Zodiac MX8 Suction Pool Cleaner for All In-Ground Pool Surfaces, 39 ft Reach, Excellent Traction for All Surfaces

Large concrete pool with fiberglass lining. Works great. Only took a few minutes to assemble hose. Did not need any adjustments. Climbs walls no problem so not having that issue reported by others. Prior unit was a Zodiac M6 and this is better.

This thing is awesome. it's not a want, it's a need

In the past 20 years we have had 2 homes each with an in ground pool. The pools are about 120 perimeter with a pebble tech surface. Until recently we have used Hayward/Arnison Navigator pool vacs. Living in Arizona our pools and pool cleaners get a lot of year round use. This review compares the MX8 to the Navigator.* Both the MX8 and Navigator are very good pool cleaners. They both do what they are intended to do well.* Suction - Both require similar amount of suction to operate.* Cleaning path and cleaning time - The MX8 cleans a wider path as it travels and may travel slightly faster. However the wider path does negatively effect the wall climbing of the MX8 (see next bullet). The MX8 appears to follow a totally random path, whereas the navigator has a more programmed path going in ever widening circles then moving on to another area. The net out of the two approaches is that both will clean about 80% of the pool in 2 hours. To cover 95% of the pool takes 3 or 4 hours. Due to the randomness, curves in the pool and such after 4 hours there are still a few spots missed, but both cleaners will generally get these areas next time.* Wall climbing - Both will climb the sides of the pool when there is sufficient suction, but the MX8 will climb with less suction. Our pool is a lagoon form with curved walls. Where the walls curve in the MX8 climbs, where the wall curves away the MX8 will not climb. The Navigator with its narrower path is not effected as much by the curved walls and will climb anywhere. But MX8 will often climb the wall then turn and run along the wall covering a lot of wall area in this one pass. It has even ended up on the steps after running along the wall near the water line. The navigator on the other hand tends to just go straight up the wall to the water surface then fall back down to the bottom of the pool. Bottom line is the MX8 does a much better job of climbing the walls, even with lower suction.* Getting stuck - The MX8 is more sensitive to small rocks and large vegetation debris. Pebbles larger than 1/4 inch often get stuck where the paddles rotate into the MX8. This stops the MX8 from operating. Large vegetation sometimes gets wound around the paddles stopping the MX8. The navigator can also get stuck on larger pebbles, but will generally suck up the 1/4 inch size. The navigator can also get vegetation caught but not as often as the MX8. On the other hand the MX8 is quick and easy to open with no tools to clear any object, where as the Navigator may require a screwdriver to open it up to get to the problem. Bottom line, the MX8 gets stuck more easily, but it is easier to get going again. I prefer the MX8 because I do not need to take it apart to clear out debris.* Durability - It is too soon to say how durable the MX8 is since I have only had it for 1 month. Pebble Tec surface is very rough and hard on everything that rubs on it. The navigator feet run so the Navigator waddles, the feet wear down after a few years and need to be replaced, The navigator also has "wings" which wear on the end where they rub and need to be replaced after a few years. Other parts on the Navigator wear, but more slowly. The most annoying piece on the navigator with appears to last 5 or 6 years (maybe longer) is the gear box setup which controls the path the navigator takes. Although it does not show wear eventually the navigator looses its ability to follow a programmed path and tends to go in circles in the same area. Its possible the MX8 will suffer from similar problem in the future only time will tell.* Cool factor - The MX8 looks cooler and kind of dances around the pool, going forward, backward, spinning ... I think it is having more fun than the navigator.*Overall both the MX8 and Navigator are excellent pool cleaners, but at this time the MX8 appears to do a slightly better job, with slightly less suction and although it gets stuck more frequently, it is easier to clear from debris.

My new mx8 operated well straight from the box. But 2 weeks later began having movement issues. Opened the zodiac to investigate problem found the cleaner engine had broken. Replaced cleaner engine and continued having issues. Brought my zodiac to our local pool equipment store and had them investigate. They found that one of drive engines broke, so replaced both. Pool supply store said that the engines were NOT true zodiac equipment and were from China. Very disappointed.

Overall, I like it. I'm still glad I have it. The leaf canister was vital for me. Unfortunately, it can get defeated by as little as one oak leaf. It binds the internal moving parts and stops it from moving. If you have small soft leaves, it should work great. Its great at sucking dirt off the bottom and scrubbing. The random motion is not as efficient as you hope but I just leave it hooked up all day while the filer is on and take it out when we swim.

After reading some of negative reviews, I was very skeptical. After further investigating the reviews good/bad I've come to the conclusion on few things.1. Folks that complained about it never mentioned anything about purchasing an extended WARRANTY. I told myself, I will try it out. If I like it, then I'll come back online and purchase a warranty.I received it yesterday and it did a great job cleaning my pool today. I didn't take before and after pics, but this machine did a great job. It never got stuck anywhere. If it did get stuck, it eventually reversed itself out of the jam. I have a raised drain, it got stuck there. Backed it self up and took an alternate route, love it! It approached the steps, again reversed and kept moving. There is a slight delay when getting it self out of a jam. It's not immediate, give it a few moments and it'll figure it out. After watching it for the first 30 minutes, I left for two 1/2 to three hours. When I got back, my pool was clean and Zodiac was still on the move!It climbs walls really well. It'll even climb walls at an angle. I thought it was going to slip off wall, but this machine obviously had a tight grip. :)2. I just bought a 3 year extended warranty which will kick in after 1 year manufacture warrant for $76. Price is not bad for full replace for mechanical issues within 4 years! You have to protect your investments folks! :)3. Before I let the Zodiac go to work. I used my manual pool vacuum to clean up a little grass at bottom of pool. It literally took my less than 5 min to do. I left the dirt for Zodiac.After reading negative reviews, I've come to the conclusion that this machine will do very well at picking up dirt and maybe SMALL particles. I am in hot Phoenix, AZ and I really appreciate what Zodiac did for me today.4. I DID NOT leave Zodiac in the pool. I unhooked all the hoses & parts, placed the hoses & parts back into the box it came in, and lay the hoses out straight. Don't keep the hoses bent or leave them in the hot sun, they'll get damaged. I promise you they will. That's what happened to my Kreepy Krauly hoses. (Lack of proper care, left them in sun).As far as Zodiac it self, I placed it back into plastic bag it came in and put in my shed. Hopefully, I will get a lot of years out of it by doing a very simple thing such as putting it away, storing it safely, and keeping dust off of it.Honestly, I am concerned because the storage can get hot and I am wondering if the heat can still damage it. I'm speaking about the parts such as wheels. It's not direct heat from sun, but still. I'm thinking about putting Zodiac inside the house to keep it cool. Maybe I'm over thinking this part, but this damn thing cost $400+! I'd rather not have to spend this amount of $ on a pool cleaner anytime soon after 4 years.......Lastly, I honestly don't see how parts such as wheels or anything can get worn so quickly (according to some reviews) unless Zodiac is not being properly cared for. I would suggest you folks not do things like leave it in pool to allow chemicals to wear down the parts or by leaving it in the sun to take a beating.I am very impressed with Zodiac MX8.Oh forgot to mention. I really wanted MX8 Elite because of scrubbers. I did some research and found a scrubbing kit ($47) here on Amazon that fits MX8! I'm excited and will receive them in a few days. Folks who left reviews are saying that the scrubbers do a really good job on pool.