New EVO 614i Robot Pool Cleaner Review

[Jimrahbe]

Tater,

When I got the extra fine filter, I first ran the standard filter twice.. It came back with the basket basically empty, and the pool looked absolutely clean. Then, I installed the extra fine filter and immediately run the robot again. It came back with about a pound of mud!!! I was shocked!!! You could not see it in the pool, but there it was. I only run the extra fine filter now.

Thanks for your feedback.

Jim R.

 

[aggiejet]

I was just about to pull the trigger on a Dolphin Premier on Amazon but decided I should take a look at the forum one more time. Glad I did.

While I believe in “buy once, cry once” these aren’t one time purchases. Additionally, Based on Jim’s exhaustive review and endorsement of Marina store, I looked at their website and see the Evo 614i is $799 which is almost half of Dolphin Premier. Hard to imagine that that unit is twice as good as the Evo.

This is my first foray into robots, and I wish I would have done this long ago. It appears to me that Evo is about to come out with a new more expensive product as well as Dolphin, such as the Premier.

Just for education, anybody know anything about the Premier? To be fair, it could be worth it, but sure sounds like the Evo 614i will be adequate.

 

[Jimrahbe]

@aggiejet

I had the Premier, and it is old as dirt... Show me a pic, or link, of what the Premier you were going to buy looks like..

Paying more for a robot does not really get you much more.. It is kind of like buying a car.. All cars will get you from A to B.. Some people just want to see that "Limited" badge on the back..

If it is the Premier that I had, the EVO is 3 times better..

1. The EVO have bigger and better brushes.
2. The EVO has two drive motors, one for each track, so it can actually spin around..
3. The EVO has a much bigger and better cable.

If you don't need to schedule, or try to drive it around manually, the 604 will clean your pool just fine. I have the 614iQ because that is what they had in stock, but I hardly ever use the app..

I 'think' the only difference between 604 and 614iQ is the app, but best to check with Margaret to make sure...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[RichardL]

Jim,
Thanks to you, I just got the EVO 614iq ordered from Margaret. When I told her I was ordering it based on your review on TFP, she wanted to raise the price!!!. Should be here in a few days. Thanks for your review!

 

[gsharrow]

I just received my EVO 614iq from Marina pool and Spa, last Friday. Love it so far. Ran it three- or four-times last weekend as we had done some pressure washing on the deck and debris got in the pool. It worked great, picked up the debris and the pool is very clean now. I wish I would have purchased a robot earlier.

 

[GDN]

I was just about to pull the trigger on a Dolphin Premier on Amazon but decided I should take a look at the forum one more time. Glad I did.

While I believe in “buy once, cry once” these aren’t one time purchases. Additionally, Based on Jim’s exhaustive review and endorsement of Marina store, I looked at their website and see the Evo 614i is $799 which is almost half of Dolphin Premier. Hard to imagine that that unit is twice as good as the Evo.

This is my first foray into robots, and I wish I would have done this long ago. It appears to me that Evo is about to come out with a new more expensive product as well as Dolphin, such as the Premier.

Just for education, anybody know anything about the Premier? To be fair, it could be worth it, but sure sounds like the Evo 614i will be adequate.

Just jump on the $799 Evo price. It's hard to imagine anything better anywhere close to this price. You must get the fine filter though - another $50. It is a huge difference what it will pick up.

I'm a bit disappointed to think that the robots avg lifespan is 5 years as most say, but if that is truly all it is then I'm truly not paying more than this.

I've been very pleased in the month or so I've had mine.

 

[RichardL]

Well…..Had the EVO614 IQ for a week now. I have to say that Jim is right on in his review. My pool is cleaner than it’s ever been. I’ve used a Maytronics with the pleated filter ever since the pool was put in. It done a good job picking up fines in my pool, but so far the fine filter in the EVO 614 seems to pick up maybe a little better than the ultra fines pleated did in the old maytronics. This was my main worry that the EVO wouldn’t get the fines, but it does an excellent job. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connected up right away. If you see a spot it may have missed you can use the app on your phone and drive it right to the spot and get it. I really like that you can set a daily schedule and it will run that schedule daily for as long as you want. Not just for 7 days. It climbs the walls great, even climb the wedding cake steps. The lift system is also great. It climbs right up to the water line and waits for you to take it out by the handle, no more pulling to the surface by the cord. So far, I think it is a great robot. Well how long it lasts……

 

[Newdude]

Well how long it lasts

Unless they fall off a cliff like lemmings.......

We're not seeing failures with any kind of frequency. The other brands are going back once or twice a season and people are on their own after year 2.

Of course there have been some problems, nothing is perfect, but they are rare (going on year 3) compared to the others.

 

[bumdaddy]

per the recommendation, I received my EVO 614 on March 29th. Love it so far only used it about 6 times and it’s stored in my garage when not in use. I went to plug it in this morning and it’s not working. It looks like the metal on the control port has been fried somehow. I’ve emailed Marina this morning, awaiting their response. When you zoom in on the picture you’ll see what I’m talking about.

 

[Newdude]

It looks like the metal on the control port has been fried somehow

Looks to me like it didn't line up right and it made it's own path to the outside.



The left one is hitting the rim instead of sliding in as it should.




Maybe the prongs are forked Y instead of straight II because they're pointed outwards and not both to the right.

 

[bumdaddy]

It has always “clicked” in with ease. I believe it ran the full cycle last time I used it, so not sure when the damage was done. It was not plugged into the outlet this morning when I tried to click it in. Hopefully the EVO itself isn’t damaged and just the control box. I’m sure they will make things right, but bummer.

 

[Newdude]

I'd want both sides of the connection replaced.

This isn't something you bought at a yard sale and should make do with. You paid top adultword dollar for new. Either skewed previously or now skewed pins may wreck the replacement and you're back at square one.

I accept that things happen if they're willing to make it right. I'd go so far as to happily replace the cord myself if they didn't want to replace the whole shebang.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dad,

Inspect the cable side and make sure the pins look ok,,,

It is obvious that the cable end and the power supply connector did not mate correctly.. Should still be a warranty issue.

If the cable end looks ok, I'd ask for a replacement power supply..

This damage should not effect the robot itself at all.

Just a side note... That whole connector does not impress me.. Everything else is 'hefty' looking and feeling except that cheap connector.. I almost never disconnect the cable and I would suggest that you do the same.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[bumdaddy]

Thanks all! Margaret returned my email promptly and asked for the number on the back of the control box so they could handle the warranty. Wonder how long this process will take. In a short amount of time I look forward to running the sucker!

 

[RichardL]

So far haven’t had any problems but…I’ve only unplugged it 2 or 3 times. It lives in the pool most of the time…. Only time it’s been out of the water was to clean the filter. I’m well satisfied. I’m like Jim tho. I would rather it had a threaded water tight connector..

 

[AzDesi]

Hey Folks,
Great insight in this thread on the EVO units. I'm debating on the 604 vs 614 and it's $100 difference in price. I'm not seeing a huge value in the wifi functions. Current owners if you had to purchase again which would you choose? For the 614 owners, do you actively use all the app features? 20k gallon bean shaped pool here. Plan on just using the "standard" run function. I'm OK with taking it in/out 2-3 times a week over keeping it in the pool full time... Cheers!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Az,

I got the 614iQ, because that is what they had... I don't really use the app at all.. If you want to schedule it, you need the 614iQ.

The idea that you can call it over to where you are, and then have it come up so you take take it out of the pool takes about an 'hour'.. Ok, maybe not an actual hour, but I can pull mine out the pool before you can get the app to come up on your phone..

I'd spend the extra $50 bucks for the extra fine filter basket, especially since you are in AZ..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoorPoolOwner]

After reading 29 pages numerous times, I just ordered the 614iQ with the fine canister from Marina. I wanted cordless, but from everything I’ve read, they are hit and miss. I might order the Bettabot for skimming. Thank you, @Jimrahbe for the review.

 

[markw]

Thanks for starting this thread @Jimrahbe . My Active 20 just died after 7 years and no amount of troubleshooting could get it to work again, so I decided to take the plunge on an EVO 614iq. Marina had it shipped to me in a couple days. I am thrilled with how nicely it cleans. My Active was great, but this is even better. Also, I think the retrieval button in the app is a nice touch (climbs the wall on demand) to grab the unit by its main handle versus pulling on the cable and possibly causing premature cable issues. Great thread!

 

[Jimrahbe]

I think the retrieval button in the app is a nice touch

Mark,

We should have a contest.. I bet I can get my robot out of the pool, before you can get you phone out of your pocket, and get the app turned on...

It is a nice touch, just not something I ever use.

Glad you like it..

Jim R.