Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is my first pool vacuum and I took the recommendation of my local pool store, who also built the pool in the first place, because I figured they were the experts.
They installed the 380 with booster pump and set it up for around 100 bucks and, given the work they did, I would say that's a bargain. Total cost, including tax, was $1107.
When we first started using it our pool was still very dirty from an algal bloom, which we thought the 380 would make short work of. WRONG!!!! Don't use your new Polaris if your pool is green!!! The inline filter got clogged and split right down the seam, allowing junk to get inside the Polaris until the wheels stopped turning altogether. I learned that the Polaris 380 is driven along by internal water jets which squirt water onto a turbine. If these jets clog the wheels stop. Also, prior to stopping completely, it had started behaving weirdly; running on one wheel, tail thrashing wildly, squirting water everywhere, not climbing the walls, lying on its side - just weird and unpredictable and certainly not cleaning the pool. We were very annoyed.
After a call to Polaris in California, who were very helpful, it went back to the store for repair, which they kindly did for free. When we put it back in the pool, which was now clean from manually vacuuming to waste, it performed perfectly- it did everything they say in the ads - climbed the walls, tail wagging gently, moving randomly through the pool, sucking everything up (including small rocks). It did a perfect job and vacuumed sand, silt, leaves, you name it. Flawless!!! And in about one and a quarter hours to get the pool cleaner than I'd ever seen it before. I put it in again a few days later and it did it all again and fast. Magic.
So lesson learned. Be realistic about what you expect it to do and make sure that the pool is relatively in good shape before you use it. Certainly make sure that the water is clear first.
Too early to comment on the repairs and maintenance or how long it will last, but it certainly works well right now.
Also I can't comment on whether the 280 model is better, as some people say, but based on my limited experience the 380 is great. Before buying I would ask a local pool shop or owner to explain what it should look like when it's working properly, so you know what to expect. When ours first went crazy we didn't know what it was meant to do, so it was hard for us to recognize the weird behavior at first.
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Polaris Vac-Sweep 380 F3 Pressure Side Automatic Pool Cleaner for In-Ground PoolsThis mighty cleaner packs the power of 3 jets to swiftly scrub and sweep the bottom and walls of any size pool. In 3 hours your Polaris 380 will not only have cleaned dirt and debris, but will have also helped to distribute chemicals and heat around your pool. This independent cleaner runs off a separate booster pump so that the rest of your filtration system may run as efficiently as the Polaris 380. The unique filter bag even removes debris before it can reach your pump basket or filter making it the perfect complement to the rest of your pool equipment! Includes 31 ft. hose kit, deck or wall mount and complete instructions. Pump must be hard wired.
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