Hi,
I've looked at Hotsprings, Sundance and CalSpa units. The prices have been somewhat similar, from $7500 - $8500. I really like the CalSpa unit that I saw, but it seems that the other two are held in higher regards by many, or so it seems to me. I like the warranty of CalSpa which seems to be better than the other two, it also seems to be really solid, more solid that the other two for some reason, I like the pumps (two 6 h.p. and a 2 h.p. for circulation), the safety shut-off feature if one of my kids' suits were to be caught in the pump, the look, etc. The Sundance seems to be my least favorite, although I still have to wet test all of them. I'm in Boise, ID. What do you all think of these companies and my assessment? Is there anything else I should look at?

Oh, is the CalSpa auto bromide or bromine thing (or whatever it's called) a good feature? I want the spa to be as little maintenance as possible.

Thanks,
Gary

Don't know too much about the CalSpa from a warranty and sales standpoint, but I guarantee the pumps are not 6HP, they give you the Break Down HP which I believe is the HP a pump generates in the first second that it starts. Ask them how many amps the pump draws and you can figure out the true HP, which the other companies are probably already truthfully providing. Have you compared tubs that are running or are they preaching from a brouchure?

Also, I don't sell CalSpa but I do service them occasionally and every one of them that I have encountered has had the suction-safety device deactivated either by the owner or by some previous technician, which leads me to believe that they do not work (or they work too well and shut off the pumps without reason). Just my guess.

From a service standpoint I think HotSpring and Sundance are far superior. Definitely do a wet test before deciding anything. Looks can be deceiving.

Good luck with your search!

Thanks for your feedback. We'll try to wet test all of them very soon and we'll respond here with our feedback. Thanks for your input from your experiences.

Gray

We went and wet tested Hot Springs spas today. I'm 6'2" tall and I liked them all. My wife is 5'3" tall and she wasn't particularly comfortable in any of them. We're going to keep looking. What hot tubs have seating that better accommodates somebody my wife's height?

Thanks again,
Gary

PS We would have gone to try the Sundance today as well, but that store was closed. They also sell Coleman at the store where Sundance is sold. Are those any good?