Dolphin Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner, Wall Climbing Scrubber Brush, Top Load Filter Access, Ideal for Above/In-Ground Pools up to 33 FT in Length

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.

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Automatic Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner is one of those rare products that actually does exactly what it promises—and does it exceptionally well. From the very first use, it was clear this thing is on another level. Drop it in the pool, press a button, and it just goes to work. No babysitting, no complicated setup, no frustration. It climbs the walls, scrubs like a machine on a mission, and leaves the pool looking spotless. What really stands out is consistency. Every single cycle, it delivers the same crystal-clear result. Fine debris, dirt, even stuff you didn’t realize was there—it handles it all effortlessly. And the filter is incredibly easy to clean, which makes maintaining it just as simple as using it. Bottom line: it just works. No gimmicks, no headaches—just a clean pool every time. If you’re on the fence, don’t be. This is one of the best investments you can make for your pool.

This review based upon running the dolphin 4 times when getting pool ready for summer. This is perfectly good for what it does. Here are a couple observations: 1- listing says it is good for pools up to 33 feet long … BUT … cable between the power unit and the robot is 39 feet long and the instructions say to keep the power unit 12 feet away from the water. This leaves 27 feet of cable and if the robot goes down 3 to 10 feet under water there is no way it will reach 33 feet to the other end if the power unit is at an end of the pool. While putting the power unit in the middle of the pool would fix this my AC outlets are at both ends so that doesn’t work for me. Instructions also say not to use an extension cord. A cable between power unit and robot would have been a better design. 2- the top loading basket is MUCH MUCH easier to remove and clean than traditional bottom loading cloth pouches. This alone makes this robot worth considering. That said, the basket isn’t as big as it looked in the promotional photos. But, I had a fair amount of dirt and leaves on the bottom of the pool and the basket was plenty big to pick them up. 3- it picked up dirt in one pass but a complete single leaf was a 50;50 chance of getting picked up even after a couple passes. Ultimately, though, it got the leaves. 4- this is a very simple machine. With a reasonable level of do it yourself skills I’m betting one could repair it yourself. Given the (fairly ridiculously) high prices of these things and their spare parts that might be a consideration. 5- has a tendency to do a wheelie occasionally so that it is not in contact with the bottom of the pool and, thus, momentarily doesn’t suck anything up. But it still cleaned everything eventually so probably no matter. 6- Even though I think these things are way overpriced, I’ve manually vacuumed the pool the old fashioned way and I’m simply not interested in doing that. I’ll use the robot to do it. And that’s why they can get me to pay these high prices.

I have been trying to convince myself that the expense of a robotic pool cleaner was worth it. After my 3rd year of being a pool owner and lugging out the manual vacuum, pole, hose, submerging the hose, fussing with the pump I finally broke down and bought this one. OMG I love it. You drop it in the pool, turn it on and it runs and picks up everything on the bottom of the pool. Our deep end is 8' and it will be all the way at the bottom and crawl all the way to the water line. It is pretty amazing. I can sit and watch it work for hours (ok thats an exaggeration but still) as it is very interesting how it creeps around the pool in what seems like a haphazard formation but in about 2 hours there is not a single leaf or speck of dirt anywhere on the pool. The control box sits easily under a bush and you can set it to run automatically daily, every other day or every 3 days. The filter container is amazing at filtering out the smallest of sand particles. Im amazed every time I pull it up to clean it out that there is so much sand in the basket. We have recently put the solar cover on the pool for our "cold Florida winter" and I was curious how it would work with the cover and crawling up to the water line but it has not had any problem. I do not have any issues with the Dolphin at all. I have to say it was money very well spent thus far. I have not had to lug out the old vacuum since I bought it. Update as nearing our 2nd year with the Dolphin: It still runs and cleans great. No issues at all. its starting to get a little discolored and scratched up but its 2 years old and spend nearly 100% of its life in a chlorinated pool so I would expect it to fade out. Only issue is that one of the rubber treads keeps coming off. I think it has stretched out a little and somehow it comes off. I don't understand how since i have to really tug on it to get it back on so not sure how it just pops off. It doesn't happen all the time so its not a huge deal and i can put it back on. It continues to run and work just as good with just 1 track, it may not climb as far up the wall but it still works. Still well worth the money to not have had to spend saturday mornings out in the sun manually vacuuming up the pool.

Did a good job getting debris and powder out once I added a pleated ultra fine filter on it. Used it for about 4 months first season and then the last week after we opened the pool. Now the unit is dead and unresponsive. Luckily I work for a pool company and we are an authorized maytronics dealer and repair center so I can take it to my homie for a quick once over and he will handle repairs for me. But its BS this product doesn't even last a year with very mild use. We never left it in the pool for more than a day at a time, never left it out in the elements, brought it inside during cold weather. Didn't do dumb stuff like stand on it or ride it. Just ran it once or twice a week for normal cleaning.

07/21/22: 24' Above Ground Round Pool Received Nautilus CC yesterday and just now placed it in the pool and started the first cleaning. Watched if for about 10 minutes to make sure it ran and so forth. Watched as it climbed the walls twice and maneuvered around some of the pool. Each path it took on the pool floor picked up debris (small stuff is all that is on there). I'm anxious to see how it handles the edges of the pool floor, if it can scour them. Put a plastic tub over the controller in case of rain (tub also holds the vacuum, power cord and controller when not in use). Set the auto run program to every other day (#2). Will update as a week or so goes by. So far the two things I've '5' starred are accurate and in addition it's easy to set-up and operate. The 'overall' ratings will change as it does its job of vacuuming the pool... or not. 07/28/2022 Update Have used the Nautilus CC a number of times now and have it loaded with the ultra-fine filter. It continues to do a fine job. There were some spots not addressed, small amounts scattered near to the edge/wall, a little hand brush work loosened them up and the vacuum took care of it. I find that I need to run it every other day as the pool is 1/3 of the way surrounded by deciduous trees... they drop dirt/dust in the wind and rain. The vacuum runs its course for about 2 hours and the pool is very very clean. Also the concern about the power cable getting tangled up... not happening. Although the cord does overlap or underlap itself, it doesn't get tangled so as to restrict the vacuum. the Nautilus CC does not have the anti-tangle device for the power cord.Due to the Nautilus CC being plugged into the main pool timer, the power to it cuts out about 7 pm every evening. This cancels the memory function as the controller has no power. No big deal. I've left the Nautilus CC in the pool for 4 days and just move it to the floor side near the ladder should someone go in the pool and then just powered it up from there. A nice addition to this entire unit would be a rechargeable battery built in for the controller so that it doesn't lose its memory when the power shuts off. Just a thought. I give this a two thumbs up one week into using it. another update much later on... maybe. UPDATE - 08/30/2022: I am very impressed with this DOLPHIN Nautilus CC cleaner. I run it every 3rd day now and the pool remains near to spotless. This year here in upstate NY the weather has raised havoc with algae growth and so forth, but given chemicals an then using the DOLPHIN Nautilus CC vacuum, the pool has remained pretty clean. I will state that the cord has gotten twisted, but nothing that is hard to untangle and even when 'tangled' some from twists and turns by the DOLPHIN Nautilus CC vacuum, it is easily pulled apart by the DOLPHIN Nautilus CC vacuum itself as it moves around underwater. I highly recommend the DOLPHIN Nautilus CC pool vacuum g.v.m.

This is one little workhorse. Purchased last year about September and have used it a great deal. The leaf basket is very good at containing most all the leaves on the pool floor saving pool filter cleaning. Mine came with the additional (hepa like) filters and when it cleans the floor of the pool you can really see the difference. Most all the material is trapped in the filter basket. My only negative point is that the basket must be torn down to remove the leaf filters and then put back together with the hepa like filters. You can buy a separate hepa like filter basket so its easier.

I purchased my first Dolphin CC in August 2021. What I loved about this robot was its simplicty to set up and use. I used the robot for typical cleaning anywhere from once a week (during winter months when we do not use the pool much) to daily during high-residue seasons like spring and summer when I have an abundance of leaves and debris dropping into the pool. I also have a pool service once a week that helps contribute to the overall pool care. The Dolphin has been exceedingly effective in picking up debris with its suction, climing walls of my pool, and operating as needed for the curves, stairs, and debris level of my pool, consistently leaving the pool picture perfect without ever disturbing us if we were in the pool or enjoying the backyard space (it is hardly noticable in terms of noise). The only issue I had was after 18 months or so, the cable was kinked up, which did not seem to affect it's function), and the filter basket had to be forcibly yanked out causing the bottom section to dislodge. This just meant I had a little more of a mess to clean up from the debris collected during the cleaning. Fast forward to today, just 2 months shy of 4 years of ownership, and the Dolphin CC continues to work (turn on, pick up debris) but it does not move anywhere beyond a 2 square foot space. I'm disappointed in the robot not fulfilling the 5-7 year life-span advertised. My son (who is more mechanical and robot savvy) tried to investigate a cause and solution. He watched a handful of YouTube videos and deteremed that it is a software issue within the robot. The fact that it turns on and starts to function as it always did is what causes me some confusion. I did not store the power source inside but did my best to avoid water / rain contact. In the futurre I may do a better job of storing the power source and machine itself in a storage unit, but part of what I loved about this was the ease in having it outside and ready to go. I have read enough reviews to see this may be typical of the robot to have a shortened life-span and it is also soemthing that could possibly be repaired, but at what cost? Is it better to just reinvest in a new robot? I still give this a sold 4 stars for its functionality. The value itself is also 4, maybe 3.5 stars because I did expect to get at least another year out of my pool robot before having to re-invest. I won't be buying the CC Plus after reading the onslaught of negative reviews and will stick with the Dolphin CC.