enough statement....Question how many times will you have 4 adults in the spa....really "most" times spas are used by 1 or 2 people...
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Brewman on January 24, 2005, 09:00:30 am
For us, we have 4 people in the Optima often enough.
We have 2 kids, who often have friends over, and we entertain quite a bit.  
Plus, we seem to entertain even more since we got the spa.  
Brewman
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: doodoo on January 26, 2005, 01:00:54 pm
Quote


This oughta bring Needsaspa out of the woodwork.
Brewman

YIKES!!  LMAO!!
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: doodoo on January 26, 2005, 01:02:25 pm
Quote

A true enough statement....Question how many times will you have 4 adults in the spa....really "most" times spas are used by 1 or 2 people...


Like Brewman we have two kids and they are in there 50% of the time that we are in there. The other 50% is in the evening when they are in bed. We are also social bugs and have company over quite often. And since we have our tub it seems that we have even more friends.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Revlis on January 26, 2005, 03:52:59 pm
I did end up purchasing the Cameo.  It'll mostly be one or two people, and I really wanted the lounge.  I'm into a lot of sports, so I literally wanted the best seat in the house.  With wet testing, I thought the lounge was just that for me.  At  6'2" I felt I fit comfortably enough, and didn't get pushed around.

I also was a little disappointed in the Optima in that to me it's a four person hot tub as well because the middle seats don't really have any jets worth speaking of (in my opinion) and it's the hydrotherapy I'm really going for.  

Just all personal preference... and thank you everyone who's contributed to this thread to help make my decision.

Now if that 2ft of snow would melt, I could lay down the damn concrete pad and get the tub delivered!!!
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Brewman on January 26, 2005, 04:30:56 pm
Excellent choice.  You'll love your spa.

(Hope that wasn't too much chatter)
Brewman
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: wmccall on January 26, 2005, 06:34:04 pm
Quote
I did end up purchasing the Cameo.  !!!



Thanks for letting us know, hope to see you around here after delivery and startup.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Revlis on January 27, 2005, 12:04:55 pm
I plan on it.  I have a lot of work to do, and would be glad to share my experiences and get to know you all better.
Title: Re: Sundance Cameo or Optima
Post by: Lori on January 27, 2005, 12:50:35 pm
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I plan on it.  I have a lot of work to do, and would be glad to share my experiences and get to know you all better.


That is great!  I'm sure we all welcome your input!

Congrats, if I haven't said it already!