#227573 - 16/07/2004 17:12
Roomba
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
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Anyone tried a Roomba robot vacuum cleaner? I'm aware that it's not really a proper vacuum (uses brushes) and doesn't like deep pile carpets, but any other comments?
They seem to be very cheap in the US right now.
Thanks
Rob
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#227574 - 16/07/2004 17:27
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/05/2001
Posts: 2616
Loc: Bruges, Belgium
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I haven't got one myself, so I can't comment, but maybe this little review will give you the info you need.
_________________________
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Riocar 80gig (010102106) - backup
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#227575 - 16/07/2004 17:40
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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enthusiast
Registered: 16/02/2001
Posts: 373
Loc: Switzerland
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I bought a cupple of weeks ago this one. But after two cleaning sessions, it was ready for the garbage...  So the job is now back to me, and it's much harder....  bye
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#227576 - 16/07/2004 17:56
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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addict
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 510
Loc: NY
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I have one. It's a piece of crap better used as a cat toy.
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Heather
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." -Susan B Anthony
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#227577 - 16/07/2004 19:59
Re: Roomba
[Re: BartDG]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
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That review is a little simple. But it does outline one important fact: The Roomba still means a lot of work for the owner.
One of the first pieces of the puzzle to solve before the next such killer product comes out is self-recharging. Units should make their own way back to the recharge bay. If its charge dies while it's under a bed or sofa, that's a little bit of a PITA.
Personally, I'd like a real vacuum instead of contact rollers. For solid surface floors you'd want to turn off the rollers and leave the pick-up action up to suction. It looks like a major hassle to clean those rollers too.
I'd say someone is better off with a Dyson cannister. It has just as much novelty although of a different flavour. And it will clean the entire house (in less time) to a greater degree of satisfaction.
But a vacuuming is still something I'd like to see solved by a "robot" - along with a mowing the lawn. But I'd like something that can be programmed to come online while I'm out of the house and dock itself by the time I get back. So there's no noise while I'm around.
Bruno
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#227578 - 16/07/2004 20:15
Re: Roomba
[Re: hybrid8]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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The Roomba Discovery is the latest Roomba and it does have the homing and self charging ability. I've got a plain Roomba and it is in it's box in the cupboard. Nearly useless in my house. Dyson cannister? What do you mean by that? The Dyson robot?
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#227579 - 17/07/2004 02:49
Re: Roomba
[Re: tman]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
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I meant a regular Dyson cannister. Like a DC08 or DC11. The Dyson DC06 (robot) would be the best robotic vacuum by far if it were available retail, but nothing is going to compare to the larger, real deal for cleaning ability.
Bruno
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#227580 - 17/07/2004 04:49
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/01/2002
Posts: 3937
Loc: Providence, RI
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I like mine fine. No cats. Not deep pile rugs. Had one problem, they shipped me a part, was back in business.
Either it vacuums, or the floor is dirty.
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#227581 - 17/07/2004 05:49
Re: Roomba
[Re: hybrid8]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
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In searching for info on the DC06, I found this story from May this year. Seems the DC06 will not see retail life, but instead have it's tech included in a newer model down the road.
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#227582 - 17/07/2004 10:07
Re: Roomba
[Re: hybrid8]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/12/2001
Posts: 5528
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Ah yeah. We mentioned this on IRC the other night. Dyson bagless vacuum cleaners aren't a novelty over here. You can get them at any reasonable appliance store 
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#227583 - 17/07/2004 21:21
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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old hand
Registered: 28/12/2001
Posts: 868
Loc: Los Angeles
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I saw a review for one in WSJ just the other day (don't have a link, sorry). They made a good analogy which I will have to paraphrase from memory.
The robot vacuum cleaner technology is a lot like a dancing dog, in that you are spending so much time being amazed that the dog can dance at all that you fail to notice what a horrible job it does of it.
Never used one personally but that quote stuck out in my mind.
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Ninti - MK IIa 60GB Smoke, 30GB, 10GB
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#227584 - 17/07/2004 21:28
Re: Roomba
[Re: ninti]
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addict
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 510
Loc: NY
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The robot vacuum cleaner technology is a lot like a dancing dog, in that you are spending so much time being amazed that the dog can dance at all that you fail to notice what a horrible job it does of it.
Never used one personally but that quote stuck out in my mind
And that's exactly what's wrong with it. It looks like it's sweeping the floor, then you see the dust bunnies in a few days and realize it's just pushing the dirt around.
_________________________
Heather
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." -Susan B Anthony
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#227585 - 17/07/2004 21:53
Re: Roomba
[Re: Heather]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 17/01/2002
Posts: 3996
Loc: Manchester UK
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Dust bunnies?
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Cheers,
Andy M
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#227586 - 17/07/2004 22:20
Re: Roomba
[Re: andym]
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addict
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 510
Loc: NY
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Dust bunnies?
Yeah, the clumps of dust you often find in places like under the bed. Rooma makes them appear in the middle of the living room floor.
_________________________
Heather
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." -Susan B Anthony
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#227587 - 17/07/2004 23:12
Re: Roomba
[Re: andym]
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old hand
Registered: 14/04/2002
Posts: 1172
Loc: Hants, UK
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Quote:
Dust bunnies?
He was probably imagining this thing pushing around a broom:
link
Gareth
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#227588 - 18/07/2004 00:00
Re: Roomba
[Re: ninti]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/01/2002
Posts: 3937
Loc: Providence, RI
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Quote:
I saw a review for one in WSJ just the other day (don't have a link, sorry). They made a good analogy which I will have to paraphrase from memory.
The robot vacuum cleaner technology is a lot like a dancing dog, in that you are spending so much time being amazed that the dog can dance at all that you fail to notice what a horrible job it does of it.
Never used one personally but that quote stuck out in my mind.
If true, consider that nothing else in the house that might dance is willing to, so even poor dancing is an improvement
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#227589 - 18/07/2004 09:52
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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addict
Registered: 08/08/2001
Posts: 452
Loc: NZ
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Im considering getting the Roomba discovery when it becomes available... have a read of the community site and some dude mounted a cam on his.. lol
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#227590 - 18/07/2004 16:43
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
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Thanks for all the advice. If I see a Discovery when I'm in the US next week I may pick one up (seems like they might not be shipping yet though). I don't have pets or deep pile carpets, and half arsed robotic cleaning is still better than no arsed manual cleaning Rob
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#227591 - 18/07/2004 16:53
OT: Rob's US trips
[Re: rob]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
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Quote:
when I'm in the US next week
They are keeping you busy aren't they. Still wished you would have been able to make the meet this year.
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#227592 - 18/07/2004 18:33
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 12/02/2002
Posts: 2298
Loc: Berkeley, California
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Quote:
If I see a Discovery when I'm in the US next week
If you're coming to Santa Clara again, the closest one is probably the Valley Fair mall, right where 880 meets 280.
On an unrelated note, did you ever find any B&M place that carried IBM laptops?
Matthew
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#227593 - 20/07/2004 00:17
Re: Roomba
[Re: drakino]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
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If Dyson can't come out and be the best, there really isn't any point. I'm glad they scrapped it if they thought it wasn't going to be up to snuff. The software aside, they have the best vacuuming technology and are in no way of losing that IP. As far as Roomba goes, there's plenty of "competition" for it starting to appear. Though I don't see any of the others as serious threats at this time: some other little-known European model which just doesn't have the right form-factor nor run-time, the Trilobite from Electrolux which does sound promising but isn't yet out, and then at least another one or two I found which are likely more vapour than substance. While searching I did find a US$700 robotic lawn mower though. I'm pretty sure it doesn't self-charge and there's likely a lot of manual work setting up a perimiter for it first. Bruno
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#227594 - 20/07/2004 01:28
Re: Roomba
[Re: hybrid8]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
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I saw an ad on tv last night selling a "robotic cleaner" that consisted of a ring with one of those toy balls that randomly roll around in the center and a sweepa pad on the bottom.
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Matt
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#227595 - 20/07/2004 04:16
Re: Roomba
[Re: hybrid8]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/01/2002
Posts: 3937
Loc: Providence, RI
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The Robomower RL1000 costs more than that but is self-charging. And I've discussed my Robomower here before: I like it.
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#227596 - 20/07/2004 07:34
Re: Roomba
[Re: Daria]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 09/08/2000
Posts: 2091
Loc: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Robomower would be great for my garden - an easy perimeter with nothing odd to watch out for. The downside would be my cat - I have to move him out the way of the flymo as it is, so I could see him becoming a domestic short-hair pretty damn quickly 
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Rory
MkIIa, blue lit buttons, memory upgrade, 1Tb in Subaru Forester STi
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MkII, 80Gb SSD in dock
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#227597 - 20/07/2004 14:26
Re: Roomba
[Re: matthew_k]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
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Quote:
Quote:
If I see a Discovery when I'm in the US next week
If you're coming to Santa Clara again, the closest one is probably the Valley Fair mall, right where 880 meets 280.
On an unrelated note, did you ever find any B&M place that carried IBM laptops?
Matthew
I meant a Roomba Discovery SE not a Discovery store. There's a gadget type store in the Stanford Mall which is probably where I'll go as Hugo wants to visit the Bose store.
I bought my ThinkPad online in the end. Works great :-)
Rob
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#227598 - 20/07/2004 14:38
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Quote:
Santa Clara
You know, there's a direct flight from London to Raleigh every day. Now if I could only come up with any possible reason you might want to come here.... Nope. There isn't one.
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Bitt Faulk
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#227599 - 20/07/2004 19:02
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 12/02/2002
Posts: 2298
Loc: Berkeley, California
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Quote:
I meant a Roomba Discovery SE
That'll teach me to skim...
Quote:
as Hugo wants to visit the Bose store.
I did a double take on that one... The Bose store?
Matthew
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#227600 - 20/07/2004 19:05
Re: Roomba
[Re: matthew_k]
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enthusiast
Registered: 08/08/2000
Posts: 351
Loc: chicago
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Quote:
Quote:
as Hugo wants to visit the Bose store.
I did a double take on that one... The Bose store?
Noise-canceling headphones, perhaps?
--Dan.
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#227601 - 13/11/2004 02:32
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
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Quote:
If I see a Discovery when I'm in the US next week I may pick one up (seems like they might not be shipping yet though).
Well, I didn't see one on that trip, but I did see one when I popped into the Great Mall today to pick up a new pair of shoes. $249 for the Discovery model with self charging base, high capacity battery and fast(ish) charge seemed like a bargain!
Although I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon, the Roomba has given me as much entertainment as I've had in a hotel room for many years! I can also sleep sound in the knowledge that about half a ton of crap is no longer embedded in my hotel carpet.
Shame the (really nice) packaging won't fit in my suitcase though.
Rob
PS I didn't get any shoes.
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#227602 - 13/11/2004 04:55
Re: Roomba
[Re: rob]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
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You should have taken a picture of what was vacuumed up and left it for house keeping (or just left it in a pile someplace)
_________________________
Matt
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