Mako Skimming Net By Oreq Review

Mako net by Oreq review

This is a review by www.WCPandS.com of the Mako LN4200 (POP-40-3017) skimming net with 20 inch regular bag made by Oreq Corporation.

When selecting a swimming pool net it is easy to go with the cheapest net available. However, from my own experience of cleaning pools for the past few years, I know that spending more for a better net is a wise investment. A good net will save you time with better design elements; from a shaped bag to allow for easier pushing and pulling under water to a scoped rim for removing small objects from the pool floor.

The Mako net is not a cheap net, it is a commercial grade net for sale around the $40 range.

What is included: 

The net comes with an extra clip, set of instructions and an ID tag. There was no assembly required.

How it compares to similar nets:

For our own pool routes the Piranha pool nets (made by the Smart Company) are used. I will use those for comparison.

Piranha nets were chosen because the rim design helps when skimming pool floors and the high durability of the net rim. It is a good comparable net since both are commercial grade  and cost the same.

The handles of the Mako nets are plastic and feel flimsy compared to the metal Piranha nets, however the plastic handles never broke or cracked during the net’s lifetime of use.

The Mako does have a lip on the handle that the end of the pole will insert in to. This helps to support the pole giving a more single piece feel.

The bag mesh size is about the same for both nets,  therefore pulling and pushing each underwater takes about the same amount of effort. The durability of the bags is also similar between the two.

Both nets have a scooped rim for removing debris from the bottom of the pool; this is an essential feature for any net. The quality of the scoop is about the same for both nets allowing for small objects to be removed from the pool floors.

How the net performs:

I had a Mako net that I used as my main skimming net for the daily pool routes. The net ended up lasting about 6 months of heavy use (around 40 pools each week). While the Mako net visually looks different from the much more commonly found Piranha it didn’t perform any better or worse in normal use.

Comparing the new and the old nets:

The bag did eventually rip around the upper side section that led to the net’s eventual retirement.

At the rear of the net is a hook to hold the back side closer to the frame.  This broke after a month but did not affect the net skimming ability.

The skimmer rim did not break into parts (which is common for an ageing Piranha net) but the bottom section that scraps the sides and floors did wear down.

This is common for all nets. It would be nice if this section could use a thicker plastic extending the life of the net.

The net was made so that changing the bag and or rim would be easier than most (by not requiring tools with a system of removable parts); however there were times in normal use when the quick release handle would twist off unexpectedly. The hard part of changing a bag is replacing the rim; holding the bag in place is a distant second. While the Mako nets help with holding the net in place it does nothing to help replacing the rim.

Overall

The Mako by Oreq net worked well, it had no major problems and only a few minor inconveniences. It does the job as well as other similarly priced nets. If you already have a favorite commercial grade net there is no reason to change but if you are looking to upgrade the Mako net will not be a disappointment.
8/10