Hayward RC9740WC SharkVac XL Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner

The SharkVac took awhile getting here, but, it was worth the wait. Why did I wait so long to get a robotic vacumn cleaner for my pool? Finally got fed up with the manual vacumn and then having to backwash after. After just 1 two hour vacumn cycle with the SharkVac the pool was crystal clear. Easy to use, easy to clean. The first time around it focused on the front of the pool and didn't do much of the back end as I would have liked. 2nd time around it worked on everything. The specs say it doesn't climb up the walls, but it does. It climbs up and does a great job. It gets braver as it goes on, climbing higher. Doesn't do the steps but I'm okay with that. There's only 3 of them and I just sweep whatever is on them down into the pool. Takes all of 1 minute. I noted that when it backs up there is some debris that comes out but easy enough to scoop up with the net. I researched a few machines and settled on the Hayward because of the positive reviews and because I have other Hayward products that have worked well. Love this machine, sorry I didn't get it sooner.

Lasted just one summer. $500 down the drain. Fast customer support, but they would not tell me how to replace the cord (it tied itself in knots and now just ties itself back up each time). I have tried to fix the known cord memory issue Hayward tells you about in their video on YouTube. Lasted just one summer. $500 down the drain. Fast customer support, but they would not tell me how to replace the cord (it tied itself in knots and now just ties itself back up each time). I have tried to fix the known cord memory issue Hayward tells you about in their video on YouTube. Hayward said I would have to pay a service technician, but there are no certified support centers anywhere near me according to the Hayward web site. The worst part is, they would not even talk to me about it without my proving that I had purchased it - even when I have to pay to have it fixed!? I told them up front that it was out of warranty, so they could have just said it has to go to one of our service centers, but instead they made me prove I had purchased it. What if I did not have the receipt? Anyway, I guess this one goes in the trash - $500 down the drain after just one season like so many others I have read about. I will say that it did work well most of the time, but I had to run it twice to get everything up (I have a big pool 36 X 18). Please understand that I don’t write bad reviews often – and know things will break when used. My issue is that something like the cord should last more than a year and I should not have to prove I purchased it if it is out of warranty for the company to even talk to me about it.

I have been looking for a pool cleaner that will take care of my pool without all the maintenance cost, time untangling and cost of keeping the sweep working.I just bought the SharkVac and I am very happy with it. These are my first impressions.The "concept" takes a little getting used to but once you see it work you stop worrying.The "robot" cleaner moves around the pool cleaning most of the bottom and sides of the pool.Some of the older reviews address "turtling" the cleaner on its back in the pool. I have not experience that with this new unit.I wish they had come out with this years ago.PRO'sMUCH CHEAPER than the POLARIS!1. NO HOSES, NO BOOSTER PUMP and the associated cost of maintenance with those items. Very expensive.2. IT ACTUALLY WORKS! It gets everything out of the pool. Silt, Sand, leaves it gets it all.3. Drop it into the pool. In the two hour cleaning period it covers my entire pool which is about a 40 X 20 pool. When it is done, you pull out of the pool and store it on its cart.4. Same concept as the little robot-vacuum cleaners for your floors, it learns your pool as it goes.5. Your cleaner is only in the pool when you are cleaning. It actually makes it nicer for swimming.6. The electricity used to clean the pool is like running a light bulb for 2 hours. It does not take anywhere near the amperage draw of the booster pump used by polaris.CON's1. I am worried about the cord wearing out. The instructions tell you to remove/lift the unit from the pool using the cord. It think it would be much better to have a plastic hook that attaches to your pool poll to grab it by the handle to remove it. I have nothing to base this on but it just seems logical that all the weight of the unit as well as it being filled with water will eventually stress the cord connected to the unit.2. It doesn't clean the steps but it says that right up front.3. You will still have to brush the sides once a week or so. While the unit does go up the sides it requires gravity to keep the brushes on the surface. The farther up the side it goes, the less contact with the wall it has. This is NOT a major problem as 5 minutes with a quick brushing will clean the steps and any remaining material on the side of the pool.4. You HAVE to clean the unit after each use but a quick hose out after each use will keep the unit in like new condition.5. If you want it worked on you have to send it to the factory or to an "authorized" dealer There are no user serviceable parts in the workhorse (sealed) section of the unit and I agree with that 100%. I would not want to open the guts of the unit especially since it is sitting in water.THINGS I AM GOING TO WATCH1. I don't know how much the replacement parts will cost. There are some components that will need to be replaced (I think about once a year) a. Two paper filters that filter out small stuff. b. Two brushes on the front and the back. d. Two scrubber pads (you can probably replace those with material purchased at the hardware store very cheaply)2. I am going to watch the wear and tear on the power cord. It is reinforced with Kevlar but any crack or hole in the connector could cause a short in the sealed motor unit.I hope this helps you make your decision. A strong buy recommend from me if you are looking for a pool cleaner.Update: I have had the unit for about a year now and here is an update to my review.Algae - I got a little algae this winter in the pool. Make sure you kill it all before you try to clean up the dead algae using the cleaner. The algae feeds on the paper filters and you have to soak them in Chlorine to make sure you kill the algae or you will have a pool full of it.Replacement Parts Fear - I was afraid that the paper replacement filters and the rubber rollers would be expensive. They are NOT. Only 40 bucks for a pair of each. Amazon does NOT carry the rollers.Dumping stuff back into the pool. Some folks complain about material coming out of the unit and falling back into the pool. This will happen if you lift with the handle and point the unit down to let the water drain out, which is the expected way to remove it from the pool. If you keep it flat lifting both the front and the back at the same time out of the pool you should not experience that problem. I know this is not the perceived way to take it out and it makes no sense to have to do it but it is a work around.In Florida most of our debris is small dirt or sand so the problem is not as noticeable. I don't know why they are having problems with leaves unless the leaf is slimy and stuck to the bottom of the pool. I get small leaves in my pool once and awhile and it picks them right up.overall the cleaner is performing up to expectations and I have to say I am much happier with this than I was with the previous 3 Polaris units that I had.

It doesn,t do the sides or steps & that is one of the reasons I wanted it