My wife and I are purchasing a spa right away and we are down to Hotspring vista and caldera geneva.. Any feedback on which one is better in regards to usage, warranty and anything else would be greatly appreciated..WE do know they are owned by the same company and HS does have a 24 hour ciculation that we really like... Please help we are lost in the hot tub maze...

My vote would go for the Hot Springs every time. In fact we have just bought a Vista ourselves and are waiting for delivery.

Essentially the same company (Watkins own both) Hot Springs has superior filtration, but Caldera has more accesory options- you can't go wrong either way " title="Very Happy" />

What was your deciding factor to choose the Hot spring??

This is why We are having such a hard time deciding...The salesman told us that caldera is more for deep massage(more powerful) if needed and that Hot sppring, b/c of the no bypass filter, it has less power and is more of a recreational tub.

Can you wet test either one? If so, get what feels the best. That is why you are buying a hot tub in the first place. Creature comfort is #1. You don't want to dump a few grand in a tub and then think later on, I should have gotten the other one.

WE are going to wet test the hotspring today.. WE think the caldera may be out b/c the dealer here for that was extremely rude!!! The next closest dealer is 50 miles away, although he said he would service it. Hmmmm... Our hotspring dealer is only 2 miles away, but doesn't offer o% financing..

Any thoughts on buying a demo that has been used since march for wet testing and employees??? It is a savings of 2500.00..Anything I should be worried about???

If the tub is going to retain the warranty, go for the savings. Not much is going to happen to a tub in just 8 months. Regarding the rude dealer, that would be a personal choice wether to stay with that dealer or go elsewhere. The tub from one dealer to the next will have the same quality for the same brand.

We wet tested the demo today and loved it..Only thing is it is 36" high as opposed to the Vista at 38" high.. Not sure if it is a deal breaker though. Unfortunetly we are unable to wet test a vista... Basically with the demo we are getting 2500.00 worth of extra options free. Options that we would be unable to afford otherwise..

was the water above your shoulders? I have found that as long as your shoulders are submerged, you feel the full benefit of the spa. If the shoulders are exposed, even a little bit, it's not as fullfillling.

Was the height measured from the outside to ground or from water level to bottom of seat? You may find they are just as deep on the inside.

Good point..The salesman said it is the outside height and the vista is only going to get me about 1" more of water, but sitting in the vista dry it did seem deeper...
I believe my shoulders were above the water a little depending on the seat I used.. One of the seats my top part of my chest was exposed... My wife was up to her neck in all the seats. For me to rest my arms in the envoy I had to use the top rail which means they were outside and the vista has a lower rail under the water...
Too many decisions for a tub of water, but an expensive tub of water..lol...