Anybody tried the **iRobot **vacuum cleaning robots?
I am really looking to get one and need some serious testimonials. The new one is iRobot Roomba® 580 Vacuum Cleaning Robot](http://store.irobot.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2898148&cp=2501652&parentPage=family)**. **I believe it covers a broader square footage.
Re: iRobot
I heard lots of good reviews about that. They even have a version that is wet/dry so it could pick up spills and mop your floors.
But I am always worried about the capacity. it has such small body, how much dirt and stuff can it pick before you need to empty it.
Even then, it sounds like a great gadget for the people with kids in the house
Re: iRobot
SO can I buy it??? The new is like $500...:o
Re: iRobot
dont they have a few different makes/models out in the market now?
I prefer vaccuming on my own but yea I can see how this robot would be helpful for parents with little ones running around. You can vaccum twice a day with this little device. :D
Re: iRobot
Its a toy, Just get a regular vacum cleaner....
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^ good point. I doubt it can hold too much dirt/lint. Ff you use it regularly however, it wont have much dirt collecting in the first place.
wet/dry? really! that’s a nice feature to have.
like i said …great for parents! :k:
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You can program it too…less work for me…
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I just hate vaccuming period. Or maybe its just our vacuum is so huge and loud and outdated =/. i hate the idea of having a carpet at all, but maybe there are benefits that i just dont know yet.
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I have to vacuum 2 times a day at least...in the family room where the kids spend most of their time. It's a reality that I have to face! The iRobot should be able to help I guess...
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We got it. Tried it. Got tired of it. Returned it.
Now, here is the long and short of it. Its a novelty. If you just want to appear cool than get it and wow your friends. The real problem is that it takes a long time to clean an area. Granted it does it by itself, however, with a regular vacuum cleaner you can clean a room in 2-5 minutes, this guy will just go on and on and on for 15-20 minutes, and even then the room won't look very clear. It has spot cleaner and some other innovations, but the simplicity of taking your vacuum and vigorously clean that one small area that has bread crumbs, is just not there in Romba. It was frustrating the hell out of all of us.
In summary, we didn't like it. But we tried it a couple of years ago. Technology keeps improving. Try it if you want. Just make sure you get it from a store that has VERY GOOD return policy. We had got it from Sears, btw :)
Re: iRobot
^^Thanks Faisal. Now I must rethink my options...
Re: iRobot
Your sucess will really depend on how you use it and what you use it for. We abuse the heck out of ours - it goes on every weekday when we're at work and charges itself in between. The new models are great on hardwood and runners but still fail when it comes to high pile carpet. There's simply not enough suction to pick up anything but surface dirt.
In the end it's only good for regular housekeeping (given that you're not a slob). You'll still need to pull out a real vacuum once in a while to do a thorough job.
Re: iRobot
I'm looking for help for in between jobs. You know little mess ups by kids during the day, so I can focus on other things...
Re: iRobot
I have one and loved it when my wife was sick , it is a good gadget for multitasking, this should be its primary purpose. It will not do a good job around the corners and edges . For the purpose you need it for you , you do not have to buy $500 dollar one. The one I bought was on sale at Sams Club for $200 dollars , it looked like a life saver at the time. We do occasionally use it for cleaning the living room because of the same reason you have for cleaning your living room namely kids making mess in LR.
Re: iRobot
OK. SOund good. I guess I should get one with a good return policy so if it doesn't work out I can return it.
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It doesn't seem like it would do a good job of cleaning. I think it's more just for the show.
You should just stick to doing jhaaroo. =]
Re: iRobot
lol…for a sec i thought u were talking about the irobot movie.
…
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We tried it recently and didnt like it.
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niksik, just use iTLK instead..
from ppl who have it, I have heard that for maintenance purposes its good, so in between cleanings it will keep the place neat. best on hardwood floors, tiles etc.
The scooba, which is the version that mops has had some good reviews from some ppl in the family who got it.
It does take a while and is best used when ppl are not around and you dont have other junk and stuff scattered, with kids that gets to be tough, with toys etc.
Re: iRobot
use TLK instead , hoonh 
so if it bumps into a toy, how light a toy needs to be for Irobot to push it away and keep moving ..
a small truck, a teddy bear, a ball ?
but I read some good reviews about IRobot , plus you can actually hack it if you are bit of a nerd