Suction side cleaners tend to be slower. The can get stuck too. They also tend to go in repetitive patterns. I know several here like The Pool Cleaner sweeps but I don't see them out my way. Pressure side cleaners pick up dirt too. Can things get past the bag? Sure, but not much. Polaris also has a silt bag available if needed. Pressure side cleaners also have a back up unit that moves the unit to a different part of the pool to prevent it from staying stuck and to prevent the sweep from going over the same places repeatedly. Scott

Pipe size is very important to efficiency. Think of it this way. When you buy a cup of coffee, that little red stirring straw that comes with the coffee is very small in pipe size. How much coffee can you draw through that little straw? You are using a lot of effort for very little coffee. Now, when you go to your favorite burger place and order that oversize drink, look at the size of the straw that comes with the drink. You now can draw your favorite beverage with a lot less effort. Your builder needs to plumb your pool at lease 2.5 to 3" PVC pipe when using a IntelliFlo or 2 HP pumps. If your builder specked out a 1 or 1.5 HP pump, you could get by with 2" PVC but your pool and pump will operate more efficiently with larger plumbing and quieter. Install more than two return lines. The more efficiently the water is moving in the pool the cleaner and healthy the water. Also, if you are heating your pool, the more returns to the pool the better the circulation. Ask your builder if termites eat flex pipe. What happens if on the suction side of the plumbing the flex pipe collapses? The 4x160 IntelliFlo is a must. Does anybody reading this believes energy will become less expensive? Every swimming pool pump operates at 3450 RPM's. How often do you require that much energy? The least amount of savings is 30% when operating at 3450 RPM's using the 4x160. One last point. Make sure the plumber has a minimum of 6 to 8 inches in front of the pump before the first 90 coming out of the ground. Enjoy your pool.

I've owned the 4-wheeled version of "The Pool Cleaner" since 2002. Had a Polaris and hated it!!! My first "Pool Cleaner" was "used" and given to me by a friend in the pool business. I am on my 3rd now and love them! The first 2 were called "Trackers" and made by a company that went out of business (I believe). They are easy to maintain and do a great job on the floor and walls. Cleans my pool in a couple of hours. My pool has 90 degree angle walls-to-floor. No incline. The cleaner will nose into the wall and (eventually) turn or climb itself out. As a result, my wheels wear out on the inside hub/gears quicker. The manufacturers use metal drive shafts that tend to chew up the inside of the plastic front wheel hub gears after awhile (9 months to a year). I rotate my wheels and tires from front to rear to extend life. I use a Hayward Skim Vac plate that allows cleaning every other day. Mine runs +12 hours a day. Parts can also be pricey. Tires can cost as much as a set of tires for a small car (over $40 with shipping, each!) I bought my latest "Pool Cleaner" from INYOPools.com. Great price and quick delivery!

4 is nothing, especially when they are not around the build but rather service or something else. i say this as they are in business since the 70's...you don't do that easily. plus kudzu has review after review that looks great. as for pool pricing...of 5 on-site quotes and probably another 10 phone 'ballpark quotes' based on my wants, all quotes have been in the mid 30's to mid 40's. So my thoughts there are it must just be the southeast and the economy which rules good for me. Given the current economy Any thoughts on the equipment?