****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I bought one of these for myself and my husband. I love the concept, I really do. We drink more water now than we ever had. I got these because my husband ended up in the ER with dehydration because he does not drink enough water. On the bright side, both of us now drink water and it has been a struggle for me, but I have managed to make it to 48 ounces a day from 8 to 16 ounces a day. However, on the bad side. I started having trouble after the first 3 weeks with the computer resetting itself every 2 to 3 hours. I sent an email to the manufacturer at [email protected] and I was within a few days of their warranty so they sent me out 2 new computers; because my husband's was resetting itself too, just not as often as mine was. When I got the 2 new computers, only 1 worked. I tried a new battery in the one that didn't work and it still did not work. We ended up with 1 good battery. However, my husband's only resets once in a while and he found that if he stopped his from counting time at night it would work without resetting itself. I bought these in June (my husband's was his birthday present). He likes computerized gadgets and we use FitBits and this was a way for him to know what number of ounces to enter in his FitBit account. Well, this morning I go to fill up his water bottle to send it to work with him and the screen is BLANK. I pressed the start button and still nothing. I changed the battery and the unit is still dead. On a hope and a prayer, I put my old computer that reset itself several times a day on his and sent him to work that maybe it might get him through the day. To replace the computer is $4 and they charge $2.95 for shipping and handling. They only take checks so if I go that route I have to wait for them to get the check and then it is 7-10 business days from that until I get the new computer/counter unit. It is easier and faster to just buy a new water bottle. Shouldn't these things last more than 3 months? It was over $20 for this. That would be over $80 a year to keep buying water bottles or almost $40 a year to keep buying new computers.For the life of me I cannot understand why this is receiving so many bad reviews. I almost didn't make the purchase because of what others were writing. I've had the Hydracoach water bottle now for a couple of weeks and I have not once regretted my decision to buy it. I LOVE IT!!! I have used it everyday since I got it. It performs just the way its advertised. Please read the instruction manual that comes with the product. I think that's where so many people have gone wrong. Read the manual, become familiar with the parts, and follow the directions. Don't expect to take this right out of the box and get it to perform right away. You need to read and follow directions. it took me less than five minutes to figure it out. Page 8 of the user guide is very important. It lists the Hydracoach description of parts. Remove the cap from the bottle (the mouthpiece, impeller assembly and tube should stay attached. Don't worry about taking it apart until you need to clean it.) Next read page 11. It gives you info on the battery. Page 15 explains the initial setup. Just read and follow directions, its not hard.Two reasons I did not give it five stars- 1.)When I remove the top to pour water out, the bezel with computer will fall off. I sometimes forget that I have to hold it in place or slip it completely off before tipping the water bottle upside down. 2.) The computer doesn't have an off switch, which means when the hydracoach is not in use the battery is still being depleted, unless you remove the battery. These are theonly faults I have found with this product.An update two months later...I'm still loving my HydraCoach. I use it every day.Some people writing reviews say you have to suck too hard. No you don't. Locate the indents on the mouthpiece. A little pressure using your teeth or lips where the indentions are opens the slit where the water comes out. Suck just like you do from a straw.Almost every complaint mentioned in reviews about this water bottle can be solved by following the directions in the user guide.I love the bottle, however I gave 3 stars due to the fact that when the mouthpiece fell off somewhere, the I emailed the company regarding a replacement this is what they wrote:Good morning, Sarah.In order to place an order for replacement parts, a check or money order for US funds must be mailed to my attention at the NY address below. Please understand that as a manufacturer, we are not set up for any other types of payments at this time. Make the check or money order out to Sportline and please also write Case Number 140737 on the outside of the envelope as well as on the note field of the check or money order. Please note that we can only ship to a valid US or Canadian address. Prices are as followed; please also see the attached diagram for a visual representation: Mouthpiece $2.50 each Upper Cap w/ Finger Ring $2.50 each Short Connector Tube (Short Straw) $2.50 each Impeller Housing $2.50 each Draw Tube (Long Straw) $2.50 each Bezel (holds computer in place) $2.50 each Computer $4.00 each Bottle NOT AVAILABLE SEPARATELY You can order as many parts or quantities of parts as you would like, and you will need to add one $2.95 shipping and handling charge per order. *Please be sure to specify which specific parts you need and the quantity of each when you send the payment!Thank you,Jay PSportline Customer Service 555 Taxter Road, Suite 210 Elmsford, NY 10523So essentially it is going to cost me six dollars to replace the mouthpiece. Nor exactly what I expected after paying so much for this bottle. Still like it, but if you are going to purchase this, keep the potential replacement costs in mind.Good but gets a bit smelly. I clean it with Milton periodically.Brilliant. Great delivery
