iRobot Scooba experience

[kenloonglow]

Come across this blog: Roomba 500-Series & Infinuvo CleanMate QQ-1, QQ-2 - Best Values - Comparison/Review

http://www.onefamilysblog.com/2008/04/infinuvo-cleanmate-qq-2-alternative-to.html

How true is the comparison?

So far, I think, the spare parts for Roomba is easily get here, not sure about QQ-2.

 

[Jubooo]

The comparison is pretty accurate. Please note the QQ's side brush is very short and has tends to collect chunks of dust unlike the roomba.

 

[u4ria2008]

I recommend you having a look at Neato too before deciding.

 

[kenloonglow]

I recommend you having a look at Neato too before deciding.

http://singularityhub.com/2010/02/09/suck-it-up-neato-is-ready-to-kick-robot-vacuum-butt/

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/24/neato-xv-11-robotic-vacuum-review/

Are u using it?? How is it from real experience??
SG got shop selling? If impore from US...voltage again...

 

[Jubooo]

SG got shop selling? ......

Neato at Robovac Store

Robovac Store

 

[u4ria2008]

http://singularityhub.com/2010/02/09/suck-it-up-neato-is-ready-to-kick-robot-vacuum-butt/

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/24/neato-xv-11-robotic-vacuum-review/

Are u using it?? How is it from real experience??
SG got shop selling? If impore from US...voltage again...

Mine is on the way from the US I was sold on Neato after seeing the product reviews. Navibot and iRobot were also under my considerations.

I paid USD379 on Neato from Amazon and express shipping costs USD140 inclusive of fuel surcharge through borderlessbuys.com.sg

Regarding voltage, Neato's power adaptor comes with transformer. It can be used worldwide. No modifications required.

Hope it helps. I can post my personal review in 2 weeks time if you like.

 

[kenloonglow]

I can post my personal review in 2 weeks time if you like.

Yeah, appreciate your personal review especially the price is higher than the rest, whether "justify" or not. SG have any shop to repair if problem? Also, NEATO do not have brushes?(will be good so no need "clean" so many items) hehehe

Things to consider:
[1] Warranty
[2] spare Parts

The ebay items, no mentioned warranty leh...

 

[uno_bliss]

Yeah, appreciate your personal review especially the price is higher than the rest, whether "justify" or not. SG have any shop to repair if problem? Also, NEATO do not have brushes?(will be good so no need "clean" so many items) hehehe

Things to consider:
[1] Warranty
[2] spare Parts

The ebay items, no mentioned warranty leh...

Frankly, I'm quite curious about Neato. At least it's designed in US, and has proper algorithm.
Unlike those Roomba knock-offs like QQ2, V-bot, KV8, m288, etc. all of which are "time-based pattern change" and have fixed caster front wheel which will scratch floor when turning.
I've posted about V-bot, and Jubooo has posted about QQ2.

My concern of Neato is user serviceablilty & of course... spare parts availability & cost.
I DO NOT expect the laser to last a lifetime & not sure if Neato will provide plug & play laser replacement, or even wheel module replacement.
Not sure about the battery lifespan & whether it's possible to build/repair myself.
I've posted here about how high power suction motor can rapidly shorten battery lifespan: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showpost.php?p=51917497&postcount=7485

acchien & Jubooo posted before on Neato cleaning power.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showpost.php?p=50160461&postcount=7328
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showpost.php?p=50236312&postcount=7342
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showpost.php?p=50239955&postcount=7344

Youtube got lotsa videos on Neato.

 

[Jubooo]

I have not seen the construction of Neato's battery myself but I do believe you will have the expertise to replace the bad cells as long as the circuitry within (if any) is serviceable.

Neato's cleaning algorithm is cool but roomba's radom cleaning pattern is more like how we would actually clean in a real life environment. No doubt it has a stronger vacuum suction, a single pass might not be enough to clean throughly. We do multiple pass even with a 1500W conventional vacuum so we should not expect a 50-80W? motor to do miracle with a single pass. Roomba would, in this case cleans more like what we do in real life situation except if the constant bumping could be minimise with a better sensor like tribolite.

Like you mention, spares and maintenance of Neato is not readily available here. Once a breakdown occurs, a huge downtime is going to happen or even totally clueless of what to do.

 

[u4ria2008]

Yeah, appreciate your personal review especially the price is higher than the rest, whether "justify" or not. SG have any shop to repair if problem? Also, NEATO do not have brushes?(will be good so no need "clean" so many items) hehehe

Things to consider:
[1] Warranty
[2] spare Parts

The ebay items, no mentioned warranty leh...

Spare parts are available for sale at manufacturer's website www.neatorobotics.com

I'm not setting any expectations on this purchase. If it serves me for 2 years then I'll be happy.

 

[uno_bliss]

I have not seen the construction of Neato's battery myself but I do believe you will have the expertise to replace the bad cells as long as the circuitry within (if any) is serviceable.

www.neatorobotics.com says can buy 2nd batt & replace much like Roomba.
So most likely is in shrink wrap (like most rechargeable battery packs), may have some tiny PCB or thermal sensor which probably won't interfere with bad cell(s) replacement.

We do multiple pass even with a 1500W conventional vacuum so we should not expect a 50-80W?

Just to clarify, 1500W is electrical power consumption, not to be confused with Air Watt. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airwatt

A handheld vacuum cleaner with 40W Air Watt is like a Dyson http://www.dyson.com/store/product_compare.asp?compare1=DC31-IRSYE&compare2=DC31-ANIMAL
Rainbow water filtration "monster size" vacuum has low power consumption but very high suction power, cos it's like cyclone technology & no clotting of filter bag.

...except if the constant bumping could be minimise with a better sensor like tribolite.

Bump sensor is probably cheaper to make than precision proximity IR sensor. eg. to ensure robot goes within 5 mm of wall without touching would require IR intensity to be perfectly calibrated & consistent regardless of remaining battery power & life-time of the IR emitter & receiver. Not to mention dust & ambient light may affect slightly.

Theoretically, Roomba 500 series light-touch bumper can already be tweaked to become an "almost-touch" bumper, but iRobot didn't do it.

 

[tekster]

Mine is on the way from the US I was sold on Neato after seeing the product reviews. Navibot and iRobot were also under my considerations.

I paid USD379 on Neato from Amazon and express shipping costs USD140 inclusive of fuel surcharge through borderlessbuys.com.sg

Regarding voltage, Neato's power adaptor comes with transformer. It can be used worldwide. No modifications required.

Hope it helps. I can post my personal review in 2 weeks time if you like.

wow, how come yr shipping so ex? my roomba and scooba ship at most like USD40 only.

 

[u4ria2008]

wow, how come yr shipping so ex? my roomba and scooba ship at most like USD40 only.

Which company did you use? Perhaps I should use another company next time. This one is through borderlessbuys.com.sg and they Use comgateway. Total volumetric weight is 17.5kg.

What was the weight of roomba?

 

[mosmos]

Which company did you use? Perhaps I should use another company next time. This one is through borderlessbuys.com.sg and they Use comgateway. Total volumetric weight is 17.5kg.

What was the weight of roomba?

roomba volumetric weight is 6kg, scooba is 8kg only. I think there is something wrong with your shipment size~

 

[Jubooo]

roomba volumetric weight is 6kg, scooba is 8kg only. I think there is something wrong with your shipment size~

Nothing is wrong. Amazon always box up all the stuff with a suitable box they think it's suitable. It's free shipping in US by them anyway.

 

[u4ria2008]

Nothing is wrong. Amazon always box up all the stuff with a suitable box they think it's suitable. It's free shipping in US by them anyway.

You are spot on. I've just checked and the actual packaging of neato is 8.2kg. Amazon must have put it in a box twice the size.

Anyway, this is my first experience purchasing electronics from the US. It is a lesson for me. I'll be sure to ask them to repack it next time.

 

[mosmos]

You are spot on. I've just checked and the actual packaging of neato is 8.2kg. Amazon must have put it in a box twice the size.

Anyway, this is my first experience purchasing electronics from the US. It is a lesson for me. I'll be sure to ask them to repack it next time.

I guess at this price, singapore custom will also charge you 7% gst~

amazon or comgateway will not help you repack the package~

 

[u4ria2008]

I guess at this price, singapore custom will also charge you 7% gst~

amazon or comgateway will not help you repack the package~

7% of USD380 is not too dear. That's alright

Regarding Comgateway, they do have repacking service and they charge a fee for it. It's website says the savings is a lot more than the fee.

 

[kenloonglow]

Vpost better? Why all sell in US...argh...

 

[mosmos]

Vpost better? Why all sell in US...argh...

before you use vpost, check with them whether they allow scooba or roomba to ship back to sg~

I think recently some forumers here got problem with vpost because of the battery inside package~