Cheap vs Expensive Solar Reels

[NullQwerty]

Hey folks,

I posted this on another pool forum site but wasn't getting any responses, so I thought I'd try here. So please excuse the double post.

The big chain pool store near me is Namco. They sell only 1 type of In-ground solar reel and it goes for $80 for the roller plus another $60 or so for the aluminum tube. You can see the roller here:
http://store.namcopoolstore.com/web06360.html

The small non-chain pool store also only carries one type and it's $350 (don't know the make/model).

I've never had a solar reel before. Do you think $140 one would be ok or do I need to spend like $350 in order for it to be decent quality? I've read both. What do you think of the quality of the one from that link?

Thanks!

 

[JasonLion]

As a general rule, the larger your pool the more important it is to get a good quality reel. Even the cheap reels work well when the cover is fairly light and small. But if you have a 24'x50'monster you need a solid reel to manage the large heavy cover.

Some people prefer to cut their cover up into sections and roll them up by hand, rather then get a reel.

 

[NullQwerty]

Thanks for the response!

Should have mentioned that I have an 18X36. Last season was my first season with a cover. I pulled the cover off by hand and it wasn't too bad, but it was annoying enough that sometimes I didn't use the pool because of it.

Anyone ever use the type of reel in the link? Is it decent enough?

 

[Guest]

The things to look at are the construction and the kind of bearings that are used (if they are not good then it's going to be difficult to roll a large cover). Some of the cheap ones are all plastic and do not stand up and last, better ones might use a metal bar to roll the reel on. Bottom line, in my experience with solar reel rollers, you get what you pay for.