Anyone have a Roomba?

[Beth]

Do you recommend it?

If you have one, do you have the original model, or the "Pro?"

You can get the basic model for a pretty good price on eBay - but would it be worth paying the extra $$ for the pro - with the remote and extra wall?

TIA for your input!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'd probably get the Elite' model, with the remote, you know, a 'guy thing'. It looks good, I have seen it in a few stores, but I think it would work fine under ideal situations, nothing on the floor, relatively nicely set up floors without many unusual obstructions. I doubt it can equal the job of a person doing the vacuuming. Makes me think of a manned and unmanned spacecraft, a manned one takes care of the unexpected.

Here is the site for those who want to review it, like I did.

http://www.roombavac.com/homepage.asp

 

[nativetxn]

Don't have one, I think they are neat looking, though. I don't think it would work well for me since I have a dog that sheds. I think Dan is probably right, nothing on the floor and an area relatively clear and it would be perfect.

 

[Beth]

Thanks very much to both of you for your opinions.

I really like the idea of setting it up i a room and just "walking away." ...Like before I leave for work in the morning - as long as I don't leave it in a room that has a motion detector!

I'm going to bump this up to page 1 for the weekday traffic...

ANYBODY out there have one of these?!?

 

[Tantorini]

we *love* roomba!

actually we have two.. we bought the original back in April/May and we became addicted.. it's so easy..

so when the elite came out.. we had to have that one too..a nd it's worth it because it has the "go until you run out of battery mode"...

Now, Dan is right - our house is set up pretty nicely, hardwood floors one big open floorplan downstairs.. not many obstructions.. but we've set roomba up a few times and it succeeds.. it doesn't get stuck.. it's awesome..

we also have a black lab, and two black long haired cats.. we define shedding and roomba keeps up like a charm.. we set it on our way out in the morning.. and just have to do touchups once a week..

I thought it was a scam when my husband brought it home.. but it so isn't!! I've recommended it to lots of friends and family and they agree.. (it's ideal for older people who risk injury by vacuuming)


beth

 

[Majestic]

My friend has one and swears by it. When I saw it working in his house I decided I will be getting one for DW for Xmas.

Of course, the PRO model! Remotes are mandatory. You will be assimilated. Resistance is ..... Uh.... I am the true meaning of the word, "DORK".

Fred

Originally posted by Tantorini
we *love* roomba!

actually we have two.. we bought the original back in April/May and we became addicted.. it's so easy..

so when the elite came out.. we had to have that one too..a nd it's worth it because it has the "go until you run out of battery mode"...

Now, Dan is right - our house is set up pretty nicely, hardwood floors one big open floorplan downstairs.. not many obstructions.. but we've set roomba up a few times and it succeeds.. it doesn't get stuck.. it's awesome..

we also have a black lab, and two black long haired cats.. we define shedding and roomba keeps up like a charm.. we set it on our way out in the morning.. and just have to do touchups once a week..

I thought it was a scam when my husband brought it home.. but it so isn't!! I've recommended it to lots of friends and family and they agree.. (it's ideal for older people who risk injury by vacuuming)


beth

 

[Robinrs]

I'm curious if anyone's tried the Robosweep? It's a cheaper version of the Roomba and I wonder if it's any good???

 

[Ted and Holly]

We have a friend who has a Roomba. He loves it! he is a bit disappointed because he bought his a while ago, before the new model came out. He has a c ouple cats and a somewhat open floor plan. He does have a good amount of furniture. It does a pretty good job. I agree that a good manual cleaning is going to be better than the Roomba, but when you can sit on the couch and watch TV while it does the work, it HAs to be good.

He is also looking into the robotic/radio controlled lawn mower.

As far as less expensive version of the Roomba, I would imagine that the batteries are the most exensive component of these things. So, a less expensive model will most likely have less run time between recharges or a lower power vaccum motor.

Ted

 

[madelyn]

We got the original model in May. We have no pets but young kids that leave alot of crumbs around. We have alot of things around the floor (toys) but the Roomba does a decent job. I can pick up the toys, take the kids upstairs to take a bath and let the Roomba run and check on it later. I can even watch a little TV and don't feel like I am wasting time since I am vacuuming! It definitely doesn't replace vacuumings with a regular vacuum around our house since it doesn't do corners/crevices and we have toys that I have to move and vacuum underneath which the Roomba cannot do. But it is better than nothing between regular cleanings and it is a wonderful conversation piece for visitors around here who ask about it and love to see a short demo!

 

[Poohbear123]

But the price is outrageous! 249.00 for the PRO model and I don't think that includes everything! The one I saw in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog has it WITH the remote and 2 virtual Walls--what does THAT mean?

 

[madelyn]

We got our regular model through Bed, Bath and Beyond, with a 20% coupon. So I think it was around $160 plus tax.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Originally posted by Poohbear123
But the price is outrageous! 249.00 for the PRO model and I don't think that includes everything! The one I saw in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog has it WITH the remote and 2 virtual Walls--what does THAT mean?

Without going and looking at the information, I can speculate that "Virtual Walls" are devices that you can set up that create a barrier (radio or infrared) that can trick the Roomba into thinking that there is a wall there. For instance, you would use this at the top of carpeted stairs so that your Roomba doesn't try to vaccum those too.

Ted

 

[Lanshark]

I have the human version. She wants something. I hand her the vacuum. I leave the house. I come home and it's done.

It works fairly well but does have a few glitches. I wonder if I can get a remote control for a 17 year old female model.