jones_ken_us's Full Review: Polaris 65 Pool Cleaner
After some research I purchased the Polaris 65 several weeks ago for my above ground pool and I'm very happy with the unit. I bought mine on-line for about 200 bucks delivered. The turtle version is the same thing with a turtle bolt on top for another 30 bucks.
This cleaner works on the pressure side (pool water return line) instead of the suction side. This may sound funny, how can it clean with water pressure? Basically it has two pieces, a floating part which squirts water out jets in a pattern for the sole purpose of moving the unit around randomly. Then hanging below it is a tethered net on the end of a pressurized hose that picks up debris again with two powerful jets of water. The cleaner zooms (it does move fast) around the pool sweeping the bottom for leaves and debris, and at the same time distributing filtered water to all areas of the pool. It comes with a pressure relief valve to adjust the pressure which allows you to slow the unit down. They say to aim for the net to be on the bottom 80% of the time, with too much pressure it just zooms along above the bottom. This was an easy adjustment.
I like this design better than suction cleaners because I can leave my skimmer running to pick up surface debris while the cleaner is running. One other feature I like is the way it distributes water all around the pool. I used to direct my outlet way to the side in an attempt to create a whirlpool. The idea was to keep the pool cleaner, but this was never successful, algae always started forming in areas of least activity. With the 65 it constantly distributes highly chlorinated water (I have an automatic chlorinator attached to the return pipe - another must for any pool owner) to all areas of the pool. So far no algae has formed.
To clean the unit you just turn off the pump, grab the hose and drag it to the side to pick up the nylon bag, empty and drop it back in. To remove it when kids want to swim, it has a quarter turn quick release on the outlet eye. Very easy.
Only thing I don't like about it is I have to pull my ladder up because it got caught on it once, and because it floats you can't use a solar cover with it running.
Highly recommended and fun to watch too.
2006 update: This is the start of the third season and the 65 is still going strong. I did have to open the unit up this year (just a few philips screws) to lubricate the piston assembly and make sure the check valves were all operating freely. Other than that it's still running great and my pool looked crystal clear just hours after opening it. Last year I never once had to hand vacuum the pool!
2007 update: The cleaner is still working like new. I opened my pool on memorial day and the next day it was so clean the kids went swimming. Previously I reported that the unit gets caught in the ladder, but the last 2 seasons I've been leaving the ladder in and it only got caught once, and it doesn't do any damage to the liner when it stops anyway like I have heard some suction cleaners can. The 65 is best secret in pool cleaning ever.
2008 update: I had to replace the bag that collects dirt because it developed a few small holes. I had the unit for a few years so the 30 bucks for the bag didn't seem bad. It seems to be holding up to the test of time and I'm getting good long term value. Still highly recommended.
2009 Update: after 5 years I've decided to replace the cleaner with the same model. The unit still works but I'm having trouble with the hoses. The lower hose developed a crack and would need replacement, you can get parts but I need an upper hose too. The upper hose failed by no fault of the product. It developed a long line of holes in it that i figured out was caused by a ground hog that fell into the pool and used the hose to pull his way out. Anyway the cost of the two hoses and the age of the unit led me to buy another on sale for $180 and I'll use my current unit for parts if needed. Still highly reccomended.
Above ground PRESSURE type auto cleaner. Using the pressure from your pool's water return outlet, the Polaris 65 vacuums up pool debris while allowing...More at Water Warehouse
Above ground PRESSURE type auto cleaner. Using the pressure from your pool's water return outlet, the Polaris 65 vacuums up pool debris while allowing...More at Water Warehouse
Above ground PRESSURE type auto cleaner. Using the pressure from your pool's water return outlet, the Polaris 65 vacuums up pool debris while allowing...More at Water Warehouse
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