My MX8 works perfectly cleaning the Pool; as long as there's no bark/leaves from my Neighbors trees fallen into my pool. If there are large pieces of debris in the pool, a 'manual' cleanup is required OR the unit will cease to operate. To ensure maximum performance, make sure the filter pump leaf basket is empty & that the hose to the MX8 Unit isn't sucking in air/water where the hose pieces are joined as I've found the hose pieces deteriorate sitting in the pool/water/sun. If the hose is one length, ignore this important test. I've had my cleaner for 4 years now & it works great if you perform my basic 2 check items I've mentioned in the above. Good luck

My first review of this product was that it is good at its job. But not even into the first year out of warranty and it has needed a full parts replacement. Which i believe is a marketing ploy to extract more money from the consumer. So at $650.00 this unit should be fault free for at least 3 yrs. Not very happy

Useless when it encounters small gum leaves. It just jams and sits there. Cleans very well if you clean pool first. Im going to ask for a refund. I had a hammerhead before this cleaner and im going to see if i can swap the zodiac mx8 for it. Happy reading

I recently bought a house and pool with a MX8 cleaner - the first self driven type I've had (other pools I've owned used the simple diaphragm type cleaners). Other than the odd twig jamb or leaf overload I've been surprised how good it is, especially doing the pool walls. Our pool has a step/ledge right the way around about 1" below the water line and the MX8 tracks around the walls up to it beautifully, leaving only the top section of wall to scrub by hand. Its a little sun bleached so I suspect its a few years old but does a great job of picking up the weekly layer of grime and gum leaves that settle on bottom of the pool.

The MX8 works wells for approximately 2.5 years before we were forced to replace the plastic gear set as they simply did not propel the unit due to gear tooth damage. Based upon its $500 price tag, this device does not qualify as a product with any true value. The rubber tracks also need replacing 2x/year. Not a huge expense, but again, it adds up when the device craps out needing complete overhaul after less than 3 seasons.

Read some of the other reviews and have the same experience. Always thought it was me, or my pool setup.
Went back to the pool shop where I purchased it from, and was told to replace the sand in the filter. Done that, but still the same result. I have a 2Hp pump, however it does have some age on it. Every time the unit hits a ripple in the Vinyl liner it stops. I've owned it for two years and after reading these comments I give up. Big waste of money.

Further to my review.... I have in all good conscience alter my review.

In the last two days, after replacing the sand, and allowing it to settle, backwash, etc. the pressure on the pump has increased, although only slightly. Now the MX8 is working perfectly.

The cleaner did a reasonable not great job of picking up leaves etc. It was recommended by Clark Rubber Bunbury store owner [name removed]. However I spent over a $100 on replacing the drive motors and 8 weeks later the thing is u/s all the bearings are worn out and the plastic is showing wear.
This is the second Zodiac product I have owned - never again.

Worked well for one year, does not pick up leaves, now cleaner is hardly moving. fed up with taking products back to store, had a barracuda before this one and was told it could not be fixed, was only a couple of years old. So i upgraded to the mx8 as was assured this one was one of the best on the market and would last me a long time

This cleaner is a waste of money. It stops any time it picks up any type of debris and I have to clear the jam so it can begin cleaning. It is a very expensive cleaner that I thought I would have for years to come. I would highly recommend a Hayward cleaner.

Our pool shop is constantly fixing this cleaner. Its usually the same part, which generally lasts about 6 months. if you've got lots of leaves, do not consider this cleaner, its all ways breaking down. Last time the parts alone cost $300 . Both tracks have broken, the internals snapped, the track keeps coming off the wheels, i could just go on and on. Its honestly easier just to clean it manually.

works fine for most small stuff. i read a review that it cleans up everything. if you have oak trees and a chance an acorn will get in pool, it will stop it from running. large leaves are the same. i can't imagine anyone claiming a small stick will pass through. i read a review that after a hurricane it totally cleaned up all the debris. i suspect the owner was in the pool helping also.
take it apart at the store and look at how it works. may be good for the low debris pool. overall for all the above it is a reasonable cleaner. nothing beats polaris in my opinion.
BUT, even it has problems. no pool cleaner will be free of getting stuck occasionally.

This is a poor product and even the Zodiac Field Rep couldn't get it working with my 1 1/2 HP motor. He suggested it may be my filter but I had just replaced it a month before (by the local pool shop for $1200!) and the pool motor was only 6 months old. The cleaner either doesn't move at all or moves about 3 meters and stops. Product suggests a 1 HP motor will do but the Field Rep told me I need better suction - so do I need a new 2 HP motor? Have been hand vaccuming ever since and am still looking for something that actually works. Hasn't worked from Day 1 and was a waste of money...

I bought an MX8 nearly 4 years ago. It has lived in the pool ever since. The pool runs for about 6 hour a day. I have no problems with it at all. It picks up hibuscus and grevilia leaves and everything else, only gets stopped with small peebles. It needs a rebuild kit through it now, but has been great pool cleaner

After I complained about the cleaner getting blocked with leaves,I was told "they are not designed to pick up leaves". Their website states "removes most leaves & small debris". I asked "what type of leaves do they pick up?" The reply was & I am not making this up,was "the kind that a small child might draw on a piece of paper". They do not know the meaning of customer service.

I bought this unit from the previous owner of the house we recently purchased, after about 3 months found a wheel broken off from the chassis. I bought a new genuine chassis online and replaced it myself. The unit worked well after that for another 3 to 4 months, then it broke another wheel off the new chassis. I won't be fixing it again, the chassis was very expensive, and I would expect better from such an expensive product, it seems this is a common problem with this particular unit, won't be taking the risk with this brand again.