Posted: 5/6/2007 10:22:43 AM EDT
I need advice on which suction-side pool vac to buy. For the last 9 years, my in-ground 13,000gal kidney-shaped pebble-tek pool has had a Hayward pool vac like this one: I run it every night for about 8 hours. It has done an OK job at keeping the pool clean, though it does miss one corner, the sides and the steps. A couple of times a month it gets blocked with rocks or palm fronds, but its easy enough to clean out and get back up and running. Overall, I've been reasonably happy with its performance and reliability, but not so much with its durability... the many plastic parts wear out relatively quickly, and at this time every year I find myself having to replace feet, wings and/or drive mechanism parts, all of which are extortionately priced. Finally, this year its so worn out it makes more sense to replace it. I'm wondering if there is a better pool vac option out there. It looks like I'll be spending the cost of an AK47 on this thing, so I'd like to make an informed choice. With all the $$$ floating about this site, many of you must have pools  . What does the hive mind recommend ?
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Shameless TAG. I have the same Hayward and for about 10 years also. AND with pretty much your experience. I have a pool place lined up that is willing to loan out the same machine as ours so that ... IF the loaner works fine and doesn't get stuck ... we'll know it's my machine. If the loaner gets stuck ... time to pick a different one. Good luck Stay safe |
| OK, so I looked at a bunch of alternative models. There were pros and cons to each, but nothing really stood out as superior to the Navigator, so I just bought another one. I got a good price + rebate, so I'm reasonably happy. The Navigator also comes with a bunch of spare hose sections (~$100 worth), so I shouldn't have to buy more for a while. I can also scavenge the old unit for spares in extremis. |
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I had an Arneson simlar to what you have and replaced it 5 years ago. I was replacing the same items you mention almost on a yearly basis. We choose a Baracuda as the store was running a good trade in deal on our old unit. The baracuda is decent. No moving parts, and the only thing I've had to replace was the rubber valve inside. A very simple unit. It sometimes misses a spot, but I probably don't have it adjusted perfectly either. It uses the pool jets to help regulate the pattern, the instructions explain how this works. It will sometimes get hung up on my steps as they are rounded. |