Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Aquabot Xtreme Robotic Cleaner - Review

This is the Aquabot Xtreme robotic cleaner. The Xtreme is a retail pool store cleaner only and is not sold online. If you are a pool service professional you can also purchase this for your customer at your local wholesale distributor.


This is a pretty cool little robot and it is very user friendly. The timer has a simple 4 hour run time so you just plug it in and turn it on. It is compact and lightweight and works exceptionally well. It will only climb partially up the walls which is fine if you have a shallow pool. It spends a lot of time on the bottom and the G-Tooth™ Track system allows it to navigate steps like they are not even there. It will also roll on the wall sideways as if it is rolling on the pool floor. Again, it is not designed to go all the way up the walls and clean the waterline.

But it is very effective for what is does. I like how it will pause and pivot to change direction, allowing it to get full coverage of the pool. It also pumps 70 gallons per minute so it will filter the pool as it is running. The filter bag traps debris down to 2 microns.

It features the NeverStuck™ System, so it won't get hung up in corners or by the steps. So if you have an odd shaped pool this cleaner will have no problems.

It comes with 50 feet of cable and a built in cord swivel to prevent cable tangling. The swivel comes on most of their retail only cleaners and I find the cord swivel to be highly effective.

Like I mentioned it is one of Aquabot's retail pool store only cleaners. The benefit for you as a consumer is that you get a good two year limited warranty. The first year is bumper to bumper with the 2nd year parts only. Plus, by purchasing it at a retail pool store you are supporting small businesses which need the support of pool owners.

I like the two handles on the side and the overall shape of the Xtreme . It makes it very easy to get in and out of your pool. It also makes the Extreme a very well balanced cleaner in the pool. The non-marring wheels makes it ideal for all surface types (Except an all tile pool).

The S-Class cleaners are a well made and the Xtreme would be a good choice.

Key Features & Performance

Product/Pool Features:

  • For In-Ground Pools
  • Shape: Rectangle, Lap, Kidney, L-Shape, Round, Oval
  • Surfaces: Vinyl, Gunite/Concrete, Fiberglass. Except Tile
  • Pool to Wall Transition: Curved 

Specifications

  • Input Electrical Requirements:
    120 VAC/60Hz
  • Power Consumption: 230 Watts
  • Non-Marring Wheels
  • Cable Length: 50'

Cleaning:

  • Floor and Partial Wall
  • 5400 sq. ft. per hour
  • Never Stuck System
  • 4 Hour Fixed Timer
  • Compatible with External Timer
    *External Timer Not Included

Water Mixing Capability

  • 70 Gallons per Minute

Filter Type

  • Fine Bag (2 microns)
  • Bottom Loading

Warranty

  • 2 Years (1st Year 100%, 2nd Year Limited)

Other:

  • NeverStuck™ System
  • G-Tooth™ Track Design helps grip the sides
  • Cleans Floors and Partial Walls


Monday, March 28, 2016

SkimDoctor 2.0 and Vac Attachment

This is the all NEW SkimDoctor 2.0 by Totally New Technologies. The SkimDoctor 2.0 is a vast improvement over the SkimDoctor 1.0 which was also a great product. Basically what the SkimDoctor 2.0 does is creates  a vortex in the skimmer which pulls debris in from further out and at a faster rate.

I've had several SkimDoctor 1.0 version on my pool route and they work great. The SkimDoctor 2.0 corrects two of the shortcomings of the SkimDoctor 1.0.

The first is the fact that if you had a high HP pump (1.5 hp or higher) - the SkimDoctor 1.0 would work too well. The vortex it created was so great that it would cause the pump to lose it's prime on occasions. The SkimDoctor 2.0 rectifies this issue by having not one gate but two gates. I tried it in a 2 HP pump pool and it worked great when left fully open. You can still adjust it down to a very small opening for variable speed pumps running on low speed, so no worries there.

The second shortcoming was that the top of the SkimDoctor 1.0 was time consuming to remove if you wanted to completely empty the skimmer basket. The SkimDoctor 2.0 simply unscrews at the bottom, allowing you to clean your skimmer basket with ease. It is a great improvement and it is simple to unscrew.

One added feature of the SkimDoctor 2.0 is the Vac Attachment or Vacuum Plate for a suction side cleaner connected to a pool skimmer. This Vac Attachment also unscrews easily so emptying the skimmer basket is a breeze. This will be the first easy to use Vacuum Plate for these types of suction side cleaner connections and it is a great way to protect your pump basket from filling up with debris. I really like the Vac Attachment.

And last, if you have an Above Ground pool they now make the SkimDoctor 2.0 for your smaller basket type. You also can order a Vac Attachment for your Above Ground pool also.

From my experience with the SkimDoctor 1.0 I can tell you that this product really works. It is also very well made and durable. It is a great way to improve your pools skimming action and with the added improvements of the SkimDoctor 2.0, it is a great item to invest in.

The Science behind the SkimDoctor 2.0:

SKIMDOCTOR USES SEVERAL PHYSICS PRINCIPLES TO CREATE A VORTEX IN YOUR SKIMMER AND INCREASE SURFACE WATER VELOCITY.

First, the slots in the inner tube of SkimDoctor 2.0 is partially responsible for speeding up the flow of water, precisely the flow of surface water, in your skimmer. By forcing water to flow through SkimDoctor’s narrow slot, SkimDoctor increases the top surface speed.
In more technical terms, when water moves from a wider channel to a narrow channel, the volume of the water that moves a given distance in a given time period does not change, however, the speed of the water increases. This phenomenon is called the Bernoulli principle and explains why water flows quickly in white water rapids when rocks narrow the width of the water channel. In addition, the SkimDoctor 2.0 tube itself forces water to flow around the tube in two directions, thereby narrowing the water channel, and creating a three-fold Bernoulli effect.
Most all debris enters through the top surface of the water. Because SkimDoctor increases surface water speed, debris is drawn more quickly into your basket, which may allow you to run your pump less. It’s important to remember that water velocity and energy savings are only some of the benefits of SkimDoctor. SkimDoctor also prevents you from having to put your hand through all the gunk to remove the basket. SkimDoctor also increases the storage capacity of your basket.



I highly recommend the SkimDoctor 2.0 for your pool.

You can learn more at their website:

http://www.skimdoctor.com/

Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Benefits of a Robotic Pool Cleaner

In this article I highlight some of the benefits of owning a robotic pool cleaner. The latest generation of Robotic Pool Cleaners are more efficient, more reliable and the price point has now dropped to a level where they are an affordable option.

My opinion of Robotic Cleaners has changed over the recent years and now I would suggest them along  with Suction Cleaners and Pressure Cleaners. One reason is that robotic cleaners are more reliable and the manufacturers signify this by offering up to a three year limited warranty, some offer a two year bumper to bumper warranty if purchased from a retail pool store. The overall design of robotic cleaners has improved so the motors, belts and drives all are longer lasting.


Cord or cable tangling used to be a big issue with robotic cleaners. It is very annoying to have to untangle the cord every hour and the engineers of these cleaners have heard your cries. Now many models come with cord swivels or alternate ways to prevent tangling. The Aquabot cleaners use a thick cable that by it's nature prevents tangling.

Robotic Cleaners can generally pick up larger debris than many suction Side Cleaners. Their debris chambers are large  in capacity so they are great for pools with a lot of dirt and debris. The Aquabot cleaners featured here filter down to 2 microns.

Another great benefit is that running a robotic cleaner in your pool cost less than $1.00 a day as it coverts the 120 volts power down to 12 volts, so they are the most affordable cleaner to operate. Since they also pump anywhere from 60 to 80 gallons of water per minute, you can run your filter less as the robotic cleaner circulates your pool water. For a larger pool this is a great bonus.

The fact that there are no hoses in the pool all day and week is also a great feature. You just put the cleaner in when needed and take it out when finished.  It gives the pool a much cleaner look all week long.

Of course with any product there are some drawbacks also. The first one is that robotic cleaners can be heavy to remove from the pool for some people. I like to pull it up and lean it on the pool coping and let it drain out before lifting.  The dry weight of the cleaners have gotten lighter also over the years - most now weigh under 20 lbs.

Another drawback is the maintenance. of the cleaner. The tracks, brushes and drive belts are easy to change but if something goes wrong with the motor and electronics you will have to send it out to a service center.  With a suction or pressure cleaner you can usually fix everything yourself.

And last, the price point though lower is still high when compared to a suction side cleaner.  Although there are some $400 robotic cleaners without a lot of bells and whistles, a robotic cleaner is still a big investment.

The overall cleaning ability and the convenience of robotic cleaners still makes them a solid option when comparing automatic pool cleaners.

One distinct advantage is that robotic cleaners are self contained units. They operate separate from your pool's filtration  system. So that means your pool filter stays cleaner and all the dirt and debris is trapped inside the robotic cleaner.  Also if you have old or undersized pool equipment a robotic cleaner would be a way to keep the pool clean in a more effective manner then a poorly running suction side cleaner.

I think regardless of the cost factor robotic cleaners are more of a preference cleaner. If your pool equipment is good and you can add a suction or pressure cleaner then it becomes of a matter of which cleaner type is best for your budget and pool.  I used to sell my customers just Suction Side Cleaners and occasionally a replacement Pressure Side Cleaner but I am now actively selling Robotic Cleaners to certain customers. They have now become good enough to be a third option.

To touch on the Warranty of the cleaners I want to point out that almost all of the manufacturers offer a one year bumper to bumper warranty. You can take it into a service center or ship it back for service. The only caveat is that in most cases the owner pays for shipping costs. But if you make a big enough stink you can get a shipping label sent out to you.

Manufacturers would also like you to purchase their cleaners at a retail pool store. So some offer a 2 year bumper to bumper warranty if you purchase it at a store verses online. Many offer a three year limited warranty - year one full coverage and year two and three just parts but not labor.  As a rule I would say that the cleaner should run trouble free during the warranty period. So with proper maintenance,  changing the belts and tracks in most cases you should not need to use the warranty but it is definitely good to have it.

So if you are in the market for a cleaner, don't rule out the robotic cleaners entirely,  as one may be a good option for your pool.


Monday, March 21, 2016

Aquabot Turbo T2 Robotic Pool Cleaner with Caddy

The Aquabot Turbo T2 is one of Aquabot's Flagship cleaners. The Aquabot Turbo T2 is loaded with features and is a top choice among robotic cleaners. The Turbo T2 also now comes with a caddy.

The Turbo T2 comes with 60 feet of cable and a power control that can be set from 1-7 hours or set to continuous run. It cleans the floors, walls and the water line. It filters down to 2 microns which is better than most pool filters.

The Turbo T2 is a very maneuverable cleaner and cleans the pool with a pre-programmed pattern where it cleans the bottom all the way across and then moves up one wall to the water line. This pattern will effectively clean your entire pool within a couple of hours.

It is a fairly light cleaner coming in at 19 lbs but the included caddy help tremendously. It is a simple caddy/buggy but effective in transporting the cleaner to your poolside. getting the cleaner in and out is not too bad either as the cleaner is compact and has a large easy to grab handle on top.

To prevent cable tangling you simply move the float on the handle each time you put the cleaner in the pool. This will give the cable an opposite spin each time the cleaner is running.

The two large scrub brushes are great in removing debris and dirt from the pool surface. It also has jets underneath that shoot water to help loosen up stuff on the floor and pool walls.

It is designed to climb a 90 degree angle and can reach the waterline in most pools.  This is a great feature as dirt will form on the tiles at the waterline and the Turbo T2 will scrub the waterline for you.

As the Turbo T2 is operating it is also filtering the pool water. It pumps 75 gallons of water per minute as it is running in the pool. That is equivalent to a 3/4 hp pump running your pool equipment. This means you can run your pool less while the cleaner is operating (the manufacturer recommends running it with the pool off).

The Turbo T2 comes with a three year limited warranty. The first year is a 100% bumper to bumper warranty with year 2-3 covering parts but not labor. A very good warranty.

So the Aquabot Turbo T2 has a lot to offer. It comes with a very long cable, it can trap debris as small as 2 microns and it climbs the walls to the waterline.

If your looking for a reliable and easy to operate robotic pool cleaner, the Turbo T2 would be a great choice.

Key Features:


Product/Pool Features:

  • For Inground Pools
  • Shape: Rectangle, Lap, Kidney, L-Shape, Round, Oval
  • Surfaces: Vinyl, Gunite/Concrete, Fiberglass. Except Tile
  • Pool to Wall Transition: 90 Degree Angle

Specifications

  • Electrical Requirements: 120VAC / 60 Hz
  • Power Consumption: 230W
  • Dimensions: 17-1/2" X 15-3/4" X 11-1/2
  • Weight: 19 lbs
  • Cable Length: 60'
 

Scrubbing:

  • Power Washing Feature

Cleaning:

  • Floor, Wall, and Waterline
  • NeverStuck™ System
  • 1-7 Hour Digital Timer
  • Cleaning Time: 1 Hour

Water Mixing Capability

  • 75 Gallons Per Minute

Filter Type

  • Fine Bag (2 Microns)
  • Bottom Loading

Warranty

  • 3 Year (1st Year 100%, 2nd & 3rd Year Limited)

Other:

  • Entire pool cleaning in as little as 1 hour
  • No missed spots trying to ‘learn’ pool miscalculating pool’s unique angles / curves
  • Self-contained independence; Just plug in
  • No hoses, pool filter or booster pump
  • Energy, water, chemicals and time savings
  • More than 90% more energy efficient than other cleaners
  • Savings pay for pool’s yearly maintenance expenses in just months


Friday, March 18, 2016

Aquabot Robotic Cleaners Overview

In this article I give you an overview of the Robotic Pool Cleaners by Aquabot. Aquabot is the leading manufacturer of robotic cleaners and they make a variety of different models.  Since there is such a range of products I decided to do an overview video as well as individual videos on each model.

I hope this video will give you an overall introduction to their product line. The features of each cleaner vary and their product line is very versatile to fit different pool owners needs.

They make several models for above ground pools which is unique to the industry. They make many for in-ground pools with various features like a caddy, swivel for the cable, long cables and wall climbing ability.

Aquabot is made by Aqua Products, a US based company located in New Jersey. They made the first robotic pool cleaner in 1982.  So they have been making robotic cleaners for a very long time.

The sheer variety of robotic models that they offer makes them the leader in the industry. Some are priced at about the same cost of a suction side cleaner while others I would consider to be in the high end market range - anything close or over $1,000 is my threshold.

The lower priced models still have a lot of great features but they will only climb the walls in the pool a couple of feet. Some come with a cord swivel which prevents cord tangling. But they work very well as bottom feeders and have large debris openings and large debris capacity. They also filter down as low as 2 microns which you can't beat for a cleaner priced at $400.00. Most of the lower priced units can be used in both above ground and in-ground pools. And all of them come with a one year bumper to bumper warranty.

The higher end cleaners have better wall climbing ability, with some able to reach the tile line. They have scrub brushes on front and back to scrub the pool while cleaning and they come with a 2-3 year warranty.  Some of the higher end models come with more advanced programming features and a remote - Turbo T4.  Most of the higher priced units come with 60 feet of cable so they are ideal for very large pools.

My preference would be to choose a cleaner that fits your needs. For instance if your pool stays relatively clean, then you wouldn't need one that climbs to the tile line. Just brush your pool each week and save $800.00. But If your pool gets very dusty, then having one that scrubs the walls would be a good idea. Plus having one climb to the tile line looks so cool!

Some of the models are only sold at retail brick and mortar shops. The grey color scheme are the cleaners not sold online. These come with upgraded features and warranties so it would be a good idea to visit your local pool store and see if the "pool store only" models are a better overall deal than the ones online. Plus the pool store that sells them is usually a service center also. So I think it is more advantageous to purchase one directly form a local pool store.

But if you are a die hard online shopper, there are many good deals on Amazon.com and PoolSupplyWorld.com.

I will be testing many of their robotic cleaners and so far they have all been very solid products.

I have reviewed some robotic cleaners from other manufacturers also and those are also good cleaners that would be a solid purchase. I think the difference is the variety of robotic cleaners available from Aqaubot. You can really pick one that will suit your overall needs whereas the other brands are all just high end cleaners with maybe more features than you need. But side by side the high end cleaners offered by Aquabot matches the other manufacturer's models very well.

Overall Aquabot cleaners feature the best range from filtering down to 2 microns (which is better than most pool filters), having very long cables, offering solid warranties and some of the best price points for a robotic cleaner.

Aquabot would be a great choice when you are looking to purchase a robotic pool cleaner. Here are some of the features on their different cleaners:

Works on Vinyl, Gunite/Concrete, Fiberglass
Floor and partial wall - some models
Floor, wall and waterline - some models
50ft to 75 ft cable
1-7 programmable timer
Filters down to 2 microns (better than most pool filters)
1 year bumper to bumper warranty
Some models come with a 2 year bumper to bumper warranty
Some models come with a 3 year limited warranty

For more visit my website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/#!aquabot-robotic-cleaners/cv8i




Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Hayward TriVac™ 500 Pressure Side Cleaner Review

This is the new Hayward TriVac 500 Pressure Side Cleaner. The TriVac 500 requires a dedicated 3/4 hp booster pump with a separate return line plumbed in to operate.  The TriVac 500 is a pretty original and effective pressure cleaner.


If you already have an existing pressure cleaner the TriVac 500 will fit perfectly into the the threaded wall fitting so it is easy to change out your old pressure cleaner with the TriVac 500. It uses the same exact 1 1/2" threaded fitting with the two clips to hold the hose in to the wall as the other brand of pressure cleaners. Very convenient.

I will go over some of the unique features of the TriVac 500. First, it covers the entire pool -floors, walls up to the water line and it can clean the step areas also. It moves very rapidly on the pool bottom. The clips in the video are not speed up so you can see how it will clean your pool in less time than other pressure side cleaners. It features a unique floating debris bag on back so no more problems with the bag coming off and dragging on the bottom. The tires are very low friction and it comes with small guide wheels on the side to help protect the cleaner from getting hung up and scrapped on the pool walls and steps.

The TriVac 500 has a built in back-up valve and a very short back-up cycle. This will increase the TriVac 500's cleaning time so you can run it for shorter cycles. I like the idea of the internal back-up valve and the shorter back-up cycle.

This is based on the old Phantom by Hayward and the two cleaners look similar on the outside. But the TriVac 500 has been redesigned with all new engineering to make it a reliable cleaner. If you are familiar with the old Hayward Phantom you know that it was an excellent cleaner when it was working. But the gearing was so complex it would not stay working. Those defects have been addressed and the new TriVac 500 should be very reliable and long lasting.

Like I mentioned you will need a booster pump for this cleaner and it can use your existing 3/4 hp booster pump if you have one already.  So if you don't have the set up already for the TriVac 500 you cannot use it for your pool.

The TriVac  features three venturi on the bottom that shoots a powerful jet of water up into the cleaner, thus picking up debris. It has a very large opening on the bottom so it will have no problem with large debris. The debris bag is also extra large.


The TriVac500 comes with a one year warranty and Hayward has invested a lot of time in engineering into this cleaner. Hayward is getting back into the Pressure cleaner market with the TriVac 500 and will likely be offering rebates and deals to get customers to purchase the cleaner.

The Trivac 500 would be a good choice for a pressure side cleaner if you are in the market for a new one.



Sunday, March 13, 2016

AquaNaut® 450 Suction Side Automatic Cleaner by Hayward

The Hayward AquaNaut 450 is the third cleaner in the AquaNaut Product line for the US market. Already on the market here in the US are the Aquanaut 200 (A two wheeled cleaner) and the AquaNaut 400 (Another four wheeled cleaner). They also sell a two wheel version of this cleaner in the European market called the AquaNaut 250. The Aquanaut 250 is not available in the US market.  The AquaNaut 450 is a four wheel cleaner based off of the AquaNaut 400. But internally it has the Cam of the AquaNaut 200.


Simply put it will have the stability of the AquaNaut 400 but the turn cycle of the AquaNaut 200. So it will go shorter distances between turning in the pool. This makes it the perfect blend of both the AquaNaut 200 and 400.

All of the other features are the same between the AquaNaut cleaners so you are still getting the patented V-Flex turbine, the patented Super Hump Tires and the reliability that these cleaners are known for.

The V-Flex Turbine bends when the water enters the mouth of the cleaner, allowing for larger debris to pass easily thru and prevents clogging. This cleaner is a real beast with debris. The Super Hump tires are designed for pools with Anti-Vortex main drains, the hump will break the cleaner free from these drains so that it doesn't get stuck like many other suction side cleaners.

The AquaNaut 450 is part of Hayward's Expert Line Program so it is only available at your local pool store. For the service tech you can pick it up at your local distributor. The AquaNaut 450 is not sold online.

The question then now is which of the three Aquanaut cleaners is right for your pool? The AquaNaut 200 is made for small to medium pools and comes with only ten hoses. If your pool is not too large then either the AquaNaut 200 or AquaNaut 450 would work fine. If you have a large pool that is deeper than 8 ft -traditionally the AquaNaut 400 would be the best fit. It has a Cam with only three slots so it will travel longer in between turning. This usually allows it to climb out of the deep end slope and get full coverage of the pool. But if you have a large pool the shorter turn cycle of the AquaNaut 450 might work even better for you.

I think in 80% of the cases the AquaNaut 200 or the AquaNaut 450 would be suitable and effective for your pool. Not many pool owners have 35,000 gallon pools that are 9 feet deep. The reason Hayward made the AquaNaut 450 was for the consumer who liked the balance of the four wheel model for their pool but found the long turn cycle of the AquaNaut 400 to be less effective in their smaller pool. So the AquaNaut 450 fills a gap in the product line in some sense.

The AquaNaut 450 comes with 2 more hoses than the AquaNaut 200 so that is also a factor when comparing models. Of course with the 450 you will have two more tires to change when they wear out verse the AquaNaut 200, so that is also a point that you need to be aware of.

The AquaNaut 450 also comes with the Large and Small suction inlet which you may need depending on your pool pump size. Most pools will do fine with the standard Medium Inlet that comes installed on the cleaner. But it is good to have the optional inlets if needed.

The AqauNaut 450 would be a great choice for a suction side cleaner and it is versatile enough to fit a small, medium or large pool.

Related Videos:
AquaNaut® 200 Suction Side Cleaner – Review: http://youtu.be/z4GTOOeXwH4
AquaNaut® 200 & 400 Installation Guide: http://youtu.be/YjOjtCovOCc
Hayward AquaNaut® 400 Suction Side Cleaner – Review: https://youtu.be/YnkPNVfUbfY
Aquanaut and  the Phoenix vs. the PoolCleaner "Next Generation": https://youtu.be/6oFAY7MjKUQ




Wednesday, March 9, 2016

PoolVac/Navigator® V-Flex™ Upgrade Kit Installation Video

The V-Flex Upgrade Kit will convert your old PoolVac or Navigator into the a PoolVac V-Flex or Navigator V-Flex cleaner.

The V-Flex turbine is superior to the standard fixed turbine and this upgrade kit is an affordable way to update your still working older cleaner.

One of the biggest drawbacks with these cleaners is that the A-Frame and Turbine would wear out often. Then your cleaner would be a nice pool ornament sitting on the bottom.  The A-Frame in the V-Flex Turbine in this upgrade kit will solve that problem.

The A-Frame is now has no bearings and works off of a very strong large bearing that sits on the Turbine. So this part should last a very long time.

The V-Flex Turbine is designed to pick up larger debris than the old fixed turbine. So the cleaner will operate in the pool without getting jammed with debris.

The Upgrade kit is fairly easy to install and all you need are three tools:


A Phillips Screwdriver
A Standard Flat Screwdriver
A 1/4 Socket Wrench

It takes very little mechanical skill and I go over each step in this video for you. It takes less than 20 minutes to install this kit and the steps are very easy to follow.

The Upgrade Kit comes with the following parts:

V-Flex Turbine kit
Bearing free A-Frame kit and retainer
Replacement Shoes (x4)
Replacement Wings (x2)
Suction inlet (Throat)  

They also make an Upgrade Kit Plus for the pool service professional that comes with four additional parts - two Pods and Two Flaps:

V-Flex Turbine kit
Bearing free A-Frame kit and retainer
Replacement Shoes (x4)
Replacement Wings (x2)
Suction inlet (Throat)
Pod Kit
Front and Rear Flaps

The Upgrade Kit is part of Hayward's Expert line and it is available at your local pool store or local wholesale distributor. The Kit will not be available online.

So if your PoolVac or Navigator is still looking good, Upgrade it to a V-Flex cleaner and give it a new lease on life. If you are in the market for a new one, check out my review of both cleaners:

Navigator® V-Flex™ - Hayward Suction Side Cleaner:

PoolVac V-Flex™ Automatic Suction Pool Cleaner by Hayward - Review: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/#!haywardnavigatorpoolvacv-flex/dey6o


VVX3000CKITWH – V-Flex Upgrade Kit White
VVX3000CKITBLK - V-Flex Upgrade Kit Black
VVX3000VKITWH V-Flex Upgrade Kit-Vinyl-White
VVX3000SCKITWH – V-Flex Upgrade Kit – Plus
VVX3000SCKITBK - V-Flex  Upgrade Kit Plus -Black
VVX3000SVKITWH - V-Flex  Upgrade Kit Plus-Vinyl-White

Monday, March 7, 2016

PoolVac V-Flex™ Automatic Suction Pool Cleaner by Hayward - Review

This is the NEW PoolVac V-Flex by Hayward. The PoolVac V-Flex is a big upgrade from the standard PoolVac model. The V-Flex Turbine is a flexible turbine; the vanes collapse as water passes through the mouth of the cleaner allowing it to pick up larger debris. It is a noticeable difference from the old fixed turbine.

Along with the upgraded V-Flex turbine the A-Frame has also been redesigned with a larger and longer lasting bearing that will give this part a much better lifespan. If your familiar with the old PoolVac, then you probably know that this part used to wear out frequently.

This design chang
e is significant because it fixes two of the main issues with the PoolVac, those being, the parts wear out fast, and small debris jams the cleaner. The old fixed turbine would just get jammed too often on debris. The V-Flex turbine won't have this issue.

I say in the video that the V-Flex turbine opens to allow larger debris to pass thru but technically the water passing thru will collapse the turbine down creating a larger opening for debris. It is easier to understand  in most cases by saying it opens to allow large debris to pass.

As you can see from this video the PoolVac V-Flex is a beast when it comes to picking up dirt and debris. This pool is in pretty terrible shape and the PoolVac slices through the dirt and debris on the bottom like a knife thru butter. It works amazingly well with the new V-Flex Turbine.

The PoolVac V-Flex is a geared  cleaner which means it has a pre-programmed steering cycle, called the AutoPilot in this cleaner, which will allow it to get full coverage of your pool. With the AutoPilot steering system the cleaner won't get stuck on the step areas of the pool either.  I prefer geared cleaners over the bouncing type for that reason.

Note that this cleaner is part of Hayward's Expert Line Program which means that this cleaner is sold only at the Brick and Mortar pool stores and to service professionals at their local distributor - in my case at SCP and Superior Pool Products. It is not sold on the internet. So if you want the Hayward PoolVac V-Flex you will have to drive down to your local pool store and pick it up.

If you have a PoolVac now and want to upgrade it to the V-Flex you can buy purchasing the Upgrade Kit . The  Upgrade kit is also available at your local pool store and will not be sold online. If your PoolVac is due for a rebuild this Upgrade Kit would be a great idea.

By redesigning the Turbine and A-Frame Hayward has given the PoolVac  new life. The Navigator V-Flex is a solid choice for a suction side cleaner.




To see a video on the Hayward Navigator V-Flex:




Thursday, March 3, 2016

Navigator® V-Flex™ - Hayward Suction Side Automatic Cleaner Review

This is the NEW Navigator V-Flex by Hayward. The Navigator V-Flex is a substantial upgrade from the standard Navigator model. The V-Flex Turbine is a flexible turbine; the vanes collapse as water passes through the mouth of the cleaner allowing it to pick up larger debris.

Along with the upgraded V-Flex turbine the A-Frame has also been beefed up with a larger longer lasting bearing and a redesign that will give this part a much better lifespan. If your familiar with the old Navigator you know about swapping out the A-Frame and Turbine often as it wears down.

This design change is significant because it fixes two of the main issues with the Navigator, those being, the parts wear out fast, and small debris jams the cleaner. The old fixed turbine would just get jammed too often on debris. The V-Flex turbine won't have this issue.

I say in the video that the V-Flex turbine opens to allow larger debris to pass thru but technically the water passing thru will collapse the turbine down creating a larger opening for debris. It is easier to understand  in most cases by saying it opens to allow large debris to pass.

With all that said the V-Flex Navigator does an excellent job at picking up large debris now.  It will pick up dirt, small rocks, acorns, large leaves and much more.

The Navigator V-Flex is a geared type cleaner which means it has a pre-programmed steering cycle, called the SmartDrive in this cleaner, which will allow it to get full coverage of your pool. It also means that the cleaner won't get stuck on the step areas of the pool either.  I prefer geared cleaners over the bouncing type for that reason.

The Navigator V-Flex is a suction side pool cleaner so it works off of your existing pool equipment. When the pool pump is running the cleaner will also be running in the pool.


Note that this cleaner is part of Hayward's Expert Line Program which means that this cleaner is sold only at the Brick and Mortar pool stores and to service professionals at their local distributor - in my case at SCP and Superior Pool Products. It is not sold on the internet. So if you want the Hayward Navigator V-Flex you will have to drive down to your local pool store, I know, what a pain.

If you have a Navigator now and want to upgrade it to the V-Flex you can. You will just need to purchase an Upgrade kit which is also available at your local pool store and will not be sold online. If your Navigator is due for a rebuild this Upgrade Kit would be a great idea.
Bottom line, by redesigning the Turbine and A-Frame Hayward has given the Navigator new life. The Navigator V-Flex is a solid choice for a suction side cleaner.

Hayward PoolVac V-Flex: