iRobot Scooba experience

[thewiseone]

Your Newstar transformer is hot?? What capacity is that..100W? It should be warm only. I've been using my Super 120W 24/7 for over a year and now its supporting both my Roomba and Scooba (only warm to touch).

Been asking abt the new charging base as i dont like the idea of adding a timer to it (especially when u have a mix of NiMh and Li-Ion batteries). Anyhow, we should be able to hear of some new findings abt the grey charging base @ Roombareview soon

Yah, it's included.

I am not sure abt the trickle charge problem. I don't dare to leave it ON for 24hr, the newstar transformer is always quite hot.

I have use a timer plug connecting to the charger. After 3.5hr will auto switch off power supply.

 

[carey]

After reading all the comments, I am very tempted to get one to try...

The problem is I have 2 dogs and I am not sure how they would react to it...hahah

Anyway, I am thinking of ordering from GK to save some hassle...unless bros here want to do a MO from States...

They have a pre-owned Discovery for sale at S$350 while I am thinking of getting a Roomba Sage with Intell-bin at S$528.

Which one is more money for value? hahah

 

[munyi13]

Long Hair Problem

My main floor problem is mostly with my long hair dropping everywhere on the floor - daily. Do you advise that I can rely on a roomba to help with this? Or will it be tangled up and burn out within a few months? Wonder if the new series has improved

 

[mosmos]

Your Newstar transformer is hot?? What capacity is that..100W? It should be warm only. I've been using my Super 120W 24/7 for over a year and now its supporting both my Roomba and Scooba (only warm to touch).

Been asking abt the new charging base as i dont like the idea of adding a timer to it (especially when u have a mix of NiMh and Li-Ion batteries). Anyhow, we should be able to hear of some new findings abt the grey charging base @ Roombareview soon

Yah it's 100W.

I have two 100w newstar + one 150w newstar (last time no stock so buy 150w one), all feel hot when charging.



there's a problem with the charging unit~?

 

[mosmos]

My main floor problem is mostly with my long hair dropping everywhere on the floor - daily. Do you advise that I can rely on a roomba to help with this? Or will it be tangled up and burn out within a few months? Wonder if the new series has improved

You need to clear the roomba bin and brushes every 2-3 runs mah.

 

[thewiseone]

Hopefully yr 2 dogs wont chew on it!! IMO, since u already have a budget of S$500+, why not get the new Roomba series instead from US? Just wait a while for iRobot to iron out all the kinks in the new series, then get 1 from US. However, if u die die must have one now, consider ordering 1 of the older series online, could save u some $$$.

After reading all the comments, I am very tempted to get one to try...

The problem is I have 2 dogs and I am not sure how they would react to it...hahah

Anyway, I am thinking of ordering from GK to save some hassle...unless bros here want to do a MO from States...

They have a pre-owned Discovery for sale at S$350 while I am thinking of getting a Roomba Sage with Intell-bin at S$528.

Which one is more money for value? hahah

 

[thewiseone]

This is strange, could be we have different perception of 'hot'. Especially for the higher capacity step-down transformer like yr 150W, it should only be warm (since u r drawing only a relatively small current). Is the placement of yr transformer well ventillated? I doubt there's a problem with the charging power supply. If there is, yr bot would probably be fried by now.

Yah it's 100W.

I have two 100w newstar + one 150w newstar (last time no stock so buy 150w one), all feel hot when charging.



there's a problem with the charging unit~?

 

[mosmos]

This is strange, could be we have different perception of 'hot'. Especially for the higher capacity step-down transformer like yr 150W, it should only be warm (since u r drawing only a relatively small current). Is the placement of yr transformer well ventillated? I doubt there's a problem with the charging power supply. If there is, yr bot would probably be fried by now.

One transformer on the floor and other on the cupboard, think should be well ventilated. Maybe newstar ones are hotter?

so far so good, charger base and docking station still working.

maybe tonight, if i got chance to charge battery, i will measure the temp of the transformer and post here.

 

[carey]

Hopefully yr 2 dogs wont chew on it!! IMO, since u already have a budget of S$500+, why not get the new Roomba series instead from US? Just wait a while for iRobot to iron out all the kinks in the new series, then get 1 from US. However, if u die die must have one now, consider ordering 1 of the older series online, could save u some $$$.

I hope so too...my noti gurl is probably going to play with it more than anything else

So there is going to be a new series out soon ah? Are the improvements going to be big or are they merely cosmetic?

Like I mentioned, the cost saving from ordering it online vs getting it from GK for a bit more isn't that attractive for the hassle involved

Thanks again for the input

 

[mosmos]

I hope so too...my noti gurl is probably going to play with it more than anything else

So there is going to be a new series out soon ah? Are the improvements going to be big or are they merely cosmetic?

Like I mentioned, the cost saving from ordering it online vs getting it from GK for a bit more isn't that attractive for the hassle involved

Thanks again for the input

new ones are already out, but still not available in sg.

Overall is better than old one, except the price.

You can refer to link below for more details,
http://www.irobot.com/sp.cfm?pageid=122

 

[kelvar]

Any vpost users can share how long it took for speedpost to deliver an item after it reach their processing centre here?

 

[thewiseone]

The new generation, 5th generation Roomba 500 series has already been released since last month. If u r going for the older generation, take a look at those online stores in US... u may find that yr savings can be pretty attractive.

I hope so too...my noti gurl is probably going to play with it more than anything else

So there is going to be a new series out soon ah? Are the improvements going to be big or are they merely cosmetic?

Like I mentioned, the cost saving from ordering it online vs getting it from GK for a bit more isn't that attractive for the hassle involved

Thanks again for the input

 

[thewiseone]

After reaching the processing centre here, it can take another 2 - 3 days to reach yr postal address. Yr best bet, pick up the phone and call Speed Post customer svc. They will give u a more accurate schedule. Alternatively, if u need it in a hurry, check with them which distribution base the item will be allocated and u can go down and pick it up yrself.

Any vpost users can share how long it took for speedpost to deliver an item after it reach their processing centre here?

 

[thewiseone]

The new series have their own problems for now. Briefly,

1) Lighthouse dont exactly work very well.

2) Some design problem with the brush/brush deck... users are complaining of rattling noise.

3) Users feedback new brush design does not work as well on carpet compared to the previous series

4) Hair can be trapped at the brush end.. worse than the previous series.

5) Initial batch seems to have some problem sets. Might be wise to wait for the dust to settle.

new ones are already out, but still not available in sg.

Overall is better than old one, except the price.

You can refer to link below for more details,
http://www.irobot.com/sp.cfm?pageid=122

 

[mosmos]

The new series have their own problems for now. Briefly,

1) Lighthouse dont exactly work very well.

2) Some design problem with the brush/brush deck... users are complaining of rattling noise.

3) Users feedback new brush design does not work as well on carpet compared to the previous series

4) Hair can be trapped at the brush end.. worse than the previous series.

5) Initial batch seems to have some problem sets. Might be wise to wait for the dust to settle.

wah you so indepth in analysis

 

[thewiseone]

No analysis required, just summarising feedbacks from RoombaReview

wah you so indepth in analysis

 

[bakasa2002]

hmm, thanks mosmos and thewiseone for your advice. Shd b going to US nx mth, so hope to bring one back. Is the box big/bulky? Any advice shd i get the new or old one? Also thinking of getting the scooba together at one go? shd i go for 5800 or the newer 5xx series?

It will really be a gd deal if their irobot store hv 20%. Still wondering if it's better to get fr Amazon or irobot direct? Any advice?

I realised the Roomba review website indicated that there's this Roomba 535 exclusive to HSN(what is this?) and it's suppose to be more features than the 530 but selling for 50usd cheaper ... Anyone buy from this store b4?

TIA.

 

[thewiseone]

To choose between the old and the new Roomba, IMO it depends on yr budget and yr cleaning environment. Is yr home carpeted / rugs ? If it is, then u should consider getting the new 500 Roomba series. Else, if u can find the older model (with homebase) for < US$150, then u may consider getting it, especially if the issues with the new Roomba series are not resolved by next month.

As for the Scooba, since u r in US, might as well lug one back, shipping costs for both can be pretty significant (u can save some $$$). If u can afford it, go for the newer Scooba 350 or 380 series. The Scooba 5800 is cheaper but u never know if the retail store unit has the upgraded Scooba 5800. The older 5800 series has issues with battery charging (battery will be dead within 6 months!).


As for the dimensions of the 2 packages, u can find them on iRobot website. For best prices, check out stores like HSN (large retail outlet with online order, the 535 model is attractively priced but they dont accept non-US credit cards), Woot, Amazon and eCost.

hmm, thanks mosmos and thewiseone for your advice. Shd b going to US nx mth, so hope to bring one back. Is the box big/bulky? Any advice shd i get the new or old one? Also thinking of getting the scooba together at one go? shd i go for 5800 or the newer 5xx series?

It will really be a gd deal if their irobot store hv 20%. Still wondering if it's better to get fr Amazon or irobot direct? Any advice?

I realised the Roomba review website indicated that there's this Roomba 535 exclusive to HSN(what is this?) and it's suppose to be more features than the 530 but selling for 50usd cheaper ... Anyone buy from this store b4?

TIA.

 

[carey]

The new generation, 5th generation Roomba 500 series has already been released since last month. If u r going for the older generation, take a look at those online stores in US... u may find that yr savings can be pretty attractive.

I think I can live with the older generation...

After all, I am a "virgin" user and it may not work out with my 2 noti doggies...

Would be great if you could point out a few "reliable" online stores in the US that ship to Singapore or via Vpost and accept SG credit cards

 

[bakasa2002]

thanks, but it's really difficult to find one below USD150, mayb only on ebay?

Btw, would like to check, if I get a Scooba, wld I still need a roomba? I read somewhere that Scooba also vacuum b4 it mops, is it true?