Garbage App and Unreliable Module
UPDATE:
Ripped out the junk wifi module, installed an ESP32/RS485 for a few bucks and added a Home Assistant integration that reads the tub data. Add I small dashboard to control the basics. Next fault monitoring. And goes what -it’s reliable without monthly gouging of customers.
Since my earlier review was booted by calling the developers out 🙄 … I’ll tone it down.
Mandatory update introduced a subscription for cloud access. Totally below belt move by the developers especially when the app still is the worse piece of junk paired with an equally subpar wifi module.
There are other and better methods for remote access to replace this trash (that even has fault monitoring). The last update made it worth my effort to actually do it. So thanks developers! 👋
Ripped out the junk wifi module, installed an ESP32/RS485 for a few bucks and added a Home Assistant integration that reads the tub data. Add I small dashboard to control the basics. Next fault monitoring. And goes what -it’s reliable without monthly gouging of customers.
Since my earlier review was booted by calling the developers out 🙄 … I’ll tone it down.
Mandatory update introduced a subscription for cloud access. Totally below belt move by the developers especially when the app still is the worse piece of junk paired with an equally subpar wifi module.
There are other and better methods for remote access to replace this trash (that even has fault monitoring). The last update made it worth my effort to actually do it. So thanks developers! 👋
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Worked for about a week
Nice idea but doesn’t work - constantly shows server errors when you try to login. Waste of money
Buggy and unexpected fees
Often fails to connect locally and after buying with a view to only heating when the sun is out as wwe have solar energy, they have started charging for remote control. Would not buy a tub with a Balboa controller again.
Awful
Pretty terrible setup pretty terrible ui. The balls to try and charge money for such a buggy garbage app are astounding. Whoever wrote this thing is bad and should feel bad
Just bad
Unstable connection, weird UI, requires precise location for a local connection… just badly designed and implemented. It has BS Compsci thesis circa 2002 vibes.
Terrible
Original app was useless but now Update is extra useless and after paying a hearty premium for the garbage wifi connection they have the audacity to try to charge you for remote access.
CEOs Suck
Another companies reputation wrecked by a greedy CEO choosing to screw customers for short term profits.
WORSE THAN USELESS
WORSE THAN USELESS BECAUSE I STILL TRY AND USE IT. IF YOU TOUCH THE HOT TUB SCREEN IT WILL CONNECT FOR A BRIEF MIN. I NEVER WROTE A REVIEW FOR ANYTHING. THIS WOULD HAVE SWAYED MY DECISION TO BY CALSPA!
Disappointing
Flip a coin, that’s what you can hope for of the app will actually connect to your spa. Then these people have the audacity to make you pay for the cloud module that has maybe a 10% connect rate. It’s comical how bad this app works.
Charging for???
How can you start charging for something that was free when I bought the hot tub?….if you insist on ripping customers off, at least make sure what you are charging for works! I don’t want to pay for SERVER ERROR at least 50% of the time! You really need to get this sorted or go back to not charging for at best, a mediocre app!
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Now subscription based?? Not helpful!!
I previously had no issues with this app. But now that remote access is subscription based, the app is useless when not at home. Extremely disappointing for a legacy user.
Scandaleux
Il est scandaleux de changer les règles d’utilisation de l’application et de rendre payant les connexions à distance ! À tous les futurs acheteurs de Spa: assurez vous de ne pas avoir de système Balboa pour le pilotage de votre Spa. Préférez d’autres systèmes qui ne vous feront pas payer pour simplement pouvoir contrôler votre machine. Je suis très en colère ! Si j’avais su!
Et même en connexion locale ça déconne, certains jours il est impossible de se connecter! C’est vraiment nul de chez nul!
Update: j’ai fait un signalement à Apple pour que cette application apparaisse avec la mention « achat intégré » car en l’état cette mention n’apparaît pas et c’est mensonger!
Et même en connexion locale ça déconne, certains jours il est impossible de se connecter! C’est vraiment nul de chez nul!
Update: j’ai fait un signalement à Apple pour que cette application apparaisse avec la mention « achat intégré » car en l’état cette mention n’apparaît pas et c’est mensonger!
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Not impressed
I thought it may get a new look in this update as I’ve never known there to be one in the last 4 years of using it, which by the way the app worked fine. So maybe a new look, new feature, but no, just charge you for a feature which used to be free. What a rip off!!
Unless you have a damn good WiFi signal, and I mean good, the app isn’t really reliable to work all the time.
Unless you have a damn good WiFi signal, and I mean good, the app isn’t really reliable to work all the time.
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Used to be free now we pay monthly and it doesn’t work
I am so frustrated. This was a feature that we paid $1000’s extra for (upgraded our tub for wifi feature), it worked OK before, now it won’t connect and we have to pay for it.
Money for nothing.
I have been telling everyone looking to buy a tub NOT to upgrade for wifi.
You’d think adding a monthly/yearly fee they would upgrade the app and give some new features… nope. Same app. Pure greed.
Be better.
Money for nothing.
I have been telling everyone looking to buy a tub NOT to upgrade for wifi.
You’d think adding a monthly/yearly fee they would upgrade the app and give some new features… nope. Same app. Pure greed.
Be better.
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Mr Williamson
Think that after paying to purchase this wifi controller I’ve used for years that it is now a disgrace that you have now started to charge a fee to yous away from home
Now a Pay Service
This app was acceptable and functional. After it stopped responding, I was told by customer service to remove the app and reset the hot tub. I did so, only to find that the cloud service that was free for 8 years, was now subscription based. What good is the app if I now have to pay monthly fees? Avoid Balboa.
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New update is now subscription based
If I could give 0 stars I would. The previous version was terrible, but having spent $15k for my spa at least it was included. Now - the SAME terribile functionality is behind a subscription paywall?
THIS.IS.AWFUL…
THIS.IS.AWFUL…
Awful
I’ve had my hot tub for 3years now and 2 years ago it started failing first being the audio system then the ozone device. WiFi module is very intermittent whether it will connect or not and has been extremely basic since day one. If your spending thousands on a hot tub I’d recommend staying away from anything controlled by Balboa
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Terrible
I’m rating this as 1 star simply because 0 isn’t an option. Most useless app I’ve used in my life. The developer responsible for this needs to find a new line of work.
Great app when it connects
As they said in anchorman - 60% of the time it works all the time. Please fix your constant server errors, especially if you are charging a monthly fee.
