Instapark Betta review

[MarbeL]

I just purchased a used white Betta from Amazon on 1/31/22 for $299. They sent me the one with the big button instead of the small one . They also included a piece of paper that says "All of our units that are sold as "used" have upgraded software and new parts. The motors are red. Should I be concerned and call the number to ask for a new used one?

The Beta appears to be working fine in the pool so far. My concern is I don't know what I'm missing from the old model to the new model. I have a saltwater pool and the beginning of this thread indicated the older model would go bad in saltwater. I'm not sure how to tell if my motors are upgraded to be magnetic to be OK in saltwater. Below are pics of the unit & paperwork it came with.

 

[aldersonjames2007]

So my second Betta has failed. I read through the forum briefly to see if anyone is having the same issue. I got a second one sent to me a few months ago and it did the same thing… the lights just wont even come on. If I hit the power button it flashes red for a blink and then just shuts off. I suspect it does a start up check of sensors and such, and one of the sensors is not working so it just never starts up. I contacted them and they sent me a return form to send it in for repairs. I think I will call them and demand a new one… both having the same problem is kind of fishy.

 

[Orion7319]

I just purchased a used white Betta from Amazon on 1/31/22 for $299. They sent me the one with the big button instead of the small one . They also included a piece of paper that says "All of our units that are sold as "used" have upgraded software and new parts. The motors are red. Should I be concerned and call the number to ask for a new used one?

The Beta appears to be working fine in the pool so far. My concern is I don't know what I'm missing from the old model to the new model. I have a saltwater pool and the beginning of this thread indicated the older model would go bad in saltwater. I'm not sure how to tell if my motors are upgraded to be magnetic to be OK in saltwater. Below are pics of the unit & paperwork it came with.

They look like the magnetic motors to me.

 

[Orion7319]

So my second Betta has failed. I read through the forum briefly to see if anyone is having the same issue. I got a second one sent to me a few months ago and it did the same thing… the lights just wont even come on. If I hit the power button it flashes red for a blink and then just shuts off. I suspect it does a start up check of sensors and such, and one of the sensors is not working so it just never starts up. I contacted them and they sent me a return form to send it in for repairs. I think I will call them and demand a new one… both having the same problem is kind of fishy.

Sometimes you have to let it sit in the sun for a few days. When that doesn’t work, obviously it’s shot..

 

[Yarzy]

Hi everyone, I actually contacted them about all the issues people were having and to see if there was a fix in place. They came back to me with this:
"Thank you for your inquiry. The newest version is coming in March 2022. (No exact ETA as of yet). This version will have internal software updates that should take care of previous issues."

I then asked if the older units could be updated and they said:
"Yes the software can be upgraded for the older version. If it's not an urgent purchase, I would recommend waiting until the newer version comes out."

Thought this might be helpful for people on the fence like me about getting one.

 

[DanF]

Well, after about eight months of trouble-free Betta operation, mine finally quit working. It would start and stop a few times, then the red and blue lights would flash alternately. I picked up the back end and noticed that the left propeller wasn't moving, so I am guessing that the on-board diagnostics shut it down.

I called Instapark and asked for a replacement but was told that there were none available. My only option was to package it up and send it back to the company to be repaired, postage free. So I did that today and am hoping that I receive the repaired unit soon.

 

[Orion7319]

Hi everyone, I actually contacted them about all the issues people were having and to see if there was a fix in place. They came back to me with this:
"Thank you for your inquiry. The newest version is coming in March 2022. (No exact ETA as of yet). This version will have internal software updates that should take care of previous issues."

I then asked if the older units could be updated and they said:
"Yes the software can be upgraded for the older version. If it's not an urgent purchase, I would recommend waiting until the newer version comes out."

Thought this might be helpful for people on the fence like me about getting one.

Did they give any instructions on how to get the software upgrades on exiting units?

 

[Katygreys]

I was very close to buying a skimmer bot. This thread was great, and I have decided not to buy a skimmer bot, unfortunately.

Maybe the new solar breeze bot that allegedly comes out in March 2022 will be more robust. I really want one, but I have enough science projects around the house, don’t need another one. For this price I could buy a sweet RC boat with a drag net. It would be way more fun than going to ups constantly to swap bots ;-)

 

[Orion7319]

I was very close to buying a skimmer bot. This thread was great, and I have decided not to buy a skimmer bot, unfortunately.

Maybe the new solar breeze bot that allegedly comes out in March 2022 will be more robust. I really want one, but I have enough science projects around the house, don’t need another one. For this price I could buy a sweet RC boat with a drag net. It would be way more fun than going to ups constantly to swap bots ;-)

My latest one is still working fine. It survived winter storage. I had to charge it in the sun for two days, but so far so good. I’m thinking I finally got a good one…. Knock on wood…

 

[Katodude]

Maybe the new solar breeze bot that allegedly comes out in March 2022 will be more robust.

Where did you hear about that. I am interested to know what would be coming out.

 

[Bam Bam]

It’s been 5 months since my Betta review. The unit has worked non-stop since then. I have had to reset it many times but usually there is a clear reason why it stopped working - pine straw wrapped around the wheel; a sweet gum tree seed jammed in the intake; trapped by the Polaris connection, etc.

I am humbled by those who have not had such great performance and have no idea why I have a unit that, for me, has paid for itself in minimal pool cleaning time and shoulder strain prevention.

Today Betta proved to be invaluable once again as a way station for a frog/toad. I’m sure this is just the beginning of it’s wildlife cruises. Turtles, snakes and bugs to board soon!

 

[Katygreys]

Where did you hear about that. I am interested to know what would be coming out.

In one of the 6,748 posts on skimmer bots found somewhere in the TFP Forum ether

 

[DanF]

As an update to my Betta return last month (post #106), the unit was repaired and shipped back about 2 days after receipt at Instapark's facility. Since then I have not had any problems. I should have asked what was fixed, but did not.

 

[Orion7319]

Well, to quote Queen “another one bites the dust”. This one doesn’t want to turn on anymore. It just cycles between trying to boot up. Never does the flashing red and blue light thing. It’s doing exactly what another one I had that died did. Anyway I called them and they are sending me out a new one! Right after I hung up with them I had received an email from them with a tracking number. They said it will have the latest software update. Can’t say enough good things about their customer service!

 

[DanF]

Wow that's great Orion! Last month they told me there were no new ones for warranty replacement, so maybe things have changed. Enjoy your new Betta!

 

[livinwell]

I purchased the Betta Aug 2021. It has worked well for us, and replaced my Solar Breeze that died after a year. We’ve experienced some of the same issues noted in the previous threads, like Betta not being able to break free of the M600 cleaner line, sometimes getting stuck at an inside corner of the pool wall, etc. We’re in AZ and haven’t encountered any major issue with the battery. The unit mostly ran day and night, last year, even this winter when there was good sun all day.

I submitted a warranty claim today because there is a small gear for the propeller that stopped working. I’ll see what “limited warranty” means since we’re just under a year. Hopefully the are taking the information from the warranty claims and making improvements. I’m still thinking about purchasisng Ariel, so I have a plan B.

 

[Orion7319]

Wow that's great Orion! Last month they told me there were no new ones for warranty replacement, so maybe things have changed. Enjoy your new Betta!

This time it looks like it’s a refurbished unit they are sending. I’m fine with that as long as it works, and it has the latest software.

 

[Orion7319]

I purchased the Betta Aug 2021. It has worked well for us, and replaced my Solar Breeze that died after a year. We’ve experienced some of the same issues noted in the previous threads, like Betta not being able to break free of the M600 cleaner line, sometimes getting stuck at an inside corner of the pool wall, etc. We’re in AZ and haven’t encountered any major issue with the battery. The unit mostly ran day and night, last year, even this winter when there was good sun all day.

I submitted a warranty claim today because there is a small gear for the propeller that stopped working. I’ll see what “limited warranty” means since we’re just under a year. Hopefully the are taking the information from the warranty claims and making improvements. I’m still thinking about purchasisng Ariel, so I have a plan B.

I would try the Ariel if it weren’t for the small trey. It would fill up in two minutes in my pool.

 

[DanF]

I submitted a warranty claim today because there is a small gear for the propeller that stopped working.

Just curious, how did you know the prop gear was bad?

 

[Newdude]

how did you know the prop gear was bad?

Maybe it was in the skimmer.