Best automatic pool cleaners according to redditors

This is correct. It's for a pool vacuum/pump. One came in the box of the pool vacuum we bought a year back.

It's a flow gauge to make sure the pool pump is working optimally.
You can find out more about it (if you really want) by looking at the installation steps in the manual (especially step 6) of this pool vacuum. The u shaped bit on the top attaches to part of the hose to hold the gauge steady.

Afraid I can't speak for the Dolphin since I've never worked with it. As for the others:

The Hayward functions well. It's an old design; tried and true. It'll climb walls and follow a pattern. Of the non-robotic cleaners you mentioned, it'll end up costing the most in maintenance. Nothing to break the bank, but it has gears, bearings, and feet that eventually wear down. If you're mechanically minded, they're not hard to break down and clean/rebuild. Maybe $50 a season starting in a year or two depending on the mileage.

(Aside: They've released a new cleaner that's meant to be a bit of a replacement that's worth looking at too. A bit sturdier and more modular. I liked the simplicity of working on it, what chances I got.)

Avoid the Smartpool. Sold these things and they can work very well. This might have changed, but as of last year you don't get a warranty if you buy online. And it's just about useless without that. I'd say 30% of the ones we put into the market came back within the year with some issue. The first gen had cord issues that they corrected. WITH the warranty we'd have a free replacement part, tune up, and test, and you'd be back in business within a few days. Without a warranty, you're SOL. Get it in store or don't get it at all.

For the Baracuda and Kreepy, you'll be getting one of the simplest, no BS cleaner types on the market. For wear and tear, they've got a diaphragm and the foot pad. Easy day. However, that mechanical simplicity also means they function simply. They might not climb the walls, depending on pressure/slope/depth. They'll also be random in their pattern. Not uncommon to have them loitering in certain areas.

The BIGGEST thing I can say about any cleaner you get, it's not a 100% set and forget solution. Take care of it! If you're going out of town, by all means leave it in the pool on a timer. It's great to come back to sparkling water; that's the whole point of a cleaner!

Don't, however, leave it in 24/7 exposed to the sun and chemicals. I've seen three year old Hayward Navigators that looked like they'd been drug through a minefield with repair costs higher than buying a new one. I've also seen Navigators that were over a decade old, bleached white, but still trucking with the occasional part replacement. Like a lawnmower, you've got to hose it off occasionally, check the insides, and keep it stored when not in use. If you do that, your $500 will go a long, long way.

Hayward 500 Aqua Bug Above-Ground Automatic Pool Cleaner by Hayward http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GGMIQC/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_hF7itb0Z9WJBEn


Hayward AXV414P Pod Shoes for Concrete, 4-Pack by Hayward http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XV8UBK/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_7G7itb08PXS1C

Thank you.

I was considering these:

• XtremepowerUS Suction Cleaner Kreepy Krauly
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESQMA8M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yaIZCbCGK6VWK
  
  
• INTEY Suction Cleaner Kreepy Krauly
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P6JJQBM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jbIZCbFJHS2QS
  
  
• Zodiac Baracuda MX6 Suction Vacuum
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IG9LZ4C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SaIZCbV8MKYDS
  
  
• Hayward Poolvergnuegen Suction Vacuum
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KSRJXO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5aIZCbVKNHCPE
  
  How would you compare the Suction Vacuum (w/wheels) vs Kreepy Krauly?
  The ones that you recommended are priced similar to vacuums.

This exact thing - which comes in a Polaris bag - sells for $75 from Leslie's. That's right. - $25 per piece.

Muriatic acid? $18 for 2. Same thing from Home Depot is $12.

Hey, it can be convenient. But Leslie's is anything but reasonably priced. Those scrubbers for the tails of Polaris cleaners?? About 5x as high as elsewhere.

We bought this one last summer and it was a work horse. Easily climbs walls and maps your pool. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner with Easy to Clean Large Top Load Filter Cartridges and Tangle-Free Swivel Cord, Ideal for In-ground Swimming Pools up to 50 Feet. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q8M0NWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_F11SCbK9PW8AQ

This is the most purchased one on amazon. Anyone have it? Reccomend it?

Part number - R0502400

Looks like amazon has it but not prime

Zodiac R0502400 Small Collar with O-Ring Replacement for Select Zodiac Nature2 Water Sanitizers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008E6OKVC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_S4m0CbW2DVM1Z

Like this one?
https://www.amazon.com/Hayward-Poolvergnuegen-896584000-020-Cleaner-Automatic/dp/B004KSRJXY

Does it work well? Can it "climb" the walls?

I absolutely love my Kreepy Krauly Great White. It scrubs the algae spots and sucks up all of the oak leaves that fall in. Its also very simple and doesnt require electricity or anything. It even cleans the walls (I have a rounded edge).

I have this model http://www.amazon.com/Pentair-GW9500-Automatic-Cleaner-In-Ground/dp/B002G9U17U Several friends of mine have had this model for 7-8 years. It is simple and cheap to repair also.

We bought this one last year and I still praise it. I love the little guy, scrubs, vacuums, etc.

Hi. I bought this robot last season. It works pretty well and isn't expensive at all.

I bought a house with a 20x40 vinyl inground last year, and have learned the troublefreepools method. I use store brand concentrated bleach, 8.25%, and their pool calculator to help determine how much to use.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ESQMA8M/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495056986&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=pool+sweepers+for+in+ground+pools&dpPl=1&dpID=41IJ2WmA9uL&ref=plSrch

And I love this little guy, he's a huge help for a very minimal investment. I named mine "Munchie."

​

https://www.amazon.com/Dolphin-Nautilus-Robotic-Cleaner-Cartridges/dp/B00Q8M0NWE/ref=sr_1_3?m=A70W6TBLAYLN5&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&qid

There is no escape

Here is the mobile version of your link

Thanks to all who replied!

So it got me thinking about how to do it.
I was hoping it would be simpler -- "Buy motor, CAD up some connectors, wire it up, write simple code, go". ( Even that is too complicated, IMHO... )

So, what I've decided to do is make a simpler robot that is closer to what I imagine in difficulty, then scale up.


Here's my BOM so far:

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N3XZSTY
  
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/202488241409
  
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/111715988116
  
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K8E0WAG/
  
  I figure I'll make a more toy version first to see problems, then begin searching for a way to scale up. My initial hope is just to be able to haul the battery around on grass so I get a better sense of the problems I need to solve.
  
  Thanks!