Balboa Worldwide - Spa Control

When it works it works great but after a few days it disconnect from the Internet and you have to turn off the power to the hot tub in order to reset it. Then it works again for a few days and disconnects again. It would be great if it could stay connected. I have multiple other devises and don't have any problems with them

System is junk. Only use it in WiFi mode from WiFi module in the tub. Do not bother connecting to your home router. Even if you move module to another location, it still won't work. I gave up trying to get it to work. Just use the control panel on the tub itself, no heartache there! Balboa Water Group just stay out of the WiFi computer business you don't have a clue!

All the bad reviews are correct. This app is terrible. I purchased the WiFi option so we could warm up the tub before we started our 4 hour drive to our weekend home hoping to have a nice hot tub waiting for us upon our arrival. Very disappointed. Can only use the app while standing close to the tub. And we do have plenty of wifi service, all other devices work fine. Wished I would have read the reviews. Balboa should be ashamed.

Long story short: to get cloud control on my tub, got new controls, wifi module, extension cord (to get module inside and closer for supposed signal issue). It stops working after a couple days. I'm in too deep to not make a big fuss over this defective product. Balboa please re-engineer and test thoroughly...fast!!! Then, send me a new one. Meanwhile, no one else should buy this.

Used to work great- now like EVERYONE here it won't connect after 2 to 3 days of use and requires the tub to be power cycled...so helpful. I purchased a 2nd new (and expensive) Module for my Spa and I can see it on my wifi with great signal strength but the App keeps asking me if I would like to connect. Maybe my previous Module wasn't defective after all....

The very negative reviews of this are a puzzle. To make it work, you must first connect to the wifi in the spa, then hit "connect" in the app. If you set up the spa to work through your home wireless network, the spa wifi network disappears and you can access it only through the home wifi access point. Once you've set it up, the app gives access to basic spa settings, e.g., temperature, filtration times, etc.

Do not purchase, it doesn't hold a connection. We tried numerous times to use the extender to improve the wifi. It would connect then disconnect. This is why I purchased the hot tub. I would NOT recommend Balboa products. The local dealer didn't help either, I finely got them to refund my money and picked up the module. The common thread to this is the connectivity; I don't understand why this cannot be fixed!!??

This system is horrible.

Can't believe they have not updated this app since 2013. It has got to be the worst app I have ever experienced. It sometimes works, when I am near the spa. However, a few days later, when I am 360 miles away - it stops communicating. The only way to "re-sync" it is to go back to the spa and start over. I don't have this problem with any of my other remote devices. Why can't Balboa hire a programmer to fix this?? !!!

Truly one of the worst apps I've used, both on Android and iOS. Awful product, unreliable hardware, poorly written and out of date software. Unfortunately, if you're installing this software, it means you're probably already locked into an expensive ($400 or more) wifi add-on to your spa. Tell your spa manufacturer to find another remote control solution.

One of the features I feel in love with was the WiFi function that would allow me to turn on the spa from anywhere, however this has never happened! The only way I can control it is when I am at home and directly connected to the spa pool itself.

Everything seems to be working fine now! System needs some tune up for the Wi-Fi connection keeps telling me to use my Wi-Fi connection even though I pressed save. All in all still good though

Managed to get a connection once and since then it's been unable to reconnect.

The app is good to use and does what you need, however it keeps dropping out of connection after a day or two. It works perfect wherever then a day or two later won't connect.

I have got to say this wifi module is horribly designed. It can't stay connected to the network for more than a day. The problem seems to be with the design of the software. Whatever causes it to lose the connection is software related, as the device will never attempt to re-connect to the network. I have a enterprise class WAP in my house and no other device has issues staying connected in my house even right at the hot tub or 300 feet further away. Looking at logs it is the module that drops the connection not the WAP. Analyzing air traffic you never see any communications coming from the module once it disconnects. I did a single analysis with a fluke meter (I am a Network Engineer) and it has perfectly clean signal at the hot tub. Considering the high/low ratings for this module the devices either has poor QA control, it is poor software coding or the hardware itself is just not all that great. Don't waste your time buying this until these issues are worked out and don't let them try to tell you it is your wifi that is the cause of the problem. It is all just poor design to blame. To add my module is not in the hot tub.

I've used this with my existing WiFi setup for over a year now with no problems until a few months ago. Now I'm having the same problem as other users where the app won't connect unless I power cycle my spa. It will then will stop connecting after a few hours/days. None of my WiFi equipment has changed and the WiFi module has always had a strong connection to my WiFi equipment (-55 db). My best guess is the CLOUD portion of the app or module is not working correctly anymore as the app occasionally correctly works "locally" when it won't connect via the CLOUD...and other times times the app tries unnecessarily to connect via the CLOUD when the app/phone are on the same network causing which it to fail for the same reason. What ports need to be forwarded? Is the wifi module UPnP capable?

I might have to downgrade it to 1 star the app is no longer connecting to the hot tub. Even when I power the tub off and on it still doesn't connect

As a spa dealer and major repairer, this app & associated hardware is utterly useless! It's embarrassing to have sold and the time and pain it all causes is unbelievable. Hard to believe in 2015 such rubbish is sold. Then Balboa simple Cuts & Pastes a "please contact us at" blah blah blah.

The issue I have is the Controls screen is blank and doesn't give the option to turn on the pumps. Very frustrated considering the amount of time it took me to get the app working.

I've had the module etc for a year and it's worked maybe 3 times. When I need it the most it doesn't work...very frustrating. Good thing I didn't pay for it as it was included in the hot tub deal. Waste of money if you did.

I have had no problem using the app with the Spa. I think that the bad reviews don't understand that you are actually connecting to the Spa WiFi so you can't use your internet WiFi until you reconnect back and forth. Anywho, my only wish would be control of the sound system. Thanks!!!

App is usless. I have tried to change temp on mobile phone and it reverts back. There is no save button on app for temp. I have even tried to contact company and have left messages and even spoke to a male who treaded me like an idiot. For the money this module cost, i think its a rip off and not worth the money.. really disappointed with service and product

Upon install of the Maax Powerpool, and after reading the reviews, I decided to immediately move the wifi unit out from under the swim-spa to a post that is 2 ft above and about 4 ft beside the pool. (It had about 12 ft of wire.) I have had this for 3 months now. The app works exactly as described and I do not have any wifi connectivity issues. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because i had to make the modification.

Set up was not easy, but got there eventually. Connection worked for the first day... then no connection. Re-set the hot tub, connected for a few hours... then would not connect. This cycle has continued for the three months we have attempted to 'use' it, so now we have given up. Purchased hot tub partly on the back of the functionality provided by this... wish we hadn't. Waste of money... if u have a choice, don't buy this functionality.

Worked pretty good till last update on 9/15. Now can only connect thru cloud....which no surprise they charge for....the wifi by contract is free.

Why does it only work with a 50db or better. Most home AP can go more than 20' at that level??

I have the same complaint as Nick Clark. We shouldn't have to always click the connect or demo option. Maybe put a check box for the option of do not show again. Also the controls should be readily available on the first screen along with the hot tub status. Thanks

Wont connect at all unless standing next to spa. Waste of time and money

Try this: Mount the wifi module on the outside of the tub. Weather hasn't killed mine. (Snow, rain) -Use a range extender, place it as close to the tub as possible. Mine had to be 5' and 1 (outside) wall away before it became somewhat reliable. -Try a newer version of the app which will be labeled as a different manufacturer, (Artesian, etc) you're looking for version 2.2.14. - Basically it seems as that the hardware is not resilient as far as connections. But nice when it stays on! Balboa?

Used an extender to initially configure then removed after, so far so go.

Do not purchase, it doesn't hold a connection. The locl dealer doesn't help either.

Just follow exactly what the manufacturer states and it works flawless, on WiFi or the World Wide Web.....ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD.

Woeful setup. Android app and ios app both have issues,connecting to the wifi unit. Good signal so that's not the issue. Waste of money, don't buy it.

When connected via local network and not the crappy proximity based open network, the app is unreliable often not accepting changes and disconnecting itself randomly. Sometimes it doesn't show pump controls over local network either. No updates since 2013?

Constantly dropping the connection. Like others have said, the tub has to be powered down and back on to reset it. My router and signal are not the issue and I have plenty of signal strength (So please don't use your copy and paste reply here Balboa). The unit does not show up on the network list when this happens. I can stand right beside the unit and it doesn't register as a network. Once it resets, it is visible until the next day. Also the app should have push notifications such as low temp warnings for monitoring the tub while away.The device itself is way more expensive than it needs to be for a piece of equipment that rarely is reliable. The device is mounted inside the tub and I'm wondering if it is weatherproof enough to mount outside to see if this helps. So far it's a waste of money. Update your app! Update: look at the response below! Pass the buck at it's best. Also why no water temp warnings (low temp alert)? Why do I only have controls that I would use when standing beside the tub anyway? This app could be so much better. Start dealing with the issues instead of posting links to pages, I'd rather you didn't answer at all. 3/24/15: another copy and paste!

Downloaded the app and when I open it and click connect it just does the swirl thing like it's connecting then after about a minute of that pops up a screen that has 2 buttons one says connect? and the other says demo mode. If you click connect same thing happens it just acts like it's connecting and the same little screen will pop up after a minute or so and say connect? Or demo mode?

WiFi module connection is very poor and unreliable. Balboa told other users here to move module from under tub, but won't say if module is weather proof. 3 days now and no reply to my email asking for help.

Had the same issue as others - noticed an answer was to relocate the module on the hot tub since it comes with a 12' cable - my question is, where do I find the instructions on relocating that module and where do I find it under the hot tub? Like this module but would like it to work all the time if possible.

Won't link phone to hot tub.

Worked when I first got my tub. ..after three weeks won't connect. Waste of time.