tcat said:
the bags are fine, caught very tiny stuff smaller than beach sand. rinse them out pretty easily, but the bot is kinda heavy to lift up withfull water
New AquaBot Rapids XLS and 4WD
- Thread starter jhalpinjr
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the bags are fine, caught very tiny stuff smaller than beach sand. rinse them out pretty easily, but the bot is kinda heavy to lift up withfull water
Got the 4wd yesterday. Ran it for 1 hour and it did really good.
A couple of observations. The "baskets" do seem to be very fine mesh...you really can not even see any holes, looks almost like tissue paper. They did catch quite a bit of "grit". Seemed really good.
Also, regarding the speed of the bot, it seems like it has a program. Mine would truck along at a decent speed, then stop, backup, and then move very slow for a short while (20 sec?) before resuming normal speed. During the very slow moving, it seemed like the wheels would rotate at different speeds, which makes it turn some. This seems like it would be by design, as the turning kept it in a pretty random pattern.
It did not climb the walls very good however. My pool is freeform, and most walls are curved. It would start to climb, but then it could not ascend the wall. The few times it did climb was where the wall was not curved much. Maybe that is a factor.
Overall, it was easy to use, easy to clean, and did a really good job for only having it in an hour. It cleaned about 85% in that hour. It got late so I took it out. Will test out more this weekend.
Hope that helps folks....
BTW, the place I bought for $599 now shows it back at the normal price of $799. However a few minutes ago they sent me a Fathers Day email showing it still at $599...not sure why the website is back to normal price. Just FYI....
A couple of observations. The "baskets" do seem to be very fine mesh...you really can not even see any holes, looks almost like tissue paper. They did catch quite a bit of "grit". Seemed really good.
Also, regarding the speed of the bot, it seems like it has a program. Mine would truck along at a decent speed, then stop, backup, and then move very slow for a short while (20 sec?) before resuming normal speed. During the very slow moving, it seemed like the wheels would rotate at different speeds, which makes it turn some. This seems like it would be by design, as the turning kept it in a pretty random pattern.
It did not climb the walls very good however. My pool is freeform, and most walls are curved. It would start to climb, but then it could not ascend the wall. The few times it did climb was where the wall was not curved much. Maybe that is a factor.
Overall, it was easy to use, easy to clean, and did a really good job for only having it in an hour. It cleaned about 85% in that hour. It got late so I took it out. Will test out more this weekend.
Hope that helps folks....
BTW, the place I bought for $599 now shows it back at the normal price of $799. However a few minutes ago they sent me a Fathers Day email showing it still at $599...not sure why the website is back to normal price. Just FYI....
tcat
Silver Supporter
- May 30, 2012
- 1,584
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Edge-40
Interesting. Maybe tweaking the handle or something will get it to climb walls better? What's the point of the 4WD over the XLS if it doesn't climb wall well? I thought the purpose of the handle/floats on robots was for wall climbing. Happy to see it has fine mesh filters... but maybe that's why it doesn't have enough power to climb walls? I guess if it randomly goes up a few times, eventually it might get all the wall.... Walls really don't get that dirty unless your FC gets low and stuff starts growing.
Yeah, I will keep an eye on the wall part. That is not very important for my needs really, but would be nice. I do like the 4wd in that it does not get stuck in spots like my Pentair Legend did. Biggest reason for my switching was ability to run my pool pump independently...like waterfall, etc...which i could not with a pressure side cleaner. The 4wd did really circulate the water!! It was really whirling the water above it!!
Those that have these new Aquabots: How often are you cleaning out the baskets? After each cleaning? Or you let it fill up and then clean it out?
Mine picked up more dirt/crud than leaves or anything big. So I think I could go more than a few times without hurting the unit's ability to pick things up. Then again it really is just a few minutes of rinsing it off 
tcat
Silver Supporter
- May 30, 2012
- 1,584
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Edge-40
For those who bought from Poolsupplies... I got a tracking number the 6th saying it's due today (11th). But tracking shows it leaving Syracuse last Friday and no status update since. Does Fedex ground just show up without a scan update? I stayed home today to "meet" the 4WD.
edit: Guess not today. Last Fedex scan was 6/7... says est delivery 6/11, but no "out for delivery" yet...
edit: Guess not today. Last Fedex scan was 6/7... says est delivery 6/11, but no "out for delivery" yet...
Fedex sometimes lacks tracking detail 4 me. If it says out for delivery, seems promising.
Sent from my S4
Sent from my S4
- Jul 20, 2008
- 10
Hi Guys.
I believe that FedEX ground is operated under the FedEX name but that is it. The ground drivers and trucks are not part of the regular "system". Neighbor up the street owns 7 trucks and 7 ground routes and he has told me repeatedly that he has trouble finding reliable people and that HE owns the trucks, unlike the regular FedEx company. Take that for what it is worth.
So, that being said, after doing a ton of research in here and on the web, I went ahead and ordered my 4WD on Monday morning the 10th. Just checked the place I ordered from's system, and I have a tracking number from FedEX but the FedEx system hasnt updated yet as the unit was just shipped today. I ordered mine from nationalpoolwholesalers.com for
$542.97 after a $10 coupon. I also put the purchase on my Amex card which will give you a year of extra warranty on top.
I am replacing a TigerShark Plus w/remote that is only 4 yrs old and gets used about 20 times a year. I called tech support a few days ago and told the tech the issue. Of course without seeing the unit he could only speculate that the motor was bad in it and the motor would cost somewhere around $400 w/ a 6 month warranty. Wow. I was very disappointed/frustrated and this just finalized my decision to get the 4WD unit. Time to start parting out the TigerShark...
I believe that FedEX ground is operated under the FedEX name but that is it. The ground drivers and trucks are not part of the regular "system". Neighbor up the street owns 7 trucks and 7 ground routes and he has told me repeatedly that he has trouble finding reliable people and that HE owns the trucks, unlike the regular FedEx company. Take that for what it is worth.
So, that being said, after doing a ton of research in here and on the web, I went ahead and ordered my 4WD on Monday morning the 10th. Just checked the place I ordered from's system, and I have a tracking number from FedEX but the FedEx system hasnt updated yet as the unit was just shipped today. I ordered mine from nationalpoolwholesalers.com for
$542.97 after a $10 coupon. I also put the purchase on my Amex card which will give you a year of extra warranty on top.
I am replacing a TigerShark Plus w/remote that is only 4 yrs old and gets used about 20 times a year. I called tech support a few days ago and told the tech the issue. Of course without seeing the unit he could only speculate that the motor was bad in it and the motor would cost somewhere around $400 w/ a 6 month warranty. Wow. I was very disappointed/frustrated and this just finalized my decision to get the 4WD unit. Time to start parting out the TigerShark...
tcat
Silver Supporter
- May 30, 2012
- 1,584
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Edge-40
Let's hope none of those independent truck drivers have a pool! My Fedex just got updated est delivery went from 6/11 to 6/12... just got scanned in Ft Worth, so it's only 300 miles away now. Traveling at 4WD speed.... hopefully they'll leave it without a signature (seems they always do for home delivery).
SBK said:
I ordered from them on the 5th and still no tracking number you are lucky. I sent a chat on the 7th asking if something was wrong with cc because it was showing precharge instead of charge. They said the order was a special order and will ship from the manufacturer in 7 to 10 business days. I said I was confused because the website said instock and I sent screenshot showing instock. My card was charged on Friday with no tracking number.
so i was just looking to buy another 4WD for a friend of mine and it's now listed at $799 again. no longer $599. anyone know if its still available anywhere for $599?
tcat
Silver Supporter
- May 30, 2012
- 1,584
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Edge-40
So far there are 2 previous links to 599 or under, one a couple of posts ago at 543, check then out.
tcat
Silver Supporter
- May 30, 2012
- 1,584
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Edge-40
Sorry, maybe Aquabot doesn't want anyone selling below retail, or it was just a new product promo. You might look at the SharkvacXL, one I almost bought, but couldn't pass up the $599 deal. It's videos make it look like it does a better job on walls and waterline. I think I had found a couple good deals on it, but "summer promo" period may be over until fall.
Received my 4wd bot today. I never did get a tracking number but was shipped directly from aquabot. Cost me 567.
tcat
Silver Supporter
- May 30, 2012
- 1,584
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Edge-40
Received mine too (at least Fedex says "delivered, left at door") I'm at work, guess I'll leave early today.
edit: OK I am home, box was there. After about watching for 10 minutes, my observations:
1. Moves slower than my Platinum Legend pressure cleaner, the PL moves at 32 rpm, this moves at 21 rpm. Not "that" slow, so spends more time sucking the area it's going over.
2. Baskets are great! Openings look like they'll pick up fairly large leaves and acorns (and certainly dirt), no acorns at the moment to test.
3. Seems to do whole pool (as much time in shallow as deep), but then I've only watched it for 10 minutes.
4. A little heavier than I would have imagined at 21#, but I guess they're all about that.
5. Does seem to "chug" occasionally (just stops, moves an inch, stops, acting like it lost it's mind)
6. On land it is easier to move one way easier than the other, I'm sure it's a motor/gear thing.
7. Generally moves up a wall by its length and reverses. Once it a while it will climb to WL, picture below shows that, but what's odd it stayed in that position for about a minute before it reversed. I believe it was stuck on an inlet.
8. My pool shape is sort of kidney, large radius bottom corners:
edit#2: OK one more picture. I cleaned the pool 2 days ago with my Platinum Legend. Pool was clean and today was still clean, saw nothing at the bottom of a clear pool. After 3 hours the 4WD shut off, and here's the result. Lots of gunk and snail shells that use to be in between the drain ribbing. Very cool, happy camper.
edit: OK I am home, box was there. After about watching for 10 minutes, my observations:
1. Moves slower than my Platinum Legend pressure cleaner, the PL moves at 32 rpm, this moves at 21 rpm. Not "that" slow, so spends more time sucking the area it's going over.
2. Baskets are great! Openings look like they'll pick up fairly large leaves and acorns (and certainly dirt), no acorns at the moment to test.
3. Seems to do whole pool (as much time in shallow as deep), but then I've only watched it for 10 minutes.
4. A little heavier than I would have imagined at 21#, but I guess they're all about that.
5. Does seem to "chug" occasionally (just stops, moves an inch, stops, acting like it lost it's mind)
6. On land it is easier to move one way easier than the other, I'm sure it's a motor/gear thing.
7. Generally moves up a wall by its length and reverses. Once it a while it will climb to WL, picture below shows that, but what's odd it stayed in that position for about a minute before it reversed. I believe it was stuck on an inlet.
8. My pool shape is sort of kidney, large radius bottom corners:
edit#2: OK one more picture. I cleaned the pool 2 days ago with my Platinum Legend. Pool was clean and today was still clean, saw nothing at the bottom of a clear pool. After 3 hours the 4WD shut off, and here's the result. Lots of gunk and snail shells that use to be in between the drain ribbing. Very cool, happy camper.
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