Maybe it's tool late for you but I just found out about a company - my pool guy gave it to me. I don't know anything about it, so I put a question out today under the pool and spa forum. Maybe someone knows more. But here's thelink if you want to check it out. Www.cleardecksystems.com

No, you cannot use any bubble cover with an automated drive.

Re: Cleardeck. That is an in deck storage container for a typical bubble cover, and will eliminate the reel. However, with a reel, you can roll it out of the way, whereas with this, you will always have to step over it.

Isn't rolling the reel away a tough proposition. We have an odd shaped pool and the reel sits at one end of the pool and its heavy to move it away. Clear deck sits underground so when you say you have to step over it. You mean walk over the lid that is flush with the pool decking, right?

True, if you do not have the space, then you could not move the roller. Yes, one would "step over" instead of walking on the Cleradeck lid