I can't give you any "long term" results but after 20 years without a pool, I now have another that I've just installed.
Since June, I've been using (specs in sig) the Intex SWG and I guess you could say the BBB method. I LOVE IT. I started off with a fresh fill and BBB for appx 2 weeks until I got my chemicals right and then I started the SWG.
I know each pool's chemical requirements differ but right now, I can tell you that my pool has been crystal clear, no chlorine smell (just a nice clean smell to the water) and as of about a month ago I've noticed that the water looks very "polished" like others on the forum have described. I really could not understand the description of polished as I read it on the forum until I noticed one day my pool really looked "ultra-clear" and almost a "shine" on the surface. AMAZING.
Right now, I'm still in the "experimenting stage" and I've been charting my numbers and will be posting for suggestions but currently:
I run my SWG for 6 hours at night within a 8 hour pump/filter run time. (11pm - 7am run time)
During the day, my pump comes on for another 4 hours between 12noon and 4pm
I'm not "ultra-rural" out here, but I do have the occasional power outage which is annoying with the Intex SWG so to play it safe (I really don't even know why I do this to be honest) I leave (1) 3" Triclor puck in a floating feeder set on the 2nd lowest setting and it lasts almost 2 weeks before it's fully disolved / gone. (So I'm sure I'm not really getting much of a benifit at all (other than most likely a teeeeeeny bit of CYA I guess) but in my bizzare mind if figure if my Intex SWG stops working and I don't see it immediately, I at least have a very minmal amount of chemical in the water. - I know, I'm warped...
The TF 100 Kit is 100% AMAZING. Hands down I'm very amazed how far it's come since I've last had a pool and used the simple 3 way test kit.
Between the TF-100, the pool calculator, the GREAT PEOPLE on this forum and BBB It's really all you need.
Maybe too much info but I just wanted to post that I think BBB and SWG is a great combo.
To be 100% honest, I by no means have had a home run right off the bat....,
I had a slight occurence (which I thought was sand at first) of "fine stuff" in the pool which I then began to believe was Algae due to a slight slimy feeling. After researching on the site I didn't even have to post a question about it.
Waterbear, Frustrated Pool Mom and many others have posted such great info regarding Mustard Algae, Matt's Mud etc, I almost instantly saw than my CYA was low, my chlorine was being consumed, I needed to check my numbers etc.
After many tests, getting used to my TF-100, researching on the site, (Great Chart by the way regarding shock level based on your CYA), I did an overnight test, shocked the pool, vac'd some of the "gunk" to waste, installed a skimmer sock and some other stuff, I really saw my water go from what was always crystal clear to 10 x's better and very polished.
The Intex SWG is (In many people's opinion) a very basic, entry level SWG which I 100% agree with. Since I was planning to go BBB anyway, I figured that I'd get my feet wet with SWG with an inexpensive unit like the Intex and then supplement it with BBB. I could always upgrade in the future and since my pool isn't really "super large" I think the Intex is a nice fit. Not big on features but hey for $164.99 I'm happy with it.
I think SWG and BBB is a very cost effective way to maintain a pool.
I'm still not there yet. I do see every few days a few spots of that gunk and I do see that my CYA is a bit under where it should be. I have work to do but I've recorded my current levels because with the help of this board, I'm THRILLED at where my water is after being away from pool care for over 20 years.
BBB, SWG , TF-100 and the board members are (no question) why a "born again pool newbie" has avoided many of the common problems that others face with green pools, algae and a host of other problems. Just wanted to pass along my success story to you.
