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Next we have the Baracuda G3 model. The G3 is also an automatic pool cleaner for in ground swimming pools. The G3 is designed with proven Baracuda technology and is manufactured for easy installation, and years of simple effective operation. Installation requires no tools because the G3 comes pre-assembled. The only moving part is the diaphragm which is easily accessible due to the patented quick release cassette cover. The G3 automatic pool cleaner ensures maximum adhesion on all types of pool finishes due to a finned disc design. There is an anti-stick design enabling the G3 to achieve optimal pool coverage. It offers a small self adjusting flow control valve that automatically regulates water flow. The flowkeeper enables the unit to skim the pools' surface by simply flipping the switch on. You will also appreciate the quieter operation of this unit as there is no flapper or hammer like noise. Zodiac offer a 2-year limited warranty that covers defects and general wear and tear.
Vote for the Baracuda G3
Quality
Performance
Value
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Works but Expensive for what you get, July 8, 2005
By H. Schultz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Have been using the Baracuda G3 for a couple of months now. It does a fairly good job of cleaning most of the pool floor, but it does not crawl onto the sides of the pool as advertised. This is not a major concern for me, but may be for others. The inlet ports to the pool must be diverted down in order for the head to travel freely and randomly. It does not always get all of the bottom surface even after 24 hrs.
Major weakness: this product is WAY over priced. It is nothing but molded plastic. They do not even provide a storage system. The tubes MUST be taken apart after each use and stored straight. I bought a mesh ball bag to hold the tubes, and a deck box. For the list price shown a storage system should be included.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
 Gets clogged with leaves fairly often, September 1, 2007I have been using this product for about one year. The product works reasonably well at cleaning 85% of the bottom of my pool and will climb the walls fairly well. There is a port of the pool that the cleaner never goes over, right in the middle of my pool, not sure why. The biggest problem that I have is that it gets clogged with leaves quite often, meaning several times per week. If there are a lot of leaves on the bottom, I know to use a skimmer to get them out or the Baracuda will only work for a few minutes until it hits the wrong leaf. The leaves are hard brown leaves from an oak tree. By clogging the Baracuda, I mean that they get stuck in the diaphragm that makes the thing move. When a leaf gets stuck there, the Baracuda just sits in the same place until I notice it and remove the stuck leaf. 75% of the time that means taking the thing apart, which is very easy to do but still a pain to have to do it at all, especially for what I paid for the product!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
 Gets stuck on main drain, August 9, 2008We'd had a Haywaward Pool Vac for many years, but the constant replacing of parts was costing us over $100 a year.
The Baracuda cleans okay, but it is not as good as the Hayward was since it does not seem to hit all areas of the pool. A relative has the same Baracuda cleaner and the same problem, so it is not something with our setup or pool, it is a cleaner fault. Again, though, the cleaning is okay with the Baracuda - it is better than nothing.
The real fault in the Baracuda G3 (and presumably G4) is that the cleaner gets stuck on the main drain if the main drain is an anti vortex raised drain. Rounded main drain covers are available for purchase (at about $60 each) to help the cleaner go over the main drain, but many people have had problems with those products staying down over the drain.
When I called Baracuda for help, they admitted they were aware of this issue. They said it was due to my 'non standard' pool design, but my 'non standard' pool design is soon to be required by building code, so Baracuda should get their act together and come up with a solution.
Also annoying is the fact that Baracuda is aware that they have issues with certain drain covers, but NO WHERE in their literature did they say that. In other words, let the people buy it and then find out it does not work right in their pool.
Because it gets stuck randomly, and I do not babysit my pool cleaner, the return period had passed by the time I realized the problem. Baracuda would not help, so I am stuck with a cleaner that does not work according to Baracuda's advertising. The cleaner is still under warranty, but they say it works as designed, so they won't help.
We did our homework about this pool cleaner before purchase, but this problem was not publicized anywhere. So, to others, if you have or plan on getting raised, anti vortex, main drains (and you should, for safety reasons), AVOID the Baracuda G3 and G4 cleaners.
Note that our previous Hayward Pool Vac, in our same alleged 'non standard' pool, never had this problem. I guess the extra money in maintenance is worth it for a product that does not need babysitting.
Even if you don't have that type of drain, I'd avoid Baracuda products just due to poor customer service.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
 It works great, July 28, 2007I have owned a Hayward Navigator ( did a good job but it was always getting stuff clogged in it and it costs about $100-125 per year in parts to keep it alive. ) Then I went with the Plaris ATV and it lasted 2 years and died. I went to lots of pool places around town who don't sell it because it broke down a lot. It would have cost me close to $200 to fix, or $300 or so for a new pool cleaner. I live in AZ and we get large dust storms that line the bottom of the pool with dirt and leaves. I stuck the Baracuda in and withen one and a half ours my pool looked like new. The thing only travels up the sides about 3-4 feet, no biggie. It stays off the steps too which is fine with me.
The guy at the pool store said this is the longest lasting and cheapist to fix when and if it needs it.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
 G3 Pool Cleaner review, September 13, 2007Pro: Expensive to purchase, it's just plastic. Cleans well if you don't have a leaf problem. ONE MOVING PART (the LONG-LIFE diaphragm).
Con: The Long-Life diaphragm has a life of approx. 10 months. It will split and the cleaner will not clean effectively. Replacement diaphragms are approx. $42 at the local pool store. I have tried every type of cleaner on the market and factoring costs/hassles, this unit is the lesser of all the other evils out there....
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
No warranty, May 6, 2005
The Baracuda hose has memory so it is important to never coil it. I did and it will not uncoil. I called the company. They told me to pour boiling water over it. Then they told me to put it in the pool and weigh it down in a straight line. Twice I called and got transfered to voice mail where no one apparently responds back. Even though it is covered by waranty in the description, they are not eager to help you. For this price, I would expect better support.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Zero problems, quiet, no clogging pool cleaner., March 10, 2007
PROS:
This thing never gets plugged. It has been going for 2 years without any maint. It sucks up rocks & leaves that would clog the cleaners that use gears & an impeller inside. It doesn't surface and start making slurping noises at night like some of the other cleaners. I can't see any wear, even on the rubber replaceable parts.
CONS:
It mostly stays on the bottom and doesn't go very far up the walls, and doesn't do the pool steps. That is ok with me as my problem is mostly leaves & dirt on the bottom.
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Sticks on Main Drain, November 6, 2009
It sticks on the main drain and they don't even discuss this in their Owner's manual. If I would have known how crappy it was, I would not have wasted my money. Don't buy it. |
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Stuck In A Corner, August 12, 2009
I have a fiber glass ingound pool. The cleaner constantly gets stuck on the lower wall suction covers or the return covers. Also, it is not able to free itself when it gets in a corner at the juncture of the steps and wall.
I had a Pool Shark that was much more self-reliant than the G3, but I had heard such great things about the G3, I decided to buy one. I have cursed this thing every day since. I don't like babysitting my pool cleaner! So now, I am stuck in a corner with having a pool cleaner that I don't like and the cost of buying a new Pool Shark.
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 Not well-designed or well-made, July 22, 2009Durability:
I'm finally replacing my 5-year-old G3. In the time I've owned it, I've replaced every single part at least twice, except the outer cover. I replace diaphragms twice a year, for about $40 each time, because they're made of a low-quality rubber material that wears quickly.
When it does work, it cleans well...except when it gets stuck on the main drain, or in a corner of the pool. Which is about every 35 minutes. |
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Baracuda Cleaners
