Polaris 280 Pool Cleaner

Installed this used Polaris 280 pool cleaner two days ago. Had alot of leaves and debris in the bottom of the pool. Within 24 hours the pool looked like new. Highly recommend this to others with in ground pools, does require a booster pump.

This was the second Polaris 280 pool cleaner I have purchased since our pool was built over 10 years ago. These are great cleaners that last a long time and I was able to get a terrific "Buy it Now" price on Ebay. I would not hesitate 1 minute to purchase a 3 Polaris cleaner in the future.

This is my 3rd Polaris 280 pool cleaner. I have been extremely satisfied with their performance until this last one. I set it up just like the last two, but it does not work properly. The biggest problem is the unit runs on it's side in the shallow end (3 to 3 1/2 ft)and will not pick up leaves. Never seen this before. It also runs over the entire pool (if it is upright as it should be)with the front end of the sweep 2 to 4 inches above the bottom (like it's going to take off on a flight)and therefore does not pick up leaves on the bottom. I've tried to adjust the thrust jet, and put the red reducer in the pool connection, with a little success, but still not as expected. The pool sweep hose came wrapped around the packaging and had four distinct distortions where it was wrapped around the cardboard packaging. They do not seem to come out and it's been several weeks in use. It seems the hose is of a heavier grade and less flexible. It seems the pool sweep is being pulled back/held up by the hose weight/friction on the water, thus the reason it moves with it's front end up above the pool bottom 2 to 4 inches. I've adjusted the thrust jet down thinking this might help get the front end down, but to little avail. The last thing is the backup valve does not seem to pull the unit away from areas where it gets stuck. It seems to be working but just can't seem to pull the unit back. Again, it seems the hose behind the backup valve is inflexible and does not allow the backup unit to move the sweep. Like I said, this is my 3rd unit in many, many years and this 3rd unit is not working near as good as the first two. I'm at my wits ends as I don't seem to be able to correct these issues. The unit is not working as it should. I would be interested in any solutions anyone may have. I haven't given up, but am about to. I'm now looking at rebuilding my last unit and returning this unit.

The Polaris 280 Pool Cleaner works great! Keeps leaves and debris off the bottom of the pool. This product requires a booster pump to operate. This is my second Polaris 280 - the first wore out after approximately six years of service. During the product's lifetime, only minor maintenance was required, such as new bag or clip.

As much as I love to hate pool cleaners and after trying other choices, I am back home with Polaris. I purchased the Polaris 280 near the end of the summer having given up on a Hayward cleaner that I could never get to work over a span of about three years. The middle part of this season was where I decided to just keep the manual hose handy and spent many a evening diving down to suction dirt from around the bottom of the pool. One thing that I learned is that you can keep the debris vacuumed with the suction hose, but you also have to sweep regularly to keep algae from forming on the bottom and sides of the pool.
The Polaris 280 worked out of the box. It literally took less than 5 minutes to get it in the pool and working. The last few weeks before I closed my pool were completely maintenance free. It is amazing how important the tail sweep is in keeping the algae from forming on the liner.
Short of filling your pool with some good rich topsoil for an organic garden, this is one of the better ideas to alleviate stress in conjunction with pool maintenance. Polaris 280 - I think I love you!