Robots vs. Manual

[Jeffski]

How many pennies?

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

I was totally sold on an aquabot or dolphin until I asked questions about the useful life. I was told to expect 5 years before the machine needs to be totally replaced which was too short a lifespan for $1000 bucks. With a 3-month pool season that would be INSANE... now if it 5 years of use year-around then I would feel better. Anyone?

[mbar]

My first Aquabot lasted 6 years. I now have an Aquabot Bravo - it has a shorter run time, and is supposed to last longer, Only time will tell. I have to say I used my first Aquabot almost every day - I have a whilte pool. It did a great job, and I never vacuumed except after a heavy storm. Are they expensive? Yes, do they do a great job? Yes. Only you can make the decision of it's worth to you.

[Cleanpool]

I have a Blue Diamond remote cleaner , and a hayward Phantom.I really use the robot only on pool startup to get rid of all the algae , it works fantastic!!. it picks up so much algae , you have to clean the filter bag after 45 minutes in the pool, during start up. After the pool is clean I use the phantom every 3-4 days to maintain the clean pool . I do throw in the robot occasionally if it's real dirty ie. after a pool party or bad rain.I live in Nj so my pool season is probably same like yours in Philly , 4 months tops.I have the robot for 3 years with absolutley no problems , and expect many more years of it working.beats vacumming by hand.i have tried and owned a Polaris 380, hayward viper, polaris 340, baracudda G4, aquabot remote .I love both the Blue Diamond remote and hayward phantom out of all the cleaners out there.

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

Cleanpool,
You have been pretty satisfied with the phantom? I can't remember, is that pressure or sunction side? Does it require a booster pump and also what did it run you (if you don't mind)? Thanks

[Cleanpool]

the Phantom is pressure driven and needs abooster pump to operate .I bought the Phantom at Leslie's online last year in December for $599, it came with a free Hayward booster pump, and $100 mail in rebate .i sold the boosetr pump on Ebay for $145 as I had one from my old Polaris 380 days . so the total cost was $354 delivered.
The Phantom uses hard hoses so it doesn't tangle itself up.and has three modes of operation
1)Bottom only
2) Skims the surface only
3) Auto: 13 minutes on the bottom, comes up and skims the top for 7 minutes , starts cycle over again.