iRobot Scooba experience

[The Tomorrow Cat]

It was posted at Roomba review....


Samsung Navibot S, a self-emptying bot!

If its navigation really works, this will be the ultimate robotic cleaner with the ability to empty its own bin and cleans the brush on its own. Perfect for the lazy bum!

anyone knows how well does this product compare to the others ???

 

[bakasa2002]

Why must u put salt on wound, I already said damage will take long time to heal.
U want the truth, u can't HANDLE the truth!

A new full set is ~$3300 before GST.
My 1st demo set was $1800 nett. They allowed $800 trade-in.

I opted for semi-trade-in whereby I retained the previous version Power Nozzle which has a motorized beater brush to whack the day lights out of bed mites before gathering them at the big splash.

So I paid $2500 nett this time for latest model new unit, excluding new version Power Nozzle.

This time I received a few accessories which my previous demo set didn't have:
a) Rain Jet = a trigger water spray with a high quality sponge & squeegy on reverse side, so u spray water, rub floor with sponge, flip over & scrape/vacuum the water.
It's very clean, but tedious cos u need to scrape towards urself, so it feels like farmer plowing the soil
b) A wide hard bristle scrubber & squeegy on reverse side = u scrub tough surfaces, eg. Car porch, then flip & squeegy the wetness

The new model also boasts 1) True HEPA??? (previous was just HEPA), 2) 30% more suction without increasing power consumption, attributed by brushless motor. Imagine a Maglev train being able to travel faster by virtue of reduced friction, 3) Lighter weight - should be marginally so cos it's still frickin heavy

Yah, Rainbow is a hardy machine, main body is ABS = body armor, car bumper material. Vacuum hose is very tough yet flexible. Motor is probably very high quality patented design (can read more from Rainbow website).

Rainbow ~$3500 vs Dyson ~$800
- Rainbow uses water, u can discard in toilet bowl, suction will NEVER drop since there's no filter to clog
- Dyson is cyclonic, so dirt is tossed into a container by centrifugal force, claims that suction will never drop
- Both have HEPA final stage
- Rainbow has plenty of accessories for different applications, in particular all those related to sucking water
- Dyson is for dry use only

Hahaha ... That's really ironic, a established autovac seller paying 5x more than the bot that he is selling for a manual vac. I guess, it must really be good for you to fork out the premium for the Rainbow. Btw, wanted to chk how long the warranty will be ah?

 

[bakasa2002]

anyone knows how well does this product compare to the others ???

Impressive if it works well. Any early adopters here wanna give it a try and post a review here.

 

[uno_bliss]

Hahaha ... That's really ironic, a established autovac seller paying 5x more than the bot that he is selling for a manual vac. I guess, it must really be good for you to fork out the premium for the Rainbow. Btw, wanted to chk how long the warranty will be ah?

My post already stated 8 yrs warranty for motor failure.

I also said I don't use Rainbow to vacuum floor. I use only for anything above floor, like mattress, furniture, inside my PC, inside my aircon (recently I tried foam spray on cooling fins, then suck the foam out), inside my iRobot, outside for grass & stagnant rain water, and I didn't mention another abusive use in my last post.

2011 CNY, I used Black & Decker motorised handheld scrubber to scrub algae off my garden wall, then use spray bottle to water down the green mess while thirsty Rainbow is below waiting to slurp up the Wheat Grass juice... with Gusto!

There were times I was tempted to use Rainbow to suck aquarium water while I change water, but the water container got limit & aquarium water is disgusting. So I just use siphon, but slow lor.

I think I ever used Rainbow to suck icy water while I de-cake frosting in my Bar Fridge. I use mini blow torch to cut thru the ice, then I dump blocks of ice into my aquarium, let the terrapin & guppies experience North Pole. Sadist or Sad Case, u decide.

 

[bakasa2002]

My post already stated 8 yrs warranty for motor failure.

I also said I don't use Rainbow to vacuum floor. I use only for anything above floor, like mattress, furniture, inside my PC, inside my aircon (recently I tried foam spray on cooling fins, then suck the foam out), inside my iRobot, outside for grass & stagnant rain water, and I didn't mention another abusive use in my last post.

2011 CNY, I used Black & Decker motorised handheld scrubber to scrub algae off my garden wall, then use spray bottle to water down the green mess while thirsty Rainbow is below waiting to slurp up the Wheat Grass juice... with Gusto!

There were times I was tempted to use Rainbow to suck aquarium water while I change water, but the water container got limit & aquarium water is disgusting. So I just use siphon, but slow lor.

I think I ever used Rainbow to suck icy water while I de-cake frosting in my Bar Fridge. I use mini blow torch to cut thru the ice, then I dump blocks of ice into my aquarium, let the terrapin & guppies experience North Pole. Sadist or Sad Case, u decide.

Your really sound like Handy Manny.

 

[aklryan]

iRobot pet series compare to 550/560

Hi,

I like to check what is the different between the pet series (eg 532/552/610 professional series) as compare to the 550/560.

I read the spec has the two interchangeable cleaning bins.
So what exactly is good to have 2 bins (High Capacity Sweeper Bin and Vacuuming Debris Bin) when compare to those only have 1 bin (whether is standard bin or Aerovac bin). If the high capacity bin can hold more debries, isn't it better then Aerovac bin or on par?

 

[Vachel Chan]

Hi,

I like to check what is the different between the pet series (eg 532/552/610 professional series) as compare to the 550/560.

I read the spec has the two interchangeable cleaning bins.
So what exactly is good to have 2 bins (High Capacity Sweeper Bin and Vacuuming Debris Bin) when compare to those only have 1 bin (whether is standard bin or Aerovac bin). If the high capacity bin can hold more debries, isn't it better then Aerovac bin or on par?

Some Pet series Models do come with 2 bins, some only the aerovac Bin but with extra acc. (e.g brushes)
The 550 would come with only the aerovac bin. The 560 only the normal bin.
All the Roomba 500 and 600 series bins are inter-changeable. (same size) (upgrade of bins easy and convenient)

-The High capacity Sweeper Bin is basically only a container with no vacuuming power, It relies solely on the revolving bristle brush and beater to "sweep"the dirt and Hair in. As it is a empty case, with no vacuum fan or filter, it is able to store more, thus high capacity. Some Pet model comes with this bin because if there is excessive pet fur, the normal bin would be completely full before it even finishes its cleaning cycle.
- The normal bin is a "partial" vacuum bin with the top half a sweeper bin and the bottom half for debris and hair picked up through vacuum.
- The Aerovac Bin type 1 used with the 500 series is a "total" vacuum bin.

If you have a problem with pet fur, I suggest you go straight for the Aerovac Bin as its total vacuum capability is able to reduce the fur and hair being trapped in the brushes. With the High capacity Sweeper Bin, you may notice that more fur gets trapped in the brushes as it does not have a vacuum function to pull fur and hair straight to the bin.
Some Pet series models come only with the Aerovac bin, which would pretty much be sufficient for pet owners. Hope this helps.

 

[Jubooo]

AeroVac is the answer to iRobot's pet series now. The high capacity bin type is no longer an option for pet series and the 532/562 is already a discontinued models as the fur will tend to stick to the brushes instead of into the bin creating more problems. Pet fur also tends to clog the lip of the normal bin thus leaving some piles of fur as roomba transits from differnt platform.

Look at the new pet series, 545, 552 & 700 series. They all come with AeroVac bin now as the redesign airflow extract from the brushes pulling pet fur and hairs into the bin.

 

[aklryan]

reply

Hio Vachel and Jubooo,

Clear, so now i should be looking at either 545 or 550 which has the Aerovac bin.

Anyone carry thr 545 and their price? I saw it US ebay site selling at 299usd.

 

[uno_bliss]

Anyone carry thr 545 and their price? I saw it US ebay site selling at 299usd.

Hi aklryan,
Pls check out the Roombas I'm selling: uno bliss | eBay

Queries can PM me or email me unobliss@yahoo.com

 

[Vachel Chan]

Hio Vachel and Jubooo,

Clear, so now i should be looking at either 545 or 550 which has the Aerovac bin.

Anyone carry thr 545 and their price? I saw it US ebay site selling at 299usd.

The roomba 545 and 550 are basically the same in terms of functions, may differ slightly in accessories and design though. It is great that you do consider your options both locally and internationally.
The 700 series may be in your considerations too.

May you make the best choice for your needs.

 

[Jubooo]

545 & 552 is the same only if you consider 530 & 560 is the same

My 545 only available in april.

 

[bakasa2002]

Imo, 700series is kind of overprice. Not sure what is e adv over the 5xx series cos I see main diff for roomba is whether has scheduling and whether has aerovac when I made my purchase.

Anyone can clarify why need to pay more for 700, Hepa???

 

[uno_bliss]

Imo, 700series is kind of overprice. Not sure what is e adv over the 5xx series cos I see main diff for roomba is whether has scheduling and whether has aerovac when I made my purchase.

Anyone can clarify why need to pay more for 700, Hepa???

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/54975765-post7977.html
I don't like to repeat myself, cos I'm man of few w... (too many words already)

 

[bakasa2002]

www.hardwarezone.com.sg - View Single Post - iRobot Scooba experience
I don't like to repeat myself, cos I'm man of few w... (too many words already)

I will ask the question again some time later, getting senile ...

 

[Vachel Chan]

Imo, 700series is kind of overprice. Not sure what is e adv over the 5xx series cos I see main diff for roomba is whether has scheduling and whether has aerovac when I made my purchase.

Anyone can clarify why need to pay more for 700, Hepa???

Yup, agreed. The Roomba 500 series with scheduling should work fine for the average home owner. I believe few would pay >$1000 for any vacuum cleaner. (Rainbow aside, haha)

But in any case it would be pretty unfair to the manufacturer and product engineers of the Roomba 700 series if there is no advantage or improvement after >3 years of development from the 500 series.
-The 700 series with HEPA Air Filters capture dust particles as fine as 0.3 microns, limiting the recirculation of fine particles may be good for people with allergies.
-Cleans longer with same battery capacity.
The 700 series Dirt Detect Series 2 would activate more often than the 500 series dirt detect as it detects dirt using more sensors.
The 700 series bristle brushes are softer than the 500 series; I believed its purpose is to reduce hair trapped as its softer brushes provides less resistance for the vacuum to suck in the hair. Best advice is to read a range of online reviews internationally for the best understanding.
It actually has more sensors to improve its navigation and would get stuck in fewer areas that would affect the 500 series.
iRobot didn’t reinvent the Roomba with the 700 series, but it’s a nice generational improvement.
If price and budget is a major factor, go for the 500 series. If price is not a major consideration, May want to consider the Roomba 770. It offers savings of around USD100 from the 780 and has basically safe functions.

 

[Jubooo]

-The 700 series with HEPA Air Filters capture dust particles as fine as 0.3 microns, limiting the recirculation of fine particles may be good for people with allergies.

If you schedule it to work at a time when nobody is at home, it doesn't matter even if it can trap fine dust up to 0.0003 microns. The dust circulation happens only when the vacuum is running.

-Cleans longer with same battery capacity.

It does not clean longer, iAdapt technology is still the same, any given room of standard HDB size will still takes 20-25 mins to clean. A 4-5 room HDB is still around 1.5 hrs to clean and with a new battery, the 500 series can also clean more than 2 hrs.

-It actually has more sensors to improve its navigation and would get stuck in fewer areas that would affect the 500 series.

It does not use sensors to navigate, sensors help to avoid falls, slows down roomba when approaching obstacles and finding it's home base. It only has few more cliff sensors that prevent roomba from dropping off cliff while backing off, optical sensors and bin full sensor for 770 & 780. All new sensors does not aid in navigation.

 

[thewiseone]

BRAND NEW Neato XV-12 now on Woot for only US$299.99!

 

[aklryan]

Reply

BRAND NEW Neato XV-12 now on Woot for only US$299.99!

Safe to purchase from woot? They ship to Sg with only +5usd shipping cost? Does it mean they have many set of Neato to purchase?

Can give some idea?

 

[uno_bliss]

BRAND NEW Neato XV-12 now on Woot for only US$299.99!

My 1st impression of XV-12 is that it's XV-11 but white instead of army green. Firmware may be newer but XV-11 can update firmware too.

Since XV-12 = XV-11, same old nonsense:
1) 4.5 cm wall edges untouched: http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/uno_bliss/Cornercleaning.gif
My video clip: Neato vs Roomba edge cleaning - YouTube
2) same beater brush design so Tank-like rattling will still be there
My video clip: Neato vs Roomba noise level - YouTube

Instead, VR100 is better, though I can't testify if a single bristle brush design is effective in picking up stuff, especially sand.
Pathetic: Neato XV 11 Kantensaugen auf Laminat - YouTube
Much better: Vorwerk Kobold VR 100 Neato XV 11 Kaffeebohnen auf Laminat - YouTube