In the market for my first robot cleaner

[Jmw224]

I have a small 10,000 gallon pool and am looking at buying my first robot vacuum. In the past 2 summers, I have manually vacuumed.

I'm looking for a robot that works well and is durable. We have some leaves/pine needles in the pool but most filtered in skimmer. We do get some sand/fine dirt in the pool. I don't need fancy upgrades like a remote control, etc.

So far I have looked at the following options and would be happy to hear if anyone has advice to narrow down options (or another suggestion). I would like to be economical with my $$.
Evo 604
Dolphin S200
Prowler 920

Other questions- is a caddy helpful/necessary?

Thanks for the tips!

 

[crusemm]

I previously had a Dolphin, it lasted about 5 years, then one of the motors died, tried to rebuild it but it wasn't worth the effort. Purchased an EVO 614 last year, and I'm very happy with it.

 

[Bperry]

I have a small 10,000 gallon pool and am looking at buying my first robot vacuum. In the past 2 summers, I have manually vacuumed.

I'm looking for a robot that works well and is durable. We have some leaves/pine needles in the pool but most filtered in skimmer. We do get some sand/fine dirt in the pool. I don't need fancy upgrades like a remote control, etc.

So far I have looked at the following options and would be happy to hear if anyone has advice to narrow down options (or another suggestion). I would like to be economical with my $$.
Evo 604
Dolphin S200
Prowler 920

Other questions- is a caddy helpful/necessary?

Thanks for the tips!

Caddy is not necessary. Honestly most of the time I leave the cleaner in the pool and only take it out to clean the baskets. When it’s out for the winter I just lay it on top of a couple pavers to keep the rubber tracks off the ground.

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

Out of those three options, I would pick the EVO hands down.. It is just a better robot.

But... A lot depends on you...

I only put the robot in my pool once or twice a week.. When I do, I just push a button on the power supply to start the robot.. If you wanted the robot to run on a schedule, you would need to 614 that has wifi..

I have been using robots for many years and have found that, for me, caddies are a waste of space and just not needed.

Call Margaret at Marina Pool and Spa and she can tell you want robot would work best for you.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PGQ24]

If you leave the robot in the pool all the time, then you need a power source unless you get a battery operated one. But you still need to charge it. I would suggest trialing a pressure side vacuum if your pool is capable. I'm not a big fan of something that requires AC power unless I can take it in and out easily. Tell us what you hopes and dreams with getting a robot. Basically, what type of debris and how often are you are manually cleaning.

 

[Jimrahbe]

I'm not a big fan of something that requires AC power

24,

Why would that be?? Robots run off of 24 VAC.. Basically harmless.. You can get more of a shock from walking on carpet..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[crusemm]

I've had pressure side before, it was a bigger hassle than the robot. The extra pump uses a ton of energy, the cleaners are more complicated than the robots, and easier to break, and cleaning the filters isn't any easier than the robot.

 

[PGQ24]

24,

Why would that be?? Robots run off of 24 VAC.. Basically harmless.. You can get more of a shock from walking on carpet..

Thanks,

Jim R.

I'm not worried about shock. It is the sight of cables running from the house exterior to the wall 24/7 to power the pool cleaner. Battery and solar? I'm OK with it for now. The game changer is solar charging, or auto returning to base where the base has stored energy from solar. The tech is there but maybe the cost is not for the average pool owner.

 

[PGQ24]

I've had pressure side before, it was a bigger hassle than the robot. The extra pump uses a ton of energy, the cleaners are more complicated than the robots, and easier to break, and cleaning the filters isn't any easier than the robot.

Aside from the extra pump because there are pressure side cleaner that don't require a separate pump, the pressure cleaner is basic tech that works compared to a more complex and sophisticated robot. Filter bags are cheap and easy to maintain. I think a good pressure cleaner has just the same or less moving parts then a robot. While you can replace parts as they wear out on a pressure cleaner, the whole thing needs replacing probably after 5-7 years with 24/7 in the saltwater pool which is typically the same with the robot.

 

[Bperry]

While you can replace parts as they wear out on a pressure cleaner, the whole thing needs replacing probably after 5-7 years with 24/7 in the saltwater pool which is typically the same with the robot.

the pressure cleaner will last much longer than that even in a mildly salty pool. The robots fail because of electrical problems, not salty water.