UPDATE 8/8/16:
Still going strong after almost non-stop use-- can't understand why anyone would pay 3-5X more for the "name brand." We basically just leave this running all the time now unless we are actually swimming. Still works like a champ! As other reviewers have noted, the flapper will occasionally jam and stop flapping (usually with something invisible)-- wiggling the flapper back and forth a few times by hand, or (as other reviewers have suggested) shooting a jet at high pressure from a garden hose against it for a minute or two is always enough to get it moving again. If reassembling/reusing after seasonal storage, be sure to wiggle the flapper back and forth several times before immersing, so that you are sure it has no obstructions. The vac makes a distinctive ticking or clacking noise as it operates-- if this noise stops, your flapper isn't moving. If you hear the noise, all is normal. One reviewer did mention being able to remove the regulator connection and not having any issues. I have an above-ground, flat-bottomed, circular vinyl pool, and without the regulator the vac just sits in one place. With the regulator the vac drives itself randomly around the pool. YMMV.
UPDATE 5/8/16:
Just hooked this up again, easy as pie, the pieces were stored flat and disassembled over the winter and there's no visible age damage beyong a bit of bleaching on the rubber skirt (which is still flexible). It's doing its snare drum routine as I write this. For more info than the rest of my orig review and update, see the most helpful review-- everything he says is right on the money-- with a powerful enough filter in good shape, this vac will do the job, period. As far as I'm concerned, it's already paid for itself in only two seasons and it's still going strong. I still do wish it had a ramdomizing rudder though LOL.
UPDATE 8/7/15:
This cleaner is still going strong with no problems. I did want to add one more RTFM corroboration-- when storing or not using, you really do need to store the hoses in straight lines. We made the mistake of leaving it very loosely coiled on the deck in the sun and that one day was enough to result in it tying itself in knots the next time we used it. Had to disconnect the hoses into sections of 3 and lay them out in the sun to "straighten" in order to correct this.
So far the only thing that has managed to "stop" it was a bent popsicle stick (how did that even get into the pool???) which was removed without issues and had no longterm effect at all.
I'd add one feature if I had any engineering ability at all-- an adjustable "fin" or rudder to force the vac to fight against the return flow current, in order to better randomize the cleaning pattern in circular pools.
Overall, still 5 stars in my book, and we've used it *at least* weekly all season long. A GREAT product at a fraction of the brandname price.
====================
Orig review:
I love this cleaner! No more sore back after manually vacuuming! Regarding the three most common complaints:
1) Yes, the suction will stop if the flapper gets jammed. Just lift the vac GENTLY AND SLOWLY out of the water and remove the object (almost always a rock, large leaf, or small stick or twig that is just too big or too inflexible to be ingested). If you can't see what is causing the jam, just squirt a jet from your garden hose into the square flapper port for a minute or two-- that should knock out any troublesome sand or gravel. With us, it seems to be airsoft pellets most often, although they often get vacuumed without any issues. This vac is designed to remove dirt and algea-- the instructions tell you to remove large debris from your pool PRIOR to use.
2) This is a very simple, mechanical device designed to move SLOWLY, underwater, using water pressure only. If your filter pump doesn't have the minimum hp stated in the specs, it won't work in your pool. If you don't follow the instructions carefully, it won't work properly (or at all) so read the specs BEFORE you buy, and RTFM when you assemble and use it! If it doesn't work perfectly, adjust weights, hose, and return flow direction until it does. RTFM.
3) The skirt fits very loosely by design-- if you lift the vac out of the water too quickly, the drag WILL pull the skirt off and you will have to put it back. Water is HEAVY (8 lbs per gallon) and you're basically yanking the skirt off when you do this.
I did end up using all the hose because our pool is circular and the hose tends to shorten by coiling.
Overall this does a great job and you can't beat the price!
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Product Description
Requirements:
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Connect to Pump1 HP power pump or above are recommended to use for this pool cleaner. |
Connect to FilterFor better usage, the filter is recommended to be washed every week and kept it clean. |
Function of yellow seal clipWeighted stabilizer properly use the seal clip to keep the balance when you clean the pool. Recommended each Clip is for every 3-foot of depth of your pool. |
How to use eye ball diverterAdjust or twist eye ball divert to change the flow of water and to make sure the water flowing can be inside with right direction. |
Instructions:
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Hoses need to be right lengthThe length of the hose is very important while using a pool cleaner. With a hose that is too long you can get it tangled while moving around and with one that is not long enough you may get some spots that are not clean. Provided with adjustable hose lengths you can add or take off the amount of hose needed for your pool for the best fit. |
Clean up debris from flapper regularlyWhen using the pool cleaner you should always remember to clean the flapper regularly. Before and after you start using the pool clean cleaning the flapper can greatly increase the flow of the cleaning making it more efficient and fast. Check inside the flapper for debris that might be stuck or debris that is building up and may cause future problems. Tips: Please do not put the pool cleaner into the pool during the non-pool season to avoid the debris get into the flapper, and clean up it first before you start to use it in the beginning of pool season. |
No air in the hosesTo get the optimal usage out of the pool cleaner, there should be no air in the hose while it is running. To avoid this issue, please leave the cleaner inside the pool as it will extract out air with water. Once its done, follow the instruction manual to operate. |
Avoid erosionMost of the pool chemicals or bleach would erode the materials of this product. To operate correctly, please wash the product after every usage and away from water. Specifically, except pool season, store the pool cleaner be outside of the pool in order to make it avoid erosion. |
Troubleshooting and Maintenance:
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The pool cleaner is able to clean algae, small pool dirt and dust. However, leaves are not supposed to be cleaned by this pool cleaner. |
To avoid damaging the product, please do not use it to wash stairs in the pool. This product can safely work on curved surfaces without any issue. |
Do not put the pool cleaner into the pool during the non-pool season to avoid the debris get into the flapper, and clean up it first before you start to use it in the beginning of pool season. |
1: To decrease the water pressure for avoiding getting stuck, the spring should be adjusted as the step 1 to loosen the regulator. 2: To increase the water pressure for strengthening suction, the spring should be adjusted as the step 2 to tighten the regulator. |
Compare with similar items
This Item  XtremepowerUS Premium Automatic Suction Vacuum-generic Climb Wall Pool Cleaner Sweeper In-Ground Suction Side + Hose Set |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -5% $78.67 Typical: $82.39 | -24% $129.00 List: $169.00 | -21% $117.99 List: $149.00 | -28% $35.95 List: $49.99 | $88.99 | -8% $119.99 Typical: $129.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Suction power | ||||||
| Easy to assemble | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Easy to clean | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Pool US | Homestore123 Company | FibroPool | In The Swim Pool Supplies | TCP Global Corp |
| power source | Pressure Suction | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | — | Battery Powered | — |
| size | — | — | Catfish Ultra | drill-613 | 1 Pack | — |
| style | Cleaner | Above Ground,Handheld,Inground,Leaf | Cordless, Hoseless, Rechargeable, Handheld, Portable | — | Cordless, Hose-Free, Battery-Powered, Handheld | Automatic,In-ground |
| batteries required | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| weight | 12 pounds | — | 6 pounds | 4 pounds | 1.8 pounds | 1 pounds |
Reviews with images
if you're on the fence - listen up
Ok - I typically never write reviews but I felt that this one was warranted. If you're reading this, you may be looking at the low price coupled with some of the negative reviews, and thinking about passing on this item. Read this first - my experiences with this guy might be helpful.First - my pool is an old 20x40 vinyl lined, sand bottom pool. It's literally got nothing but sharp corners and angles that eat pool vacuums for breakfast, or any other time it's hungry. It's surrounded by trees, big trees. This pool is where vacuums go to die.That said - this is a 4 star review solely because there is nothing helpful included with the vac to explain WHY it might not be working. So here we go:1) Hose, weight, return management:Line one - don't use all the included hose sections if you have old ones! The "heavy duty" hose is cool in theory, but its weight and relative inflexibility caused movement issues for me. My pool is 9' deep, and I found that using only two sections of the aqua hose was sufficient - but use them! This machine is designed to work with that weight, but the sections that always sit at the surface should be replaced with something lighter and more flexible.This vacuum works by "hopping" with the motion and weight of the flapper inside, and without a separate power source, it can have trouble consistently fighting the hose, especially on walls.Weights- I found the third yellow weight to be unneeded, and it's been on my table out here for months. I put the first weight right on the end of the vac, and the second one mid way through the second section of hose. That's it, just check on it because it will slide down due to vibration.Returns- for the love of God, don't point your returns up at the surface while using this! The current will catch the hose like a sail and you'll never get good coverage. Just point them down a little.2) Things get stuck in it!So this guy has already munched away hundreds of leaves. Does it occasionally get caught? Yep, but the easy fix for me (aided by the fact that I have wall suction right next to returns) is to pull it off suction, put it in front of the return until you see it jump off the floor, and put it right back on suction. So far, has gone right back to putting instantly.3) It sucks! It just sits there or doesn't climb the walls!Well guess what - I would bet you my pool that it's your filter/pump, and not this vacuum. My pool laughs at vacuums with its angles, bumpy surfaces, and other assorted pitfalls - kind of how you caught at the cat trying to catch a laser pointer dot. This vac laughs at the pool trying to stop it.BUT WHY? You need great flow and heavy suction. I think that might even be a movie title. I have one skimmer operating, the other half is the vacuum on wall. That's it, the second skimmer stays off. I DO NOT use that regulator pipe they gave me. I'm not even sure where it is.But here is the rub - even with a 1hp pump, if my FILTER is not clean, the vacuum will not, I repeat, WILL NOT WORK. As another reviewer said, "it just sits there in the deep end and sucks."No. You suck at maintaining your pool! This vacuum even tells you, if you listen. On a recently backwashed or clean filter, the vac goes "rata-tat-tat-tat" in very fast succession - multiple times per second. The vacuum cruises fast and powers through everything. As the filter fills up, and water flow slows down, the frequency decreases and the vacuum starts to suck, figuratively. But not anymore literally.I need to backwash my filter EVERY WEEK to maintain efficiency. I was doing it less frequently until this vacuum showed me the light.CHECK YOUR FILTER! It's 90% more likely that is causing any issue than the vacuum itself - barring broken parts or defect, obviously.So look - I almost bought a vacuum twice as expensive than the paltry $90 I paid for this one, which has already paid for itself in time saved, how awesome the pool looks, and lower maintenance elsewhere. I'm glad a review swayed me to give it a shot, because it's been fantastic.Remember, be smarter than the machine you're using and find the root of the problem! Great product.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2021
Anyway. The costs do add up. And my pool has some broken issues regarding skimmer lines, jets, etc, so it's even more challenging. We have been through two pool cleaners - A Barracuda and a Kreepy Krawly. I'd say both worked the same, was happy with both, lasted same amount of time. But dang, they're expensive to replace! And so is just the hose for them -- which is what led me to this cleaner.
To get 10 pieces of hose, like what is included with this, would have cost me almost $100 at my local pool store. They're also rarely in stock - last year in July I could only get 3. So I figured, might as well buy this set, since the hose alone is worth the price.
I was skeptical - I wondered if the description was false, it would really be just 10ft of hose? Nope, 10 full sections, good quality, the same as I get locally, and it even included one section of double-ended female ends, if you need that to connect. My store never has that. Handy.
The cleaner itself is really similar to the others I've had. The body feels lighter weight, a little flimsier? It was super easy to put together, zero tools. That rubber round flappy pieces just clicks on, and an arm snaps onto the outside, connect tubes, ready to rock.
The suction is great. I have the problems with my lines that I mentioned, plus an old sand filter- but this got just as good of suction as my Kreepy Krawly did last year before it went out!! The only downside to this compared to more expensive models is that it got stuck a bit more often, during spring opening, on bigger debris like sticks and leaf clumps. (Long story but we didn't close it down very clean last year, and closed it late after fall leaves had started getting in.) You can see in the picture tho -- this thing sucks. In a good way, lol. Like one of those Swiffer commercials, just sweeping that much right up!
I've used it for 3 weeks now, almost daily. Very happy with it, zero problems. For the price, this is unbelievably worth it, and I won't buy an expensive cleaner again. Even if this only lasted one season - it would still even out in price compared to an expensive cleaner. Those things run average of $400ish, and last 4 years. And I expect this will last a lot longer than one year. :)
Style: CleanerVerified Purchase
This Sucks -- And That's Just What I Wanted!
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2021
I've had an inground pool for 11 years now. It's like having a giant concrete hole, and you throw all of your money into it. Lol. But, in the big picture it evens out - we spend a ton on upkeep, but we save a ton by having a rad place to have all the summer birthday parties and events (no renting a place), entertain regularly, keep the kids occupied for free, etc. :)Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2021
Anyway. The costs do add up. And my pool has some broken issues regarding skimmer lines, jets, etc, so it's even more challenging. We have been through two pool cleaners - A Barracuda and a Kreepy Krawly. I'd say both worked the same, was happy with both, lasted same amount of time. But dang, they're expensive to replace! And so is just the hose for them -- which is what led me to this cleaner.
To get 10 pieces of hose, like what is included with this, would have cost me almost $100 at my local pool store. They're also rarely in stock - last year in July I could only get 3. So I figured, might as well buy this set, since the hose alone is worth the price.
I was skeptical - I wondered if the description was false, it would really be just 10ft of hose? Nope, 10 full sections, good quality, the same as I get locally, and it even included one section of double-ended female ends, if you need that to connect. My store never has that. Handy.
The cleaner itself is really similar to the others I've had. The body feels lighter weight, a little flimsier? It was super easy to put together, zero tools. That rubber round flappy pieces just clicks on, and an arm snaps onto the outside, connect tubes, ready to rock.
The suction is great. I have the problems with my lines that I mentioned, plus an old sand filter- but this got just as good of suction as my Kreepy Krawly did last year before it went out!! The only downside to this compared to more expensive models is that it got stuck a bit more often, during spring opening, on bigger debris like sticks and leaf clumps. (Long story but we didn't close it down very clean last year, and closed it late after fall leaves had started getting in.) You can see in the picture tho -- this thing sucks. In a good way, lol. Like one of those Swiffer commercials, just sweeping that much right up!
I've used it for 3 weeks now, almost daily. Very happy with it, zero problems. For the price, this is unbelievably worth it, and I won't buy an expensive cleaner again. Even if this only lasted one season - it would still even out in price compared to an expensive cleaner. Those things run average of $400ish, and last 4 years. And I expect this will last a lot longer than one year. :)
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
MAHADEVAN Pavithran
Stays still does not scrub or clean Does not climb walls doe not clean just a glorified foot valve
Reviewed in India on March 23, 2020Style: CleanerVerified Purchase
Felix
Excelente, costo beneficio, Encantado con el Producto AAA+++
Reviewed in Mexico on March 12, 2021Style: CleanerVerified Purchase
