Zodiac MX6 Automatic In Ground Pool Cleaner

Have had my MX6 about 5 months now. It replaced a Hayward Navigator. The MX6 is a much, much easier unit to setup and get operational. Basically plug it in, and I used my old Hayward hoses which worked fine, and this little guys just runs perfectly. I was constantly fiddling with my Hayward from day one to prevent it from getting stuck, whereas the MX just goes without any issues. Only of issue was a user error to start, you must snap on the little floatation on the hose about 2 feet from the MX6 as it is what provides the “self-righting”. Capabilities and I did not do that to start. I cannot speak to the longevity or ability to perform maintenance on it as it is still new.

First of all lets face it, done of these products are inexpensive . But for the value I found this M6 simple to operate and the best value. Recently I've tried the newest "Smart" Robot, Battery and Electric. They suck. If your trying to impress your techie friends go ahead and waste your money. I'll take a simple mechanical item that works over some high tech electronic item any day. Regarding the Smart Battery Robot, they get confused, just like the ones that are suppose to clean your house (shark, ninja ,etc). This is the thing!! $$$$$$ The batteries are going to wear out, electronic parts are going to go out. You can count on that! Only 1 year warranty. The one unit I brought paid over $700.00 Called the manufacture and asked the cost of the replacement battery. They wouldn't tell me, they said when the battery goes out, you need to buy a new machine . Really !! Ok Back to the M6 . If you follow the instruction, really simple it works great. Two important issues. #1 the hose length is important , just one length too many and it gets curly cues and hinders the operations . #2 the rpm of the wheels is based on the flow volume of your pool. The suggested rotation 20-25 per 10 revolutions doesn't work for everyone. I have a 16,000 gal. 32 ft. long pool. With a Solar heating system. When the solar is working, my flow rate is about 38 rpm , with my pump running at 2000 rpm's. When the solar is not working, my flow rate at the same pump speed goes up to about 50 to 55 gpm. With the solar on I have to adjust my diverter valve for the M6 to 17-18 revolutions to get more volume. When the solar is off, I have to close it down it down.I hope I didn't confuse anyone. The Zodiac M6 works great . If you got the right hose length . And your flow rate is set for your pool operation. If the Zodiac climbs the wall all the way up to the tile line and try to climb out of your pool, YOU HAVE TOO MUCH FLOW AND RPM'S, and it will suck in air and hinder the operation. On the other hand if it doesn't climb the walls and just sits on the bottom, and doesn't move well. You need to increase the flow rate. Don't just go by the 20-25 rpm per 10, you may have to adjust it a little. Every pool flow rate is different based on your pump settings rpm and flow rpm. But the Zodiac really does a great job, very happy , it's simple to operate. AND IT WORKS, NO ELECTRONIC CRAP AND SMART TECHNOLOGY THATS HAS FLAWS TO DEAL WITH .

Here’s a more detailed and comprehensive review based on the provided input:---**Zodiac MX6 Pool Cleaner Review**I had high expectations for the Zodiac MX6, and while it showed promise initially, my experience with this cleaner was ultimately disappointing and concerning. Here's a detailed breakdown of my experience:**Shipping and Setup**The Zodiac MX6 arrived promptly, and the unboxing experience was smooth. The directions were clear, and setup seemed straightforward at first. Following the instructions, I connected the hoses and carefully ensured everything was in place before placing the cleaner into the pool.**Initial Operation**To get the cleaner to work, I had to fully close off the main drain and skimmer. This step was necessary to allow the Zodiac to function without climbing the pool walls uncontrollably. While this requirement was manageable, it felt like an inconvenience compared to other pool cleaners I've used. Nonetheless, the robot started cleaning as expected.**Design Flaws and Performance Issues**The major issue I encountered was with the design of the Zodiac MX6's hose and connector system.Specifically:- The hose allowed air to be sucked into the line through the plastic connectors.- I tried both the cleaning port and skimmer attachment, but neither resolved the air-leak problem.This design flaw proved to be a significant drawback. Within 30 minutes of operation, I checked my pool equipment and found the pump running dangerously dry due to the air being introduced into the system. This could have caused serious damage to the pump if I hadn’t intervened promptly.Despite multiple attempts to adjust the setup and troubleshoot, I could not resolve the air-sucking issue. Each time I restarted the Zodiac, the problem persisted, making the cleaner unusable without risking damage to my pool equipment.**Effectiveness**When it functioned briefly, the Zodiac MX6 did a good job cleaning the pool. It moved efficiently and picked up debris effectively. However, the trade-off for this performance was simply not worth the risk of damage to my pump and filtration system.**Final Thoughts**While the Zodiac MX6 is an innovative and potentially effective pool cleaner, its poor hose design and tendency to introduce air into the pool system make it a high-risk option. Pool equipment like pumps is expensive to replace, and no cleaner should compromise the integrity of your system.For anyone considering this model, I strongly advise researching this air-sucking issue further. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the Zodiac MX6 due to the significant risks associated with its use.**Pros:**- Cleans the pool well when operational.- Easy to set up initially.**Cons:**- Requires closing the main drain and skimmer, which adds inconvenience.- Faulty hose design allows air to enter the system.- Risk of severe damage to pool equipment.- Repeated attempts to troubleshoot did not resolve the issue.**Conclusion:**Stay away from this model unless Zodiac addresses these design flaws. It’s simply not worth the potential damage and hassle.Note: The vendor has a VERY hefty restocking fee. If I were to look for a robot/cleaner like this, I would visit a local pool shop and ask to have a demo of a system BEFORE purchasing.I would NOT buy from this vendor again.

For the money, this sweeper works pretty well. It is good compromise for getting the job done. HOWEVER...this little unit needs a good bit of regular attention, especially if your pool gets stringy or chunky debris. I'd guess that applies to all pools. Stringy items like palm tree leaves, or those pesky larger seed pods from trees will jam up the works of this sweeper. Stringy items can get wrapped around the axels and cause the sweeper to either stop or slow down to a slow crawl. That being said, if you're handy and don't mind giving it some maintenance from time to time to clear out those types of items, even getting deep into it, then this is an OK sweeper. When it is operating without any issues, it really gets after it and does a great job. Now, the hoses that comes with it - that is another story! The twist and lock-in leave a lot to desire and are notorious for leaking and letting air in the system. Stick with the old fashioned plug-in connect style if you can.