Are SWG's really worth the hype? your experience beforevsafter, recommend type

[mguzzy]

My experience has been a mixed bag. On my 3rd replacement (jandy aquapure 1400) after 12 years of service so cost wise probably not a great investment (and I do my own work so would be even worse if I had to call a repair guy each time). Will probably go the stenner route when this one eventually craps out. Here’s my pros/cons:

pros-
1. low maintenance (if running properly)
2. Saves trips to buy chlorine jugs
3. people comment as to how soft the water feels with saltwater
4. no issues with elevated CYA like happens with tablets
5. Later models units seem better made more reliable (aquapure specific comment)
6. Can leave pool while on vacation and not come back to a green mess

cons-
1. expensive to purchase and maintain (had multiple board failures, cells that didn’t last expected life, flow sensors fail, etc
2. repair parts are expensive and troubleshooting is complex (enough so that purchasing a completely new unit was a better option a few times rather than risk throwing parts at it)
3. zero support from Jandy (zotiac) to the consumer troubleshooting issues
4. need extended run times in summer to generate enough chlorine= higher electricity bills
5. Salt damages coping (natural stone) more than non saltwater pool.
6. Still need to add chlorine in winter as cells don’t operate in cold water

IMO, liquid chlorine injection is the best option (for my situation) and next build will forgo using a SWG.

1,2,3: It seems like a lot of your issues stemmed from the manufacturer. Bad support, bad equipment. When you replaced everything.. why didn't change brands? just curious. Can't say I haven't had any issues with my SWG.. but no more so than I have had with my other household appliances.
4: In summer I don't extend the run times.. I just add a liquid chlorine kicker.. its quicker and easier on the cell
5: Never seen reliable evidence of salt pools eating way at coping.. Its usually pH related. Sweat and tears have a higher concentration of salt.. so don't cry on your coping..
6: In winter, yeah SWG goes to sleep. but.. where I live Im not swimming much anyway, and biological action is just about nil. I'm usually fighting the changes of the season, Wind, rain, and falling leaves.. those would be same regardless of the type of sanitation