Dolphin Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner, Wall Climbing Scrubber Brush, Top Load Filter Access, Ideal for Above/In-Ground Pools up to 33 FT in Length

The Dolphin was delivered today (ahead of schedule), and after reading the Quick Start directions, I put it to work immediately. There's almost nothing to it. Connect the waterproof cord to the console, drop the unit into the water, plug the console cord into the wall socket, press the power button.We have a rectangular fiberglass pool with salt water. It has a large sitting platform which is about 2 feet deep. The platform then drops off into the deeper (lap swimming) end of the pool. The pool is 6 feet at the deepest end. I dropped the Dolphin into the deep end then hit the start button.This unit is advertised. It was definitely vacuuming up the debris. It picks up the pebbles, and it actually crawls up the pool wall to the point where at least a third of it breaches the surface, then drops back in. However, I have seen it crawl up the 4 foot wall of the platform, at which time it cleans the platform (briefly), until it blindly rolls off the platform edge, descending into the deeper water.After two hours, the bottom was probably 98% clean. There were a couple of 90 degree corners that it just couldn't quite pick up, so I'm currently running it for another hour. Perhaps I will stir up those two corners next time to give it an assist. Lastly, our pool has two steps to the deeper water. The unit appears unable to crawl up the stairs.Five starts because it is convenient, simple, and effective.Update:In order to get the last 2-3% of dirt left over in the corners and at the base of the walls, we first brush the debris toward the middle of the pool floor. Then, we run this unit for an hour and the pool looks great!~ We use this unit about once per week and always after the lawn is mowed.~ I set it on a small 2x4 block to keep pressure off of the brush up front. I also sometimes set it on it's side when it's not in use. Nothing to warp when it's on its side.~ We gently spray out the debris bucket with the garden hose. The filters on the side seem delicate/fine (which I'm guessing is why the fine dirt doesn't appear to pass through the system).~ In order to retrieve it you use the power cord to pull it in. It's very light when it's in the water, but when it gets within reach, grab the unit itself. This prevents undue stress on the power cord when it's full of water.Bottom line: This thing doesn't care how blazing hot or ice cold it is outside or how long its work shift is, it gets the job done so you don't have to.Update (1 year later):The Dolphin still does its thing. When not in use we keep the unit in a pool locker in the back yard, except for the console. We keep the console inside the house to keep the electronics better protected.Prior to using the Dolphin, we brush the base of the walls. This makes it easier for the Dolphin to get this more easily.Sometimes I push the button for a second cycle, but it usually does a fantastic job with a single cycle.I've left it in our salt water pool for a couple of nights in a row before. It doesn't seem to mind and it doesn't let go of the debris during that time.I use it year round, usually at least once per week in the warm months, perhaps a little less in the winter.1 year later, it still does the job very well. I'd never go back to doing this myself. The pool needs enough attention as it is (water testing, water level, filter cleanings, etc.).I do wish that it had a remote control option, something that I could hold so that I could direct it to "mow" the platform clean before plunging back into the deep water.Great purchase! I'd give it 5 stars again.Update (Beginning of 3rd year of use)Nothing has changed from above. I still store the dolphin (upright of the tracks) in the locker outside year round, the console is still stored inside the house.Prior to use I still sweep the base of the walls. This makes it easier for the unit to get the dirt and debris. The pool is clean in about 90 minutes, though I usually run it longer for an extra clean pool.I guess it takes about 10 minutes or so to sweep then set up, but it would take the same time to set up the manual system too. Same with break down, 10 mins or so either way. But of course with the Dolphin I'm off doing something else while it's doing its thing.No parts have deteriorated since it was brand new even in a salt water pool. It's as good as new still.I see newer Dolphin units with a built in swivel in the cord. After many hours in my pool the cord does develop the beginning of a kink (twist) in the cord but the cord is so long that this has never come close to hindering its effectiveness. After use, I lay out the cord along the lawn then roll it back up losing the minor twist for next use.I also see units with optional remote controls. For the large platform in my pool I simply manually (mow) it clean, that is I run it one length, turn it off, set it into position for the next run Turn it on, etc. Yes, I'm in ankle deep water with it as it's running but the platform gets clean in short order. I think a remote control for this short work would take longer. I need it to make several U-turns on the platform, slightly overlapping the previous run. I think using a remote would take much longer. Aside from that we're rarely in the water with the unit.Excellent pool accessory! Simple and convenient. Glad we made the purchase. It certainly is better than cleaning the bottom when it's 100 degrees or freezing outside.

This vacuum works great. It easily climbs the walls. It's easy to use. The cord is long and seems to be tangle free. If you feed the cord into your pool tangle free, the vacuum won't create any. We started off with the filter that came with the unit. We had an issue with our pool care company and needed the finer filter to clean up the results of that issue.So if your water is clear but leaves, grass clippings etc are your issue, the filter supplied with the unit will probably serve you well. If you have the very fine dead algae or whatever it is on the bottom of the pool, you will probably want to upgrade to the finer filter.Either filter is easy to clean. Open the back, pull the filter straight out and then turn it upside down and hose it out. You may have to wiggle the filter basket around a little bit but it comes straight out. I suggest you pull it out before your first use so you get familiar with the ins and outs so to speak.In any case I love this thing and recommend it highly.

Used it for about three weeks and want to share my thoughts to help those who are on the fence. Background: I have a kidney shaped pool measured 35’x15’. I have been using a Polaris 280 cleaner for about ten years; this is the first time I use an electrical cleaner.- Packaging: nice and solid; there is a pack of booklets including quick start guide, FAQ, and warranty. Full menu needs to be downloaded online but so far I don't find it necessary.- Setup: very easy; basically there is no assembly required. I do recommend you to un-tangle the cable before you start to use it.- Warranty: it is 24-month based on the warranty booklet included- Suction power: at the beginning I am not impressed and almost wanted to return. Then I found out that after at most two cleaning cycle, the filtration basket caught up so much dirt/silt that the suction power went downhill quickly. You have to make sure you clean up the filtration basket after one or two cleaning cycles. The mesh around the filtration basket (this is the stock one coming with the cleaner, not the ultra fine one you can purchase separately) will catch very fine particles that I almost think is not necessary. If I buy another filtration basket I will just get the regular one, or even a coarse one if available.- Efficiency: it does a fine job cleaning my pool in two hours; I haven’t used it in the heavy seasons (I have lots of trees around the pool) so time will tell. It will save me on the electricity bill and maintenance on the booster pump for sure.- Cleaning of the filtration basket: *tips*: open the bottom of the basket will make your cleaning much easier. I think the Polaris 280 filtration bag (with zip) is easier to clean. Also, the cleaning bag of Polaris continues to collect leaves/debris after many days, which the Dolphin Nautilus CC’s filtration basket needs to be cleaned very frequently (see my comments above in the “Suction power” section). It’s a minor inconvenience I can live with. But I do want Dolphin to considering making a basket with coarse mesh (***Dolphin please see this***).- Weight: the cleaner is heavier than Polaris 280 but manageable; just let it stay at the water line for a few seconds so water can flow back to the pool, before you pull it out the water.- Cable tangling: this was one of my major concerns before purchasing but so far it’s be great, no tangling. My observation is that the cleaner moves in such a manner that the blue cable/wire is not twisted. Again, my suggestion is to untangle the cable/wire before you put it in the water to start with.- Scheduling: some other reviews have already mentioned this, but I just realized it today, that the weekly scheduler will ONLY work for ONE WEEK. After one week you need to schedule again. I can live with it.- Convenience: another thing I like about the Nautilus is I can easily remove it when kids are using the pool. With Polaris they will have to deal with it.Overall, I like it so far and have stopped the booster pump and removed the Polaris 280. I probably need to put the Polaris back during spring and fall when the leaves are dumped into the pool. I will post updates if there is any. Happy pooling!!!