rerod wrote:
...
... Someone's complaining about how the pump/heater unit stopped working, or couldn't heat and maintain the temperature..
Its to bad you cant buy one that's built well, or without the cheesy pump/heater. So you could build a decent reliable system ready for cooler outdoor temps and years of use..
You've got to remember, these Coleman inflatable hot tubs cost only $399 or less and plug into a normal household outlet (110 volt). The pump is small, but does work quite well for it's intended purpose.
Now, if you wanted to spend $4000 - $8000 for a 220 volt, insulated, weather tight, hot tub, well ... you can. But it WON'T be inflatable or portable. I know, we've searched for about 10 years looking for a simple (inexpensive) hot tub that did not require another $3000 to run an electric line at our house for underground wire that's rated 50 amp and 220 volt! Because, that's why the hot tubs require, if you're looking for one to meet your criteria.
Then, you have to keep the pumps running during the winter, keep the chemicals in the tub and pray you don't have a power outage with you get it hit a foot or two of snow and the weight of the snow takes out a power line and the entire county is out of electricity for 3 or 4 day! (which does happen where I live).
I cannot understand, absolutely cannot understand how anyone can compare a $399 inflatable portable, 110 volt hot tub to a $4000 unit and expect it to be the same thing! Get real! You want that kind of durability, you have to pay the price.
It's kind of like the entry level camper you can purchase for $15,000 and the luxury model for $115,000. Can you compare the two? Are they held to the same standard? Well ... some people try to!
The Coleman comes with instructions with NOT use the hot tub in temperatures under 40 degrees. I don't know why? Perhaps the air in the tub keeping it inflated with decompress and cause it get soft and potentially collapse? Maybe the pump simply cannot maintain temperatures that low and keep the water heated to 104 degrees. Maybe the pump is simply not designed to function in 40 degree weather. (Here again, you get what you pay for!).
But I for one am VERY happy and please with our purchase. It's working very well and so far we've had no issues. We ARE NOT abusing it either, rough-housing with it, or being just plain stupid acting like crazy nuts to see how destructive we can be before it's destroyed and then complain it's "inferior quality!" NO, NO, NO! Used with the intent for which it was designed, and use it within the guide lines outlined by the manufacturer, and it's a good, inexpensive, and fun toy for adult usage! I would never let kids play in my tub alone ... never! It's not designed for that kind of rough housing!
When reading those types of reviews, you REALLY have to ask the question, "What did the person posting the complaint do to cause something to happen and now they are are just yelling - foul!"
Even if my tub dies tonight, I've had 2 good months of a lot of "soaking". For $399, you couldn't get it that cheap if you belong to a health spa with 4 people using it several times a day (and night)!