Here goes...newbie "how do I narrow down my search" questions...

[brider]

Wife (and kids) finally decided a 6-person hot tub would be the perfect family X-mas gift, even though it will have to be NEXT Christmas' gift (delivery times are 6-mo +).

So, looking locally and on-line, my head is swirling over the choices, so maybe you folks can give some biased and un-biased opinions.

Looked locally at a Nordic Jubilee, and a Jacuzzi J-200 series. The Jacuzzi seemed REALLY high-priced given the features, but if it's a case of get-what-you-pay-for, I get it. But at $8,600 plus other costs, it's kinda over my price limit.

Nordic Jubilee is 110v with 220v option, Jacuzzi has factory ozone thingy, Jubilee is optional.

Also looked at an Aquarest Daydream 4500, 6-person, factory ozone, lounger seat, 45-jet, etc, etc. 11v, with 220 option.

Of any brand/features, how desirable in a practical sense is having dual motors? How desirable is the need to run heater and jets at the same time? I'm in CT so winter performance would be critical.

The specs for gallons/weight empty seem to be all over; is gallons a good measure of "roominess" for a given seating arrangement? Is weight empty a good measure of build quality (heavier = better)?

How about warranty? 5 yrs on the tub/frame seems to be standard, 1-3 yrs on pumps and such, is it common to have claims against either of these?

Lotsa considerations, but there's LOTS of options out there, which makes me think there's lots of room for a wrong decision.

 

[Newdude]

Hey Broderick !! I can't help much with the brands but can help with the choices. Most 110v tubs are 'starter tubs'. They are smaller and have many less jets at each seat. They also don't have the power to give you that heavenly spa feeling. Nor can they overcome running and heating in the Northeast winter. They will stay warm for a cycle or two, but the heat leaves quickly and takes hours to gain back once covered and unused.

But they are half the price so they are sooooooo attractive. They also can just plug into your dedicated outside outlet without needing an electrician to run and install a 220v quick disconnect.

When I got mine we had just finished the pool build and the budget was hurting. I opted for the 110v tub as an experiment to see if it would get used, or it would just sit there after 6 months. (Its probably 50/50 and everybody falls into one of the categories) Well, i used it all the time but still didn't want to spend the money on a 220v tub. So I made do with really warm water instead of hot, and lackluster jets that really didn't do much. I made it about 2 years and put it away for the summer and left it stored after that.

 

[RDspaguy]

a case of get-what-you-pay-for

And a good part of what you pay for is the Jacuzzi name. Not to say it's not a good tub by any means, it's a very well built tub. But overpriced a n.v d has many proprietary parts, so can be more pricey to fix once out of warranty. Haven't seen many Nordic tubs in years, so really couldn't say about the new ones, but they used to be a decent tub.
In my opinion, a good, reliable dealer with a long standing reputation for quality service is the first thing you should look for. You will be dealing with them under warranty for many years and a shady, inexperienced, or (even worse) shortlived dealership can ruin your spa experience regardless of brand. And don't ever buy a spa online or from a tent in a parking lot, however good the price. Local dealer only, unless you plan on fixing it yourself. I'd shy away from Costco or other big box stores with no in-house service department as well.

how desirable in a practical sense is having dual motors?

Depends on number and type of jets. A bazillion jets with a single 2hp pump will be much less enjoyable than 15 jets on the same pump, however cool it might look.

heater and jets at the same time?

You can loose a few degrees in a long soak without it, so it really depends on the duration you plan to use it. If your kids are really interested, it will be used for long soaks.

a good measure of "roominess

Yes and no. A recliner can drop a hundred gallons off of the same spa without a recliner, and deep seats add the same but don't have more room for bathers in the tub.

Is weight empty a good measure of build quality (heavier = better)?

In short, no. There are far too many factors to go into, but that would be a gross oversimplification.

How about warranty?

One of the primary factors in price is warranty, and it is a reflection of build quality. Everyone uses somebody else's motors, jets, etc., but shell, cabinet, and plumbing warranty are a clear indicator of the life expectancy of the spa.

Lotsa considerations

Let me give you one more...
I call it "new toy syndrome" and it creates the used spa market. Everyone loves their new spa, and uses it often. Then, gradually, they get bored with it, or begin to dislike the cold walk inside, or... and before you know it, it has become that money eating thing in the backyard growing funk that you are still paying for. I often get calls from people saying things like "I opened my spa cover for the first time since (fill in the blank) and it's (empty, stinky, cold, gross, not working, etc...). If you have never owned a spa before, you might want to shop used. It's a much smaller investment to find out if your family will still love it next year, and can get a tub in your yard next week in most cases. You can always get that bazillion jet 12 seater with wifi next year if you still want it.
Just my opinion...

 

[cowboycasey]

I agree with @RDspaguy and will say less is more, the older type spas without the motherboards are a better choice but they are hard to find.. When one of those motherboards go out it can cost major money...

On the flip side I loved my hot tub and used it 6 nights a week in the winter... Go with a 220V spa unless you only want to use it in the summer, in the winter with 0 degree weather a 110v will not keep up..

 

[brider]

Thanks all for the good input. I was originally considering the 110v, but you guys changed my mind. Looked at a Viking and a CalSpa at a dealer today, and and agree with you now that a dealer is the way to go. We called a couple of guys who apparently sell them on the side, and got turned off immediately.

I think I'll check out the local FB adds for used, tho, just to see what's out there. Wife is set on a 7-man Cal Spa with all the bells and whistles, too much $$$.

 

[jseyfert3]

You’ve already decided 240 volts, and that’s a great choice. Here’s one of my favorite pics I share when people ask about hot tubs, our 2008 6-seat Cal Spas we got with out house last January.

Winter is our favorite time to use the hot tub. We’ve been able to soak at 20 degrees air temp when calm for hours, and the tub maintains temp. A 120 volt tub cannot do that.

Ours also has two motors, I think the one vs two really depends on the number of seats. Even with two motors if I want really good jet power I have to set the diverters to run only run half the seats at a time with both pumps running. Can do all the seats at once but they have reduced flow and it’s not as nice.

Don’t forget to budget an electrician for wiring up the 240. May want to call them ahead of time for a quote and to make sure there’s no gotchyas like a need to upgrade your panel/service.

 

[RDspaguy]

I have been in the spa repair business for going on 26 years. I have seen, at one time or another, almost every brand you could name. I have my favorites and my not-so-favorites, some are even both at once. Cal is one of those.
In my experience fixing them, they build a decent spa. Yeah, they have had some issues over the years, but who hasn't? I would recommend a used Cal in a heartbeat. But of all the different manufacturers I have dealt with, Cal stands out as the one least likely to honor a warranty claim. I have worked for 2 Cal dealers, and both had few if any warranty claims paid. One dropped the brand, and the other simply resigned himself to paying for the warranty issues and adjusted his price accordingly.
Admittedly this was many years ago, and things may have changed, but I would be sure to find out about that dealer and how long they have sold the Cal brand. The company does not have a great reputation among old-timers in the industry.