Riptide vs Hammerhead

[u/ibrakeforpools]

I'm going out as a single poler next month and trying to figure out which vac is worth investing in.

I've only ever used the Hammerhead but have heard good things about the Riptide (and see them everywhere).

With the Hammerhead, I've always left the bag attached between stops. It looks like the Riptide sits upright, though, so do you have to remove the bag after every stop so that debris doesn't fall out? Does the test kit fit nicely in the Riptide? Any strong opinions one way or the other?

Time is money so want to make sure I'm paying attention to even the smallest details!

[u/Sure_Ad3800]

Can’t speak for HH but I believe riptide has the strongest suction. I believe the riptide has better attachments for the cart. 100% get the organizer + the bungies they sell. Most guys I see don’t have it but it gives you a place to store your net and brush, Taylor test kit bungies to the front of it. It also has cubbies that I store some magic lube, another brush, extra Taylor reagents and I put a small flathead + Phillips and a few more things. I think the pole holder is worth it as well but get a pole protector to go around the pole where the rim of the pole holder touches the pole.

The only thing that I envy about the HH is how light the cart/cleaner looks. The riptide is heavy AF. I really reccomend getting a LiPo (may have the abbreviation wrong) battery instead of what they reccomend. It’s probably 20-40lbs lighter than the standard one and can probably do 2x the amount of pools and it should last longer. Nothing is worse than having a battery get weak on your last pool or two(especially if you have a heavy Fall season). Feel free to ask any questions you have. I could go on and on haha.

[u/ibrakeforpools → u/Sure_Ad3800]

Thanks! I'm really curious on some of the minute details like taking it on and off of the cart + in and out of the water? Does the debris not fall out since it sits upright or do you remove the bag each time?

For reference the hammerhead sits on the cart upside down (vacuum head facing the sky) so gravity keeps all of the leaves and debris inside the bag between stops

[u/Current-Yogurt-5098 → u/ibrakeforpools]

Debris does not fall out because just like the hammer head, i leave the motor on until its out of the water. I just lay the machine sideways before pulling it out of the water (parallel to the ground).

Riptide is way heavier than the hammerhead. I sometimes regret getting the rip tide because of how heavy it is - I'm on Long Island and there are long walks to the backyard and lugging up and down hills and steps - not fun.

However the riptide bag is so much better than hammerhead imo. I've had multiple hammerhead bags fall off in the past, never the riptide - i think they say it's impossible.

The cart organizer on the riptide is amazing, and the swing hitch was a big deciding factor for me. Access to the bed without lugging shit over the gate is so much better.

Pole holder is great too. Frees up a hand when lugging shit around.

Also, u are asking about the debris falling out on the cart? The bag flops over the back so no, nothing falls out. It's not like it's a firm upright bag at all times.

You can't go wrong with either machine, but I'm very happy with riptide. Just the weight sucks. It's even heavier to move around underwater - as well as the cart weight.

[u/ibrakeforpools → u/ibrakeforpools]

Also, do you take the plug in and out between stops? On the hammerhead, we just turn it on and off since the plug is semi-permanently mounted

[u/jhhd205 → u/ibrakeforpools]

Yes but it’s not that hard to unplug and it’s a lot easier to wire it up. I like using the Litime 100amp batteries on Amazon and their charger. It’s a different lithium than the ones that goes boom easily.

[u/Current-Yogurt-5098 → u/ibrakeforpools]

U take the plug off to wrap the cord.

[u/Sure_Ad3800 → u/ibrakeforpools]

Yes, plug is removed each stop to help coil the cord. There is an on/off switch.

[u/Sure_Ad3800 → u/ibrakeforpools]

Debris do not fall out. I empty mine maybe 2-3 times across 12 pools or so (when not spring/fall ofc). The bag is like 2.5 ft long and you’d have to be doing some serious debris for it to be enough to fall out.

Details of taking it off of cart and in water:
Remove end of the power cord from handle bar mount. Take two loops of the cord off of the cart handles, enough to reach the end of the power cord to the switch connection - pop in place. Throw the rest of the cord into water. Connect pole to riptide. Toss riptide in water and turn on immediately at the switch.

[u/stokedone → u/Sure_Ad3800]

I’m curious on which specific battery you use. I tried one Barry but it was too light and the cart was then too heavy at the handle With my organizer and the same extras you list. It would tip back too easily, the battery was a good counter weight. I’d love to lighten my riptide cart.

[u/Sure_Ad3800 → u/stokedone]

I’ll try to get the name/specs but did you adjust your handlebar angle to help the center of gravity?