Smart Toilets - reliability / advice / etc

[MikeFromLFE]

We are going to have our bathroom remodelled - mainly because of Mrs M's increasing lack of mobility. The main part of the project is replacing the bath with a walk-in shower. She's seriously looking at having a 'Smart Toilet' fitted (think Japanese) - something like this : https://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/metro-smart-toilet-with-bidet-wash-function-heated-seat-dryer , although much more expensive options are available. Again, this is linked to her decreased mobility / flexibility 

I'm wondering if any of the gallery will admit to having such a device, and whether they consider it was a worthwhile fitment, and perhaps more importantly, what the reliability has been like? Were there any installation issues I should be aware of? All thoughts welcomed.

I've started ringing round bathroom fitters, but there seems to be a problem getting anyone to actually look at the project.

[Kim]

No experience, but it's the sort of thing barakta would benefit from and in the unlikely event that we can ever afford a house it's something that warrants serious consideration.

It's easy to take being able to reach your own arse for granted...

[rafletcher]

The Rolls Royce maker is probably Toto. As to reliability,  every Japanese hotel room has such a toilet so they’re pretty good.

[orienteer]

Have one, basically it's all in the toilet seat unit so fits onto a standard bowl. https://www.washloo.co.uk/

Though an English supplier, it's origin is plain from the Japlish instructions.

Having used the loos in Japan, I had one fitted when we rejigged our bathroom a couple of years ago. So much more effective and hygienic, don't like using standard loos any more!

Ours has a remote control, though I have memorised which button is which on the side of the seat now, and have so far avoided accidental use of the female front wash 

[Flite]

I have no experiece of smart toilets.
But when we had our bathroom re-fitted some years ago, we put in  a wall attached loo a couple of inches higher than standard.
It makes a ridiculous amount of difference in the strain on my knees.
I presume the spec for a standard loo has not changed as people have got taller.

[ian]

I really, really wanted one – inspired by many travels in Japan – but I was vetoed by my wife who seems to be the obscure view that having electronic devices near her nethers may result in some kind of mechanical molestation. I blame hentai.

I think some men would pay good money to enjoy a female front wash.

[aidan.f]

Ian, Similar reaction from my  SO, when after reading this I suggest it as part of our upcoming bathroom refurb. No need to use it!  I'm keen as will need bilateral basal thumb joint fusion in a year or few, would be a real bonus during recovery.

[L CC]

Back in 1992, '96 & '98 I very much appreciated an old school unintelligent version of these at Insch Memorial Hospital's maternity unit. The 1994 requirement occurred at Hillcrest Maternity Unit in Alnwick and had no such facilities. I missed it. You could barely reach the sink from the seat so I couldn't even take a jug in.

[MikeFromLFE]

I have no experiece of smart toilets.
But when we had our bathroom re-fitted some years ago, we put in  a wall attached loo a couple of inches higher than standard.
It makes a ridiculous amount of difference in the strain on my knees.
I presume the spec for a standard loo has not changed as people have got taller.

Odd isn't it!
We've got those disabled toilet frame things fitted over both our loos, and it's surprising the number of visitors who say how much easier the added height makes things. The rigid arms also help, but there's a plan for grab rails in our refit.

[rafletcher]

I have no experiece of smart toilets.
But when we had our bathroom re-fitted some years ago, we put in  a wall attached loo a couple of inches higher than standard.
It makes a ridiculous amount of difference in the strain on my knees.
I presume the spec for a standard loo has not changed as people have got taller.

Low seating (knees above hips) generally helps in voiding for the able bodied.

[phantasmagoriana]

I have no experiece of smart toilets.
But when we had our bathroom re-fitted some years ago, we put in  a wall attached loo a couple of inches higher than standard.
It makes a ridiculous amount of difference in the strain on my knees.
I presume the spec for a standard loo has not changed as people have got taller.

Our en-suite loo is like this. For reasons I don't understand, it's on a sort of plinth (skirting board height, so about 9-10cm). Other bathroom has a perfectly normal height one, which I prefer - though I'm not particularly tall.

[ian]

I have no experiece of smart toilets.
But when we had our bathroom re-fitted some years ago, we put in  a wall attached loo a couple of inches higher than standard.
It makes a ridiculous amount of difference in the strain on my knees.
I presume the spec for a standard loo has not changed as people have got taller.

Low seating (knees above hips) generally helps in voiding for the able bodied.

Probably time for another outing for the Squatty Potty.

[hellymedic]

Parents' flat was kitted out by landlord who is a French surgeon. As a result the toilet is about two inches LOWER than standard loo, causing me huge trouble getting up.

I DON'T void well on this, maybe due to anxiety about getting out of the seat.

Loo at David's Dad is about two inches higher than a standard seat. I don't void well there either as my heels aren't really on the floor.

When I was a student, ISTR many of the 'Men's' bogs had their seats a couple  of inches higher than the 'women's', which makes sense...

I like my seats at standard height and am fussy...

[BrianI]

I have no experiece of smart toilets.
But when we had our bathroom re-fitted some years ago, we put in  a wall attached loo a couple of inches higher than standard.
It makes a ridiculous amount of difference in the strain on my knees.
I presume the spec for a standard loo has not changed as people have got taller.

That's what I did when I got the bathroom done a few years ago, I went for a "comfort height" toilet rather than a normal height one

[MikeFromLFE]

This is turning into a supply nightmare.
Supplies of seats that fit available toilets are limited both ways - the seats that are listed on websites are not always available (in stock? = Liars) and there are only limited sizes of pans available from stock, which limits the choice of seat. If they're not in stock, the suppliers won't commit to actually being able to get the items, at all.
And, the company that are doing the refit (who have the patience of saints) will only deal with certain brands.
I'm currently looking at a 'merican brand, made in Korea, supplied by a German company with a UK website & phone number (who say they pay VAT in Germany, so can't offer the disability VAT discount. Hmmmm)

Every company I've spoken to (although they won't put in an email) has said the problems come down to a certain project that begins with B, contains an x, and ends in t.

[MikeFromLFE]

Update
Our bathroom is now finished.
Instead of the week we - and the fitter - were expecting, it took a fortnight due to unexpected issues with the old tiles and the wall & floor underneath.

The smart toilet.
Is flippin' merveilleuse!
It's a touch complicated to set up if you want a personalised wash, but the Auto function seems to be adequate and I'd guess would suit most rear ends.
The water and seat temperatures go from 'sensible' up to 'that's a bit uncomfortable'. The air dryer isn't as warm, and I'm not sure yet how effective it is.
The night light is surprisingly useful for nocturnal perambulations.

My only criticism at the moment is that the seat design doesn't seem particularly comfortable - that is probably a function of choosing a higher than normal pan. (So called 'Comfort Height').

It was the first one that the fitter had come across. He was sceptical about the fittings because they were all sizes and types he'd never come across, but he followed the badly translated manual without a hitch.
The power is from an ancient circuit that originally supplied an immersion heater many moons ago.

Oh, and that shower..... I'll be having regular luxuriating sessions in that shower. Oh yes!

[MikeFromLFE]

For the record the model is a Maro d'Italia bought from Tooaleta in Germany (who seem to be the manufacturer as well).

[rogerzilla]

I really, really wanted one – inspired by many travels in Japan – but I was vetoed by my wife who seems to be the obscure view that having electronic devices near her nethers may result in some kind of mechanical molestation. I blame hentai.

There's probably a tentacle model available from specialist suppliers.

[Wowbagger]

A relative had/has one of these, both at home and in her previous place of work, on account of complications resulting from a 4th degree tear whilst giving birth. It has been very useful.