Recommend a pool cleaner? Have pressure port.

[EarpWJ]

I want to get a pool device to help clean my pool and I have no idea what to get. My pool has a auxiliary pump that I was told by the previous owner is there to run a "polaris". When turned on there is a port on the pool that starts blowing water. I don't have a cover and there are many trees on my property, so I could use all the help I can get this winter.

Is a pressure pool bot the best option? If so can you recommend one?

From just browsing around the Trivac 700 looks neat that it can surface skim and bottom clean. Is it any good?

 

[jblizzle]

Booster pressure cleaners are the most inefficient cleaners from an energy standpoint that you can get. I would forgo the pressure cleaner and ignore that booster pump and just get an electric robot which will clean the pool better, faster, and cheaper.

 

[sktn77a]

Booster pressure cleaners are the most inefficient cleaners from an energy standpoint that you can get.

This is true compared to a robot. But the Polaris 380 is an extremely good cleaner. You can get the Polaris 380 cleaner for around $600 - plugs right into you existing wall fitting. A comparable robot would cost twice that (yes, you can get cheaper ones, but they don't perform as well). If you had to buy a booster pump in addition to the Polaris cleaner, then I would say get the robot. As it is, you have a couple of options.

 

[jblizzle]

I stand by be statement with the existing qualifier: "energy standpoint"
It is always going to cost more to run 2 pumps long enough for the pressure cleaner to do its job, than to run the electric robot for a few hours independently of the filtration pump run time.

I was not speaking to the upfront cost and agree that buying a pressure cleaner will be cheaper in the short term than getting an electric robot.

I am still of the opinion that a robot will clean better and faster than the pressure cleaner.

 

[EarpWJ]

I read that you are supposed to take the robot out after each cleaning and store dry, can't leave in pool or it will damage the robot. In my prior experience with my parents pool, you can leave the pressure bot in the pool almost indefinitely only removing when cleaning the filter. So from ease of use standpoint and seeing how I am going to have to not "close" the pool this year something leave in sounds like its worth it over power cost to me (power is relatively cheap out here).

That being said, what robot would you recommend?

Also, any thoughts on the Trivac 700? Are pressure booster pump ports compatible with other brands? Like can I put a Hayward bot on my "Polaris" booster pump outlet?

 

[jblizzle]

I believe there are many members that leave the robots in the pool for longer periods of time, regardless of the recommendation.
I have no suggestions for what robot to get ... search the forum there are 100s of threads discussing them.
I also have no suggestions for comparing various pressure cleaners ... again, try searching the forum.

 

[ajw22]

Polaris 380 or Polaris Quattro Sport. Quattro Sport has many of the features of the robot but powered by the water pressure.

 

[jmikeb]

my dolphin lives in the pool

 

[wireform]

I stand by be statement with the existing qualifier: "energy standpoint"
It is always going to cost more to run 2 pumps long enough for the pressure cleaner to do its job, than to run the electric robot for a few hours independently of the filtration pump run time.

I was not speaking to the upfront cost and agree that buying a pressure cleaner will be cheaper in the short term than getting an electric robot.

I am still of the opinion that a robot will clean better and faster than the pressure cleaner.

AND it will capture the dirt and thereby eliminating the fine stuff from being shot back out into the water and getting into the filter.......

 

[ajw22]

AND it will capture the dirt and thereby eliminating the fine stuff from being shot back out into the water and getting into the filter.......

Polaris Quattro Sport captures fine stuff as well as any robot. 380 does a fine job also.

 

[jtpipkin]

I have the Polaris 280. I’m happy with it. You won’t get many people on this form to comment on pressure side cleaners - they love their robots. That being said, I have one because it came with the pool. Do I think a robot is probably a smarter decision, yes. But for folks that have the majority of what they need like the parts, pieces and pumps, it’s a no brainer. My advice is find a used Polaris. They can be worked on easily and are relatively simple to work on. Does stuff need to be replaced, yes. Same with robots though and you can’t always do that work yourself. I keep saying I’m going to break down and buy a robot, just doesn’t make sense to. I like the idea of my cleaner being out of the pool - just looks cleaner and neater. So I just take my Polaris out and put it in from time to time when I don’t feel like fooling with my other methods. I actually bought one of those cheap manual hand pump cleaners and use it pretty frequently. I’m in the pool and I enjoy it. Truth be told, other than the electricity use, I don’t think robots are all that much better. I still see people complain about all the same issues as pressure side cleaners. Check eBay, get one used and see what you think. Be prepared to do a little work and order a few parts. If you decide down the road to make a change, do it. Best of luck with your decision.
PS - I like that trivac you posted. Never heard of it until you posted it, but the fact I’ve never seen or heard of it would concern me a bit. Looked on amazon and only available by third party sellers. Would think if they were all that, they’d be stocked by amazon... just my opinion though.

 

[coilerman]

I had a Polaris 380 and now have a Dolphin robot.

I miss the cleaning efficiency of the Polaris. It was much more effective at picking up debris on a single pass than the Dolphin. I watch the Dolphin and it sometimes will pass over a leaf 3-4 times without picking it up. With the Polaris, if the leaf was within a couple of feet of the intake, it would be sucked up. I also thought the Polaris was easier to empty and clean. You just empty the bag. No need to get the hose out and rinse.

However, in 10 years, I went through 2 Polaris cleaners and 2 booster pumps. When the second pump failed, that's when I switched to the Dolphin. The Dolphin seemed like a simpler, more idiot proof solution. Just toss it in and turn it on. With the Polaris, I would often have trouble connecting and disconnecting from the port and it made a god awful racket if I forgot to attach it and the booster pump turned on (via timer).

I'd say it's a toss-up between the two.