?? re automatic pool vacuum

[Liz]

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

[SQLit]

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.

[Richard J Kinch]

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.

[gfretwell]

I have had a Hayward Navigator for about a year and it works great. After the Charlie hurricane it had the pool clean in a few hours

[reader]

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.

[SteveB]

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

[Craven Morehead]

The Polaris 380 requires a booster pump while the 360 does not. I have the