iRobot Scooba experience

Status
Not open for further replies.

uno_bliss

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2009
Messages
852
Reaction score
2
530 532 and 560 got what differences? which is more worth?
Roomba 532 - Pet series
- Self-charging Home Base
- 2 Virtual Walls (need to on manually)
- 1 Vacuuming Debris Bin (same old problem of clogging up at the vacuum squeegy area)
- 1 High Capacity Sweeper Bin (can contain more rubbish, but basically just a plastic container)
- 2 Extra Brushes
- 2 Extra Filters
- 2 Brush Cleaning Tools (round tube comb & normal flat comb)
- Battery is 1800mAh NiCD which will last ~70 mins when new

If u have pets, u can consider these which I'm selling: http://shop.ebay.com.sg/uno_bliss/m.html?_nkw=(2010,+aerovac)

Pls send me a PM if interest to know more.
 

acchien

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
69
Reaction score
0
I do agree with the stronger suction that Neato has but the beater brush is useless on hard floor. Unlike US where most home are carpeted, the beated brush would works great in losening particles from the carpet.

It's basically doing nothing on hardfloor and would be great if it could be turn off as it drains the battery too.

Well I am not sure if you have actually tried the Neato to conclude the beater brush is useless on hard floor. Compared to my Roomba, the Neato leaves the floor feeling and looking cleaner and that's what matters. And it cleans my 5-rm flat in a single charge (with power to spare) in a fraction of the time the Roomba requires, and does so without the need for battery sucking lighthouses to guide it around.

Neato is still in it's early stages of development and based on the reports from the states, it is having so many problems in this initial stage. I would say you are very lucky to get a good set without any issues. Even till now, there are still so many reports of the RPS error, unable to dock issue and the thumping sound from the beater bar.

If you refer to forums like Robot Reviews, there certainly are various issues with the Neato. I had the thumping issue but that was resolved with a new part that Neato sent FOC. In any case, users with problems gravitate towards such forums and give the impression that the product is bad. If you look at the Roobma sub-forum, there are countless complaints too about defective Roombas even though it is a relatively more mature product. In fact, a friend who bought a Roomba recently found that his cannot dock.

Perhaps a better gauge of consumer satisfaction is Amazon.com reviews. Here, Neato gets 73% votes with 4 or 5 stars. The much more mature Roomba 560 gets 67%.

I loved my Roomba and it gets the job done. I just want to point out to others here that the Neato does the same job better and faster. Of course if the Neato breaks down, there are no local repair agents (but this also perhaps hint at the reliability of Roombas). Its a risk the buyer has to take.

Oh the Neato comes with a 110-240V power supply, so modifications or transformers are not required.

cheers
 

uno_bliss

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2009
Messages
852
Reaction score
2
...a friend who bought a Roomba recently found that his cannot dock.
Aiyoh... the most common reason of Roomba cannot dock is user put virtual walls & Home Base too close together or pointing at each other.
The frequency modulated Infrared cross beam and Roomba don't react to the overlapping frequency.
Some users put Home Base in a tight corner next to glass door, glass will also reflect Infrared, and create "zone of confusion".

Just ask ur friend to shift his virtual walls, most probably will be alright.
 

Jubooo

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Messages
625
Reaction score
0
Well I am not sure if you have actually tried the Neato to conclude the beater brush is useless on hard floor. .........cheers

Well, like I say I think Neato's RPS has the potential and is great but there is still too much to iron out for this product right now.

Neato is doing well in your home not because of the beater brush but because of the stronger vacuum. If you refer back to Uno_bliss's post about the counter rotating brushes, you will see what it is for.

Just imagine, a rubber piece that keeps hitting the floor. What purpose doe it serve?

Let's not comment too much or it will sounds like a fight..=:p Cheers.
 

acchien

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
69
Reaction score
0
Thanks uno. My friend's roomba dock is faulty so he has to recharge it directly from the power adaptor.

Jubooo, no not arguing, just setting the facts straight. The beater brush is made of a soft silicon material and serves to stir up dirt. It won't do any more harm to the floor than beater (bristle) brushes.
 

uno_bliss

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2009
Messages
852
Reaction score
2
Thanks uno. My friend's roomba dock is faulty so he has to recharge it directly from the power adaptor.
If ur friend is keen to repair his dock, he can look for me (thru u I guess, and thru HWZ pm I guess...).:s8:
 

letdoit

Member
Joined
May 20, 2003
Messages
212
Reaction score
0
mypaper100923onlineshoppingservices.jpg

Push up this important note.
 

Uno_Hu

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2005
Messages
2,454
Reaction score
131
Hi all, I am expecting my iRobot 560 to arrive within next 5 days from Arizona and may I ask if the power supply need to be replaced to our local voltage and where to find this service if needed. Thank you.
 

kevin12345

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
HI,

Am asking if anyone can share experience using just the transformer with US bought roomba. What is the difference in terms of charging of battery, battery life, product life, ease of usage (i assume no extra steps other than extra item to plug into the powerpoint?) I think most pple converted to SG voltage, so why did you just use the transformer?

Also, for battery, can someone with 560 and 530 share what is the average time to clean one standard room. Does the battery really matters in deciding which model to get?

Lastly between 530 and 536, which would you recommend?

MTIA
 

uno_bliss

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2009
Messages
852
Reaction score
2
HI,

Am asking if anyone can share experience using just the transformer with US bought roomba. What is the difference in terms of charging of battery, battery life, product life, ease of usage (i assume no extra steps other than extra item to plug into the powerpoint?) I think most pple converted to SG voltage, so why did you just use the transformer?

Also, for battery, can someone with 560 and 530 share what is the average time to clean one standard room. Does the battery really matters in deciding which model to get?

Lastly between 530 and 536, which would you recommend?

MTIA
Q1) What is the difference in terms of charging of battery, battery life, product life, ease of usage.
A1) As long as transformer has enough wattage (min 80W) & by reliable manufacturer, things should be fine.
It's easy to use, just clumsy with an additional appliance on wall socket, or sitting on the floor.
There's always the risk of setting wrongly, correct setting should: Input 220V & Output 110V.

Q2) Also, for battery, can someone with 560 and 530 share what is the average time to clean one standard room.
A2) Regardless of model, Roomba will spend equal time for equal area, typically 25 mins in a 150 sq ft room (minimal furniture).
Roomba decides how long to clean depending on floor area.

Q3) Does the battery really matters in deciding which model to get?
A3) Yes, battery does matter unless u simply won't be using on large area.
iRobot has 3 types of battery:
i) 1800 mAh = ~70 mins cleaning time when new = 2-3 rooms
ii) 2200 mAh = ~90 mins cleaning time when new = 4 rooms (100 sq ft) or 3 rooms (150 sq ft)
iii) 3000 mAh = ~120 mins cleaning time when new = 4 rooms (150 sq ft)

Q4) Lastly between 530 and 536, which would you recommend?
A4) New 530 & 536 both comes with (i) 1800 mAh battery, so cleaning time will be ~70 mins.
Remanufactured 530, however, comes with (ii) 2200 mAh, so cleaning time will be ~90 mins, good enough for most HDB.

536 does come with AeroVac bin, iRobot's latest improved version vacuum bin.
Stronger suction & more quiet. Bottom brush requires less hair removal maintenance.
 

irobotvac

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2009
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
HI,

Am asking if anyone can share experience using just the transformer with US bought roomba. What is the difference in terms of charging of battery, battery life, product life, ease of usage (i assume no extra steps other than extra item to plug into the powerpoint?) I think most pple converted to SG voltage, so why did you just use the transformer?

Also, for battery, can someone with 560 and 530 share what is the average time to clean one standard room. Does the battery really matters in deciding which model to get?

Lastly between 530 and 536, which would you recommend?

MTIA

Using a transformer requires additional space, as you will need to plug it between the wall mains and the Roomba charger itself. It also consumes more electricity with this additional device, though it should be minimal.

It is pretty easy to use a transformer, but care must be ensured to connect the plug correctly and correct setting.
 

Uno_Hu

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2005
Messages
2,454
Reaction score
131
Just a question about the charger. Is the "modified local charger" that is usually use to exchange with the US one really modified locally or they're the Europe UK version?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ Forums. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts. Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards and Terms and Conditions for more information.
Top