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Introduction
If you’re tired of spending hours scrubbing your inground pool or dealing with robotic cleaners that get stuck or tip over, the Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend Pressure-Side Inground Pool Cleaner might be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for. Designed specifically for pressure-side pool systems, this cleaner promises total pool coverage with its innovative four-wheel design and powerful traction features. Priced at around 9, it boasts a solid 4.3 out of 5 stars from 366 Amazon reviews, making it a popular choice among pool owners battling leaves, twigs, and tough inclines.
In this in-depth review, we’ll dive into the Kreepy Krauly Legend’s features, performance, real customer feedback, and whether it’s worth the investment for your backyard oasis. Whether you have a leaf-strewn pool or just want hands-off cleaning, read on to see if this grey-top, white-bottom model (perfect for lighter-colored pools) lives up to the hype.
Product Overview
The Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend is a pressure-side cleaner tailored for inground pools, relying on your existing booster pump to propel it across floors, walls, and inclines. Unlike suction-side or battery-powered robots, it uses water pressure through a hose connected to your pool’s return line, making it an efficient add-on for many standard setups.
Key specifications and features include:
- Front-Wheel Drive with Treaded Tires: Provides maximum traction on slopes and curved surfaces for thorough cleaning.
- Four-Wheel Design: Eliminates tipping issues common in three-wheeled cleaners, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
- Large Intake Throat and High-Capacity Debris Bag: Easily handles big leaves, twigs, and heavy debris without clogging.
- Grey Top, White Bottom Housing: Optimized for visibility and blending in lighter pool finishes.
- Backup Valve System: Automatically reverses direction every few minutes to escape corners, stairs, or jams.
- Adjustable Hose Length: Customizable to fit pools up to 30,000 gallons or larger.
- Compatibility: Works with most pressure-side booster pumps; no electricity needed at the cleaner itself.
Weighing in lighter than some competitors, it’s built for durability with replaceable parts like tires, wheels, and bagsāideal for long-term use. Assembly involves trimming the hose to your pool’s dimensions, which takes about 30-60 minutes with proper instructions.
Pros
Based on product specs and hundreds of customer experiences, here are the standout advantages of the Pentair Kreepy Krauly Legend:
- Superior Traction and Stability: The front-wheel drive and treaded tires climb walls and inclines effortlessly, while the four-wheel setup prevents tipping. One reviewer noted it “goes up the walls easy” and “does not lay over,” even in a 30,000-gallon pool.
- Lightning-Fast Cleaning Speed: Users report entire pools cleaned in under an hour. A 5-star review raved, “It cleaned the entire pool in almost one hour not kidding,” calling it faster than competing brandsā”it hauls butt.”
- Handles Heavy Debris Like a Champ: The oversized intake and large-capacity bag scoop up leaves, twigs, and acorns without frequent emptying. Perfect for tree-heavy yards, as confirmed by multiple owners with “tons of leaves.”
- Reliable Self-Rescue Features: The backup thruster pulls it out of jams better than older models. A user upgrading from a 12-year-old Pentair said, “Backup thruster pulls it out of any jam and works better than my old unit.”
- Easy Installation for Most: Straightforward setup if you follow directions. Many first-timers installed it without issues, especially with tips like checking booster pump pressure.
- Total Pool Coverage: Navigates stairs, corners, and floors without getting stuck often, providing unattended performance all day.
- Value for Longevity: Durable parts and a rebate (like the $50 Pentair surprise one user got) make it a smart upgrade over disposables.
Cons
No pool cleaner is perfect, and the Kreepy Krauly Legend has some drawbacks highlighted in reviews. Here’s a balanced look:
- Hose Setup Can Be Tricky for Newbies: Cutting and reattaching hoses confused some first-time owners. One said, “It was a little confusing… had to read and re-read the instructions about 10 times,” though they eventually nailed it.
- Struggles on Steep or 90-Degree Steps: It gets stuck on sharp-angled steps and relies on reverse mode every 3 minutes. A reviewer with 90-degree steps brushes them weekly before running the cleaner.
- Requires Pump and Filter Maintenance: Needs a strong booster pump (test by blocking the outlet) and clean filters/baskets. Neglect this, and it “looks like a dead fish,” per one user.
- Hose Curling Issue: Skipping the “lay in sun” step leaves it kinked; bending opposite helps but annoys some.
- Premium Price Tag: At $879, it’s not budget-friendly, though longevity justifies it for frequent users.
Customer Reviews Analysis
With a 4.3-star average from 366 ratings, the Pentair Kreepy Krauly Legend garners strong praise but isn’t without critics. Positive feedback dominates (around 70-80% 4-5 stars), focusing on performance in real-world scenarios like leaf-heavy pools.
What Customers Love
Top themes from 5-star reviews:
- Speed and Efficiency: “Very easy to install… cleaned the entire pool in almost one hour.” Users with 30,000-gallon pools and “tons of leaves” were skeptical but converted quickly.
- Build Quality: “Does not lay over, has not got stuck on stairs, goes up the walls easy.” The four-wheel design shines here.
- Debris Handling: “Cleans large leaves and twigs… has a large bag.” New owners ditched manual cleaning after one run: “Now I let it run for 1 hour per day and that is plenty.”
- Upgrade Worthiness: Repeat buyers love it: “Needed to replace a 12-year-old… So glad I went with this model. Works great!” Plus bonuses like unexpected rebates.
Common Complaints and Workarounds
Lower ratings (1-3 stars, about 15-20%) often stem from setup or maintenance oversights:
- Hose confusion: “Difficult to reattach the hoses back on when you first cut them.” Tip: Measure twiceāthe long hose to deepest point, white sections to farthest wall.
- Step issues: “Won’t ever clean the steps very well” on 90-degree ones, but reverse mode helps.
- Performance hiccups: Blamed on dirty filters or weak pumps. Advice: “Clean the basket where it connects to the wall often” and ensure main pump aids pressure.
Overall, negatives drop sharply for users following directions and maintaining their system. No widespread failures reportedāissues are user-fixable, boosting its reliability score.
Review Trends
| Rating | Percentage | Key Sentiment |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Stars | ~60% | Transformative cleaning power |
| 4 Stars | ~20% | Solid with minor tweaks |
| 3 Stars & Below | ~20% | Setup/maintenance frustrations |
Long-term owners (like the 12-year veteran) affirm durability, suggesting high ROI over cheaper alternatives that wear out faster.
Who Should Buy This Product
The Pentair Kreepy Krauly Legend is ideal for:
- Inground Pool Owners with Pressure Systems: Perfect if you have a booster pump; not for suction or saltwater-only setups without adaptation.
- Leaf and Debris Fighters: Yards with trees dropping acorns, pine needles, or leavesāits bag and intake excel here.
- Large Pool Enthusiasts: 20,000-40,000 gallons; handles big areas quickly without babysitting.
- Hands-Off Cleaners: Busy families wanting unattended runs that cover walls and floors reliably.
- Upgraders: Replacing old pressure cleaners; familiar design with modern improvements.
Skip if: You have complex step-heavy pools needing robotic precision, a tight budget under $500, or no booster pump (consider suction alternatives).
Final Verdict
The Pentair LL505G Kreepy Krauly Legend Pressure-Side Inground Pool Cleaner earns a well-deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars in our book. It outperforms many competitors in speed, stability, and debris handling, transforming pool maintenance from chore to chore-free. While initial setup and step navigation require patience, proper maintenance unlocks its full potentialāevidenced by glowing reviews from leaf-burdened owners.
At $879, it’s a premium pick, but the time saved and durability make it worthwhile for serious pool owners. If your inground pool sees heavy use or debris, buy this. For casual setups, test your pump first. Highly recommended for pressure-side reliability.
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