u/S_LFG

We have a 25K gallon in-ground vinyl pool, 40' long with a 8' deep end. Our pool installer threw in a Beatbot A100 (equivalent to the Aquasense 1), which was less than impressive for us. Primarily because of the lack of ultra-fine filter which meant all the fine silt that we get at the bottom of the pool just goes right through it. Beatbot claims they can send me a finer filter (I believe around ~60 micron) at the end of July, but we couldn't wait that long.

We purchased a Dolphin Active 2000 at a local Maytronics "elite" dealer. Immediately we noticed how much more adept it was at trapping the fine silt, it didn't leave a trail of dust behind it everywhere it went. However, after running it basically on repeat since we got it, it's turned out to be disappointing.

* The number one issue is that it just does not hit the shallow end in any real capacity. It's a miracle if it actually travels up the slope from the deep end to the shallow end and does any work down there. 90% of the time you look out the window at the robot, it's just meandering around the very bottom of the deep end.

* On that same note, I have not noticed it actually reaching the waterline when in a mode that has waterline included. It doesn't seem to want to travel up the entirety of the wall. The Beatbot definitely hits the waterline more in waterline mode. However, the waterline is not our primary concern right now, so I could ignore that fact if it were able to hit the entire floor of the pool.

* Multiple times I've noticed it just completely stopped in the middle of a cycle (of course usually at the bottom of the deep end), no error message or anything. If I manually drive it from the app, it then usually wakes back up and starts cleaning again. Sometimes it will stop again in that same cycle. If I don't notice it, the entire rest of the cycle gets wasted.

* The anti-tangle cord gets twisted way more than I'd expect during a cycle. I make sure to spread out and untwist the cord after every cycle, but it assuredly gets twisted again the following cycle. Not knotted of course, but enough to create more tension on the cord than ideal.

I've tried the troubleshooting: The power supply isn't plugged into an extension cord, placing the power supply at different locations around the pool, placing the robot into the pool at different locations facing different directions, power supply in the shade with a fan blowing on it, checking the impeller, getting the cord taut and untwisted after each run, trying every single cleaning mode, etc.

I've read that the models with only 1 drive unit, because of the way they turn, can really struggle getting up a steep slope into the shallow end. So I've looked at the Dolphin models with two drive units. I definitely want to stick with a model that has a basket filter and a good warranty. From the Dolphin comparison chart, it looks like that leaves me with the E55, M550, then M600/Active 60/T60. It's a pretty significant price increase to jump up to those. I'm willing to try them out, but I want to know if I can even expect my experience to be that much better with those. Or- am I better off trying a different cordless model, or a different corded brand, based on my experience with this Dolphin?

Thanks in advance.

We are having a kidney shaped pool installed, 25K gallons, 40 foot long, 8' deep end. Pool installer recommended a ladder in the deep end, saying "sometimes you just wanna get out". My family and I have gone back and forth on it a few times. I'm the one that's probably most in favor, thinking about the times I will just want to jump in the deep end to get wet and cool off then get out without swimming to the shallow end. However, I'm capable of using my upper body strength to just push myself out without a ladder if we didn't have one.

It's a vinyl liner pool that has already been filled so no option to add features to the pool itself. The concrete surround/patio has not been poured which is why we can still opt to add the mounting point for the ladder or not.

I'm also thinking about the extra cleaning considerations that come with having a ladder.

What are your guys thoughts on deep end ladders?

Edit: thanks everyone, I'm sold on having it installed. I'll pass on the points you guys have made to the rest of the family and I think they'll be swayed in favor.