Rediscovering ROOMBA - And SCOOBA!

[MayfairMeat]

So on another board I'm on, one of the denizens there started a thread lamenting the death of his late Roomba... named Veronica.

Veronica probably died of natural causes (short in circuit board) and the attention turned to the late-generation Roombas that are out now.



I used to have a Roomba and gave it away after the brushes got destroyed by enough power cords, speaker wire, and even the thick CAT-5 cables I got lying around stuff.

I got rid of him because I wasn't really that sure his random walk-about method of cleaning really worked, plus I was getting a bit tired of cleaning out lint.

I only found out later that you should vacuum first with a big heavy-duty upright first, then use Roomba as a maintenance vacuum after that... he's not capable of sucking up all the dirt from a totally oversplit potted plant, etc.

Then I found this picture that kinda shows Roomba's method to its cleaning madness:




The new Roomba has got some good software updates that virtually guarantee it's going to cover all of the available surface area Roomba can reach at least a couple of times.

It also detects power cords and wires and is pretty good about not disturbing them as long as they're at least lamp-cord thickness. If the brushes catch the power cord, the brushes spin in the reverse direction and the unit rocks back and forth to free itself.


Then I discovered SCOOBA, the floor-washing robot. OMFG I love this thing. No more mop and bucket!!!

I put Scooba down on my floors after my new Roomba picked everything up (it found a ton of stuff I missed!). I swear when I emptied the dirty water tank, the water was almost black. And I had just mopped the floor by hand a few days ago.

I've re-ran Scooba a couple times since I got him to the point where the dirty water tank is light grey.




Insanely huge picture: http://www.techdigest.tv/Roomba560_onFloor.jpg

[jillys]

We have the "dirt dog" sweeper Roomba and it has changed my life. We use it on the hardwood floors each day and it has erased all evidence of our shedding monster of a dog (except for the dog of course).

Would love the upgrade to a scooba...

[MayfairMeat]

I'm thinking of getting a Dirt Dog for the basement... it gets pretty scary in there sometimes between cleanings.

[OldCityTans]

omG

[NE19149]

I never can understand why people waste their money on this junk.

[MayfairMeat]

I never can understand why people waste their money on this junk.

Because I don't know what website you go to; to get those Argentian houseboys.

[hammersklavier]

What I want to see is a cat ride your Roomba.

[dr_gingivitis]

I never can understand why people waste their money on this junk.

You're crazy, our Roomba is probably the best electronics purchase we've made in years. The Roomba and my HP Mini, which survived a fall off the top of our car at 35 mph.

It's a toss up.
No, the Roomba is better.

[NE19149]

Because I don't know what website you go to; to get those Argentian houseboys.

Oye!
I'm shocked!

I only entertain a staff of endowed Brazillians, they get into the crevices better.... so there

[Valley Twin]

So what will handle my hardwood floors with area rugs? How can I roomba the carpets and scooba the floors?

[PhillyKev]

How can I roomba the carpets and scooba the floors?

Scroomba?

[Sailaway]

I have thought about getting a Roomba but I know things will end badly just like they did with the Trapper Keepers.

[wislad]

You're crazy, our Roomba is probably the best electronics purchase we've made in years. The Roomba and my HP Mini, which survived a fall off the top of our car at 35 mph.

It's a toss up.
No, the Roomba is better.

I am somewhat of a vacuum cleaner enthusiast and I love my Roomba. I also have a Halo, a Dyson, a Bissell Lift-Off Revolution and a bagless Eureka. I also steam clean my carpets twice a year with my Bissell PROheat 2X. Using the Roomba is no substitute for a good vac job, especially if you have pets. Also, mine has lasted for years (I got it when they first came out) because I empty it after each use and clean the brushes regularly.

Clean carpets are my life.

[MuscleHead]

I am somewhat of a vacuum cleaner enthusiast and I love my Roomba. I also have a Halo, a Dyson, a Bissell Lift-Off Revolution and a bagless Eureka. I also steam clean my carpets twice a year with my Bissell PROheat 2X. Using the Roomba is no substitute for a good vac job, especially if you have pets. Also, mine has lasted for years (I got it when they first came out) because I empty it after each use and clean the brushes regularly.

Clean carpets are my life.

Maybe you should be on one of those A&E shows!

[OutOfContext]

Maybe you should be on one of those A&E shows!

Yes, Intervention.

[jillys]

So what will handle my hardwood floors with area rugs? How can I roomba the carpets and scooba the floors?

Our dirt dog actually does a very good job on the rugs too. I assumed the scooba could do everything, but it sounds like you need to vacuum first? And then would I have to roll the rugs up so they don't get wet? I think mopping might be easier if that's the case.

[OB2SP]

This is making me want to go out and buy one of these things. What is a dirt dog? Is it a competitor of Roomba, or a version of it? Also, I have hardwood floors, tile, and rugs. Which do I buy?

[jillys]

This is making me want to go out and buy one of these things. What is a dirt dog? Is it a competitor of Roomba, or a version of it? Also, I have hardwood floors, tile, and rugs. Which do I buy?

The dirt dog is a version of the roomba. It's actually marketed to clean up work shops. It works great on hardwood, tile and throw rugs, but does not do a great job on installed carpet. It sweeps everything in, so isn't exactly a vacuum. It's pretty inexpensive and has held up well.

[toxigal]

I love my Roomba. His name is Jesus because he arrived on christmas day and is truly a miracle.

[jillys]

I love my Roomba. His name is Jesus because he arrived on christmas day and is truly a miracle.

Mine arrived on Valentine's Day. We call him "Frosty" or "the robot" (that's what you get when you let a 3-year-old name your roomba).