$700 is robot cleaner

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tagteamcomputing

Gold Supporter
Feb 7, 2017
296
Tulsa, OK
I am looking at getting a robot cleaner. I have only one tree and don't get a lot of debris, except during spring and fall.
I am looking at the following:
  • Dolphin Proteus DX4 - $799
  • Doheny Discovery powerd by Dolphin - $719
  • Doheny Mercury Powered by Dolphin - $855 - has a bluetooth app that is supposed to let you control it with your phone-I am a computer nerd and this seems cool
  • Dolphin Advantage Plus - $899
  • Dolphin Cayman - $699
  • Dolphin Active 30i - think this is the same as the Doheny Mercury

I tried to read as many reviews as I could but you never know where the reviews are coming from these days. I would like one that won't fall apart in a couple of years.

I have read several threads on TFP, reviews on the web, etc and like everyone else my head is spinning. I am now ready to follow the yellow brick road and just ask the Wizard which one to get.
Thanks for any input,
Tate
 
Tate,

Go to Amazon and enter the models you most like, then queue up the "most critical" reviews. If you see trends like certain part failures or the same thing, bad support or warranty repair is non-existent, then you know which ones to avoid. But, you have to qualify the critical reviews to insure they are valid: same part fails or is known to fail regardless of user error vs "it said the color was dark blue and it was really light blue".

Also, look at the date of the reviews. If you are buying something on the bleeding edge, roll the dice, since there's no history of performance or durability. I always avoid first yr models of everything unless it's super easy to upgrade the firmware or equivalent, but w pool products, that's not the case. Also look for "if it failed or had a problem, how did the manufacturer respond?" type questions. If no support, then what you get is what you get...I got a Hayward shark and everything on its been replaced during warranty..so when it breaks again, that's probably it...I properly take it out of the water when it's done, rinse off w hose and place in shade. It performs ok, but gets stuck on the drains so it's a babysitting scenario...make sure either your drains are flat or your robot doesn't get stuck..good luck.
 
If all you want the upgraded Mercury for is to drive it around with your phone, you will be disappointed. It is not like driving a R/C car around the bottom of the pool. Not to mention, the whole point of a robot cleaner, suction cleaner, pressure side cleaner is to turn it on and forget it. Come back a few hours later and repeat. For most, the S20, Discovery, S200 are all they need. If you need the extra cycles of the S30i (floor only, waterline only, fast clean, etc) then maybe the extra $400 is worth it.
 
Yes, Killer95Stang, I think you are right. After one disappointing session of having me trying to drive the robot around to chase the kids, the novelty will be gone and so will my additional $400.

I don't really care about extra cycles either. My pool does not get that dirty and I don't mind cleaning it. For some reason, I really dont like brushing it and the rest of it I dont mind.

By the way, do you have any pics of your pool. It sounds great and I am looking for some ideas in redoing my pool a bit.
 
I'm a huge fan of my Doheny Discovery. Bought it late last season and it has been a champ through the end of last year (fall with TONS of leaves) and spring (with TONS of pollen and seeds/pods). Two sets of filters (mesh and fine) for big stuff and "polishing" the water.

Agree with reading reviews and shopping around. For my money, it was a great choice. He's a real workhorse. His name's Wally. :cool:
 
tagteamcomputing said:
Yes, Killer95Stang, I think you are right. After one disappointing session of having me trying to drive the robot around to chase the kids, the novelty will be gone and so will my additional $400.

I don't really care about extra cycles either. My pool does not get that dirty and I don't mind cleaning it. For some reason, I really dont like brushing it and the rest of it I dont mind.

By the way, do you have any pics of your pool. It sounds great and I am looking for some ideas in redoing my pool a bit.
Click to expand...

If you look for my Doheny Discovery thread I started a couple years ago, you will get the most info that covers all off the S200, S300, S300i, Active models, Quantum models, Discovery, etc. I think that thread is up to 56 pages and over 1100 posts. You will see an overwhelming majority of people who posted love this series of pool cleaner. Personally, I can't imagine keeping my pool as clean / clear as it is without having my robot. I still have to brush the tops of the steps, spa and sun shelf, but the majority of dirt gets picked up by the cleaner.

You can click on my name and find the threads I've started. In there you will see my pool build which has plenty of pictures.
 
I know I'm about 22 days late to this party, but I just want to say THANK YOU! I have come up with the exact same models in my research (I considered the Triton as well, but its missing the anti-swivel cord). My husband is a technology junkie and he loves to automate everything (our entire house is "smart"), but we bought the house in Dec. 2017 so the pool thing is new to us and we are renovating and really watching costs, so spending $300-$500 more for fancy features doesn't seem reasonable. I am standing by my top pick which is the Doheny Discovery (I like the Proteus DX4 as well since it has the "automation" feature, but the lack of reviews makes me wary). We opened our pool June 2 so we really, really need a robot.
 

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