Looking for advice/comparison between Active 20 and Nautilus Plus

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donpilot

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Jul 11, 2017
7
Andover, MA
Hi folks! New to the forum, and new to pools (just got my first pool with my new (to me) house last month. I have put in easily 25 hours of research over the last several days on robotic cleaners. I think I'm with everyone else that says their head is spinning!

I think I have narrowed it down to either the Active 20 (refurb $599 or Marina $659) or the Nautilus Plus ($769 including caddy). Looking for sage words of wisdom to help me decide. I guess what I'm looking for, and haven't been able to find, is a review by folks that are familiar enough with both models to know which is better and I'm really looking for and perhaps most importantly, why. For the Nautilus Plus, also wonder if the caddy is worth the extra $110 or so, or if I should just put the thing on 2x4s....

Thanks for your help and insight!
 
One thing I would determine is if you need a caddy. How far is the storage location from the drop in point? Does the storage location change if you have a caddy versus not?

My storage is 6' from my pool so a caddy would not be money well spent.

Actual cleaning seems like it would be a wash between the two. Many more people seem to buy the A/S models here versus the Nautilus Plus for what it's worth.

I hope your time is free with that time amount invested though. Either will be fine though it can be fun to analyze.

Best of luck. I love our A20.
 
Excellent points on the caddy that I hadn't considered; thank you! Storage point roughly 25' from drop in point, and probably would not change. I haven't run across a caddy for the Active 20. May not need it I suppose, since it's only 14lbs vs. 22 for the Nautilus Plus.

Time sure wasn't free, lost some family time and/or some house project time and lost a LOT of sleep time ;) My wife thinks I over-analyze things. She's probably right, but I don't have enough data to determine that statistically... yet.... ;)

I do see a lot more vocal support for the Active 20 here than the Nautilus Plus, which I guess tells me something. I assumed that the Nautilus Plus was maybe a better machine, but now am not so sure. I understand I missed the window on a rebate, so the prices (Active 20 new vs. Nautilus Plus without caddy) are pretty much a wash. Appreciate any more inputs the community can provide; I'd like to place an order this weekend so I can close the 33 internet tabs I have open with all the robot stuff.... :)
 
I cannot give you any information on the A20, but I do own and love my Nautilus Plus. I just stick him in the pool, press start, and walk away for 2 hours. Once I return everything is clean and sparkly. One of the considerations you need to make are length of cable (you do have a large pool). The nautilus Plus has no problem with that size pool, and looking at Bmore's pool size, the A20 looks like it can handle it too. The Nautilus has a 50' cord. The Nautilus is easy to clean with the top loading filters and only takes a few minutes to rinse them off and place back in the robot for the next run. He has a two year warranty, I hope I never use, and his cord never gets tangled. I have an AGP that he climbs the walls with no problems. Though he attempts to clean the water line, it is nothing to write home about. However as far as the floor is concerned, he rarely misses a spot.

Now what are the drawbacks? He is heavy. For me, it is not a problem since he has a handle to grab him, and I usually just lift him over the skimmer to let him drain any residual water into the strainer. But since my pool walls are 54" high, I would not want a young child trying to pull him out. Also I have noticed his price fluctuates a lot. When I bought mine, it was $629.00. Now that it is summer time, I see Amazon has them for $794. Otherwise he is the perfect pool pet.
 
Pretty much a wash as far as cleaning capability between the two, up to you. The Nautilus Plus has a swivel cable, which is a great feature over the Active 20. The Active 20 is far lighter though and will drain water quicker. Also I'd argue the basket on the Active 20 is a bit easier to clean than the Nautilus Plus' 2 cartridges. As far as servicing, the Nautilus has a couple more parts to break down where as the Active 20 is more simple in its design, however the Nautilus is a continuation of the same cleaners Maytronics has been making since the late 90s, and I'm partial to that chassis versus the newer Active/S chassis.

I'm probably not helping much. You'll probably be happy with either one.
 
donpilot said:
Excellent points on the caddy that I hadn't considered; thank you! Storage point roughly 25' from drop in point, and probably would not change. I haven't run across a caddy for the Active 20. May not need it I suppose, since it's only 14lbs vs. 22 for the Nautilus Plus.

Time sure wasn't free, lost some family time and/or some house project time and lost a LOT of sleep time ;) My wife thinks I over-analyze things. She's probably right, but I don't have enough data to determine that statistically... yet.... ;)

I do see a lot more vocal support for the Active 20 here than the Nautilus Plus, which I guess tells me something. I assumed that the Nautilus Plus was maybe a better machine, but now am not so sure. I understand I missed the window on a rebate, so the prices (Active 20 new vs. Nautilus Plus without caddy) are pretty much a wash. Appreciate any more inputs the community can provide; I'd like to place an order this weekend so I can close the 33 internet tabs I have open with all the robot stuff.... :)
Click to expand...

The caddy isn't just about convenient relocation, it mounts the control panel at a useful height, keeps the robot supported by its hard plastic underbelly as opposed to its soft rollers and keeps the cord in order. Not essential, but useful.
 
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