Beachcomber 740
Written: Aug 10 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: See Review
Cons: See Review
The Bottom Line: If you want a well built hot tub give Beachcomber a serious once over and make up your own mind.
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| eenigma1's Full Review: Beachcomber 740 Hot Tub |
Well I purchased a Beachcomber 740. I purchased the Beachcomber brand not because of the dealer or because the price was good but because it just looked like it was a well thought out and designed tub from the start. I liked the idea of the handrails. They were made that way to avoid any problems with leaking or breaking, which other tubs have experienced so say their owners on different forums. At the time I didn’t think much about it but now I understand. I also liked the fact that it doesn’t come with pillows due to the effects of chemicals on them. My dad had a tub that had that problem, after a while the pads where all discolored. I didn’t like that then and I sure wouldn’t want mine to look like that. I’m going to buy the weighted ones that you take out when you’re done. I bought the midnight blue shell because my wife wanted it and since I tried for 8 months to get her on board the hot tub wagon, who was I to argue. We got the plastic wood skirt mainly because I’m too lazy to add that to a “to do” list and take care of it when needed. Of course we got the protec design, which I really like. I got the lounger cause I like to get a good book and lay in the tub and read. Seems like the only time I read something other than tech manuals is when I’m lounging out in the tub just enjoying life We also got the ozonator, hush pump, ever light, reflex foot massage and the lift and store.
Let me start with the hush pump. It’s called that for a reason. You can’t hear it. Yet it moves a lot of water through the filter. 42,000 gallons according to Beachcomber. I’m really glad I got that. My electric meter hardly moves when just that is on. And on it is, cause it runs 24/7. Between that and the Eco One I use, my water is crystal clear.
The ozonator was something I had to pay extra for. Everything else was a factory promotion. Beachcomber doesn’t believe in ozone because they say it’s not proven effective. My oldest friend works for the EPA and he says that is all they use in Europe. He say’s ozone is very effective as a oxidizer. I don’t know what the issue is with Beachcomber on the ozone deal but they do make this tub “ozone ready” for those of us who do want it. Another item I’m glad I got.
Next the reflex foot massage. This is a nice option. A good massage on tired feet really helps out. When I first used the spa I would divert all water from the lounger and two other seats for the foot massage. This would leave those seats useless as far as massage went. But since then I realize that keeping the output lower and sending some water to the lounger and seats gave a much nicer massage even though you have to have your foot practically on the jet. I don’t know if that was the design but it feels much better at lower flow rates. Now if you really want to get the water churning then divert all water flow to those four jets.
Now the ever light. It’s a nice light that does so many things I don’t have a handle on it yet. My dealer said something about 12 or 13 different combinations but I don’t know how true that is. It does do a lot of different colors and different ways of changing from one to another. It is by far better than just a white light that does nothing else. BUT I find that when we sit in the tub at night I end up shutting the light off so we can see in the yard. It’s not what I would call “eye candy” but it’s not something I really use a lot of, least I haven’t yet. I was going to get the garden lights….boy am I glad I didn’t get those. That would be a waste of money, least for me.
Now the lift and store. Need I really say that it’s something most people should get? My wife is small and wouldn’t be able to lift the cover off herself so this addition is a must.
There is a lot of power in those pumps. Too much for me. After about 5 or 10 minutes I have to go from high to low. I end up getting a message on low speed. Much nicer then getting your back beat up. If others are in the tub and they want high I can just turn down the pressure at the individual jets. Just doesn’t seem smart to spend the extra money to run the pumps on high and turn down the jets instead of running on low and opening the jets up. As far as the controls go, I like them. I really like that invert feature. When sitting in the tub its much easier to read. Getting around in the tub is a breeze. The foot wells are very big and enough room for many pairs of legs.
Lets face it, there is very little about this tub I don’t like. But there is one. When the tub was delivered the 1-inch electrical access holes on either side of the tub at the kick plates where the protec sits are crap. It is just a one inch piece of plastic pipe that when cut at the factory is oblong. There is no threads, no way to hook up a electrical fitting to it. Both sides where like that. All you can do is jam a LB underneath the skirt and hope nobody kicks the thing out of place. You can’t do anything with a oblong hole. I’m a electrician by trade and I’m embarrassed to let any one of my friends see how that was wired. Very poor design. Out of all the good ideas Beachcomber had, this one got past them. They need to do something about that. That is the only bad thing I can think of as of now. I only had my tub a short time and other things good or bad may come to my attention but for now that is all I can report on.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
eenigma1
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Reviews written: 2
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