Zodiac Tornax Robotic Cleaner Series
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This is the first time I've ever written a negative review. This product is not even worth the $799 I paid back on 12/12/22 from Best Pool Supplies in Yatala. I've already had it repaired once for whatever the fault was to clean my 23,000 litre pool and now the 4 LED lights just keep coming on saying revert back to 2 LED lights under… Read more
Troubleshooting in Section 5.1. What can I say - I won't be buying another one after lasting 3 yrs? Give me a break...
I bought it for less than a year and it happened for not working more than 4 times. The pool builder suggested it to me and charged it over-priced. I regreted for not studying well before buying it. It's wasting time to wait for the technican (usually 2-3 weeks) to repair and then it doesn't work again. I think the motor is not well protected against water. I won't recommend to buy it or scare to use other Zodiac cleaning robot. Show details
Don't waste your money. This thing has spent more time out of the pool not working than in the pool. Repaired three times and fouth time out of warrenty. This time the controler is completely dead. Other issues: cord continually tangles resulting in the cleaner either stopping, lying on its side wasting electricity for 2 hours or you have a very clean 1 m x 1m patch in your pool. Do not buy Show details
Reviews with attachments
Great value unit for smaller pool – Great value. I was looking at the Dolphin units for around $2k. Due to the size of my pool the bloke at Pool warehouse recommended this unit for $1099. Saved myself almost a grand and the pictures of the job it does speaks for itself. Very happy with this purchase. Show details
- +3
I’m not thrilled with its performance, price and reliability – I purchased my Zodiac TX35 several years ago and it has done the job in my little pool. Like many others I struggled with the filter lid design at first until I worked out that it should be attached to the lid before installing it back into the unit. But I can see how easy it would be to damage the lid when put on incorrectly. I’ve become a bit of… Read more
an expert on repairing it as it has broken down on me often. I do like that every part is available online so basically I can keep it going forever as long as I’m willing to throw money at it. I’ve never understood why robotic pool cleaners cost so much considering they have less parts and technology as child’s remote controlled toy car.
All in all it is an ok unit, but I’m not thrilled with its performance, price and reliability
Positive reviews
Saves me so much time, and it's fun to watch! – I bought one of these from my pool installer a month or so ago - he was around $500 less than retail so it was an absolute bargain compared to some of the other models I was looking at. I love it, it's easy to use and does a fantastic job of cleaning our modest pool. Our pool is a teardrop shape with walk out stairs (kinda looks like a guitar), a… Read more
steep drop off to the deep end, and the TX35 has no issues cleaning it, never gets stuck and is very easy to use. I usually leave it in for around 2 hours. I see a lot of negative reviews complaining that it only lasted a couple of years - well it's a hard life being a pool robot I guess - and for under a thousand bucks, for me even if it does only last 2 years, that's a lot of time I get back not having to vacuum the pool every weekend - which is a job I despise with the fire of a thousand suns.
Good for a first system – ‘Moe’ has died, the pump inside broke. 3 years of hard slog, cleaning our pool 3-4 times a week, filter replaced after 2 years. We will miss you little buddy. Looking at replacements I decided to write a review. Also have decided to buy another as most of the other parts are working fine. Show details
Brilliant, simple! – After having 1 x Dolphin that desintegrated itself needing $2500 worth of parts, and a Zodiac CX30 which had a failed motor, I keep going towards cheap, "disposable" robot cleaners as they seem to work fantastic and as the Dolphin tech said, they are only designed to last 3-5 years... that being the case this hits the nail in the head as it's… Read more · 1
about $600 instead of $3-5k. Had the "wall" cleaning feature before but totally unnecessary in the design of my pool.
Negative reviews
We purchased the Zodiac TX30 pool robot in Oct 2021, for $1,168.00, it stopped working shortly after and was repaired under Warranty. It is now just under 4 yrs old, has had very light use. It has never been left in the pool and always cleaned and put away after each use. It has now stopped working again. I contacted Zodiac and was told… Read more
that they only repair during Warranty. I was given a list of Repairers and told to request a new motor block. Most of the suggested repairers will not touch it! One told me that they no longer repair this model as it is difficult to repair and that the repair often caused other problems . I believe the issues are as follows: Short life span, under 4 yrs for $1,168! Very small chance of getting a repair. ( I contacted several others, not listed by Zodiac, and only found one in Sydney that would look at it. I am in Melbourne. So I now have a very expensive, useless machine! Even though it is well out of Warrantee, I don’t believe that it is reasonable that a machine which cost $1,168 lasts less than 4 yrs! So, would an the implied Warrantee provision under Australian Consumer law apply? Aside, from this, it seems that the same problem has occurred twice in the time I have had the machine. Moreover, this (should I be able to get a repair) is a very expensive problem! An online search, has listed the motor part at around $650.00. I am considering a VCAT small claims application!
Had to replace the bottom section with the track wheels every 4 months. It leaks water in and shorts the circuit board. Can't tell if it leaks through the inspection panel or the axle. At least the work has been done under warranty. What an unreliable poorly constructed piece of crap Show details
Useless, don’t waste your money – Had for only one year and in that time have had to have a technician come out 3 times. It will work for an about a month and then break down, lift up from the floor, tracks come loose, won’t reset itself etc. we received this as part of our pool build and I would never recommend. The service is also below par, you have to go online each time… Read more
there’s an issue, lodge a warranty claim and each time it can take 2/3 weeks before someone will come out. Meanwhile the pool fills with leaves and takes days to clean. Don’t waste your money there are so many better ones out there. We have had to now purchase a different model as they won’t refund just keep offering to repair this obvious dud.
Recent reviews
Poor design and build, avoid, for the price there are much better options – Poor cleaner, had many issues to most people here. Does an ok clean, but constantly seems to lift off and does struggle with corners and steps. Main issue has been build quality. Unit if barely 2.5yrs old and has stopped working, 2nd time this has happened and 3 times basket system also broke. Crazy filter system and the most flimsy spring latch… Read more
system ever, and just been told by the pool shop that there's water no in the motor so having to replace. 34,000 litre pool and only needed cleaning once a week and this thing hasn't lasted. Poor experience overall.
Cannot trust Zodiac brand any more – I bought the affordable tx35 and granted it has worked well for two thirds of its life. However the last year it only intermittently performs, often failing to start instead blinking its red light or starting properly then failing sometimes through its cycle without me realising and then it has its blinking red light. I used this infrequently… Read more
about once a month and was meticulous in its care, use and storage and yet it has failed. It is of course out of warranty. Since we live in a throw away society, the encouragement from techs and retailers are to throw it away as it will cost almost as much to fix as it will to buy a new one. Even accredited Zodiac dealers tell me it is cheap rubbish and point me towards a supposedly better brand. It's a similar story for my Zodiac chlorinator which I'll review separately. Whilst some might think one thousand to two thousand dollars is cheap for a robotic cleaner, it's still not easy money particular when you get less than a handful of years out of it.
Hi Anthony, Thank you to sharing your experience with us.… Read more
Find out how Zodiac Tornax Robotic Cleaner Series compares to other Robotic Pool Cleaners
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Pathetic – This thing takes 3 days to clean our 50,000 litre pool and even then there are still a few scattered leaves. It wastes a lot of time climbing walls and rearing upwards. The actual swath is probably around 14 cm. The net supplied does not catch fine sediment but I believe you can buy a finer one (why don’t they supply it as standard. The $1500 it… Read more
cost was the worst purchase I’ve ever made. Gone back to my old Hayward suction cleaner which does the job in 3 hours.
Shocking customer service – Absolute rubbish product and customer service. Like many people, I have experienced nothing but frustration trying to deal with this company and their warranty system. Spent big money on a robotic pool cleaner that just stopped working and still cant get it fixed. Will never purchase Zodiac again. Show details
Update: Happy Now - Not happy at all – Update: I am happy to say a serviceman came out and put an extra weight on it and it working now. I think I lost my money on this one. It isn't picking anything up on the bottom of the pool. I had it on for 5 hours. Show details
Motors gone twice in 3yrs!! – Bought in Nov 2019 - motor replaced oct 20 and since Sept22 after an hr the robot slows down, won’t move and not picking up debri etc, 3yrs old and out of warranty - not made well by all accounts and reviews and re-badged as Barracuda etc. - don’t bother with this and invest in a maytronics/dolphin like I’m goin too! Show details
Waste of money – Only lasted 2 years 3 months. It was 3 months past warranty and it broke. We were told that the company is strict on warranty and that there was nothing they could do and it was going to be expensive to fix it and we were better off just getting a new one. This one only lasted 2 summers and is expensive. Very disappointing. Show details
Disappointed! Only lasted 2.3 years… – Used machine, cleaned, dried & stored as per manufacturers instructions! Did not over use and it stopped working after 2.3 years. Water got into the sealed unit and therefore it corroded parts and is unrepairable. Out of warranty and no recourse. The unit never cleaned our pool well, always missed lots of areas. Also seemed to not have enough… Read more
suction or weight as the front of unit seemed to float around aloe. I was not happy with it all along so will not buy a Zodiac again.
Cleans OK, but hasn’t worked a full 12 month period without breaking – Does an OK job of cleaning, but tends to lift off the surface (like invisible strings are pulling the front end up). If you run it several times a week the pool will remain decently clean. It is a perfect fail in corners and on steps, so plan to brush debris into the open if you want this to suck it up. The biggest failing is the filter… Read more
assembly, which is near impossible to get back together after emptying. The gasket doesn’t fit, the clips don’t align, and the whole thing is so flimsy you don’t know if it’s going to align or break. After six month, I am keen for mine to break already so I can justify replacing it with a better brand. It’s unclear how this was determined to be ready for sale, because it is prototype level bad. I literally just tossed it into the bush out of frustration (if Zodiac is reading this I would love to know how this seemed finished).
Doesn’t matter how cheap you get this; don’t bother. It’s trash that should not have made it to market.
Update- The robot has not aged well, and the past month has been a challenge. First, a back wheel… Read more (+1 reply)
Customer aftercare non existent – Does the job, but when it stops, don’t expect any customer service. Have been trying to speak to Zodiac for 5 months now, I have waited on hold for hours, been into the manufacturer, been to the supplier, and still waiting. Show details
Just out of warranty, Zodiac Cust Service are not interested in assisting – My Rova / Zodiac robotic pool cleaner purchased from Bunnings died at 2 years and 3 months, 3 months just out of warranty. Rang Zodiac and they declined my request to have the unit repaired or replaced. There are hundreds of people experiencing the exact same thing so its clear its a design fault failing so early - you would expect these units to… Read more
last 8-10 years. Next step is ACCC and National Product Recall. Everyone contact me with your story and collectively we can approach these government agencies for help.
Find out how Zodiac Tornax Robotic Cleaner Series compares to other Robotic Pool Cleaners
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I don't like it - it doesn't clean so will sell it off and go back to creepy crawly – My Zodiac robot pool cleaner came with my fibreglass pool. Anyway I put the thing in to clean and let it go for a few hours and clean out filter bag. Put it in next day to clean and over and over. I CANNOT get the dirt/ dust looking stuff off my pool floor. So I am going to buy a creepy crawly and put that into my pool to clean. I never had this problem before. ALSO don't put in a fibreglass pool either - that is my personal advice. Show details
Customer service and repairs is appalling – The TX35 stopped working at only 9 months. Tried phoning the customer care line and waited on hold for over 1 hr to be told a technician would contact me to inspect. No one arrived. Contacted customer care line 1 month later with the same response that a technician would inspect. Again no contact made. I am now on my 3 month of contacting customer care line. So disappointing and upsetting as it has been all summer. Show details
Don’t buy – In the beginning the machine was excellent. But then it all started. In the 11 month period of ownership I’ve had to replace the tracks twice as they stretch and then the machine stops performing. $35 a set. My machine broke after only 11 months. Trying to get in touch with customer care is impossible and when you do, it still does not get… Read more
resolved. Customer care said a technician would be in touch to schedule a repair, that was 4 weeks ago and still no contact. I’ve now found out that it’s a licensing issue. All of their techs have to be licensed as a electrician and they aren’t. If your product is unreliable then at least you should be able to follow through with good customer care.
Had enough of being ignored by Zodiac - so off to Fair Trading – Tx35 was great when worked but started playing up while still under warranty. Has broken down twice within warranty period. First time was fixed but only worked for 2 days after being fixed and stopped working again. Zodiac will not respond to any contact via email, social media, live chat no luck & sick of being on hold for over a hour. I just want my MONEY BACK - Had enough of this drama, so stressful. Show details
Minus stars would suit this product – Broke down within months of purchase, but worse was to come. Rang Fluidra (zodiac manufacturer), on the 31/8/21, was told to expect a SMS within a day or two letting me know when it would be picked up for repair. Didn't happen. Rang again 8/9/21 was told they were still trying to find a repairer, (??? don't they have repairers?), but was told… Read more
again to expect and within a day or two. Didn't happen. Rang again on 27/9/21 only to be told they were unable to find anyone to repair it!!!! Why didn't they call and let me know? No answer to that question. Rang again on the 5/10/21, was told they had found someone to repair it, item was picked up later that week. The person who picked it up said they would just replace the motor and I would have it back within a day or two. Didn't happen. Rang again on the 3/11/21 was fobbed off with " they are not sure what is happening". My husband spoke to them this time and he was annoyed. Later that day ( it was a Wednesday), we had a phone call saying it would definitely be returned on Friday. Guess what... didn't happen. Called back 9/11/21 was COMPLETELY fobbed off with utter crap. Also, phone call on the 3/11 took just under 2 hrs to get through, call on the 9/11 took 1hr 38min to get through, ( I have screen shots) Probably one of the worst companies I have ever dealt with. Not only is their product garbage, but the after sales service has to be experienced to be believed. Do not deal with Austral pools, avoid them at all costs. It has been almost 11 weeks since I first rang and I honestly believe I will never have the pool cleaner returned.
Worked well for 11 months then tracks stretched not covered by warranty – Worked pretty well for 11 months then one of the tracks kept slipping off. One track only was stretched and not covered by warranty. So keep this in mind when buying, $30 bucks every year or so for tracks I took great care of it washed after every clean and stored under shealter so I'm a bit disaponited. I would think twice before buying a Zodiac pool cleaner again. Show details
Poor warranty service – My Zodiac cleaner stopped working less than 1 year after purchase. Fluidra (who do all service and warranty claims for Zodiac) were contacted and were non-responsive. After finally calling their call Centre the unit was booked to be picked up and fixed. When returned the unit still did not work. A technician was then sent out, he took the unit… Read more
with him. The unit was returned by courier with no correspondence. Fluidra had changed the controller unit that powers the robot, but the socket on this unit did not match the robot cable's socket. After spending another hour on the phone to their call centre I was palmed off and told Fluidra would contact me. No contact was provided. Two months of time wasting and no resolution.
Hi Stu, We would like to apologise for your negative… Read more
Did a good job.....when it worked – This robot is a good little unit when it works. Picks up pretty much all debris (and I get plenty in my pool) and gives the water line a good scrub. But then the problems start - tracks become loose - I took it back to the pool shop and they failed to replicate the issue of them coming off and jamming up. Then they blamed the wheel bearings to… Read more
which they wouldn't fix either. Plastics started getting brittle, and then a cable fault that completely disabled the unit. Cable was apparently repaired under warranty but the issue persisted.
Now the robot is totally dead and I have no idea why. I don't want to know because I just want to throw it out. Pure junk. And don't get me started on the cable tangling itself up to the point that the robot can't even move around the pool.
Hi Sangas, We would like to apologise for your negative… Read more (+1 reply)
Just out of warrenty then bang – It is a good pool cleaner but very expensive and like other reviews the motor has gone a couple of months after the warranty ran out. A lot of money for 2 years of use my advice would be to look else where or buy a cheaper one so you don't mind replacing it after 2 years Show details
Hi Tone, Thank you for taking the time to share your… Read more
Poor value for money – Required to clean small vinyl circular pool, dust and occasional leaves. First purchased 2 years ago and initially did a good job, but after 1 year noticed it would only clean half the pool. Lately it has stopped working for long periods. Filter is thoroughly cleaned after each use. Show details
Zodiac fluidra stood by their product – Between taking photos and first open inspection on my house sale the pool robot stopped working. I have a lot of leaves in the pool at this time of year and I really needed the Zodiac fixed asap. The pool shops were no help and gave me the run around. I approached Zodiac customer care and they worked hard to get a solution in a short time frame. Followed up and rang back when they said they would. Thanks, I appreciate it. Show details
Waste of money – The pool cleaner is good at getting leaves and debris from the pool but struggles to climb vertically above 5ft in depth.usually it has to do two 2.5 hr shifts to clean your pool Show details
Broke one month outside of warranty – Did an ok job - always had to follow it up with a sweep and a brush myself. One month after warranty it refuses to work. Zodiac support not interested and fobbing me off to the local pool dealer. If they only last two years then $550/year is expensive for what it is. Show details
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Hi Jade, We're sorry that you have had issues with your… Read more