Dolphin Nautilus Pool-Up Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner up to 26 FT - Wall Climbing with Scrubber Brush

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.

We bought ours in 2020 and have ran the snot out of this thing EVERY DAY in the summer and at least once a week the rest of the year and it lasted 5 hard worked years ! I left it in the water half the time and in the weather the rest! The robot still runs but the power cord wore out and leaked water and began tripping the circuit breaker so I just bought a new one and it’s up and running right now. This review is for all of the one star reviews from a couple dozen people saying how bad it is. Let me just say that if you base whether you buy something or not based on no negative reviews YOU WILL NEVER OWN ANYTHING! Seriously, think of one of the best things you’ve ever owned, cars, ANYTHING, then go read reviews on it, there will be bad reviews, it happens with everything, life isn’t perfect. Now I’m not saying reviews don’t help because if something has a 2-3 star rating out of 10k+ reviews you might want to reconsider, but, 4.2 stars out of TEN THOUSAND reviews is VERY good. Anyway my experience with this pool cleaner has been AMAZING!! I never covered my pool so we had to run it year round and then nearly every day from May thru September for five years!! Also it was out in the elements 90% of the time! I wish I knew how many miles this little robot traveled in that time because that little thing did some cleaning and is still cleaning. You have to realize things aren’t perfect, the thing you have to do is make sure you buy from a reputable seller that allows returns so you’re not stuck with a lemon and you can get a refund or a replacement when things don’t go as planned.

This is my first pool cleaning robot, so I don't have anything to compare it to...and I have owned it for less than a week...but I may be in love. This was one of several worthy models recommended by my pool professionals, and I am SO glad to have made this purchase. Operationally, it could not be easier. No programming. Plug two or three parts together, drop it in the pool, press a button and off it goes, climbing walls like Spider-Man. The most impressive part for me - so far - is the unit's ability to get rid of the fine granules that I cannot get with a mesh net. At least once a weekend I would need to attach the vacuum hose, make a mess, get my arms wet - wearing dirty clothes while laying flat against the intake vent. No more! Honestly, I was stuck in an indecsion loop because it isn't an inexpensive purchase and I was wary of getting a piece of junk that did not function. Will post an update if anything changes, but right now, this item has already improved my outlook for summer enjoyment of my pool.