After 32 years of manually vacuuming our inground pool, DH has had it and
wants to buy an automatic poor vacuum but isn't sure which make/model would
be best for our pool. This is a Sylvan 23,000 gallon concrete pool, born in
1961 and coated with fiberglass two years ago. If possible he'd like to get
a vacuum without a booster pump. He's looking at the Polaris 360 but can't
find any reviews on this model. Do any of you good people have experience
with this type of pool vacuum that you'd care to share?

Thanks!

Liz

"Liz" wrote in message
...
After 32 years of manually vacuuming our inground pool, DH has had it and
wants to buy an automatic poor vacuum but isn't sure which make/model
would
be best for our pool. This is a Sylvan 23,000 gallon concrete pool, born
in
1961 and coated with fiberglass two years ago. If possible he'd like to
get
a vacuum without a booster pump. He's looking at the Polaris 360 but
can't
find any reviews on this model. Do any of you good people have experience
with this type of pool vacuum that you'd care to share?

Thanks!

Liz

I have had 4 pools, the best cleaner by far was in the floor, oops that
option is out.

Last pool I threw away the cleaner that worked on its own pump. Honestly do
not know what it was. I installed a Hayward cleaner, works on the suction
line. It came with a plate for the skimmer and was a pain in the ass. At
least in my opinion the plate on the skimmer not the cleaner. Then I had to
replaster so I cut a hole in the side of the pool and I created a connection
just for the cleaner. I installed a mixing valve so that I could mix this
return and the ones from the pool for a clean pool.
Worked like a champ. Even with the dust storms pool was clean with in 12
hours. Of course that includes a back wash.

I am pretty sure that you local pool store can steer you to 3-5 different
models that all will do the job. I found that a leaf canister was needed
until the tree died and that solved the leaf issue.

Liz writes:

He's looking at the Polaris 360 but can't
find any reviews on this model. Do any of you good people have
experience with this type of pool vacuum that you'd care to share?

I'd recommend the Polaris 180, 280 or 380. These are booster types.
Suction-side cleaners are slow, inefficient, and spoil the circulation. A
booster pump gets the job done in an hour per day. It also scoots around
fast, flushing and freshening the stagnant chemistry at the bottom of the
pool, so things stay sterile, not just picked up there. In the long run
the true costs are less that way, because it costs less in power, and
chemical needs are lower.

After the hurricanes here in SE Florida last year, my pool was so littered
with debris I couldn't see the bottom. I pulled out the big branches, and
the Polaris 180 had the rest cleaned up in a day or so after the power came
back on. It was so good at picking up trash that we had to empty the
collection bag every 20 minutes.

The Polaris cleaners are better than sliced bread. I have one with a booster
pump, can't remember the model number, possibly the 380. It runs about an
hour a day and it's worth every penny.


"Liz" wrote in message
...
After 32 years of manually vacuuming our inground pool, DH has had it and
wants to buy an automatic poor vacuum but isn't sure which make/model
would be best for our pool. This is a Sylvan 23,000 gallon concrete pool,
born in 1961 and coated with fiberglass two years ago. If possible he'd
like to get a vacuum without a booster pump. He's looking at the Polaris
360 but can't find any reviews on this model. Do any of you good people
have experience with this type of pool vacuum that you'd care to share?

Thanks!

Liz

"Liz" wrote in message
...
After 32 years of manually vacuuming our inground pool, DH has had it and
wants to buy an automatic poor vacuum but isn't sure which make/model
would be best for our pool. This is a Sylvan 23,000 gallon concrete pool,
born in 1961 and coated with fiberglass two years ago. If possible he'd
like to get a vacuum without a booster pump. He's looking at the Polaris
360 but can't find any reviews on this model. Do any of you good people
have experience with this type of pool vacuum that you'd care to share?

Thanks!

Liz

I have a Hayward Ultra, and love it. It works on a straight suction line.
I have had it almost three years, and it is still chugging.

I went to a yard sale the other day, and saw a Polaris. My, oh, my. All
the parts, the wheels, it looked like something out of a Jim Carey movie!
The Hayward is soooooooooooooooo simple, and works sooooooooo good. I have
named mine "Poolio."

I got mine for $200 after the rebate. It is just so darn simple, and works
so good. People rave about their Polaris cleaners, but this one only needs
a suction line. No booster pump. If you sit them side by side, you will
see what I mean about it being simple. Every once in a while, I have to
take out four screws and get out a small rock, but that's it.

STeve

"Liz" wrote in message
...
After 32 years of manually vacuuming our inground pool, DH has had it and
wants to buy an automatic poor vacuum but isn't sure which make/model
would be best for our pool. This is a Sylvan 23,000 gallon concrete pool,
born in 1961 and coated with fiberglass two years ago. If possible he'd
like to get a vacuum without a booster pump. He's looking at the Polaris
360 but can't find any reviews on this model. Do any of you good people
have experience with this type of pool vacuum that you'd care to share?

Thanks!

Liz

We have a polaris 360 and it works very well... Dunno what else to say.

KB

There are many brands out there. You have heard from people with Polaris
and Hayward. Go look. Compare. One needs a booster pump. One has a ton
of moving parts. We haven't even heard from Kreepy Krauly of Piranha. Just
look at them, and choose the one you think will do the job.

Personally, I like the Hayward for simplicity. It works fine and it does a
good job.

steve

Forgot to mention - if you have a lot of leaves falling into the pool, the
Polaris type cleaners work well because they have a bag where the debris
collects. Suction side cleaners would send debris through the plumbing
lines.



"SteveB" wrote in message
news:YTdve.4235$8o.3399@fed1read03...
There are many brands out there. You have heard from people with Polaris
and Hayward. Go look. Compare. One needs a booster pump. One has a ton
of moving parts. We haven't even heard from Kreepy Krauly of Piranha.
Just look at them, and choose the one you think will do the job.

Personally, I like the Hayward for simplicity. It works fine and it does
a good job.

steve

"reader" wrote in message
m...
Forgot to mention - if you have a lot of leaves falling into the pool, the
Polaris type cleaners work well because they have a bag where the debris
collects. Suction side cleaners would send debris through the plumbing
lines.


My Hayward has a tubular strainer with removable mesh bag that traps all the
leaves and stuff.

Steve

Thanks for all the responses. It sounds like the majority of you are
recommending a model with the booster pump. DH was trying to avoid that
added expense, but in the long run maybe the expense is warranted. BTW,
we're in the Philly 'burbs and with our property surrounded by 60-foot high
oaks, leaves ARE a major problem in the fall, not to mention acorns!

Liz

"Liz" wrote in message
...
After 32 years of manually vacuuming our inground pool, DH has had it and
wants to buy an automatic poor vacuum but isn't sure which make/model
would be best for our pool. This is a Sylvan 23,000 gallon concrete pool,
born in 1961 and coated with fiberglass two years ago. If possible he'd
like to get a vacuum without a booster pump. He's looking at the Polaris
360 but can't find any reviews on this model. Do any of you good people
have experience with this type of pool vacuum that you'd care to share?

Thanks!

Liz

"Liz" wrote in message
...
Thanks for all the responses. It sounds like the majority of you are
recommending a model with the booster pump. DH was trying to avoid that
added expense, but in the long run maybe the expense is warranted. BTW,
we're in the Philly 'burbs and with our property surrounded by 60-foot
high oaks, leaves ARE a major problem in the fall, not to mention acorns!

Liz


Trying to tell ya. Look at the Hayward before you opt for one with extra
pump$, partS, and deviceS. I never could fathom why I should have to spend
a lot for another pump just to run the pool cleaner.

I have my Hayward running right now. I just put it in the water, and come
back later. So simple, and no extra pumps of zillions of pieces and parts.

Steve

The Polaris 380 requires a booster pump while the 360 does not. I have the
360 and it works fine here in Georgia.
"Liz" wrote in message
...
Thanks for all the responses. It sounds like the majority of you are
recommending a model with the booster pump. DH was trying to avoid that
added expense, but in the long run maybe the expense is warranted. BTW,
we're in the Philly 'burbs and with our property surrounded by 60-foot
high
oaks, leaves ARE a major problem in the fall, not to mention acorns!

Liz

"Liz" wrote in message
...
After 32 years of manually vacuuming our inground pool, DH has had it
and
wants to buy an automatic poor vacuum but isn't sure which make/model
would be best for our pool. This is a Sylvan 23,000 gallon concrete
pool,
born in 1961 and coated with fiberglass two years ago. If possible he'd
like to get a vacuum without a booster pump. He's looking at the
Polaris
360 but can't find any reviews on this model. Do any of you good people
have experience with this type of pool vacuum that you'd care to share?

Thanks!

Liz