Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: reloman on November 06, 2005, 06:26:19 pm
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I’ve been searching for a spa for about 3 weeks now and have come down to (2); HS Vanguard $7,000.00 or Jacuzzi J-365 $6,500.00
Wife will NOT do a wet test so I need your help. Which would you (the pros) buy? Thanks for the help!!!!
???
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After posting I realized I left out a brand/model that was a very close third and thought I would see if it ranks up there with the HS or Jacuzzi; the 3rd spa we have on our list is a Cal Spa Tropical w/ waterfall and LED waterline lighting for $6,000.00
Thanks again for any help you can give us.
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That price on the Vanguard is outstanding compared to what I was quoted. I was looking at just over 8K for a Vanguard with cover lifter, Ozonator and steps.
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We lucked in to dealing with the owner of the store. The price included the ozonator, steps, starter chemical kit and cover with lifter. The reason for the better price was no sales commission to a salesperson.
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In the order you mentioned.
(http://www.hotspring.com/Spa_Showroom_Hot_Tub/jpgs/vanguard_pearl.jpg)
(http://products.jacuzzi.com/i2/large/J365_1_lg.jpg)
(http://www.calspas.com/spas/images/series/large/ct51tropical.jpg)
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Is there a reason for this order or just your preference? A friend was telling me that the Heat Exchanger on the Cal Spa was the latest and greatest to the spa industry, is this true? Something about the water never touching the heater.
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I wet tested the Vanguard and did not end up buying it. It was one of my favorite tubs but not my final choice. It was a little small for my family of 5 (Grandee probably would have been better). Any way the main reasons we did not get it: can not have all jets on at once, wife was not too keen on the look of it. As you can see just nit picks. I had narrowed it down to the Hot Spring and the Beachcomber I bought. I looked at: Sundance, Tiger River, Caldera, Dimension One, Coleman, LA Spas, Baja Spas and Cal Spas. Would have liked to look at Marquis, Jacuzzi or Arctic but no dealers are close.
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I like the look of the Cal Spa and the features you get for the $$$ but searching the Internet proved to be a con for this spa, lots of negative comments about the spa and the dealers that service them.
I also had others on my list to look at but no dealers in my area.
Can anyone tell me if they’ve had a bad experience with Cal Spas?
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After posting I realized I left out a brand/model that was a very close third and thought I would see if it ranks up there with the HS or Jacuzzi; the 3rd spa we have on our list is a Cal Spa Tropical w/ waterfall and LED waterline lighting for $6,000.00
Since you asked, I would go with the Jacuzzi or the Hot Spring, but that's just me. Search this site and others for customer feedback as well as checking out reviews for all 3 of the brands you're looking at.
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I would chose the J-365. It has more jets and I think a better overall hot-tub experience than the Vanguard IMO. The J-365 has the foot dome, just more options for the money.
It was between a J-385 and Marquis Epic for us. We chose the Epic.
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That is an unbelievable deal on the Vanguard!!!
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Ditto the price on the Vanguard is amazing. Does it include cover, lifter, steps, ozone and delivery?
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Can't speak to the Coleman - but we're very happy with our Vanguard - all jets can be on at same time - just at a 'low' setting. 3 seats at a time can be on 'high' setting. Most of the time is spent in tub with with either no jets, or jetts on the low setting. Love the cool down seat. Would have loved your price !!!!
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Which would you (the pros) buy? Thanks for the help!!!!
???
I guess I would be considered a spa pro since this is what I do 19/7/365. Since you are asking for input, hands down I would choose the HotSpring Vanguard.
That is if you are wanting a spa that is going to last for 20 or more years, if you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing that 100% of your water is filtered 24/7/365, if you don't want to buy new filters every 6 months to a year, if you would like the outstanding performance of the No-Fault Titanium Heater, the Single and Double MotoMassage, Self-Cleaning feature, and bottom drain.
You get all this (and more) plus the assuredness that you will be able to get parts for your spa should you need them. Now or many, many years in the future.
The other spa is a good spa with many upsides. The Vanguard is a great spa that will last you a lifetime. Good luck in your search and I sincerely hope you enjoy whichever spa you decide upon. :)
Terminator
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I think you personally (sans wife) should go wet test. The Jacuzzi and HS are fine spas. To the touch (controls etc) HS quality appeared to me to be higher, but I'd take the jets in the Jacuzzi all the way. HS folks love to tout their Motomassage, but I wasn't impressed with the actual massage or lack thereof. You really are considering two very different feeling jet packages and owe it to yourself to wet test. On the other hand, you may be happy regardless of what you select, but deep down won't you be wondering which really was the best for you?
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Term, Tell me if I'm wrong but I think the "can't have all jets on at the same time" or "only at low setting" is no longer the issue that it was, since HS upped the Vanguard to 2 jet pumps?
Suprised you didn't jump on that ;)
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You're right hymbaw, thanks for pointing that out. :)
I guess I'm starting to slip a little in my old age. :(
Terminator
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HS folks love to tout their Motomassage, but I wasn't impressed with the actual massage or lack thereof.
Yep, I sure tout it. Do you know why? Because more people seem to like it than don't like it. And people buy HotSpring Spas out the wazoo because they DO like it and can't get it on any other spa.
Do I personally think the MotoMassage is the greatest jet in the world? No, it's about my 4th favorite. Do I think the new exclusive DX MotoMassage is the greatest jet in the world? Yes, for me it is. It hits me where I hurt the most, all the way up and down the huge, rippling muscles ;D in my back.
Jets are a personal preference. Customers really like the fact that we give them so much variety as opposed to using generic, off-the-shelf jets like most other companies. That's why we have mood rooms available for people to try the spa. It seems to work well. :)
Terminator
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Term, Tell me if I'm wrong but I think the "can't have all jets on at the same time" or "only at low setting" is no longer the issue that it was, since HS upped the Vanguard to 2 jet pumps?
Suprised you didn't jump on that ;)
You're right hymbaw, thanks for pointing that out. :)
I guess I'm starting to slip a little in my old age. :(
Terminator
Any of you guys sit in a Vanguard this year?
The new Vanguard has two pumps. One runs the moto-massage seats at full blast all the time. The other pump draws off of the three auxiliary seats (soothing seven, hydro-massage, and precision) and the foot jets. Those four items cannot be on full-blast at all times.
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Right, I missed that. Not full blast all the time. I am getting old. Anybody know where I can find a good deal on bulk Geritol?
Terminator
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That is a fabulous price on the Vanguard. I bought mine 2 years ago for $7600. It is still a love story!!!
Wet test, even if it is on your own. My husband wouldn't even think of wet testing, shoot, I couldn't convince him to go in for a long time. Funny how after 1 1/2 of me coming in from a soak by myself, he is the one suggesting we take a soak. I think I have finally sold him on it! ;D
Find the one that is best for you!