Im completely clueless which robot to get

[mconnolly]

Hi everyone.. So Ive been reading thread after thread regarding pool cleaners and to be honest, Im more confused now then i was before reading if thats even possible. My pool construction is almost complete, the pool builders actually brought it to life yesterday morning. I asked the construction manager if he had any recommendations on a robot and he said that the 4WD polaris units are pretty much regarded as the best out there. The pool company also told me earlier to buy whatever model I decided on online since thats where ill find the best deal. I interpret my builders reference as unbiased since hes not going to profit off of it. So that got me looking at the 9550. While searching for a pool community forum, i came across this site and realized that maytronics/dolphin get a lot of love. That got me looking at the 20 million or so different models dolphin makes

What i have is a 34k gal, 18x36x38 with a vinyl liner. The pool is freeform (think of one of those fidget spinners with one of the arms cut off). We went salt water although i dont think that matters with regards to the robot type. The steps are formed inside of the pool so no external fiberglass entries and the 2nd step down we had extended 5ft to make a small sun shelf.

Ive read reviews where people indicate that their robots have difficulty cleaning the waterline, cant clean sunshelfs, get stuck on the main drain, etc... I wont have a huge problem with large debris like leaves since there are very few trees around the pool area (closest tree is probably over 200 ft away) but pollen season around here is ridiculous. Id love to find something that can handle the steps/sunshelf, clean the floor, walls/waterline and can handle fine particles.

Im not looking to go cheap but Im also not trying to keep up with the Joneses either. I do appreciate a quality machine and will spend the $$$ if warranted but i want something that does its job and not roll over and die after a season or 2. Any recommendations... PLEASE!!

Thanks in advance

 

[Megarms]

I recently purchased a robot (Maytronics Active 30i) from Marina Pools for $950 minus $125 rebate, no sales tax, free shipping. The robot will NOT clean my tanning ledge because it is only about 8" deep and it does not do the stairs all that well either. I am told that you will be pretty hard pressed to find a robot that will clean ledges and/or stairs.

Marina Pools has the s200 (active 20) for $699 minus a $50 rebate - This robot does not come with a caddy, nor can it be operated using your phone and the programming options are limited.

They have the S300 (active 30) for $849 minus $75 rebate, comes with a caddy, and limited programming through your phone.

Trying to navigate through this maze is nearly impossible. Your best bet is to call Marina Pools and have them help you decide.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[mconnolly]

Thanks Megarms for the info. I called Marina and spoke with Margaret and she recommended the M400. She said it'll have a better chance at cleaning the shelf but because of the size and shape of my pool, she recommended I go with the M series. She said the M500 would also be a good fit but said I really wouldnt see much benefit of it over the M400. I jumped right on the M400 and now I'm excited to play with my new toy!! $999 seemed more then reasonable for a pretty much top of the line robot. Thanks for recommending Marina Pools!

 

[GeorgiaPoolOwner]

I brush the tanning ledges and stairs, although my M400 does climb the stairs, some. Brushing pushes everything off the stairs to a place where the robot will pick it up. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N78IVWJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did buy this from Amazon before I sold my old house (because I both wanted to keep my M400 and didn't feel comfortable leaving them with something potentially nearing its end of life). It worked remarkably well. It was easier to clean than my M400, was still a top-loading filter basket, ran up walls, did not get stuck on drains, etc. Honestly, when/if my M400 goes out, I'm probably getting that again next time.

It only has 1 filter basket though, and its mesh, so it doesn't have the finer filter of the M400, which is nice. I just don't know if it is 3x the price nice.

 

[mconnolly]

My neighbor has the CC and raves about it. I almost picked that one up but then decided to drive myself crazy trying to research these things. In the end, Marina recommended the M series after I gave her all my specs so thats what i went with. I think im going to have more issues with fine particles then things like leaves and such so fine filtering was non-negotiable.

Oh and I forgot that the M400 has a $75 rebate so I should have deducted that from the $999 i quoted above.

Im excited to see what these things can do. I tried manual vacuuming for the 1st time 2 days ago and I would say that if this robot eases/eliminates that chore (and OMG is it a chore).. then its $$ very well spent!!

 

[GeorgiaPoolOwner]

Can't go wrong with the M400.

My old pool, it was mostly leaves getting in my pool. It would have dirt in it when I used the vacuum, but not bad.

Now, I almost never have leaves, but the coping is made of sandstone which unfortunately degrades (could be the salinity of the water, not sure). I tend to pick up a lot of sand with the fine filter that I am not certain would have been picked up with the mesh. However, you can buy the ultra fine filter for $100, making all in still cheaper. https://www.amazon.com/Dolphin-Cart...1-fkmr0&keywords=nautilus+cc+plus+fine+filter

You got a good deal on the M400, but I'd buy the CC again before I paid retail for an M400 again (around $1500 here).