POOL BLASTER Catfish Cordless Pool Vacuum for Spot-Cleaning, Hot Tubs & Spas, Handheld Rechargeable, up to 45 Min Runtime, Quick, Efficient Swimming Pool Cleaner, Above Ground & Inground Pool Steps

The media could not be loaded. Water Tech CATFISHPPV Pool Blaster, Catfish*** Updated August 23, 2014 ***My first vacuum finally went dead a few days ago. I then ordered the replacement - I was expecting the same stuff. The new one arrived with some much needed improvements, i.e.,It has push button to turn ON/OFF. Although, this is not an issue for me (see my older review below) but for most users, it is. This is a good improvement.Other noted improvements (minor point - in my opinion):It has a few drain channel on both sides, thus when pulling out of the water, it has less water splashing (since motor is still running). Also, AC/DC adapter has a replaceable pin type, i.e., flat for US and round for Europe.This last one, I am not sure if it is an improvement though, i.e., the bag material has been changed from meshed nylon to coffee filter paper like !!In my opinion (also I use this to clean KOI pond), this is more of a backward step. Because, paper filter is a very fine filter not suitable for filtering dirt and sand from the pool/pond. Dirt and small sand will be difficult to rinse clean and won't last as long as the previous meshed nylon bag. There is only one bag in the box. Replacement is $15 - $20 a pop (per Amazon search). This may end up more expensive for many users.In my case, I continue to use old bag with new machine.I also have comments for the manufacture (if they ever read this review). I would like that you consider(1) making the rechargeable battery to be replaceable. You can make money selling battery module (this is better than the poor bag design)(2) design the DC motor and battery compartment to be "water tight". This way, it will prolong the life of your product (mine went dead from corrosion - even though I used it in KOI pond - no chlorine).(3) protect electronic component from corrosion (perhaps applied grease to each pin)*** Below is the original review of my first unit *** since July 2013Like many of buyers, I was quite nervous after I ordered this Pool Vacuum. But on the other hand, I do not want to spend > $100 for pool vacuum for my experimental 300 gallon KOI pond either !!First of all, the shipment arrived quickly. Everything is well packaged. Initial inspection shows no sign of damage what so ever. In the box, I have the following items:- vacuum machine (that blue machine in the picture)- dirt trap with rubber o-ring, 2 microfiber dirt bags- nozzle head (the transparent plastic part at the top)- vacuum head with brush and roller (that blue triangular shape)- 1 small package of silicone grease- the vacuum handle extension (4 pieces) - mine come in white (plastic) and not aluminum as shown- instruction manuals- Power adapterHere are the steps taken:1. Read (scan quickly) through all instructions. I give it a 7 (out of 10) in terms of clarity of what was written.It is important to understand that "you need to ensure proper grease on the inside cap of your machine at all time"This will (a) prevent water to get to the battery and (2) smooth out when you twist it to ON or OFFI must admit it is not the best design idea for On-OFF switch. But this thing is cheap, so this is not a complain.I check the grease and found that mine came properly greased.2. Charge the vacuum. The charger has LED that will turn green when it is fully charge. Mine took about 2 hours.3. Assemble the pieces together (I need to remove some residual sand. So, I user the micro-fiber bag). As my KOI pond is only 3-4 feet tall, I only need 2 sticks of the extension handle.Feedback after using it:- First use, I did not use the vacuum head (triangular piece) as there were lots of gravel- It does the job very well. The suction is quite good, suck up pea gravels, sand, leaves, pine straw and fish drops.I notice the suction drop off after a few mins. but this is due to the debris that clog inside the bag. After unload and rinse the dirt bag - - all is good.- I don't remember if this is written in the manual. But I will NEVER OPEN THE CAP until I finish the use. This is my own precaution to ensure no water will get to the battery chamber.- I used it several timed now. Each time for about 15-20 mins. I never turned it OFF, even when I change the dirt bag. So far, it runs ok- when done, I let the water drip off (takes about 30 sec), open the cap. Leave the extension handle as a stick to hold it up and let water drip down. dried it out- I will not recharge unless I am sure it is completely dry !!- so far, the grease on the cap are quite ok. But I will apply more soon.NOTE: one pack of silicone grease probably last just 1 summer. You will need to buy more.I have not check the price, but I will just use the normal grease I have in the garage as it seems to be the same just different color.Overall, I am quite happy with it. The quality of the machine is quite ok (all plastic of average quality - - it matches well with the price). Use it properly with proper care (apply more grease as needed. Do not leave it in full sun all the time). I believe this thing will last 2-3 years.*** Updated April 8 2014 ***I used it sparingly during the winter months. Each time always follow the same routine as explained above. So far, it still works great. Noticed that during cold weather, a fully charged batt did not last as long - - I guess this is normal for any batt anyway. Just re-greased it and now ready for spring + summer heavy dose of usage.*** Updated August 3 2014 // applied simple DIY and it can last longer ***well, just slightly over a year, of heavy usage, it will not recharged anymore. To test that only the battery is bad and not the DC motor, I plug in the AC/DC charger to the unit and use paper clip to short-circuit the 2 metal points (where the metal plate on the cap would have done the job)... and motor is running again. So, it is clear that the rechargeable battery is dead. Disconnect the connector, unscrew the 2 screws to see the battery looking for part# to order the replacement. Well, Water Tech does not sell this item nor that I can find it from anywhere.This means, this unit is useless and I may need to spend another $100+ for a new one. At that point, I had a eureka moment.I try the MacGyver approach. I cut the wire (red & black) as close as possible to the battery. Drop the battery in recycle bin. I have a long spool of 2-wire (the left over from sensors of garage door opener). I thread the external wire through one of the holes and connect it to the red&black ones (make sure to remember which wire connect to red), tape it nice, screw the cover plate back on. Drill a tiny hole on the white cap and thread the other end of the external wire through, use silicone to seal it. I make sure I have a this external wire long enough for use with the pond. Then connect the other end to the AC/DC adapter (the wire connected to red should connect to the inside wire of the adapter).Here it is, the unit has been modified and can be used directly with AC/DC adapter (be careful to seal and insulate all electrical wires properly to avoid any electrocute). And it works great, in fact better than with battery since it is driven directly from AC/DC adapter. Motor spins at max rate at all time without slowing down due to the loss charge. Anyhow, I don't think this will last forever, most likely the adapter will get overload at some point.NOTE: Do not try this if you do not have basic electrical knowledge.

Absolutely positively recommended this vacuum. We used to pull out a long hose to hook up to our vacuum, but since I bought this (3 years ago) we only use this! It's still working great. Picks up all the debris, even one needles, with no problem.

This pool vac has pretty good suction, although its debris collector is small so it's for spot cleaning, not major debris removal.The handle is plastic but seems fairly sturdy. It is in sections that click together, which is nice because it doesn't come loose and turn.The battery lasted a good long while and had not run down when I was done cleaning.The only downside is the buoyancy - you have to hold it down on the pool floor and it wants to bob up. This may be deliberate so you don't lose it if you drop it, but it adds fatigue when cleaning. I was in the pool, but I could see it causing shoulder strain trying to press down if you were outside the pool. I may try to add a dive weight or something.

Great for picking up sludge and small pieces that gather in corners of pool in between robot cleaning. Very convenient. Used for inground pool, 18x36. Multiple uses in one charge.

I was excited about this product when I saw it removed fine dirt and sand and came with two fine filters. When it arrived I assembled it and charged it for four hours. It assembles easily if you do not add the fine filter. If you add the fine filter to the regular filter that makes an EXTREMELY tight and I was afraid I would break the flimsy plastic closing it. When I turned it on after charging it didn't have ANY suction out of the water so I wondered if it worked at all. I tried to remove the fine dirt in our shallow Baha area and it would not work at all. Apparently it does not have suction until it is about 2 feet under water. Then I tried to remove the leaves and fine dirt in the deep end. It had VERY LITTLE SUCTION. but was able to remove the smaller leaves if I was persistent. Larger leaves and pine needles would get caught in the small opening then there was zero section. It would not pick up ANY of the fine dirt because the suction was so weak. It did not even stir the find dirt up. The first and second time I removed it from the water to clean out the basket, 80% of the leaves in it came out when it was one foot from the surface and went back into the the water. Obviously the flap they use to prevent that did not do its job. The first time I tried to open the top to empty the basket I could not turn the top to release it. I'm very experiences with pool equipment on many pools and mechanical minded and strong. I would have broken the plastic had I turned any harder. I got a cloth and vise grip to try to turn it carefully without shattering the plastic and still NO LUCK. At that point I went to the Amazon ad and started reading questions. A lot of people complained about not being able to take it apart when the fine filter is attached. Before getting the unit, i saw those responses I thought they were just not doing it correctly, but it was REALLY TIGHT then using the Fine Filter with the regular filter. I finally put the vacuum head back on it to see if that gave me more leverage. I was finally able to get it off that way but had to turn so hard was afraid I would shatter the plastic in the process. No doubt if it I took it off several more times the flimsy plasty would be destroyed. When I removed the fine filter the bottom of it was chewed up and twisted very tightly and had several big holes in it. Apparently that fine filter is so long that it extends into the vacuum mechanism and that twists it badly and and puts holes in it. I tried the unit without the fine filter and it opened and closed EASILY, so the problem is adding the fine filter. They absolutely did not leave enough room to use the Fine Filter without making it EXTREMELY TIGHT the people will destroy it trying to close and open it. I tested the suction with just the regular filter and it was much better at picking up leaves but still would not even stir up the fine dirt on the bottom. For removing leaves, I would give it 2 stars. Leaves are easier to remove with a net or with my $29 Poolmaster 28316 Leaf Vacuum. Needless to say I am returning it the same day I got it.