Robot Recommendations

[Jimrahbe]

David,

Did you get the standard filter or the fine filter basket?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[David0408]

David,

Did you get the standard filter or the fine filter basket?

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim,
I have the standard filter right now. I was surprised and very pleased with what it was able to capture. Once I get the pool as clean as this filter can clean it, I’ll throw the fine filter on there and get God knows what muck that’s in there that I can’t see.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[mikewired]

Just picked up the Polaris Freedom today. Been in decision paralysis for a while now research various corded and cordless robots. Have always had suction side cleaners, first a Hayward Navigator at our prior house and currently a Zodiac MX6. Neither would clean the walls and they just always seemed finicky in regards to pump speed. Would leave them in the pool all the time due to the hassle of taking them in and out but of course that means they just wear out quicker.

Initially considered a corded robot. Some family members have one and in general like it but it seems the weak link is the cable and again I didn't want to deal with dragging out a cable a few times a week or leaving it in the pool and having a cable draped across the deck most of the time so then moved on to a cordless robot.

Not many options in the cordless department. Among the big name brands it's really between the Polaris Freedom and Dolphin Liberty ones.

A few other cordless models to look at:
Water Tech Volt 550 I think. Little older unit but I think it's a solid unit based on reviews.
Various smaller upstart companies: Aiper, Wybot, Beatbot, etc.... Out of those the Beatbot aquasense pro looks really cool, just really expensive >2k. Looked at Aiper and some of the new ones look attractive such as the Scuba S1 Pro but then I read horror stories about early failures and customer service issues.

Then went back to either the Polaris Freedom or a Dolphin Liberty 300 (400 doesn't seem to be available yet). Dolphin Liberty had a couple features I liked, such as scheduling capability (could throw in the pool for a week and have it do short cleans every 48 hours for a few days), and the ultra fine filter option. Ultimately decided I really didn't need the scheduling feature as I didn't want to leave in the pool and, at least officially, it doesn't advertise waterline cleaning which I wanted. I also don't like having a plug in power charger on these cordless units that you have to unplug and then insert a rubber gasket to seal them before you place them in the water, just seems like a point of failure and much prefer the ones with docking station. Polaris Freedom has a decent charging stand so it's up off the ground with nothing to physically plug in and seems to do a good job and can get the water line.

I liked the Freedom but I returned it after 2 weeks. It think it just didn't like my freeform pool shape. It would get stuck hanging off my deep end ledges and steps. The throat or vacuum suction area would get caught on the curved part of the plaster and just sit there with the treads not touching going forward and backward trying to move. Also it would start going back and forth between to curved areas of my pool and clean just 1/3 of the pool.

 

[SorensenC]

David,

I agree with Matt above, up to a point..

I am a very big fan of Robot cleaners... the original very old Dolphins I had would last 5 to 7 years.. The newer ones are much better in how they operate, and clean the pool, but the new design seems to only last 3 to 5 years if you are lucky.

My main reason to use a robot is that I do not like seeing a cleaner in my pool.. This does not bother many people, but I did not build my pool as a 24/7 home for an ugly cleaning device, no matter what kind...

I like that I can clean my pool 2 or 3 times a week and when the pool is not being cleaned, I can easily take the robot out and hide it away.

In any case, I've had some very good luck with my cleaners. I treat them just like I do my Saltwater Chlorine Generators.. Use them up and buy a new one..

If I had to buy a new robot today, it would be the EVO that I reviewed. I like it better than all my old Dolphins, but... at this point I have no idea how long it will last. Only time will tell..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim,
Is your experience still positive. I received a 604 Saturday, used it twice and it does not always climb to the water line. Been on hold with Fluidra warranty for two hours.

 

[Jimrahbe]

S,

None of them climb every time.. They only go up the water line something like once out of 5 or 6 passes.

I still love mine..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[syrm]

Hi,
Last year I came out of the dark ages and bought my first multi speed pump. Man, has that been a life changer! Now I’m looking for a robot to potentially replace my Polaris. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

My 550 freedom stopped turning on and activate slide switch sticking. Found indentation under switch and took it off. Little magnet inside activates operation. Cleaned and replaced. Had a little corrosion. Works like new again!

 

[vsman]

My pentair warrior se finally died. 4 years of living in the pool 24/7. ( I had already replaced the servo motor for a few extra months life and this time I just couldn’t bring it back. I did hot wire the drive motor and impeller bypassing the controller board to bridge the gap till my new robot came- it just ran in circles. By the way it is one beautifully engineered device- I took it apart completely- about 90 % of the parts are recyclable. Just screws and rubber parts I threw away. )

Bought the Aqua products evo 604.
3 days so far- works great. Much easier filter to remove and clean. A little bit lighter and easier to pull out of pool. I do agree with previous reviews- the connector to the power supply looks kind of home made- exposed heat shrink tubing!!!
Regardless- the detangling mechanism seems better. Back to a 100% clean pool now. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[David0408]

Yeah, the power connector starting to stress me out. Everytime I plug or unplug it I think about it. Otherwise-LOVE.

 

[wayner]

Jim,
Is your experience still positive. I received a 604 Saturday, used it twice and it does not always climb to the water line. Been on hold with Fluidra warranty for two hours.

Do you still have this issue, or is it like Jim said that they only climb the walls occasionally.