Went to my local pool store to buy Liquid Chlorine and saw this....

[Jimrahbe]

Plenty of dead robots to go around...


Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

There is a strong market in used auto parts from auto junkyards. Maybe an opportunity for some enterprising folks to do the same for expensive robot parts of all types.

 

[Killer95Stang]

I have two end of life S200 variants at my house, that closely resemble those. Jan 1st, they are hitting the trash. Probably scanvenge a few parts off them, like the working control board, replacement power cord and working power supply. Maybe I can throw them on ebay or give some of the parts away.

 

[Newdude]

I would rather it just dribble down my leg before I would walk into a Leslie's to just use their bathroom

So it was a #2 emergency ? I woulda made the same call.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I tell ya, these robot manufacturers have perfected their business model - sell a luxury product at high markup with a short usable life, cover your shame with a basic/limited warranty, and then watch the customer’s money roll in every 3-5 years …

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dude,

My rule still stands... my pool store is not a chain store, and certainly not a Leslie's

Jim R.

 

[Mdragger88]

Oh no it’s an epidemic!

 

[Mdragger88]

I tell ya, these robot manufacturers have perfected their business model - sell a luxury product at high markup with a short usable life, cover your shame with a basic/limited warranty, and then watch the customer’s money roll in every 3-5 years …

I am not surprised - created a pretty good model for this & every other manufacturer has caught on.
People line up down the street hoping they’ll be one of the “lucky” ones to shell out $1k+ on release day for their gadget.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I am not surprised - created a pretty good model for this & every other manufacturer has caught on.
People line up down the street hoping they’ll be one of the “lucky” ones to shell out $1k+ on release day for their gadget.

I usually stay about one to two models behind the currently available … I’m on a 14 right now. When my wife and I decide to upgrade, the kids get our older models. My kids currently have an 11 and a 12. No phones until they are freshman in Highschool. Before that the only device they get are old tablets. I call it the “beater car” method of devices - my parents always had two cars … the beater car my dad drove to work everyday and the nice sedan that my mom kept at home for her needs. Once the beater was declared dead and beyond resurrection, mom got a new car and dad got the next beater car to run into the ground. You save a lot of money that way …

 

[Mdragger88]

Lol I’m typing this on my se2020 which I bought new about a year and a half ago for $150. I plan to keep it as long as possible because I’m a home button lover & opposed to change
I feel like I’m kind of a power user and it’s been plenty good enough for me.
$1k for a phone is crazy in my opinion . I honestly feel like even $150 is too much. I like the products from general user standpoint but very much dislike their planned obsolescence & how they have become much harder (more risky) to repair yourself.
My kiddo just upgraded from her free hand me down 8 from a friend to a refurbed Xr with her new fast food gig “riches”.
Initially she wanted a 12 until it came time to part with that $$!

On the bot front I am waiting to see if independent robot shops start popping up but its not looking promising. I still don’t quite understand why the parts (even aftermarket) are so expensive. That’s the main hurdle. Its sad to see so much money & potential sitting in those buckets I am imagining a franken bot could be cobbled together at least.

 

[Dirk]

View attachment 545573


Plenty of dead robots to go around...


Thanks,

Jim R.

Will TFP take a stance to steer folks away from robots, similar to how we shun ozone and uv gear? Should we?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Will TFP take a stance to steer folks away from robots, similar to how we shun ozone and uv gear? Should we?

False equivalence.

They do the job they are manufactured to do but they are engineered for failure. It’s just the way the world works. Buy it, use it, toss it, rinse, lather, repeat …. What TFP ought to do is be very honest about their expense and life-cycle. I think TFP is more educated now about them … when they first started getting really popular pre-pandemic, they were manufactured with a bit more life in them and everyone that had one was a giant fan-boy. After a decade of learning, many will admit now that they are the most expensive option. As long as the end user is willing to accept that, then there is nothing wrong with them per se. Just go into the purchase with your eyes wide open and know that committing to the use of a robotic cleaner is the least cost-efficient way to clean a pool.

 

[Dirk]

False equivalence.

Robots = expensive and failure prone (but work well when they do), vs UV/Ozone = not needed/effective (doesn't really work for residential applications). Apples vs oranges. Is that what you meant by false equivalence?

I see it mentioned here regularly that "robots are expensive and might last as little as 3-5 years," or variations of that. I guess that's the stance.

I explain why I wouldn't want a robot, but never come right out and recommend someone not get one. I guess I'll stick with that.

 

[ajw22]

I explain why I wouldn't want a robot, but never come right out and recommend someone not get one. I guess I'll stick with that.

I continue to recommend that new builds put in the plumbing for a pressure cleaner. I still think it is long term the most cost effective and does a decent job cleaning if it is properly cared for.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Apples vs oranges. Is that what you meant by false equivalence?

In formal logic and reasoning, “false equivalence” is a form of logical fallacy and gets points deducted in a debate … it’s a tactic used in rhetoric to try to sway the audience towards an opinion or proposition by creating an equivalence to an objectionable idea thereby rendering your opponents position as unethical or immoral.

But, yes, “apples to oranges” works too …

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I continue to recommend that new builds put in the plumbing for a pressure cleaner. I still think it is long term the most cost effective and does a decent job cleaning if it is properly cared for.

Similarly I always recommend a dedicated suction port. The idea of not being able to run a manual vacuum head in the event of an emergency is simply unfathomable to me … pvc is cheap. Just have it there.

 

[ajw22]

Recommendation should be to install both pressure and suction cleaner lines and then they have maximum flexibility for cleaners over the life of the pool as the cleaner market changes. As you say .... PVC is cheap.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Recommendation should be to install both pressure and suction cleaner lines and then they have maximum flexibility for cleaners over the life of the pool as the cleaner market changes. As you say .... PVC is cheap.

The only caveat I would add to a pressure line install is that the buried PVC from the pad to the pool be standard 1-1/2” SCH40 pipe as opposed to the 3/4” flex that is often used. That way, if the pool owner ever wanted to get away from a pressure cleaner, the line could be repurposed as an additional return. Burying 3/4” flex isn’t ideal.

 

[Dirk]

The only caveat I would add to a pressure line install is that the buried PVC from the pad to the pool be standard 1-1/2” SCH40 pipe as opposed to the 3/4” flex that is often used. That way, if the pool owner ever wanted to get away from a pressure cleaner, the line could be repurposed as an additional return. Burying 3/4” flex isn’t ideal.

I was just about to write something similar. You don't really need two vac lines. One suction line will do, at least 1.5", and have it brought up at the pad where it could be easily replumbed between suction and pressure. I would go a step further and insist on sweep elbows, too. Then it can be a suction vac line, a pressure vac line, or a return line.

My pool had a pressure cleaner, and the pool guy replumbed it for my Rebel suction cleaner. So far (for years), it's been working fine.

 

[ajw22]

The only caveat I would add to a pressure line install is that the buried PVC from the pad to the pool be standard 1-1/2” SCH40 pipe as opposed to the 3/4” flex that is often used. That way, if the pool owner ever wanted to get away from a pressure cleaner, the line could be repurposed as an additional return. Burying 3/4” flex isn’t ideal.

I always strongly discourage the use of flex PVC anywhere on a pool.