Vacuum Hose Reels.

[caustik]

Anyone have/used one of the white plastic vacuum hose reels? They want 60 bucks for one and before I open my wallet again to the pool builder I would like to know if anyone has an opinion on them. Good/Bad whether they found it useful. I currently have the hose hanging in those tacky blue plastic clips on my back fence, but I hate walking through my newly landscaped gardens to get it off of there, plus it doesn't hang very securely there anyways. I figure a reel rolled up in the cabana would be optimum. The one at the pool store is made by the same company that makes the solar blanket reels. Thanks for any input.

[waste]

Caustik, the reels are fine the few I've used have all worked (I've also seen broken ones sitting off to the side - don't know how or why they broke). Not a very satisfying answer, eh?
However, a less expensive alternative suggests itself. There is a product called (I believe) a 'Hose Hugger' - it's a ~5" wide by ~2' nylon strip with velcro sewn onto it and a handle loop sewn to the middle. Simply coil the hose up, whap the 'hugger' around it and hang it up somewhere out of sight. I'm not sure where to find one but they've gotta be a lot less than $60. If you have trouble finding one, they make bungee cords that are a loop with a black plastic knob on one end which can be similarly used. If all alse fails, an ~18" peice of string with a loop tied at both ends can perform the same function (and is dirt cheep!)
I hope one of these will worrk out for you!

[caustik]

Thanks for the input Waste...

I went with the hose reel. Only because I got it for 30 bucks. Can't turn down a bargain. Hopefully it lasts a few seasons.