Good point. Reading the reviews, seems like newer models have increased in quality, and their support system is awesome.

I just finished a remodel and converted the tub/shower combination to a larger walk in shower and I am extremely happy with that choice.

My new shower has a regular shower head and two hand held showers as I wanted one by the bench which I installed at one end of the shower.

My system has a three way diverter and a thermostatic control which is much nicer than a pressure balance system.

I personally would not want to be tied into the system you posted especially since it is from a brand that I haven't heard of. The system you posted seems gimmicky.

I was also somewhat "shocked" when I realized how expensive it was for all the necessary parts for the new shower between all the rough plumbing parts and the actual "trim" (e.g. the faucets and valves you see). I wouldn't want to go with anything lower quality and less expensive than a system by Delta or Moen. Delta is guaranteed for life and if you need replacement for anything in the future, you can be sure that you will be able to easily get a replacement. In the end, within reason, you get what you pay for and there is a reason why a Delta is more expensive for all the components than what you posted. Delta and Moen offer the best quality for their price point. In terms of my choices, I actually went with Phylrich with a Speakman shower head.

I would never recommend any of the import panel systems. You need a good quality thermostatic or pressure balancing valves inside your walls, plus the appropriate good quality transfer switches. They need to all come from an American manufacturers noted for quality. Moen, Delta’, Kohler, etc. They will have appropriate warranty support, but you won’t need it.

Companies thst have poor warranty support and you need to use the warranty both will end up costing you much more money long term. Buy it well once instead of poorly once and then well. You‘ve lost the opportunitty to get a qualiy installation from the start if you dont start out with it behind the walls. Redoing the whole shower isn't what most people want to do just 3 years after they just finished it. http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/sources.faucets2.htm#vigo_namelink

I found this post when searching for advice on shower systems Our plumber recommended Delta because of their universal rough In. We like the Delta Vero rain head and hand held but when we read the reviews they weren’t great and A LOT of people said the rain head leaks.

Helen, I’m wondering what system you got and your opinion on how it is working for you. I have very thick curly hair....how is the pressure on your rainhead? Any opinions or advice is appreciated.

@eliseharrison - I don't have a rainhead. I have two hand held shower heads (one at each end) and a fixed shower head.

My fixtures are Phylrich but the fixed shower head is a Speakman. Speakman shower heads are really excellent.

I am in California which has very restrictive water flow rules and I don't have any issues with rinsing out my extremely long thick hair so they perform well in terms of functionality. However, I don't have an expectation that my shower is providing me with a jet blast of water pressure :-).

Any output fixture will “leak” the residual water in the line when the valve is turned off.

I can’t imagine that. My cheap $25 on has never leaked in 2-3 years!

elise- She's talking about the few drops that dribble out of the pipe after the water is turned off...a common result of gravity and fluid mechanics.

Is Speakman just the name of the showerhead? What system is best for a showerhead and hand-held system?