Our pool guy (aka Mr. LoveaTm) says we need a new pool vacuum. He wants either pressure side or battery powered.

I'm trying to research but feeling cross eyed so I thought I would check here and see if any of you have one you love.

Dolphin

Our dolphin quantum has really sucked…for years

I got a Dolphin 2 years ago and I love it. It picks up so much more of the finer dirt items than my old Polaris jet powered ever did. Plus it's nice having an extra jet to move water since the Dolphin is electrical powered.

Dolphin Proteus DX4 Automatic Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner, Wall Climbing, Waterline Scrubber Brush, Ideal for In-Ground Pool up to 50 FT in Length

I'm not an expert by any means, but my research indicated the battery powered models and heavier and don't have the suction of the corded models. We just replaced our Dolphin Active 20 with an Active 2000 (essentially the same model). We get a ton of leaves and are happy with it. Marina Pools has a really good deal now on the Evo 604 by Polaris (also corded) and there was an additional $100 rebate. I'd recommend giving them a call and they can walk you though the options and probably explain the pros and cons of battery powered units.

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I'm not an expert by any means, but my research indicated the battery powered models and heavier and don't have the suction of the corded models.

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I would support this statement.

I bought the cordless version of the Dolphin I mentioned above because of this exact reason. I have an old 1980s pool with a diving board and the deep end is 10 feet. The shallow end is ~ 3-4 feet. The cordless Dolphin had a hard time with the incline from deep to shallow ends and it drained the battery trying to do it.

I also have a Dolphin and am very pleased. Under no circumstances should you buy a WYBOT

and just so you're aware, the cord is an electric cord - not a vacuum cord/hose.

I didn't know this when we started looking 5+ years ago.

Piggy backing on this one... So, I just have a traditional Polaris 280 in the pool. I'm getting sick of having to manually vac the spa. Do any one of you drop your robot in your spa? Much luck?

Yes we drop ours in all the time it works great. Throws a little more water out but that's it.

We have a BeatBot aquasense 2 and it's been decent. Never returns to the surface like it's supposed to but that's why I have kids to fish it out.

Using a Pentair prowler as recommended by marina pool and spa. Been very happy. Motor died after one year but it has a two year warranty. Pool guy took care of it submitted a warranty claim and it's back up and running. When it dies I'll buy another one. I didn't realize how much work it did until I didn't have it for a week.

Here's my perspective on this. Get a Polaris 280 and save your money. Yes, it has to be rebuilt every 4-5 years and has parts designed to fail. However, I think it's crazy to spend ridiculous amounts of money on something that basically just sits at the bottom of your pool and cleans trash out of it. I also don't understand people buying $1000 toilets or vacuum cleaners, but to each his own I guess.

Too funny. That's what we did yesterday. He just replaced what he had. Which is what he wanted to do in the first place but I thought there was probably something better out there. I was wrong. But don't tell him I just flat admitted it.

Piggy backing on this, my dolphin has made it through the last 4 summers sitting in the pool. Went to plug it in this spring and the power supply flashed on and "popped" (guessing a fuse). Had a brand new back up, plugged that in and same thing… I figure that there's a short somewhere in the robot now and the fuse blows for safety. At 4 years, is it just time to drop another $1000 on a brand new one?

I will say the plastic is pretty faded from the sun and the power cord has a lot of crap shedding off from the chlorine.

They can replace the cord if you send it in. It's $250

It seems 4 years is about the longevity of pool robots. I pivoted from the dolphin models to the Evo Aqua 604 based off recommendations from Marina pool and spas. It looks, operates, and cleans like the dolphin models but has a way better basket setup. I'm hoping it lasts longer, but I will be shocked and impressed if it does.

FTR- It stays in the pool unless we're in the pool.

I am in the hunt for a new cleaner as well. Our Dolphin Explorer E30 wants to run for about 30 secs then quits. I have been going through all of the trouble shooting. Tested power supply, continuity of the cable, motor assembly. It is just hard to get accurate reviews for these cleaners. I do have a fairly small pool, so I am leaning to a rechargeable model this time. I want to get away from the cable because it does take a lot of abuse from the chlorine and the twisting.

I have an Aiper X1 Pro (cordless rechargeable). Started with just the X1, but it was essentially DOA....not a great start but Aiper replaced and upgraded the model for free (so decent support).

After a month its fine. I don't do any of the fancy options, just let its do its random pathing for a few hours and it gets the job done. Seems to get itself to the side pretty well where I can easily fish it out with their 4ft hook. It's pretty heavy though, especially before the water drains out...can't really ask my wife or kids to help.

I like it a lot more than the old Polaris....time will tell how well it lasts.

I bought an Evo604. It should be here tomorrow or Saturday. Now, I need to resolve how I'll explain to my wife why I bought this while we have a Polaris 280.

Please let us know how you like it!

We had an Active20. Worked great but I didn't baby it and thus failed in less than 5 years. Bought an Evo last year. Awesome machine. It's better than the Active20. I take it out of the pool and rinse it off after use.

You've probably already checked, but when our Active 20 started doing that same thing it was because Cypress needles were wrapped around the impeller. It would run for about 30 seconds and shut down.

Appreciate the thought. I've done way more than that including replacing the motor with a rebuilt motor that only lasted 4 months.

Texker said:

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Bought an Evo last year. Awesome machine. It's better than the Active20. I take it out of the pool and rinse it off after use.

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Good to hear. I'll follow this advice.

loveaTm said:

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Please let us know how you like it!

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Will do. I'm excited to give it a go tonight or in the morning.

Yep checked that. Now I'm down the rabbit hole. The propeller motor felt a little "bumpy" when turning it. Took the motor apart a checked the bearings. Really dirty inside. Seemed that something is out of balance inside based on the wear

I had been battling with my Polaris 280 for years and finally put it in trash and purchased a EVO 604 about 6 months back. The EVO does a lot better job than the Polaris even on its best day picking up small stuff off the bottom. EVO does a decent job brushing the bottom and walls too. It's minor pain to pull the Evo in and out of the pool. Can't believe I didn't buy the EVO sooner.

Right now, I am Team Evo 604. Not enough time yet to really fully review, but it cleans significantly better than my Polaris. I swear that my 280 has been intentionally avoiding leaves for years.

For those of you with a booster pump style pressure cleaner, my dad has had great luck with his Amazon 280 knock off he bought (i think is Mahoon brand). Half the price of a 280

Finally surrendered the battle on trying repair the Dolphin. Broke down last night and ordered the Evo 614IQ. We will see if it was a good choice.

Same. You'll love the Evo. It's miles ahead of the Dolphin.

The System said:

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It seems 4 years is about the longevity of pool robots. I pivoted from the dolphin models to the Evo Aqua 604 based off recommendations from Marina pool and spas. It looks, operates, and cleans like the dolphin models but has a way better basket setup. I'm hoping it lasts longer, but I will be shocked and impressed if it does.

FTR- It stays in the pool unless we're in the pool.

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This has been my experience too. Small sample size though. First dolphin lasted 4 years, with one re3placement. Upgraded to the premier. Works pretty well. A poorly designed part of the plastic frame where the front roller attaches broke after a year. Figured I would have to use the extended Amazon warranty I purchased, but turns out the manufacturer warranty must be 2 years. They replaced the unit and covered shipping.

I think that means I will have a 5 year warranty between the two. So if it dies at year four I might get a few more out of the replacement. Both times I have had claims they just send a refurbished unit.

I had an out of box faiilre on my initial Dolphin order.

I have the polaris quattro sport that runs on a booster pump, but looks like a robot. Im starting summer #6 with mine. Ive had to replace the gear box twice (i think) due to nylon gears wesring out and the rear axle once. Im currently replacing the gear box gears again, but found a 3 d print file and im getting a friend to make me a few sets. The frame has some cracks, but my glue solution is working so far. I leave mine in the pool 24/7. When it moves, it picks up debris really well. Just wish the gears didnt wear out, but parts are available if you want to spend the money