11-01-2012, 08:10 PM
I have been through a couple of alternatives to the Polaris....and am waiting for the last one to die so I can go back to a Polaris.
You will find that cleaners, like Gaul, are divided into three parts:
--Pressure side cleaners (like your Polaris) that use a booster pump. It sounds like your pump is OK?
--Suction side cleaners with no pump. (They work using the flow from your regular pump.) Less initial cost (no extra pump required) but lots of unhappiness if much stuff falls into your pool
--Robotic cleaners. This is the latest craze. Think pool Roombas. More expensive, and performance varies. Lots of people like them.
I think rgC's kit recommendation is good if you can find one. The one issue with repair is the hose. I have been told by a couple of different pool guys that replacement is due when the hose becomes inflexible/brittle. I am not sure if the kits include new hose. They are really simple to work on if you have any DIY interest.
I have seen new replacements (from pool stores with a presence on Fleabay) for your Polaris for around $350. Local stores are more like like the $500 you found.
As I suggested above, I am going back to pressure-side Polaris, and the 280 you have is considered a venerable beast.
You will find that cleaners, like Gaul, are divided into three parts:
--Pressure side cleaners (like your Polaris) that use a booster pump. It sounds like your pump is OK?
--Suction side cleaners with no pump. (They work using the flow from your regular pump.) Less initial cost (no extra pump required) but lots of unhappiness if much stuff falls into your pool
--Robotic cleaners. This is the latest craze. Think pool Roombas. More expensive, and performance varies. Lots of people like them.
I think rgC's kit recommendation is good if you can find one. The one issue with repair is the hose. I have been told by a couple of different pool guys that replacement is due when the hose becomes inflexible/brittle. I am not sure if the kits include new hose. They are really simple to work on if you have any DIY interest.
I have seen new replacements (from pool stores with a presence on Fleabay) for your Polaris for around $350. Local stores are more like like the $500 you found.
As I suggested above, I am going back to pressure-side Polaris, and the 280 you have is considered a venerable beast.