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I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

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Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#131
post #5

Working on robotic lawn mowers - I still had the same feeling watching them do their thing. You can get pretty far with random turns with some edge following. One thing that can help a lot is gps (or other absolute position). This can definitely help make sure your robot can make roughly the correct turn to get in those nooks.

I'm just starting to look into robotic lawn mower as a project. Do you have any recommended reading?

Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#132
We got one of these about three years ago. It saved our relationship.

The big complaint I always hear is "yeah but the pattern is random, it doesn't clean the whole floor evenly"

That is technically true, but the roomba cleans the floor for an hour, randomly, every day. This is a tremendous amount of cleaning. It pulls probably a pound of dirt off the floor every week, maybe more. Being able to have the floor cleaned - even randomly - for an hour, every day, makes a tremendous difference.

It might not get the spilled cat food for 2-3 days, but on day 4 it will get it. If you're only vacuuming once a week that is probably faster than a human would do it. It also vacuums all the weird spots, like under the sink in the bathroom, that you forget to check every week.

It also trains you to not leave stray socks, cell phone charging cables etc on the floor. Which is nice if you're not super super tidy.

Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#133
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You should have got the Roborock S6, I have the S5 (older model) and its surprisingly good for around 300 USD.

Yep, I have the RoboRock S5 and it's light years ahead of my old Roomba. I honestly have no idea how Roomba is still in business

It keeps getting better, too! The new update makes the S5 basically the same as the newer model (except that it's louder)... I had the original RoboRock and it worked really well. We replaced the battery and gave it to my wife's grandmother, then bought the S5 thinking the mop feature would be in some way useful, but I'm still happy with how well the S5 tracks its brush/filter lifespan and the software upgrades!

Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#134
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You do have the real possibility of receiving a counterfeit item from Amazon though, which you do not have directly from the manufacturer.

Certainly a problem with easy-to-counterfeit items, but I would think knocking off a robot vacuum would be pretty difficult?

more likely to get a used returned item being sold as new; I bought an expensive water filter cartridge from AMZ and got shipped one that was obviously used. Somebody probably bought a new one, then returned their current used one. AMZ refunded money without question tho. You could get a new vac with a spent expensive battery pretty easily.

Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#135
post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm in the US and I'm seeing $240 on both the manufacturer's website and Amazon (Sold by EufyHome and Fulfilled by Amazon). Amazon even has a $15 coupon.

To muddy the waters even more, I'm also in the US and I'm seeing $215 (plus the $15 coupon) on Amazon.

I see an older model with 1300Pa suction available at $219; the current 1500Pa I see at $249

Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#136
post #84

I do not trust Eufy brand anymore. We had a Eufy RoboVac and within its warranty period, battery went bust. When attached to its station, it gave some sound errors which is apparently tied to its battery. I contacted support several times, reminded their obligation for warranty period but they did nothing. They asked me to find a "certified technician" to get a report such that this malfunction was present when I mad…

The battery on my RoboVac 11 went bust right out of the warranty period even if it probably had ~15 recharge cycles on it. Bought a replacement (~30E) and the vacuum is happily chugging along doing a good job. This being said I assume Eufy is saving money on that front so I'm not entirely sure my next purchase will be from them.

so I take it the battery is user replacable? That's my worry with most of these electronics, the product can be fine, but if the battery is welded in place, then it becomes a huge PITA to replace.

Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#137
post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The battery on my RoboVac 11 went bust right out of the warranty period even if it probably had ~15 recharge cycles on it. Bought a replacement (~30E) and the vacuum is happily chugging along doing a good job. This being said I assume Eufy is saving money on that front so I'm not entirely sure my next purchase will be from them.

so I take it the battery is user replacable? That's my worry with most of these electronics, the product can be fine, but if the battery is welded in place, then it becomes a huge PITA to replace.

Easily, one screw and a lid away on this model [0]. Phones are a bit harder to work inside with the constrained space and far more delicate parts (screen, screws, etc.). Maybe for a vacuum this is a lot harder to achieve even if manufacturers insist on it.

[0] https://www.amazon.com/eufy-RoboVac-Replacement-Compatible-A...

Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#138
post #50
post #14

I bought a robotic vacuum more out of curiosity and to see if I should buy one as a gift for my parents. Just one of the cheapest models that still had good reviews. It turned out that all deficiencies of such a vacuum are offset by its basic function: it keeps the apartment clean each day, every day. Dirty corners? Weak suction? Small container? Somewhat noisy? Not too smart? Gets stuck sometimes? I need to clean ha…

I don't like the cleaning I have to do before I let the robot loose -- pick up toys; I could vacuum much faster than the robot does and without heavy lifting of items in my crowded flat. But I usually don't vacuum, so overall I'm satisfied with my roborock.

I think my family is unfortunately going to have to wait for some sort of robot with a snow shovel attachment and a big bucket to go dump everything in.

We used to have a roomba, first edition, before kids, but it got broken after a year, the first kid came and we have not been clean since.

Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#139
I'm on my second Roomba, and they've been great. What impressed me was how strong the suction was. My initial thoughts were "How can something that small ever pick up as much dirt as my regular vacuum?" But it actually does better than the upright - it picks up far more dirt/cat-hair, even when the upright is on a fresh filter. Which is important with a long-haired cat - I get cat-hair tumbleweeds on the stairs. I sweep them manually down to the next floor, and hit the start button and leave for work. I return to a freshly vacuumed floor.

Ob. cat tax: https://imgur.com/a/JHBue4Y

Re: I am mesmerized by our new robotic vacuum (2019)

#140

I do not trust Eufy brand anymore. We had a Eufy RoboVac and within its warranty period, battery went bust. When attached to its station, it gave some sound errors which is apparently tied to its battery. I contacted support several times, reminded their obligation for warranty period but they did nothing. They asked me to find a "certified technician" to get a report such that this malfunction was present when I mad…

In my opinion, the iRobot support and parts availability are worth the premium. Our 2013 model 650 is still running great. All we’ve had to do is periodically replace worn out brushes and spinners and at some point we replaced the main battery. This is all easily done with a screwdriver.

I absolutely agree. I got a broken 650 from my sister, fixed it with a cheap easily available part, and it has worked beautifully for the last three years.

It is also a joy to maintain and was obviously designed by people who care about maintenance being reasonable.

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