Pentairs packaging is superior, but the underlying magnet technology is identical, and the Jandy wet end is nicer. I would have totally gone VF if I could have had it controlled natively, but I got tired of fighting that....

....BUT 8 speeds at any rpm I want with a simple flowmeter is better than a VS (have to get a bigger drill bit this weekend to put in the flowmeter)

Jandy 5,0 Software is a bit arcane,and disappointing at this stage Ive played around with it a few hours now and havent accomplished what I set out to do.Grrrr.

The pump really moves water- at 345 watts (2150 RPM) Im moving enough water for the chlorinator to run and not alarm, I have only about 10lb of pressure on the system and the Barricuda and Polaris LCS are functioning well enough to be useful if a bit slow, I can hear the diaphragm snap and see a water swirl in the LCS.

Pump is VERY quiet at this speed the GF didn't realize it was on till she opened the door to the equipment.

The Extra-large strainer basket extends time between cleanings.

Scott

Are you saying the Jandy 5.0 has been released and it is terrible? Can I still upgrade to 4.0 and not go with 5.0, if you are saying that it is so bad?

Maybe I'm confusing this with the actual controller software. Is that the "P" version upgrade that is $530?

You'll want "P" (5.0), as the brains (control board) behind it are also new (new architecture), and it will likely be the base for all future products i.e. if you want to add anything "new" going forward, you'll need to be on the new hardware that ships with the upgrade.

There is something significant coming in Feb 2010 that will greatly expand/enhance the current product (dave will probably be happy), and it will require the new-style control board that comes with "P" (5.0).

There are two separate areas that offer "per feature" speed settings, one of them is a temporary area you can get to with 2 clicks and when you set the speed in this area it stays only until the next cycle making it seem like the settings wont stick. There is another area in a completely different menu thats three clicks deep that holds the reference setting for the speeds

I've figured out how to do most of what I want to do now, but the system lacks true logical automation.

-for example.

I have a pool jacuzzi combo on one pump.

Why cant I tell the system use solar priority to heat the jacuzzi until its 104 then AUTOMATICALLY switch over to heat the pool till a set temp? - then enter a mode to go back and forth looking for differential to fill.

I can tell the system TIMES to switch (you can have 2 times per function), but this is a guessing game if using solar to heat anything.

Its just not as elegant as it should be for the price being charged given the relative amount of compute power available today for peanuts.

Then again I work in the media and entertainment business selling super sophisticated editing and compositing software and I have high expectations of code.

Davegvg

Let me guess...it is their 7" color touch screen that they have been showing at the trade shows for about the last 2 years?

1st, going solar to get the spa to 104? That would take a long time. That time could have been used to heat and sanitize the pool.

Then immediately switch to pool mode? Why did you heat the spa then?

When you switch to pool mode, some pool return water will go to the spa cooling it. Overflow spills into the pool.

Solar is slow. If you want a soak in the spa, use a gas fired heater. It even works at night.

If you add too many options, people get in trouble. Then support issues jump exponentially.

Scott

Question. 1st, going solar to get the spa to 104? That would take a long time. That time could have been used to heat and sanitize the pool.

Answer. Maybe, maybe not, it depends on the day- Ive seen 375K BTU/hour off the roof on a hot day. If the pool is starting at 82 I may not need to heat it anymore but may want to use the jacuzzi early in the day say on a weekend, I can always run the pump to sanitize day or night, but I cant always get free heat.

Q. Then immediately switch to pool mode? Why did you heat the spa then?

A. I answered that above some times I prioritize the spa over the pool for no charge heating.

Q. When you switch to pool mode, some pool return water will go to the spa cooling it. Overflow spills into the pool.

A. Not always it depends on how I valve the system I can keep them completely separate or share the pool water into the jacuzzi I can heat it up to 104 then valve over to the pool and run the jacuzzi booster pump and aerator for a long time till it cools down to far.

Q Solar is slow. If you want a soak in the spa, use a gas fired heater. It even works at night.

A. Thats not always true depending on the day. The best heat pumps can give you what 110 120K btu? My solar can nearly triple that. If you have a 2-300K heater I can beat that with solar as well. I do have a gas heater a pentair mastertemp 400. when I pre-feed the gas heater with the solar (setting- solar priority off but heat on) I can really heat some water upwards of 600K BTU to the water and I do this on select weekends in the winter when I get guests in from Europe. I use it all the time since I paid about 4K to run a whole new oversize meter and gas feed all the way to the back of the yard. Im going to use the thing when I need to - but I always try to use solar priority when feasible no use spending money when you can get it off the roof.

Comment - If you add too many options, people get in trouble. Then support issues jump exponentially.

Reply - Maybe but I dont believe Im an average consumer I expect basic temperature switching logic functionality in anything that call is self an "automation system" and find most of the products in this field all pretty old combination's of SW and HW technology.

Davegvg