The Dolphin S400 is one of the top-of-line pool cleaner robot. It cost me around ~$1700 about 6 months ago. I was a bit hesitant to get a robot because I know that I have to run an extension cord and likely leave the robot next to the pool side full time unlike the pool side cleaners. 6 months later, the covered caddy and extension cord, as I have thought before, is an eye sore for my backyard/pool probably because for the last 15+ years, I've kept all equipment above the pool out of sight. But here is a shortlist of issues I have experienced with this specific pool cleaner robot:
1. The Fan Blade and Motor location: It takes 4 screws to take apart the cover for the fan to clean out debris like palm fibers and pine needles. Debris gets in there ALL the time. There is only a small opening to pull the debris out without unscrewing 4 screws and removing the fan cover which makes it very difficult and cumbersome. I suggest a re-engineering to make it easier to remove debris from the fan blades because it happens very often.
2. Suction and Opening: The opening for the suction is very slim and oak leaves could barely fit through. I get a few oak leaves and sand only after a 2 hour schedule despite an abandons of leaves and debris still in the pool. I see it roll over very small debris without sucking it up despite 2 brushes (front and back). I estimate that it only picks up 10% of the debris it rolls over. Additionally, the filter basket is small and can fit about 2 adult fist size inside. The good is that the filters are fine, and there are 2 of them inside.
3. Navigation Gizmo: It rolls back and forth, go straight for a short distance, stops just in front of an area full of debris and sand/dust, and backs up and goes somewhere else. I have been spent countless times and durations trying to learn the algorithms, but it does not make sense to me. Its movement is not smart at all and the result is inefficient when cleaning the pool for a 2 hour session. Also, you can only schedule 1 cleaning session per day. It may work for a 1 pass in a 15K pool. Compared to a pool side suction cleaner, I have a Pentair Krauly that appears to work much better than the S400 for less than half the price. The S400 can climb from 8ft depth to 4 ft, but it is slow.
4. The Tethering Cord: It needs AC power. The cord gets in the way of my Beatbot Iskimmer. I thought about the aesthetics, the power requirement, and having a caddy at the pool side. After 6 months, I prefer not to have it. If the robot was as effective or better than my pool side suction, I would live with it. However, I think there could be better solutions since I have no 120V power at the pool side (code issue), and I personally do not like extension cord and caddy always visible.
If you have a robot before, and it worked before, you may consider the S400 at $1700. However, if you have a pool side suction cleaner, I recommend sticking with that method of pool cleaning. And if you want some exercise once or twice a week, do the manual method. If you are like me, I like to use technology that actually "enables" me to clean my pool with less effort and time. I am sorry to say that the S400 does not live up to that requirement, and it will be on the resale market soon.
1. The Fan Blade and Motor location: It takes 4 screws to take apart the cover for the fan to clean out debris like palm fibers and pine needles. Debris gets in there ALL the time. There is only a small opening to pull the debris out without unscrewing 4 screws and removing the fan cover which makes it very difficult and cumbersome. I suggest a re-engineering to make it easier to remove debris from the fan blades because it happens very often.
2. Suction and Opening: The opening for the suction is very slim and oak leaves could barely fit through. I get a few oak leaves and sand only after a 2 hour schedule despite an abandons of leaves and debris still in the pool. I see it roll over very small debris without sucking it up despite 2 brushes (front and back). I estimate that it only picks up 10% of the debris it rolls over. Additionally, the filter basket is small and can fit about 2 adult fist size inside. The good is that the filters are fine, and there are 2 of them inside.
3. Navigation Gizmo: It rolls back and forth, go straight for a short distance, stops just in front of an area full of debris and sand/dust, and backs up and goes somewhere else. I have been spent countless times and durations trying to learn the algorithms, but it does not make sense to me. Its movement is not smart at all and the result is inefficient when cleaning the pool for a 2 hour session. Also, you can only schedule 1 cleaning session per day. It may work for a 1 pass in a 15K pool. Compared to a pool side suction cleaner, I have a Pentair Krauly that appears to work much better than the S400 for less than half the price. The S400 can climb from 8ft depth to 4 ft, but it is slow.
4. The Tethering Cord: It needs AC power. The cord gets in the way of my Beatbot Iskimmer. I thought about the aesthetics, the power requirement, and having a caddy at the pool side. After 6 months, I prefer not to have it. If the robot was as effective or better than my pool side suction, I would live with it. However, I think there could be better solutions since I have no 120V power at the pool side (code issue), and I personally do not like extension cord and caddy always visible.
If you have a robot before, and it worked before, you may consider the S400 at $1700. However, if you have a pool side suction cleaner, I recommend sticking with that method of pool cleaning. And if you want some exercise once or twice a week, do the manual method. If you are like me, I like to use technology that actually "enables" me to clean my pool with less effort and time. I am sorry to say that the S400 does not live up to that requirement, and it will be on the resale market soon.
