HP: Mattress VS. Combo VS. 360

[InternationalTan]

Looking to get some tips on HP pros and cons. What is the advantage or pros of a mattress unit? Why are they more appealing than say a combo unit or a 360?

[unity]

Pros? Cheaper up front cost. I think thats about it. Most people dont like the idea of flipping. Of course once they do HP for the first time they dont seem to care anymore. At least that is what I am seeing thus far. I have a mattress.

[sparky]

Most comfortable tanning session with soft mattress

non perspiring with good fans and proper ventilation

no white spots. i.e. pressure points from hard acrylics

[InternationalTan]

unity, you have a mattress, do people use it? i agree with sparky i think its comfortable....

[unity]

Oh ya, I think its great to lay in. I just got it running so I have been putting people in for free to test drive. The results are amazing to those that try it. Its an older unit.

[InternationalTan]

unity what unit do you have? is it a pain to clean/deal with the mattress and what do you have to prepare for each client?

[cfindley]

I have both, Matrix L22 (mattress) and the new Matrix L28
Both have their selling/fault points.
The mattress has massage....I cant tell you how many that sells, but ITS HOT!
The 360 is cooler and you dont have to flip, BUT we still recomend it because of pressure points (takes away from the 360 sales pitch)
from an owners point of view.....
the mattress we have big beach towels (more comfortable) which means MORE laundry
the 306 is a cleaning MONGER! every smudge shows and i dont care what you say YOU are the only one that will clean it to spotless (i am constantly on my staff about smudge prints)
in my opinion offer both if you have the room!

[Din]

Mattress only...they'll like it. ...but...

As soon as you bring in a 360 HP, more than 80% of your clients will switch to the 360 because it's faster and they don't want to lay for 20-24 minutes.

360 will do twice as many clients in a day over a mattress, as it's half the session time. AND at the same price per session....which means it will make you double the money in a day vs. a mattress.

So smart decision would be to bring a 360 HP.

Combo is good if you have lower end beds, Combo is not a HUGE jump over a VHR but can still make you good money at around $25/session. If you already have big VHR like a sungate or Sclass or ibed or something of that nature, go straight to HP.

If you have lower end beds like ETS or something more average and your high bed right now (standup not included) is something like a 38-42lamp VHR bed 160W with a12-15min session time, a Combo is a good addition. Then in a couple years, to add excitement again and keep your salon updated and fresh...you can add HP then.

Remember, clients like something new...don't want them to get bored with the same old beds...so it's good to add something or change something out every couple years. if you leave it too long, you'll end up changing entire bed lineup which will cost you a lot more, one shot.

[aeltiger]

Well I have ETS beds, but my bigger ones are 55 lamp (200w). So...for me, I think it would be much better to go 360. Already as it is, we charge about $18 for our biggest bed. I would have to charge at least $30 but preferably $35 for HP.

[dbl-a]

Good luck with the $18 - $35 jump. Save and get a 360 that's better than any of your comps. You could get a mattress and make $ and then swap it for a 360. I agree with Din and would not have both.

[dbl-a]

What ETS bed has 55 200w lamps?

[InternationalTan]

No one in my direct competition has HP combo, mattress or 360.

I have 2 Klafsun pro 3000 100w
4 Klafsun Centauri 160w
1 Sun Capsule Cyclone 200w
1 Dr Mueller sun Storm

I currently charge $20 for a single session walk in the Sun Storm with no problem. I am thinking the HP mattress will be good (power situation)

[northtanman]

well, heres a twist...i started with an omega (mattress) it was getting used non stop so i added another! then i added a 360 HP (sunboard plus) all the while i also had a ergo 650 combination unit. still to this date, the omega's get used more in a months time than the ergo or sunboard plus...although each get used enough. something about those mattress HP units...once they get used to them, they don't look back. buying a mattress is less expensive than a 360 and terrific to test the waters...then add a 360. one should be careful and totally learn all about true HP versus reddening induced Hp...blue glass versus mirror'd glass and so on.
its easiest to sell true HP, non burning...as it reaches out to all your clientele. mattress has many benefits especially no spots on your back and the ability to cheat the session...one does'nt "have" to turn over exactly half way thru thus getting more exposure on their front side (like laying out in the sun) does anyone lay the same amount of time? back and front? i love having all....matress's...360 and combi....my ergo 650 reaches to those whom want instant gratification! instant vacation color! more of a reddening (not burning) induced color...as compared to the more gentle feel of true HP...and brown, not reddening induced color that true HP gives.

[InternationalTan]

I am thinking the HP mattress will be good (power situation/price point etc)

I just want to be educated on the HP issue which is why I started this thread

[northtanman]

learn all you can ahead of time on HP...400w 1000w 2000w traditional...parabolic....etc...different glass's (blue/mirror'd) difference in uva from trad lamps versus HP...benefits on ones skin...how it tans ones skin...how it lasts longer and why....once you realize all the benefits to HP you will never tan in traditonal beds! and hence, once your clients learn all the benefits...they will only tan in HP as well!! so important to get educated. i think typically HP fails in a salon only when the owner/employee's are not totally educated on all the benefits. (and different types of HP)

[Din]

Originally Posted by InternationalTan

I am thinking the HP mattress will be good (power situation/price point etc)

I just want to be educated on the HP issue which is why I started this thread

Well if it's power consumption you are worried about...here are some numbers for you to think about.

Sunsport Platinum Mattress - 3 columns only (so you can save on power consumption) total output 18,000W 55A

Matrix L33ER - 360 HP - 6 Columns , 1/2 the session time, no flipping...more customers per day at same price, total output 17,400W 32A

So the matrix draws less power to run!!!

[InternationalTan]

^^ point taken, but what about breaker size. I also need single phase, no three phase here.

[Din]

i already posted the amps/phase in the post above, next to total power. Based on what it says on the website. You'll have to double check it with the electrical pro's on here. I might have read the Matrix one wrong.

Sunsport Platinum says 55A/phase (208V) or 50A/phase (240V)

Don't have Matrix specs.....i'm sure John knows. Probably around the same at 50A-55A.


The point is, that the small difference in Wattage between the two...means that they are pretty much the same to run. There are HP beds from different manufacturers. Not all of them have the same output as the Magic...that's huge power consumption. So don't think you are limited based on power of the Magic.

[InternationalTan]

The N'Joy Mattress Brian says runs on a 52 amp phase current, so 60amp breaker, single phase.

Are those 3 phase numbers or single phase? if a 50amp 3 phase is converted to single phase we are looking at 90amps=cant do that......

[kookyguy]

Get one of these with the DEC Matrix Compact L28 ER