Does anyone have a recommendation on whether a salt or no salt water softener is the best approach to a new system for a home?

I have the same question. My dad just told me about the no-salt water softeners. I don't see how this can actually work well. Common sense tells me that if these things actually worked, everyone would have them... kind of like those magnetic bracelets.

Here's a link HardnessMaster Electronic Water Conditioner/Softener (http://www.equinox-products.com/HardnessMaster.htm)

I believe it's a gimmick. The add they show only shows positive feedback, and every one of the feedbacks sounds a little corny(more like a sales pitch than actuall truth of function.). Add seems to use a lot of big words to confuse potential buyers. Only way that I know of to soften water is by salt. There is no such thing as instant soft water. There is a process that must take place. Don't take my word for it, maybe try finding someone that has actually purchased this and see what they have to say. Or you could spend the money and give it a try for yourself. Please let me know if it works(im very skeptical, very very skeptical,, did I say I was skeptical?) If indeed you can find anybody that has actually had luck with this, our you have luck with it yourself, please let me know, but I need hard proof.

PS, I'm a plumber, and I can almost guarantee that this is a hoax. Ive got some buddys that work in water treatment, and a couple that work for culligan(installing softeners and such). Ill run this by them and see how hard they laugh when I ask them if they work.

Final thought... don't waste your money, please, you will just be pissed in the end.

I am definitely up to learning about these if there is any truth to it at all. Anyone out there that has hard facts and hands on usage, please let me know if I am out of line.

I'm not familiar with the system you are referring to.

I have an older version of this system in my house:

Culligan - better water. pure and simple. (http://www.culligan.com/en/products/water-softeners/total-home/)

I had it installed 9 years ago. It works great; we have very hard water from our well and this system is both a softener and a filter. The only bummer is carrying bags of salt (available at the box stores) down the basement stairs. Other than that and having a service call every so often to test the water and verify that the system is functioning correctly, no issues at all.

I have the same question. My dad just told me about the no-salt water softeners. I don't see how this can actually work well. Common sense tells me that if these things actually worked, everyone would have them...kind of like those magnetic bracelets.

Here's a link HardnessMaster Electronic Water Conditioner/Softener (http://www.equinox-products.com/HardnessMaster.htm)

I saw a segment on news about this product. I think they called it "...scam...."