RE: Roomba and Scooba

["White, Peter" <peter.white@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Correct, there's no scheduling at all on the 530.  The 535 (my one)
does
have it via the wireless command centre which is another $60
(http://store.irobot.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2822978&cp=2842706&ab=O
AS_IRBT%3ARoombaAccesssLP_500Series&parentPage=subcategory).  However,
the
535 only seems to be sold thru some shopping channels, so it's quite a good
deal with the bundled lighthouse, but not widely available (it's also the
prettiest Roomba, if that makes a difference!) - this is it here, I also
used a voucher code I found on the web to get another 15% off:
http://home-solutions.hsn.com/irobot-roomba-vacuum-cleaning-robot_p-3675181_
xp.aspx?web_id=3675181&ocm=sekw. Worth checking to see if they'll ship
internationally?

I've only used it over vinyl & tiles, and a friend over here has a gen
4
Roomba which is fine on her timber floors. No scratching.

As for the warranty, I'd need to check when I get home, but it's probably
US
only.  On the original BB the reseller (Hammacher) did accept warranty
returns, as indeed I think they do now, assuming you cover the shipping.

There's huge differences from the series 1 Roombas, not least the fact you
get a lot more for your money, but the logic is also much improved, and a
lot of the initial weaknesses (small dust collector, hatred of rugs, no
dock) are mostly resolved.

Pete

-----Original Message-----
From: Ho Yin Ng [mailto:architect.hoyin@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 22 January 2008 08:55
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Roomba and Scooba

Peter

Thanks for your reply.

Can  I just clarify - the 530 does not have scheduling onboard, does that
mean it has no scheduling at all? If that is the case the 560 would be my
ideal choice.

Do you use your Roomba on hard surfaces as well? Does it do a good job
without scratching the finish- i.e. timber or vinyl?

If it is good enough I might just get the Roomba and then once a week run a
mop over the hard surfaces as the Scooba seems to be a couple of
generations
behind the Roomba with no scheduling etc.

The US is typically much cheaper than the UK! Is the warranty
international?
Or do I have buy from a UK supplier?

Thanks

Ho Yin

On 22/01/2008, White, Peter <peter.white@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>   I've just bought a new 5th-generation Roomba, to answer your
questions:
>
> 1. Yes :-)
> 2. Yes, on the higher-end models. I've got a 535 which allows the use
> of a separate wireless scheduler module. The 550, which is close to
> the current top of the range in the US, has this feature on-board. I
> was in Costco at the weekend, and they're selling them for $279 (might
> have been the 560, not completely sure).
> 3. Yup, on all but the cheapest models. My previous Roomba was a
> series 1 from the bulk-buy I did with Mark; they've come on a LONG way
since then.
> 4. Very well. I've only had mine for a few weeks, but it has no
> problem going from carpet to tile and vice-versa. The better models
> have 'lighthouses', which you put at door openings (if you want to).
> These act as intelligent Virtual Walls, in that they'll stop Roomba
> from going into the next room until it's spent enough time in the
> previous room. They'll also help guide Roomba back to the charging
base.
>
> I can't answer for the Scooba, but I do know that they cannot be
> scheduled.
> You can go here for a Roomba model comparison:
> http://www.irobot.com/sp.cfm?pageid=336
... the difference between a
> 560 and a 530 is that the former has the scheduling on-board (i.e.
> buttons on the unit), the latter has no scheduling. My 535 uses a
> wireless command centre, its was a special for around $220 from one of
> the shopping channels over here.
>
> Pete
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ho Yin Ng
> [mailto:architect.hoyin@xxxxxxx<architect.hoyin%40gmail.com>]
>
> Sent: 22 January 2008 04:41
> To: ukha_d
> Subject: [ukha_d] Roomba and Scooba
>
> I am considering buying a Roomba and a Scooba for washing my rubber
> floors.
> My idea would be to set it up and let it trundle around and clean the
> floor whilst I am at work.
>
> The problem is I have never seen one and don't know of anyone who has
> used one.
>
> 1. Does anyone on this group have either a Roomba or Scooba?
> 2. Am I able to program them as described previously so they can clean
> whilst I am out?
> 3. I assume if they run out of battery power they will return to the
> cradle to recharge then carry on cleaning?
> 4. How does the Roomba cope with crossing door thresholds from one
> room to another?
>
> I have seen the Roomba 560 on sale, is it worth it over the 530 - am I
> right I needs the 560 before I do scheduling? My rooms that actually
> have carpet is minimal my main areas are rubber. I cannot find a UK
> seller that sells the Scooba.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ho Yin
>
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