Gibby: The only application I might give pause to recommending a Solatube is where the dome is visible at the front elevation of the house. Our Solatubes can be seen along the sides, but with the angle of our hipped roof lines, you cannot see any vent stacks or either Solatube when you stand directly in front of the house. Now as you walk around the house, you see them (of course). We have a brown roof and they really have a low profile so they don't jump out at you. And since most bathrooms are towards the rear of the house, this shouldn't be a problem, but thought I'd mention it. I believe that the Solatube brand can only be installed by dealers or contractors, but that might be the case in Texas. Home Depot also sells a comparable product, but I don't know about the quality. We bought the 10" diameter tube with a plain opaque lens, and it gives off plenty of light. Any bigger and we'd have to wear sunglasses in our bathrooms! Here is a link that might be useful: Solatube

writersblock I don't really know either. That's why I contacted the manufacturer. Their customer service people don't seem to know the answer. Most manufacturers put this information on the technical drawings, but not Maax. On the drawings for both tubs, the overflow center is listed at 17.5 but it's measuring from the base of the leveling feet, not the interior of the tub. And the center of the drain still has an inch or so below it (so the water would be at most 16.5 deep). When I asked the salesperson to clarify, they said the water depth on the Maax Pose tub was "about 20 inches" which has to be wrong. Seeking clarification, I contacted Maax directly. So far they have told me three different answers: 17.5" less than 12" about 14.5" I guess the 14.5 is the correct answer, as that sounds about right. I want a tub where the water is at least 17.5 inches deep so the Maax tub won't work. I'm now leaning towards the Lacey or Sydney from Hydro Systems.

I actually feel kind of stupid or perhaps I should be kinder to myself and say I am very surprised! When working on the spare bathroom choices I gave some thought to using all of the available space, knowing I could fairly easily fit in a 66 inch tub if I were willing to do some framing work. I went back to Mirabelle as I wanted to keep costs as minimal as possible (noot cheap just not wanting a Kohler Underscore price unless I were willing to drop the Kallista in Master. I wasn't :) I looked at the 66 inch Mirabelle Edenton and did not at first catch the width. Only 36 and that won't fit in the spare. Without making a short story long I looked at the alcove versions but the Edenton required access from the side, something that for my home would be very messy. The Bradenton series offered a removable skirt but I had seen one before and wasn't sure I liked the look. But the Bradenton had decent leg room. So my duh huh moment. I looked at the 32 inch wide Edenton drop in tun and lo and behold it was 44 1/2 inches. I revisited the 36 inch wide Edenton drop in and sure enough its legroom was 37 or so inches. This was main reason I had dropped this from my short list. Had no idea the 36 inch wide version would be that much shorter. Now I see why Kevin had no trouble fitting in his tub! It has nearly as much legroom as the Kallista ( 1 1/2 inches less). The 32 inch will fit with a small deck in the alcove spot for my spare and I probably will do the air option. The spare has rapidly become an upscale room anyway and having a nice relaxing air tub there won't be worst thing. My son will love it when he visits and he won't invade the Master. Moral of story.. if any given dimension is important to you be sure to check every tub and size as internal measurements can be grossly different that external measurements. I thought I had already learned that but alas i quickly forgot it if I did. This may be a win win for us though as the wiring for spare will be simpler.

Wanted to say thanks to all who posted here and raised other perspectives, offered suggestions and in general made me think about things I probably had not thought of before. Very helpful and very appreciated. I managed to go out and see some empty tubs today but even that helped me see some things. At this point I am going to visit with my contractor to see if there is any reasonable way to fit a 66 inch tub into the bathroom. I am 6 ft 1 and while I can fit inside the 60 inch it is an easier fit to go one size up. Sometimes seeing is helpful! My list is now fairly short: Kohler Underscore Aquatic Serenity 35 Mirabelle Edenton 36x66 or 36x60 I had thought about the MTI Andrea 11 but pricing there starts to climb rapidly and there just comes a point where I have to say "enough". If I spent 60 minutes every day in the tub an in line heater, arm rests etc might be a good idea. One thing about the Serenity that was good to see is how high and wide the borde rof tub is. Definitely will require a long reaching faucet and I wonder if climbing out an dover will be difficult (tub I saw today was not yet set up in its box) The Aquatic certainly looked ok. As did the Mirabelle (lowest price option). I did not see the Edenton but one similar. Overall I am probably somewhat partial to the Kohler underscore "look" but then it wa salso undermounted. I do prefer an under mount appearance but not sure I want to go there. Seems more involved for the installation. I also need to see what the 240V aspects will cost for the install (not sure I have space in breaker box). Still deciding but the list is very much smaller now! Water depth on all of these tubs is more than deep enough.. 17.5 to almost 19 inches to overflow.