Eric; Thanks for your email. I just posted a message on a spa message
board, and I think I'll just share it with you;
"
Here are my impressions about HS. I have nothing against anyone. I love
HS owners, OK. This is an analysis of design and engineering. So don't
take it personally, please!
1/ They have the poorest filtering design in the industry of any well known
brand. Attaching twin filters with no bypass is the reason why they have
such limited jet pressure. The worst thing to do to a centrifugal pump is
restrict the suctions. You can ask any qualified pump engineer. As far as
I can tell the %100 no bypass filtration is to make up for the worthless
tiny "circ" pump. The first time I saw filters with the sides caved in was
on a HS spa.
2/ The worthless tiny "circ" pump that doesn't move enough water to filter
much of anything. It is not good as a heat pump either because of the
multi hi limits used that tax the heater, when the pump quits. If you do
not check for water flow, the heater gets overheated by the lack of water
movement.
3/ The full foam design is not for insulation but for holding up a really
cheap shell. Their shell is one of the thinnest and flimsiest there is.
That is why the foam is so dense.
4/ This leads to- Leak repairs are an ordeal!
5/ Did I mention the weak jet pressure?
6/ The material the spas are made from does not lend itself to extensive
mold convolutions, like neck collars, and arm rests. The open seated
design is not bad, just limited. Most people when given the opportunity
will choose more comfortable seating and more jets (and more jet pressure)
7/ Exclusive parts! Back in 1955 Edward R Murrow interviewed Carl
Sandburg, a famous poet of his day. Ed Murrow asked Carl what was Carl's
least favorite word in the English language. Carl Sandburg's reply:
"exclusive". He said it means all other possibilities are gone. With
spa companies they use the word "exclusive" as if it means something
good. "Our exclusive jets…………………." All it means is you can't get
parts for them when they go out of business. And while they are in
business, you pay "through the nose for parts".
8/ The prices are way out of line for the manufacturing built into the
spas. If you do not mind paying "thought the nose" all the way around for
the security of buying from one of the biggest spa companies, then go for
it.
9/ The way the spas are designed makes for very noisy pumps. Even without
an air pump (something that is sorely lacking), the spas are very loud for
the weak jets. You would think that a spa with not much power would not be
that loud.
10/ The basic design of the spas has not changed much in 23 years. All
other "garage projects" that have made people rich have moved on to much
more advanced and better engineering. If HP had stayed in the garage
design, they would not be anything now. How about Apple Computer. Can
you imagine developing the power Mac G4 in a garage. Life goes on but HS
still makes the same concept as they did in 77. They didn't have digital
controls until 97.
There is nothing bad about the Hot Spring people, all nice, and they do
take care of dealers and customers. It is a good company as spa companies
go. Most everything about them is good, except the products. The brochures
sure are nice!
This is my opinion; for what it is worth. I suggest you shop and check out
lots of spas, and do look at the spas. Wet test them if you can. See for
yourself how noisy they are, how much the "exclusive" parts cost and how
thick the shell is. Most spas stores have the spas running on carpet for a
reason. Ask if you can go hear them on concrete.
"
Are you in Washington state? We do deliver there at least twice a year.
Thanks for the opportunity to serve you.
Check out our new message board at
http://www.spaspecialist.com/cgi/index.cgi
Jim Arjuna
The Spa Specialist Inc.
555 Alter St. #19A
Broomfield, CO 80020
303-404-AAAH (2224)
toll free 1-888-478-2224
http://www.spaspecialist.com
jim@spaspecialist.com
Customer's very informative
web site http://www.sonic.net/~alsdy/
Erik 'SPEEDenator' Selberg wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm looking to get a new spa, and found your page on the Web. I couldn't
> help but noticing that you seem to be quite down on a So Cal spa maker
> that makes overpriced spas on the cheap, w/ no air jets and a tiny circ
> pump to keep the spa at a constant temperature. Could this be Hot
> Springs? I ask just because I'm early on in my shopping, and it's best
> to filter out the overpriced stuff early.
>
> Thanks,
> -e
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