I think I'm with everyone else that says their head is spinning! I have put in easily 20 hours of research over the last few days. I think I have narrowed it down to either the Active 20 (refurb $599 or Marina $659) or the Nautilus Plus ($769 WITH CADDY). Looking for sage words of wisdom to help me decide. Thanks for your insight; I appreciate it!
Doheny's Discovery, S200, Active20, Triton owners club
- Thread starter Killer95Stang
- Start date
Just placed my order for the discovery. Cant wait to get it! The pentair kreepy krawly legend II we have now down right sucks. Or maybe that's the problem it doesn't suck strong enough to suck up any fine grit off the pool floor. I have high hopes for this Discovery! I hope it does much better than what we have now.
Hey guys, new Triton owner here. Love the triton colors, but wish I would have found this thread earlier and saved $100. Of course it was impossible to try and decode the maytronics product line alone.
So, to rehash..
A10 = S100 = Saturn = Nautilus CC 2017
A20 = S200 = Discovery = Triton PS 2017
A30 = S300 = Triton PS Plus 2017
A30i = S300i = (no internet model?)
Is that right?
So do the Bluetooth models have a different cable with more wires? Do they also have a different motor assembly? When I bought the triton I was under the impression I could add the maytronics remote later, but this seems to work on the 2016 and earlier triton only.
Maytronics really keeps you guessing.
So, to rehash..
A10 = S100 = Saturn = Nautilus CC 2017
A20 = S200 = Discovery = Triton PS 2017
A30 = S300 = Triton PS Plus 2017
A30i = S300i = (no internet model?)
Is that right?
So do the Bluetooth models have a different cable with more wires? Do they also have a different motor assembly? When I bought the triton I was under the impression I could add the maytronics remote later, but this seems to work on the 2016 and earlier triton only.
Maytronics really keeps you guessing.
So interestingly enough all of the robots in the Active and S series from the A20 and S200 up have the exact same motor box unit and power supply. The difference as far as bluetooth capability is literally all in the cable. The non-remote cleaners have a cable with 2 wires and the remote units have a cable with 3. Thought I'm still not 100% sure how they differentiate which app you get with different robots. Because the S300, S300i, Active 30, and Active 30i are all identical units. Also the M400 and M500 are identical units. So in theory you should be able to use the My Dolphin app with any of them.
For me I have the active 30i, Bluetooth is useless can not consistently connect from 15', I use it like a active 20, just wasted money. If it had WiFi it would be much better. Could be a great product with a few fixes. 1st and foremost put a swivel on the cord. Software needs a significant update.
The used to put a swivel on the 300i/30i but took it off for some reason. If you wanna drop like $200-250 in parts you can put a swivel cable on it, you would just need to buy a Cembre Crimpstar HF1 ratcheting crimper to put the connectors on, which I've never seen that tool for sale for less than $250. Luckily I have like 5 in my shop.
Maytronics says the program is such that the robot will not twist it up, but I guess they either did not test it or it works differently in my pool, 1st cycle through not too bad but after that gets so bad the tight cord alters the course of the robot. It takes more than 1 cycle for it to cover all the pool, it misses spots, and now that I can see every speck of dirt since the water is so clear (thanks TFP) it bothers me. Now all that negative said, it cleans better than I could ever vacuum. It just could be a super machine with a few tweaks. I spent about 2x what I could have on an Active 20, I was happy to do so if it really worked as advertised. A shame I do not have one of those tools.
Hmm that is interesting. Do you have to enter your serial number when you install the app? Maybe that is what unlocks the extra features. If the cable, motor, and power supply are all the same between the 30 and 30i that seems like the only way.
- May 23, 2015
- 25,786
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I have the S300i. Works flawlessly and the cord is never tangled. A swivel connector is just a bad idea ... one more thing to break. The unit is designed to execute the same number of CW & CCW turns in any one cleaning cycle. So at most you should only see a single loop of cord in the pool.
Cord management is critical for these cleaners which is why I wanted the caddy. You absolutely, positively cannot tightly wrap the cord around the cord holder or use your forearm as a wrap (similar to how people roll up extension cords). If you do, you will put permanent twists into the cord and then it will always tangle up. You either have to roll the cord up using your hands OR use the over-under technique. The coil diameter should be large, almost as long as the span of your arms. If you tightly wind the cord, you'll ruin it.
As for the app and Bluetooth, it's not meant to be like a WiFi control where you can check it from anywhere in the world. It's meant as a way of setting up the cleaning schedule and accessing the advanced cleaning functions (UltraClean mode, Floor Only, etc) when needed or driving the robot manually if it happens to stop at a point in the pool that makes it difficult to retrieve. No Bluetooth device operates at long distances, that's just not a feature of the Bluetooth standard. The App has its quirks for sure, but the latest version is much better than the previous version so they are actively updating it.
Cord management is critical for these cleaners which is why I wanted the caddy. You absolutely, positively cannot tightly wrap the cord around the cord holder or use your forearm as a wrap (similar to how people roll up extension cords). If you do, you will put permanent twists into the cord and then it will always tangle up. You either have to roll the cord up using your hands OR use the over-under technique. The coil diameter should be large, almost as long as the span of your arms. If you tightly wind the cord, you'll ruin it.
As for the app and Bluetooth, it's not meant to be like a WiFi control where you can check it from anywhere in the world. It's meant as a way of setting up the cleaning schedule and accessing the advanced cleaning functions (UltraClean mode, Floor Only, etc) when needed or driving the robot manually if it happens to stop at a point in the pool that makes it difficult to retrieve. No Bluetooth device operates at long distances, that's just not a feature of the Bluetooth standard. The App has its quirks for sure, but the latest version is much better than the previous version so they are actively updating it.
The app reads the serial number, as it's hard coded into the motor box. So maybe there's a certain alphanumerical sequence that distinguishes what robots are what? I doubt the app has a serial number registry of every serial number and what robot it's supposed to be. One of these days I'll have to ask my rep or the repair tech at Maytronics HQ how that works.
I think the swivel connector is brilliant. I find it really does help keeping the cable straight. Yes, a lot of twisted cables come from improper wrapping but with simpler machines (i.e ones that can't turn) or more complex pool shapes sometimes you can't help but the robot getting tangled. My only gripe with it is that if your alkalinity is in the toilet and you leave the robot in the pool all the time it eats away at the one single o-ring keeping the whole thing waterproof. I've replaced more than a few swivel cables in my time and almost always when the swivel is ruined, the robot is beat up, bleached out, and has a whole slew of other issues.
I think the swivel connector is brilliant. I find it really does help keeping the cable straight. Yes, a lot of twisted cables come from improper wrapping but with simpler machines (i.e ones that can't turn) or more complex pool shapes sometimes you can't help but the robot getting tangled. My only gripe with it is that if your alkalinity is in the toilet and you leave the robot in the pool all the time it eats away at the one single o-ring keeping the whole thing waterproof. I've replaced more than a few swivel cables in my time and almost always when the swivel is ruined, the robot is beat up, bleached out, and has a whole slew of other issues.
Hi JoyfulNoise,
I know you are a great poster and have a lot of knowledge, however my experience has not been like yours. In another thread I did a review, I posted picture of cord when I first put it in pool and then after 2 cycles and you can see it is twisted. Maybe I have a defective unit. I can't find thread it was last year and photobucket sent me the email of no 3rd party hosting, I will have to try and find original pictures. The APP works when I am 2 feet away from it, when I am 10' away it is very intermittent (there is a wall with a window between myself and the base at this point) My Bluetooth speaker for my phone works much better. The timer function while only 7 days is only a 1 event timer, I need 2 cycles to get the whole pool done but that could also be a function of the twists in the cord altering the path. It hangs up on the drain and takes a very long time to free itself if I have pump drawing from bottom drain, with pump off it hangs up but frees itself. I called maytronics last year when I got it. They gave me same line you just did about wrapping cord. I worked as an electricians helper getting through school, I know how to untwist wire as well as coil it. I do it pretty much like you say above. As for the drain they said get a lower profile drain but could not give me any specific name or model # that would work with it. Bluetooth does not work through wall (unless it is my speaker). I have not updated app. or played with the app after the call to Mattronics, I just use it like the active 20.
- May 23, 2015
- 25,786
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
What you describe sounds pretty common to the S series robots. My unit does get hung up on my drain if it hits them dead center (because of the lip on the intake at the bottom of the cleaner). However, it will only spin its treads for about 30-60 secs before it executes a power turn to free itself. The unit has 1.5, 2 and 2.5 hour cleaning cycles (programmable from the App) and I have no problems getting my floor clean using the standard cleaning cycle and a 2hr runtime. That said, the App allows you to access the advanced cleaning cycles where you could choose to do Floor-Only mode, something I do at least once a week. In the S series, the standard clean does 80% floor and 20% walls and tile line (as measured in cycle time). In Floor-Only it will stay 100% on the floor. Also, if you use the App to turn on the unit, it remembers the last cleaning cycle parameters used and defaults to them. So you could set the 2.5 hour cycle time with Floor-Only and that may be a better option for getting your pool clean. Again though, you have to use the App to set that.
As for the cord, I did not mean to imply that you were not careful, but most people don't realize how easily damaged these cords can get from hard winding them into short coils. And fewer people know how to roll a cord without inducing twists in it. Most people just learn to wrap a coil around their forearms which leads to damaged robot cords. I suspect with long term use all cords eventually get twisted no matter what one does so maybe you can get your local repair shop to replace the cord under warranty since it's impeding the operation of the unit? (Assuming your unit is still under warranty)
As for Bluetooth, yep, mine only works from about 3ft away before it loses signal. I think that's just because Dolphin chose to use a low power BT transmitter/receiver (probably to reduce manufacturing costs). And it probably goes with their intended use of Bluetooth - the App is meant to start the robot and set the cleaning cycle parameters at pool side and then you're expected to just walk away. Since the App doesn't give any update as to how far into a cleaning cycle it is or how much time is left (something I wish it did), that seems to point their intention not to design it as a real time system. That simplifies the programming on their end but leaves something to be desired in terms of user experience.
Given all your trouble with your unit, I certainly understand the frustration. Perhaps an M series robot is a better choice for your pool as it has a third brush on the underside and is less prone to getting hung up on drains (and has a 3 hours cleaning cycle).
Right that makes sense but what happens when you do a motor swap, since it is a common part? Do you have to reprogram the motor?
I do have an active 30i, but I thought the S300 was the same unit just different name. I bought the active 30i because that is what the pool store I like the best carried and I wanted warranty so if it breaks it would be easy to take there and get it fixed fast. There was another store 45 min away selling the S300 a little cheaper but thought convenience factor would be worth the extra money if I needed service. Maybe I will take it back one more time, again the 1st time they gave me a bunch of lame idea's to try, like move the base unit outside to improve reception of bluetooth, turn bottom drain off and similar. But to move the base is more work than running it like a 20. I also tried to buy the outside wall plug that they show in their promotional material to plug the robot into to connect with the base, they told me only sold in Europe. So I open the bottom of the screen to the window and pass through when using, much easier than moving the caddy and would still require Putting the power cord through the window and then still would not reach outlet and still would not address the need for multiple events in the timer.
I almost bought the M5 or M500, can not remember the newer model at the moment but chose the active 30i because some reviews said that M5 was so aggressive it wore holes in the liner and recommended the Active 30 instead (my liner is old and damaged from what I believe to be dichlore thrown into pool for winterization). Also I liked and still do the large top load basket with dual filter as I think it would be easier to clean. M5/M500 has the swivel but I do not know if programming or remote is any better. Again this machine could really be great with a few tweaks, just maytronics does not seem interested in doing it. Wish I could have used one of each to compare as well as the 20.
In hindsight I wish I had bought the active 20 for half the cost. If I understand correctly it has a 6 hr timer which may do my whole pool and if I turned it on at night it would also help with circulation while my pump is off. But unless you can compare in actual use you do not know.
I almost bought the M5 or M500, can not remember the newer model at the moment but chose the active 30i because some reviews said that M5 was so aggressive it wore holes in the liner and recommended the Active 30 instead (my liner is old and damaged from what I believe to be dichlore thrown into pool for winterization). Also I liked and still do the large top load basket with dual filter as I think it would be easier to clean. M5/M500 has the swivel but I do not know if programming or remote is any better. Again this machine could really be great with a few tweaks, just maytronics does not seem interested in doing it. Wish I could have used one of each to compare as well as the 20.
In hindsight I wish I had bought the active 20 for half the cost. If I understand correctly it has a 6 hr timer which may do my whole pool and if I turned it on at night it would also help with circulation while my pump is off. But unless you can compare in actual use you do not know.
Active 20 doesn't have a 6 hour time. It runs 2 hours max.
Considering your issues with cord tangling I would definitely try bringing it to a service center and having the motor replaced. Explain you think the motor is malfunctioning because it's not making the same amount of CW and CCW turns. Though honestly if the unit gets hung up on the main drain that may be part of your issue, because the robot is blind and doesn't know it's getting hung up. If it gets turned around 180 degrees by getting hung up, it doesn't know.
Considering your issues with cord tangling I would definitely try bringing it to a service center and having the motor replaced. Explain you think the motor is malfunctioning because it's not making the same amount of CW and CCW turns. Though honestly if the unit gets hung up on the main drain that may be part of your issue, because the robot is blind and doesn't know it's getting hung up. If it gets turned around 180 degrees by getting hung up, it doesn't know.
Good ideas thebombardier, I thought I read "it turned off after 6 hours" somewhere but thanks for clarifying that. I may take back one more time. If I get the right guy at the store he is pretty good but the others really are not that good with knowledge and just try and appease me or put me off. But if I can find a lower profile drain cover that prevents the robot from hanging up it may do the pool in 1 cycle and not twist the cord.
The Polaris/Zodiac Unibridge is the best one out there imo. Low profile, low taper.
Yeah the only robots that run 6 hours anymore are the commercial units like the 3001 (they used to run 12 though). A local college to me has 4 of them and I'm swapping 6 hour boxes into at least one of them every year. Even for the old Dolphin Diagnostic cleaners the highest run time motor they sell me for those is 3 hours. I think the Dolphin Diagnostic Advantage (which is like 12-15 years old at this point) was the last 6 hour residential machines.
Yeah the only robots that run 6 hours anymore are the commercial units like the 3001 (they used to run 12 though). A local college to me has 4 of them and I'm swapping 6 hour boxes into at least one of them every year. Even for the old Dolphin Diagnostic cleaners the highest run time motor they sell me for those is 3 hours. I think the Dolphin Diagnostic Advantage (which is like 12-15 years old at this point) was the last 6 hour residential machines.