What is a 'smart' pool?

[chawkins99]

My neighbor mentioned to me they were looking at getting a pool installed. I told him to make sure he got a salt-water pool.

He said he had initially wanted a salt water pool but their PB talked them out of it saying they were expensive in the long run and a 'smart pool' was the way to go. :?

When I asked him what a smart pool was, he had no idea. I tried to convince him to go SW but not sure he was convinced.

So, can anyone enlighten me? Sounds like BS to me.

We're not close neighbors, just the occasional acknowledgement in passing but he did ask me how we liked our pool. Next time I see him, I may invite him to see my setup.

 

[mknauss]

This Order Today | Smart Pool Chemical Monitoring System ??

Run - Run very quickly.

 

[jblizzle]

I am sure your gut is correct.

A quick search of the forum finds various things labeled as "Smart Pool" from cleaners to SWGs ... so I have not idea what the neighbor or builder is talking about.

- - - Updated - - -

OH ... I think Marty is on to something.

I agree it is total BS if that is what the build meant.

 

[mknauss]

Looks like a hi-tech FROG ---

 

[pabeader]

This Order Today | Smart Pool Chemical Monitoring System ??

Run - Run very quickly.

Away! Run away!

 

[Donldson]

So the pool builder selling him the item can convince him to go with some system he has no idea about, but you, a neighbor who has had great success with your SWG pool and could be available to help him get it running correctly, are not convincing?

Oh well, you tried. If you can find out more about the system, just for curiosity, that would be great. Other than that just wish him luck, the only pool you can control is your own.

EDIT: Oh, if he does mean pHIN, it is essentially a temperature and pH sensor (and supposedly a chlorine monitor, but the CYA is going to mess that one up) and everything else is measured with test strips. Since it uses stabilized chlorine it probably won't seem too smart for long.

 

[chawkins99]

Well, I don't need to run anywhere. My pool is perfect.

He said he hadn't signed the contract yet so still some hope.

I told him the only reason the PB wouldn't want to sell him on SW is because it takes away that recurring revenue they all like.

 

[woodyp]

Smarter owners make pools smarter. Knowledge or nuthin'!

 

[lightmaster]

How in the world is a SWG pool more expensive in the long run? Pay more upfront for equipment and salt, then basically nothing until years down the line the cells go out, then nothing for years, etc etc. I've heard of some cells lasting for 7+ years. That's gonna be a lot cheaper in the long run than a service that charges $400-500 a year.

 

[jblizzle]

It's called a smart pool. Not a smart pool owner!

 

[lightmaster]

It's called a smart pool. Not a smart pool owner!

That's their advertising slogan "Smart Pools for dumb owners!"

 

[chawkins99]

That's their advertising slogan "Smart Pools for dumb owners!"

 

[PoolGate]

There are two kinds of people in this world; Those that trust their PBs implicitly and those that are jaded and cynical and come to TFP with real pool owners for advice. The first group frequently finds after it is all done that they have trouble sitting down for quite some time.

 

[Thorvald]

This Order Today | Smart Pool Chemical Monitoring System ??

Run - Run very quickly.

What the devil??? That shock oxidizer shows on the label:

38.25% Monopersulphate
61.75% OTHER INGREDIENTS

I love how they capitalize the Other Ingredients on thier own packaging! What in the world is in the "Other"? Can't believe they are allow to sell that on the shelf. Wonder if the MSDS has the real info.

 

[lightmaster]

What the devil??? That shock oxidizer shows on the label:

38.25% Monopersulphate
61.75% OTHER INGREDIENTS

I love how they capitalize the Other Ingredients on thier own packaging! What in the world is in the "Other"? Can't believe they are allow to sell that on the shelf. Wonder if the MSDS has the real info.

Technically, MSDSs aren't used anymore. They're now called SDS, Safety Data Sheets

 

[Donldson]

Wonder if the MSDS has the real info.

sds | pHin

Not really, it is possible it is just filler so all of their pods are roughly the same size. Check out that list of products, you will notice all the pHin products are named after colors. That's because the users of their system don't need to know the names of any products, they just add the color pods they are told to. The app takes the readings from their unit, has them take a picture of a test strip (like the new Clorox app, except more expensive yet somehow worse), and tells them to drop different colored pods in. If you think going from pool store dependent care to TFPC has a steep initial learning curve, imagine trying to help someone when all they know is, "I put in 2 dark blue pods yesterday, and last week I had to add an orange pod. I keep 3 light blues in the skimmer, should I add more?"