Zodiac Baracuda W69698 Automatic Pool Cleaner Long Life Diaphragm

by Zodiac

Product Features

• Fits G3, G4 and Zoom automatic pool cleaners
• This long life diaphragm is expected to be double that of the life span of the normal Barracuda diaphragm

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.5 x 6.5 inches ; 1.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B002HRETCE
• Item model number: W69698
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #837 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden)
  • #45 in Patio, Lawn & Garden > Pools, Spas & Supplies

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

This top-of-the-line replacement long-life diaphragm is expected to double the life-span of a normal Baracuda G3/G4 design.

Product Description

Zodiac Baracuda W69698 Automatic Pool Cleaner Long Life Diaphragm

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Baracuda should carry a warning, December 7, 2009

By 

Robert M. Freedman "Admirer of I.S." (Gilbert, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zodiac Baracuda W69698 Automatic Pool Cleaner Long Life Diaphragm (Lawn & Patio)

A Baracuda G3 pool cleaner was installed in my pool in April of this year (2009).
During the six and a half months since that time the deceptively named "Long Life" diaphragm, which is essential to the functioning of the Baracuda, has had to be replacement two times.
Online research has turned up a great many users' complaints about this issue. The biggest part of the problem is that the diaphragm costs, at minimum, over twenty dollars. At this rate it could cost over a hundred dollars annually just to keep the thing running.

The Baracuda itself (which is a very effective piece of equipment when it's working) costs hundreds of dollars. The manufacturer should, at the very least, bundle half a dozen of the diaphragms in with the item and warn potential buyers of their vulnerability. An alternative MIGHT be to make the thing out of a more durable material.

I'm not holding my breath until that happens!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Long Life.....Not!, December 23, 2009

By 

D. Rairick "dpr" (ft. lauderdale) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zodiac Baracuda W69698 Automatic Pool Cleaner Long Life Diaphragm (Lawn & Patio)

I would totally agree with the previous review. When the diaphragm is not torn or stretched out, it does work well. However I'm replacing it about every 2-3 months due to tears or large seeds getting caught in the diaphragm itself (stretching it out). At a cost of $29 for each replacement it's running almost $200 a year in maintanance. I would have rather spent the cost of the product $400 then the $200 a year in hiring a pool company to take care of the pool. It's hard to believe that Barracuda is unable to make a more reliable product....unless they don't want to.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Long Life Diaphragm had shortest life ever, June 20, 2010

By 

D. Minch - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zodiac Baracuda W69698 Automatic Pool Cleaner Long Life Diaphragm (Lawn & Patio)

I purchase the Baracuda Long Life Diaphragm on line at Amazon. I qualified for the free shipping so I had to wait a week and received it on May 17, 2010. The price was quite a bit less than my local pool store so it was worth it to wait. On June 12, 2010 I noticed the pool cleaner was moving very slowly. My pool is enclosed by screen so no real debris gets in the pool. I thought it might be the filter so I cleaned it. No change. I checked the hoses and diaphragm a few days later to see if there was some kind of blockage. The diaphragm was slit on the front and back at the base in the same spot that my last diaphragm split. The previous diaphragm lasted a year. THIS LATEST DIAPHRAGM LASTED LESS THAN 30 DAYS. Other manufacturers currently have discounts on their pool cleaners so I am thinking I might switch brands entirely because of this.