Robotic Pool Cleaner for New Build

[mrcarcrazy]

Just like Divin Dave said, they just don't do well with steps. And no, you really can't make them do steps with a remote. Mine never gets stuck on them, but they just haven't figured this out yet. I don't have a sun shelf, but my buddy with the Z5 has one. I'll get him to weigh in on how it does, but I just can't remember.

Best thing to do, is brush your steps before he runs. With all the work a Robot saves you, this is hardly even a drawback.

My Z5 makes it up the bottom and second step of my pool...basically it will climb until the top of the unit breaches the water surface. so it cleans my bottom two (of three) steps with about 50% effectiveness.

My Z5 also finds my little "deep end bench" as my wife calls it...it's at the same height as the second step. so it will drive right up there and cleans it fairly well. The rounded shape of the deck means the robot doesn't get it all...just most.

When I brush my pool, the only things I hit are the steps, the shelf/bench/deck thing, and the insides of the skimmer mouths.

Here's a pic of my Z5. this is as high as it's able to get.

Here it is trying to leave the pool...This is on my deck thing.

I'd say it depends on your build as to where the robot can get....I can make mine climb the stairs with the remote...but it's faster to just hit them with a brush.

 

[Patrick_B]

Thanks for updating carcrazy.

 

[SlowRocker]

Nice action shots mrcarcrazy. Thanks for the great input. I'm getting close to a decision.

 

[PoolDad2]

Great thread and very informative. Considering I have gone through two junk Aquabot Bravo's in the past five years, looks like I'm in need of a new and different cleaner. I just watched the video on the new Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner. It is new for 2015. What is everyone's thoughts on it? I like the fact that it comes with a bag as well as the cartridge filters. Plus direct drive so no need for belts and a modular design for easy part replacement. Yes it is new and I usually wait until things are out and proven. But this one is the same price as the Z5. Found the Premier here. Never mind, I found more info on other threads on here. I need to search slower.

 

[Chrissykr]

I'll save you the trouble and be honest. It's fair amount of effort for an average strength man to pull one out. They are heavy when full of water and no lightweights when empty. My wife struggles with it...it's tough but she can do it.

You aren't kidding! That thing is a beast when full of water. I am pretty strong and I was amazed at how heavy that thing is.

 

[SlowRocker]

I'm wondering if having a third brush on the M5 really worth it. Will it clean better? Also, I think I read on another thread that the remotes are different between the M5 and Z5? Anyone own both? I've contacted a local vendor and Epic and have not received any replies.

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You aren't kidding! That thing is a beast when full of water. I am pretty strong and I was amazed at how heavy that thing is.

Wow. I'm really glad I crossed of the Hayward and Kreepy off the list. Both are listed at 40lbs. Almost twice as heavy as the Dolphin.

 

[SlowRocker]

Visited a couple of pool stores today, and I’m reminded of how pushy they can be. But, got a good look at the M5 and asked some questions about the difference between it and the Z5.

According to them, the M5 with the 3rd brush is “much better” since the Z5 only has 2, which, I guess makes sense. The remote is exactly the same, as far as I can tell, from doing my own research as the stores had no clue what came with the Z5. I am going to email Maytronics with the remote question to confirm.

What I thought was interesting was one store pointed out that purchasing the cleaner online would void the warranty. Then he pointed to the (M5) box that has a label on it stating that, and had a great big grin on his face. I guess he just didn’t understand that the Z5 was sold online only and not in stores, and the warranty of 3 years will be honored. Then he went into a big speech about how he’s been in the pool business for a million years and that we only need to run our pump for blah, blah, blah, length of time (without even asking about the size of pool we were building), and that suction side cleaners may be better. I cut him off as quickly as I could, and we politely made our exit. Before we left, he wrote his name on a business card and put his title below it, “GM”. Said to come back when we’re ready and he can get us a great deal…which was about $400 more than the first store we visited.

So, from what I have gathered, the only difference is the number of brushes. Everything else is the same even the price, according to one store. I had my wife pick up the robot, and she did it with little effort.

Bottom line – We’re probably going with the M5 if it truly is the same price as the Z5. We’ll just have to pay tax.

 

[Divin Dave]

the statement about the no warranty online has some merit but is not entirely true.
All of the boxes have that sticker on it, because during packing, no one knows exactly where any partiular unit is going to end up at manufacturing.

Maytronics does honor warranty, .....IF.... you buy it from one of their larger dealers.

Visited a couple of pool stores today, and I’m reminded of how pushy they can be. But, got a good look at the M5 and asked some questions about the difference between it and the Z5.

According to them, the M5 with the 3rd brush is “much better” since the Z5 only has 2, which, I guess makes sense. The remote is exactly the same, as far as I can tell, from doing my own research as the stores had no clue what came with the Z5. I am going to email Maytronics with the remote question to confirm.

What I thought was interesting was one store pointed out that purchasing the cleaner online would void the warranty. Then he pointed to the (M5) box that has a label on it stating that, and had a great big grin on his face. I guess he just didn’t understand that the Z5 was sold online only and not in stores, and the warranty of 3 years will be honored. Then he went into a big speech about how he’s been in the pool business for a million years and that we only need to run our pump for blah, blah, blah, length of time (without even asking about the size of pool we were building), and that suction side cleaners may be better. I cut him off as quickly as I could, and we politely made our exit. Before we left, he wrote his name on a business card and put his title below it, “GM”. Said to come back when we’re ready and he can get us a great deal…which was about $400 more than the first store we visited.

So, from what I have gathered, the only difference is the number of brushes. Everything else is the same even the price, according to one store. I had my wife pick up the robot, and she did it with little effort.

Bottom line – We’re probably going with the M5 if it truly is the same price as the Z5. We’ll just have to pay tax.

 

[SlowRocker]

the statement about the no warranty online has some merit but is not entirely true.
All of the boxes have that sticker on it, because during packing, no one knows exactly where any partiular unit is going to end up at manufacturing.

Maytronics does honor warranty, .....IF.... you buy it from one of their larger dealers.

Sorry, Divin Dave, I guess I wasn't very clear. In my post, I just wanted to point out that this particular store was trying to intimidate me into buying from him. My bad.

 

[Ga mike]

We have a M5 and wouldn't trade it for anything!

 

[Divin Dave]

ahhhhh ok!

Those pool store people eh? sheesh!

Sorry, Divin Dave, I guess I wasn't very clear. In my post, I just wanted to point out that this particular store was trying to intimidate me into buying from him. My bad.

 

[Patrick_B]

Rocker, the M5 remote is different than the Z5's. Mine is what they call a "Pro Remote" Not knocking the Z or its functions, but the M remote lets you select some things. Run time, start delay, and job focus. I can select functions for him to concentrate on the floor with regular, or extra suction. Or, concentrate on the waterline/walls. Finally, just to have him run normal. With the time selector, he will do any of these for short, medium or long run times. Both remotes allow you to drive him round to where you want.

 

[SlowRocker]

Rocker, the M5 remote is different than the Z5's. Mine is what they call a "Pro Remote" Not knocking the Z or its functions, but the M remote lets you select some things. Run time, start delay, and job focus. I can select functions for him to concentrate on the floor with regular, or extra suction. Or, concentrate on the waterline/walls. Finally, just to have him run normal. With the time selector, he will do any of these for short, medium or long run times. Both remotes allow you to drive him round to where you want.

Thanks for the clarification Patrick. I was only able to pull up Youtube videos and some instruction manuals that weren't very detailed. In the "pictures" they look the same. From the website, I could only find information to a single remote so I assumed (and we all know where that usually gets us) there was only one type.

Not sure we need all the functionality of the M5 remote, but if the first store we visited has it for the same price, why not.

 

[Patrick_B]

My buddy near me has one of the Z5s and loves it. All I know is that I get loads and loads of dirt/dust blown into my pool, and the M5 is simply fantastic. With the screen cart filters, he picks up an impressive amount of leaf/tree and other debris. I traded the cost for a booster/pressure cleaner and could not be happier with the purchase. I've not vacuumed my pool once since he arrived and having done that a few times before he did, I sure don't miss that. Put my vac hose out in the barn, and I guess it's still there. :lol:

I don't think its a huge deal, but I do use the various functions on my remote quite a bit.

 

[SlowRocker]

My buddy near me has one of the Z5s and loves it. All I know is that I get loads and loads of dirt/dust blown into my pool, and the M5 is simply fantastic. With the screen cart filters, he picks up an impressive amount of leaf/tree and other debris. I traded the cost for a booster/pressure cleaner and could not be happier with the purchase. I've not vacuumed my pool once since he arrived and having done that a few times before he did, I sure don't miss that. Put my vac hose out in the barn, and I guess it's still there. :lol:

I don't think its a huge deal, but I do use the various functions on my remote quite a bit.

We'll probably have lots of dirt and debris but leaves should be minimal as we're having mostly pines planted in the back. I think only one tree has leaves and it's an Aspen we're putting in a corner to add privacy. The rest of the yard will be grassy groundcover and plantings that are natural to a mountain environment.

I'm actually excited about the M5, just hope the store wasn't pulling my leg about the price. I never received a written quote from her. But, if that falls though, sounds like the Z5 is a very nice alternative. Either way, I think I'm going to be pretty satisfied.

 

[Saturn94]

We'll probably have lots of dirt and debris but leaves should be minimal as we're having mostly pines planted in the back. I think only one tree has leaves and it's an Aspen we're putting in a corner to add privacy. The rest of the yard will be grassy groundcover and plantings that are natural to a mountain environment.

I'm actually excited about the M5, just hope the store wasn't pulling my leg about the price. I never received a written quote from her. But, if that falls though, sounds like the Z5 is a very nice alternative. Either way, I think I'm going to be pretty satisfied.

We have a neighbor behind us who has a large pine tree in his yard. What a mess it makes! Every time the wind blows our way it dumps pine needles all over the pool and deck. They're a pain to pick out of the skimmer baskets. Unfortunately he won't take it down. It's odd though, he also has a pool, but I guess he doesn't mind the constant mess......well, I guess it makes sense looking at their back yard....looks like a junkyard! Thank goodness for privacy fences!

Do yourself a favor and keep the pines away from the pool.

 

[SlowRocker]

We have a neighbor behind us who has a large pine tree in his yard. What a mess it makes! Every time the wind blows our way it dumps pine needles all over the pool and deck. They're a pain to pick out of the skimmer baskets. Unfortunately he won't take it down. It's odd though, he also has a pool, but I guess he doesn't mind the constant mess......well, I guess it makes sense looking at their back yard....looks like a junkyard! Thank goodness for privacy fences!

Do yourself a favor and keep the pines away from the pool.

Hm. The pines we're having planted are Blue Spruces similar to the one next to the equipment building. To be honest, I've never taken notice if there are pine needles around it. My wife is handling the plantings side of the build so I'm somewhat at a loss. No green thumb here. She's going to be doing most of the pool cleaning during the week anyway so she'll just have her clean out the needles from her plantings.

 

[Saturn94]

....She's going to be doing most of the pool cleaning during the week anyway so she'll just have her clean out the needles from her plantings. ...

Hehehe......sounds like a good plan.

 

[Patrick_B]

We'll probably have lots of dirt and debris but leaves should be minimal as we're having mostly pines planted in the back. I think only one tree has leaves and it's an Aspen we're putting in a corner to add privacy. The rest of the yard will be grassy groundcover and plantings that are natural to a mountain environment.

I'm actually excited about the M5, just hope the store wasn't pulling my leg about the price. I never received a written quote from her. But, if that falls though, sounds like the Z5 is a very nice alternative. Either way, I think I'm going to be pretty satisfied.

You will for sure. Sorry, tell me again what they quoted you on the M5?

 

[SlowRocker]

You will for sure. Sorry, tell me again what they quoted you on the M5?

The first store quoted $1199, but said to wait until the first of April as the rebates will be coming out then. The rebate for the M5 is supposed to be $100, so the price would be $1099. The second store quoted $1599, but was willing to cut the price $100 and give it to us for $1499. He didn't mention the rebate as the first store did.