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Introduction
If you’re a pool owner tired of spending hours scrubbing leaves, twigs, and dirt from your inground pool, the Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend Pressure-Side Inground Pool Cleaner might just be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. This grey top, white bottom model is specifically designed for lighter-colored pools, blending functionality with aesthetics. With a solid 4.3 out of 5-star rating from over 365 Amazon reviews and a price tag of 9, it’s positioned as a premium pressure-side cleaner that promises total pool coverage without the hassle of tipping or getting stuck.
In this in-depth review, we’ll dive into its features, break down real customer experiences, weigh the pros and cons, and help you decide if it’s worth the investment. Whether you’re dealing with a leaf-heavy yard or just want effortless maintenance, the Kreepy Krauly Legend aims to haul buttâliterally, as one reviewer put itâwhile keeping your pool sparkling clean.
Product Overview
The Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend is a pressure-side pool cleaner engineered for inground pools, powered by your existing booster pump rather than electricity or batteries. Its standout design includes front-wheel drive with treaded tires for superior traction on slopes and curved surfaces, ensuring it navigates the entire pool floor, walls, and even stairs with ease.
Key specifications and features include:
- Four-wheel design: Prevents tipping, a common issue with three-wheeled competitors, for uninterrupted cleaning sessions.
- Large intake throat and high-capacity debris bag: Effortlessly handles big leaves, twigs, acorns, and heavy dirt without clogging.
- Backup valve system: Automatically reverses every few minutes to escape corners, stairs, or jams.
- Housing options: Grey top with white bottom for visibility and camouflage on light pool surfaces.
- Hose length: Adjustable with included sections (typically 40-60 feet, cut to fit your pool size).
- Compatibility: Works with most pressure-side systems; requires a booster pump delivering at least 15-20 GPM.
- Weight and size: Compact at around 12-15 lbs, with durable thermoplastic construction for longevity.
At $879, it’s not the cheapest option, but its build quality and performance target serious pool owners who value reliability over budget robotic cleaners. Installation involves connecting to your pool’s dedicated suction line and trimming the hose to fitâsimple for pros, a learning curve for newbies.
Pros
Based on product specs and hundreds of customer reviews, the Kreepy Krauly Legend shines in several areas. Here’s a breakdown of its top advantages:
- Superior Traction and Stability: The front-wheel drive and aggressive treaded tires conquer inclines, walls, and stairs effortlessly. Reviewers rave that it “goes up the walls easy” and “does not lay over,” unlike flimsier models.
- Total Pool Coverage: Four wheels and smart navigation ensure no spot is missed, even in oddly shaped or freeform pools. One user with a 30,000-gallon pool said it cleaned everything in under an hour.
- Handles Large Debris Like a Champ: The oversized intake and high-capacity bag scoop up leaves, twigs, and pine needles without frequent emptying. “Cleans large leaves and twigs” is a recurring praise.
- Reliable Backup and Anti-Stuck Technology: The backup thruster activates every 3 minutes, pulling it out of tight spots. Customers upgrading from older models note it’s “better than my old unit.”
- Easy Installation for Most: Follow the directions, and it’s a breeze. Many first-time owners installed it without issues, especially if their booster pump was primed.
- Durable and Long-Lasting: Built to replace 12-year-old units, with users reporting it as a worthwhile upgrade. Pentair even offers rebates, like the $50 one surprise-mentioned in reviews.
- Low Maintenance: No batteries or filters to replaceâjust rinse the bag and check hoses seasonally.
These pros make it a favorite for busy homeowners who want set-it-and-forget-it performance.
Cons
No product is perfect, and the Kreepy Krauly Legend has its share of gripes from the 365+ reviews. While positives dominate, here are the main drawbacks:
- High Price Point: At $879, it’s a significant investment. Budget shoppers might balk compared to suction-side or cheaper robots under $500.
- Hose Setup Can Be Tricky for Beginners: Cutting and reattaching hoses confused new users. One reviewer read instructions “10 times” to avoid mistakes, noting the clear section needs precise trimming to pool depth.
- Requires Proper Pool System Maintenance: Needs a strong booster pump (test by blocking outlet with your hand) and clean filters/baskets. Neglect this, and it “looks like a dead fish,” per one user.
- Not Perfect on Steep or 90-Degree Steps: It climbs rounded walls well but may struggle with sharp steps, requiring manual brushing weekly in some cases. It reverses out but doesn’t deep-clean treads.
- Hose Curling if Not Prepped: Skipping the “lay in sun” step leads to kinks, though easily fixed by bending oppositely.
These issues are mostly user-error related and fixable with setup tips, but they highlight it’s not entirely plug-and-play.
Customer Reviews Analysis
With a 4.3-star average from 365 reviews, the Pentair Kreepy Krauly Legend earns high marks for performance but deducts points for setup hurdles. Positive feedback (around 70-80% five-stars) focuses on speed and reliability, while lower ratings stem from installation woes or mismatched expectations.
Top Positive Themes
Owners love its speed: “Cleaned the entire pool in almost one hourânot kidding,” raved a 30,000-gallon pool user buried in leaves. Another first-time buyer said, “After a month of zero cleaning… it was clean in a couple hours,” running it just one hour daily now. Upgraders appreciate the improvements: “Backup thruster pulls it out of any jam… lighter and easier,” with one scoring a $50 Pentair rebate.
Common pros echoed: No tipping, wall-climbing prowess, large bag for debris, and “hauls butt” compared to rivals. Pool pros recommend it tooâone buyer trusted their plaster guy’s pick after six years without a cleaner.
Common Complaints and Critiques
Lower-rated reviews (1-3 stars) often blame improper setup. Hose trimming baffled newbies: “A little confusing… had to read and re-read.” Pump issues caused limp performance: “Clean the basket… otherwise it will not get the water pressure.” Steep steps pose challenges: “Won’t ever clean the steps very well… gets stuck but unsticks itself.”
Despite “negative” labels in some summaries, even critical reviews admit strong cleaning once dialed in. No widespread durability complaintsâmost issues resolve with tweaks like pointing the rear jet down to avoid “wheelies.”
Overall Sentiment
Buyers skew experienced or leaf-plagued, with 80%+ recommending it. It’s ideal for larger pools (20k+ gallons) with booster pumps. New owners: Budget extra time for setup videos. Rating holds steady, suggesting consistent quality.
Who Should Buy This Product
The Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend is best for:
- Inground Pool Owners with Booster Pumps: Perfect if you have a dedicated pressure line; skip if suction-only.
- Leafy or Debris-Heavy Yards: Excels at big messes in 20,000+ gallon pools.
- Hands-Off Cleaners: Busy families wanting unattended runs 1-2 hours daily/weekly.
- Upgraders from Older Models: Familiar with Kreepy Krauly? This is the refined version.
- Lighter-Colored Pools: Grey/white housing hides dirt while contrasting surfaces.
Avoid if: Budget under $600, no booster pump, or tiny pools (under 15k gallons). Robotic cleaner fans might prefer cordless ease, but pressure-side loyalists swear by this.
Final Verdict
The Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend Pressure-Side Inground Pool Cleaner delivers on its promises of robust, thorough cleaning with minimal intervention. Its traction, debris-handling, and stability set it apart in the pressure-side category, earning a well-deserved 4.3 stars. While the price and setup demand commitment, satisfied owners far outnumber detractorsâespecially once optimized.
Recommendation: Buy if you have the right setup. It’s a long-term winner for serious pool maintenance, potentially saving hours weekly. Pair with pump checks and setup guides for five-star results.
Overall Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
(Bump from Amazon’s average based on review depth and upgrade value.)
