RE: roomba

[Mark Hallows <markhallows@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Pete

Well I bought a Roomba (the useless remote model) and have been dead
chuffed.. I agree a larger Bin size and rapid charger would be cool but the
base product is superb and if we are on to wants and needs then a smoother
action so I can fit a little table on top and use the remote to ferry me G
=
&
T's would be nice but alas it is not to be.... YET.. :-).

Reference your wifes opinion, I would have agreed but funnily enough
yesterday evening I took it over to my neighbours as she had expressed an
interest. She had just vacuumed the lounge (38ft x 18ft) with her Dyson but
said she'd like just to see it running anyway (see if it scared the dog).
T=
o
her dismay I had to empty the bin about 7 times.=20

Has anyone had any battery issues though with the new model ? I have found
that sometimes it'll go to start and then stop suddenly with the red light
flashing telling me the battery is discharged.. I pick it up, push the
battery harder into the compartment and it is fine.. Anyone had similar ?
Worth sending back ?

Mark H.

-----Original Message-----
From: White, Peter [mailto:peter.white@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 17 June 2004 00:27
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] roomba


The lack of self-docking is a pain (it'll always run out of juice under a
bed or something else equally inconvenient!), but it's no big deal.  The
Trilobite does dock, but for =A3800 more, is it worth it? (though it is a
m=
uch
better product overall, so it's not an entirely fair statement).
=20
I'm not sure the newer feature are worth much; one comes with a remote
control, but I can't see that as being exceptionally useful.  What they
should do is release a machine with an increased bin size, and built-in
rapid charger.
=20
I imported a fair number of these about 18 months ago, when they we're
stil=
l
in very short demand in the US, yet alone over here.  At lease 20 people on
this list have a Roomba from the original import.  Now you can buy them at
Comet, although it would still be cheaper to get a cheap flight to NY, buy
one, and bring it back.  As a guide, at today's exchange rates, you should
be able to get a Roomba landed and C&E'd for about =A3145. Add a tenner
for=
a
UK charger. Lets Automate will take the hassle out of it for about =A3195.
=20
And yes, they do clean up to the edge.  The ability of a Roomba is always a
contentious point; My wife thinks that only someone with 'student beliefs'
would solely rely on a Roomba; i.e. a Dyson would need to come out once in
=
a
while for a proper clean.
=20
Shamefully, I've not used mine for ages and ages, and in fact it's only
eve=
r
really been used for demos.  It'll be going on eBay soon, maybe tomorrow as
it's a free listing day, as I have too much clutter.
=20
HTH
=20
Pete


_____=20=20

From: Stephen [mailto:yahoo@xxxxxxx]=20
Sent: 16 June 2004 22:31
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] roomba




Hello,

I think my house needs a roomba. The only thing I don't like about
them is that they won't head home when their batteries start to go
flat. I know there are a few new models availbale from the US. Has
anyone imported any of these? Are the fancier models any better? It
seemed to me that the only extra "feature" was that you could get
it
to just circle around one spot if you spilt anything. Is it cheaper to
import from the US and pay duty or should I buy British?

Are there any other makes resonably priced? I think the elctrolux
offering was about 1k before. Oh, and do they clean right up to their
edges=
?

Thanks.