What's New In Store at Rode Pools: Smart Pool Tech, Robotic Cleaners & Inverter Heating for 2026

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Pool technology has moved fast over the past two years, and the gap between a pool you maintain and a pool that largely maintains itself has never been wider.

New product ranges have arrived in store at Rode Pools this season: the Kokido Vektro Orkka cordless leaf vacuum, AstralPool's Halo Connect automation platform, the Spa Electrics iRIS Wi-Fi lighting controller, the Maytronics Dolphin S-Line robotic cleaners, and Australian Energy Systems' TDI Ultra and EFI Ultra full inverter heat pumps.

We've been servicing Brisbane pools since 1981, so below is a straight assessment of what each one does, who it actually suits, and where the limitations sit.

Product Best for Key spec
Kokido Vektro Orkka (EV380) Cordless leaf vacuum Fast leaf and debris pickup without hoses Cordless, up to 120 min runtime, 7 L debris capacity
AstralPool Halo Connect Pool automation system Whole-of-pool automation from one app Links chlorinator, pump, heater, lights and extras
Spa Electrics iRIS Wi-Fi (RM-WF) Lighting controller Smartphone control of existing pool lights 2 channels, up to 10 A per channel, retrofits to MULTIPLUS
Dolphin S-Line (S1000 / S2000 / S3000) Robotic pool cleaners Hands-off daily cleaning Pools up to 10 m / 12 m / 15 m respectively
AES TDI Ultra & EFI Ultra Full inverter heat pumps Extending the swim season Full inverter, Mitsubishi compressor, top or side discharge

Not sure which fits your pool? Bring a water sample into any Rode Pools store — free testing, and we'll size the right equipment while you wait.

Not sure which fits your pool? Bring a water sample into any Rode Pools store for free testing, and we'll size the right equipment while you wait.

Kokido Vektro Orkka: cordless leaf vacuuming that actually keeps up

Battery leaf vacs have historically been a compromise — fine for a light skim, useless after a windy week. The Vektro Orkka EV380 is built to a different standard, and it's the model our own service technicians reach for.

It runs on Kokido's patented PWRBLADEâ„¢ suction system driven by a brushless motor, with no hose, no pump connection and no air-leak troubleshooting. You submerge it, the water sensor activates it, and you vacuum.

Specifications

  • Runtime: up to 120 minutes on a full charge

  • Batteries: two exchangeable lithium-ion packs included, so you swap rather than wait

  • Charging: approximately 3 hours quick-charge, with an LED charge-cycle indicator

  • Debris capacity: 7 litres

  • Filtration: standard 250-micron bag plus a fine 150-micron bag

  • Build: moulded heavy-duty housing, waterproof magnetic switch, stainless-steel caster wheels and hardware

  • Suits: in-ground and above-ground pools

Who it's for: anyone with overhanging trees, plus commercial operators and pool service techs. Two batteries and a 7 L bag mean you can clear a heavily leaf-loaded pool in one pass instead of three.

Worth knowing: clear oversized objects from the floor before you start. Large debris is the main cause of impeller blockage, and the unit will shut down to protect the motor if it clogs.

2. AstralPool Halo Connect: one app for the whole equipment pad

Halo Connect is the most significant shift in residential pool automation we've stocked in years. Rather than a single smart chlorinator, it's a modular system — you start with the piece you need and expand over time.

How the system fits together

  • Halo Chlor — the hub of the system. An advanced salt-water chlorinator with a large touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi/Ethernet connectivity via the Halo ChlorGo app. Available in 18 g, 25 g, 35 g and 45 g outputs to suit pools from roughly 40,000 L up to 170,000 L.

  • Halo Doser — adds pH and ORP (chlorine) sensors for continuous monitoring and automated dosing.

  • Halo Hub — the expansion module. Required for valve actuators and for controlling non-AstralPool gas or inverter heaters.

  • Halo Xpand — a plug-in module for an additional pump, spa blower, or configured as a solar controller.

  • Halo Lite 2 / Lite 4 — 2- or 4-channel lighting control, which can run standalone or as part of the system.

Ai Mode is the standout feature. With a compatible variable-speed pump and a Halo Doser fitted, the system adapts filtration speed to the pool's actual sanitation demand rather than running a fixed timer — which is where the running-cost savings come from.

Compatibility notes: Halo Chlor can control AstralPool-branded heaters and AstralPool or Zodiac variable-speed pumps natively, plus AstralPool SLX and FLX lights. Broader brand support — including Zodiac Lumipower and Spa Electrics multicolour systems — comes through the Hub and Lite modules. Connectivity between Halo devices is via Bluetooth, and most modules simply plug into a power point.

Retrofitting an existing pool? In most cases you replace your current chlorinator and confirm your pump, heater and lights are compatible. Ask our team to check your equipment list before you commit — some pads are already Halo-ready.

3. Spa Electrics iRIS Wi-Fi: smart lighting without rewiring

If your pool lights still live on a wall switch, the iRIS Wi-Fi (RM-WF) receiver is the cheapest meaningful upgrade available. It is a dedicated lighting controller — it doesn't manage heating or pumps — but within that scope it's excellent.

What it does

  • Colour, brightness and colour-show speed control from an iOS or Android smartphone

  • Fully customisable schedules for set-and-forget operation

  • Two independent channels, so pool and spa lights can run separately or in sync

  • Up to 10 A per channel, with daisy-chained transformers — so you aren't capped at a fixed number of fittings

  • Over-the-air firmware updates, so the unit keeps improving without hardware replacement

  • Optional pairing with the iRIS RM-3H handset if a physical remote is also wanted

Installation: genuinely plug-and-play. Your existing Spa Electrics transformer plugs into the base of the receiver — no new cabling and no transformer replacement.

The important limitation: iRIS Wi-Fi works with Spa Electrics MULTIPLUS LEDs only. The MULTIPLUS has nine inbuilt operating modes, and it needs to be switched into iRIS Controller mode during setup. If your fittings are a different brand, talk to us about the Halo Lite modules instead.

Why Wi-Fi over Bluetooth: Bluetooth controllers only work within range of the equipment area. Wi-Fi means you can run lighting from anywhere — which matters for holiday homes, short-stay rentals and anyone who wants the pool lit before they get home. Spa Electrics also recommends running LED pool lights at least 15 minutes per week for longevity; with iRIS scheduling, that happens automatically.

4. Maytronics Dolphin S-Line: S1000, S2000 and S3000

Rode Pools has supported Maytronics since 2011, when robotic cleaners first entered the Australian residential market. We were awarded Maytronics QLD Dealer of the Year in 2020 and National Dealer of the Year in 2022 — so when a new range lands, we know it properly.

The S-Line is the current corded range, replacing the long-running S-series. The S2000 directly supersedes the S200, one of Maytronics' best-selling robots since 2015.

Dolphin S-Line Range Comparison

All three models clean floors, walls, waterline, steps and sun ledges with jet-powered step cleaning. Pool length and level of automation are the deciding factors.

Specifications supplied by Maytronics Australia and current at time of publication. Coverage on steps and ledges varies with pool shape and depth.
Feature Dolphin S1000Entry level Most popular Dolphin S2000Best all-rounder Dolphin S3000Large pools
Max pool length 10 m 12 m 15 m
Cleaning coverage Floor, walls, waterline, steps, sun ledges Floor, walls, waterline, steps, sun ledges Floor, walls, waterline, steps, sun ledges
App control ✗ Not available ✓ MyDolphin™ Plus ✓ MyDolphin™ Plus
Filtration Top-access fine filter basket Interchangeable fine + ultra-fine Interchangeable fine + ultra-fine
Navigation Maze navigation Maze navigation, PowerStream™ mobility Advanced navigation
Cable Standard Tangle-free swivel Tangle-free swivel
Weekly scheduler ✗ No ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Warranty 2 years 2 years 2 years

Unsure which model suits your pool? Talk to our team — we can test a Dolphin in your own pool before you buy.

Shared across the range: jet-powered step cleaning, which uses directed jets to lift debris off steps and ledges rather than relying on brushing alone. All S-Line models can clean shallow sun ledges — the S1000 is rated to sun ledges from approximately 30 cm of water depth.

Choosing between them

  • S1000 — the entry point. Full-coverage cleaning at an accessible price for smaller residential pools. No app, which suits owners who'd rather press a button than open a phone.

  • S2000 — the sweet spot for most Brisbane pools. App control, weekly scheduling, manual drive for spot-cleaning problem areas, and interchangeable fine/ultra-fine filters you can swap seasonally. The ultra-fine cartridge is the one you want after a dust storm or during a pollen run.

  • S3000 — for larger pools up to 15 m and heavier debris loads, with the most automation in the family.

On running costs: Dolphin robots are among the most energy-efficient cleaners available, and the range holds Climate Care Certification under the SPASA Australia program — the first robotic cleaners to do so. Unlike suction or pressure cleaners, they don't rely on your filtration pump doing the work, which is where the electricity saving comes from.

5. Australian Energy Systems TDI Ultra & EFI Ultra: full inverter heating

Established in Brisbane in 1998, AES has more than 25 years in Australian pool heating — a local pedigree that matters when you need parts and service. Both flagship heat pumps are full inverter units running a Mitsubishi stepless inverter compressor with soft start.

Full inverter vs the alternatives: where an on/off heat pump runs flat out then stops, a full inverter varies compressor and fan speed continuously to hold the target temperature. AES rates its full inverter units as approximately 25% more efficient than standard inverter heat pumps and 50% more efficient than on/off models.

TDI Ultra — top (vertical) discharge

The TDI Ultra exhausts vertically and draws air across a 270° intake, pulling from three sides of the unit. That's the practical answer for tight equipment areas: reduced clearance requirements, more positioning flexibility, and no efficiency penalty for a narrow install. Finished in black powder-coated aluminium and steel.

EFI Ultra — side discharge

The EFI Ultra is the side-discharge sibling, developed in 2021. It runs at a whisper-quiet 44 dB, does both heating and cooling (useful in a Brisbane February), and ships ready to integrate with third-party controllers out of the box — including Halo Connect via a Halo Hub. Plug-in models are available at 9.5 kW (10 amp) and 11.5 kW (15 amp).

Which one? Discharge direction is usually the deciding factor. TDI for constrained spaces where air has to come from three sides; EFI where you have side clearance and want the quietest possible unit plus a cooling function. Sizing depends on pool volume, whether you run a cover, and how long a swim season you want — get it sized properly rather than guessing, because an undersized heat pump costs more to run, not less.

Pair it with a cover. A quality thermal cover reduces evaporation dramatically and cuts chemical loss, which shortens heat-up times and lowers running costs. AES supplies a full cover and roller range alongside the heat pumps.

Frequently asked questions

  • Yes — with AstralPool Halo Connect. Halo Chlor controls AstralPool heaters, pumps and lights natively, and a Halo Hub extends control to non-AstralPool gas and inverter heaters. Note that Spa Electrics iRIS Wi-Fi is a lighting-only controller and doesn't manage heating.

  • Only with Spa Electrics MULTIPLUS LED lights. It retrofits to existing MULTIPLUS installations without new cabling or a new transformer, but it isn't compatible with other brands.

  • The S2000 suits pools up to 12 m (versus 10 m), adds MyDolphinâ„¢ Plus app control and weekly scheduling, uses interchangeable fine and ultra-fine filters instead of a single filter basket, and has a tangle-free swivel cable.

  • Often, yes. Robotic cleaners handle routine dirt and fine debris on a schedule. A cordless leaf vac like the Vektro Orkka is for the heavy one-off clear-out after storms, high winds or autumn leaf fall — the volume that would fill a robot's filter in minutes.

  • Solar has the lowest running cost but depends on sunshine and available roof area. A full inverter heat pump gives you a guaranteed temperature on demand, year-round. Many Brisbane pools run both — solar as the primary, heat pump to extend the shoulder seasons.

  • Two years across the S1000, S2000 and S3000, backed by Maytronics Australia.

Come and see them

All five ranges are available through Rode Pool Services, family-owned in Brisbane since 1981, with over 40 years of pool experience across three stores:

  • Windsor (Head Office) — 11/104 Newmarket Rd, Windsor QLD 4030 — 1300 007 665

  • The Gap — 856 Waterworks Rd, The Gap QLD 4061 — (07) 3300 2500

  • Stafford Heights — Cnr Rode Rd & Appleby Rd, Stafford Heights QLD 4053 — (07) 3359 3580

Free water testing in-store, and honest advice on what your pool actually needs. If you'd like a robotic cleaner tested in your own pool before you buy, ask us — we do that.