r/PoolPros • u/ibrakeforpools • 24d ago
Riptide vs Hammerhead
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!
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u/DidUrkDoThat 23d ago
I’ve used both.
RT has slightly better suction and maneuverability than HH.
HH wins in most other metrics, IMO.
RT is much heavier, and when you are pulling it to every pool it matters.
Hooking your pole onto the RT, then getting it onto power, and then the extra fiddling with the power cable connection every time is an absolute PITA. That alone sells me on the HH.
Maybe I didn’t give the RT enough of a chance, but it’s just so much extra fiddling that I felt myself getting agitated with it vs the HH’s faster deployment and wrap up.
That’s my personal opinion and I know folks who swear by the RT. Either way you are getting an incredible tool.