iRobot Roomba Scheduler 4230 Bagless Robotic Vacuum
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- Design: Robotic
- Technology: Container (Bagless)
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382
Roomba is my new best friend
Pros
allows for frequent vacuuming fun to watch, great customer service 3yrs still going
Cons
will not do dark carpet time consuming to get long hair off brushes
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you are busy and but you want your carpets vacuumed daily or regularly, the Roomba will be your new best friend too!!!! I use it several times a week
A friend told me about Roomba, and she is one of the pickiest people I know, so I thought it was worth a try. I got the Roomba Scheduler because it was on sale. I have never used the scheduler functions because I do not feel it necessary and don't really want the thing just turning on. I have had it a couple of months and just recently have started turning it on when I am leaving.
Roomba will not replace your regular vacuum, but is great for keeping your floors and carpets cleaned on a regular basis. I think it has actually picked up the nap on my carpet somewhat because I use it so frequently. It does a great job on carpets as well as floors like no wax floors. It goes up to carpets and throw rugs without a problem as long as the rug is sturdy and short nap.
One thing I learned is that Roombas sensors do not like very dark colors. If you have rug that has a pattern with dark colors or is overall a real dark color, you might have to cover your sensors with white paper and make sure that it does not go near stairs. This is what I did because the stairs are not really an issue for me and I have a few area rugs with dark spots.
The Roomba is equipped with sensors to help so that if it is near the stairs it won't fall over the edge. There are four sensors around the perimeter of the roomba. Turn your roomba over and you will see four rectangular openings a little over an inch long and perhaps 1/4inch wide. The sensors are contained inside these openings. If they are working properly they will sense when roomba is near an edge or by an open staircase, so it will back up and not go over the edge. If you have dark rugs roomba might think they are an edge and not go on that rug or the part of the rug that is dark. Some Area rugs have patterns or dark edges so roomba may not want to go in these areas if the sensors are working properly. Since stairs were not an issue for me I put white paper over the openings where the sensors are and roomba just goes up on the dark rugs. The only thing you have to remember is that when you cover the sensors you are disabling the roombas ability to sense an edge so should your roomba go near stairs with the sensors covered it may just go tumbling down the stairs. It would be nice if they came out with one where you could turn the sensors on and off.
The other drawback is if you have long hair it is a pain to clean the hair off the roomba brushes. Roomba comes with a tool to cut the hair off but small manicuring scissors probably work the best. I am going to order some replacement brushes and just replace them once in awhile. They are $9 each at irobot.
One really cool thing is how the Roomba goes right back to it's charging base when it is done cleaning. Somehow it knows when it is done and just goes back to charge so it is ready for next time. My Roomba cleans my whole downstairs in about 2 hrs before it needs to be charged. The downstairs of my house is 1200 square feet. I use the virtual walls to keep my roomba in one room at a time as it does a better job that way. I end with the family room where Roomba's charger is located
Overall I love my Roomba. The drawbacks are not serious enough to cause me to not want to use the roomba. It does such a great job
update Aug 4, 06
I had a problem with my roomba not holding a charge and called customer service. I was given some simple instructions to reset the battery. This seemed to work but it still was only holding the charge for about an hour instead of the usual 2 hrs. I called again and told them about the problem. Instead of trying anything else they are sending me a new battery. I do not even have to send the old one back. The person that I spoke with(Bobby) was very helpful and knowledgeable about the product. I would rate their customer service as A plus
update Sept 9, 06
The new battery did not change anything, my poor roomba still only runs for an hour and then quits. I called irobot again and they are sending me a new charging brick. If that does not do the trick then they will send me a whole new robot. The only thing is that if they send me a new unit I have to return the old one first and wait to get the new one which would be a drag since I am so used to using this thing. If I have to do that I am considering buying another unit for the upstairs of my house and that way I won't be without the roomba while I wait for the replacement. I will update when I get the new charging brick.
Oh I almost forgot to mention that the guy I spoke with last said he was sending out a new set of brushes for my trouble. I've had to call a few times and have talked to 3 different individuals and all were extremely knowledgeable, helpful and courteous
So far the customer service from irobot has been OUTSTANDING
update Sept 26, 06
I got the new charging brick. No difference. They will not send me a new robot until I send mine back. That is their policy but if I take it to the post office or UPS they will issue shipment as soon as I call them with the tracking number for the package. I bought this item at Sears and do have a replacement warranty that I purchased so I will probably just take it back to the store rather than spending the money on shipping etc.
The Future???
Even with this problem I still love my roomba and am considering getting one for my upstairs too. After using this one I am not sure I would purchase another scheduler, because I have never actually used the scheduler mode. I guess the idea of the thing turning on when I am not around just does not appeal to me. I am also considering getting a scooba which is a floor washing robot.
update March 2008
I still have my original roomba plus a staff of 2 more. Original roomba had to have a battery replaced but for whatever reason, irobot replaced it for free. I thought it was out of warranty but they said no, so I said TY!!! I am currently considering trying one of the new series of roomba. should I or shouldn't I?
update May 2009
I still have this unit and it is still working. I have had to replace the battery and it is a little sluggish to start but he still does the job. I have recently introduced one of the newest irobot roombas to my fleet of robots and will be writing a review on it soon. go roombas
Roomba will not replace your regular vacuum, but is great for keeping your floors and carpets cleaned on a regular basis. I think it has actually picked up the nap on my carpet somewhat because I use it so frequently. It does a great job on carpets as well as floors like no wax floors. It goes up to carpets and throw rugs without a problem as long as the rug is sturdy and short nap.
One thing I learned is that Roombas sensors do not like very dark colors. If you have rug that has a pattern with dark colors or is overall a real dark color, you might have to cover your sensors with white paper and make sure that it does not go near stairs. This is what I did because the stairs are not really an issue for me and I have a few area rugs with dark spots.
The Roomba is equipped with sensors to help so that if it is near the stairs it won't fall over the edge. There are four sensors around the perimeter of the roomba. Turn your roomba over and you will see four rectangular openings a little over an inch long and perhaps 1/4inch wide. The sensors are contained inside these openings. If they are working properly they will sense when roomba is near an edge or by an open staircase, so it will back up and not go over the edge. If you have dark rugs roomba might think they are an edge and not go on that rug or the part of the rug that is dark. Some Area rugs have patterns or dark edges so roomba may not want to go in these areas if the sensors are working properly. Since stairs were not an issue for me I put white paper over the openings where the sensors are and roomba just goes up on the dark rugs. The only thing you have to remember is that when you cover the sensors you are disabling the roombas ability to sense an edge so should your roomba go near stairs with the sensors covered it may just go tumbling down the stairs. It would be nice if they came out with one where you could turn the sensors on and off.
The other drawback is if you have long hair it is a pain to clean the hair off the roomba brushes. Roomba comes with a tool to cut the hair off but small manicuring scissors probably work the best. I am going to order some replacement brushes and just replace them once in awhile. They are $9 each at irobot.
One really cool thing is how the Roomba goes right back to it's charging base when it is done cleaning. Somehow it knows when it is done and just goes back to charge so it is ready for next time. My Roomba cleans my whole downstairs in about 2 hrs before it needs to be charged. The downstairs of my house is 1200 square feet. I use the virtual walls to keep my roomba in one room at a time as it does a better job that way. I end with the family room where Roomba's charger is located
Overall I love my Roomba. The drawbacks are not serious enough to cause me to not want to use the roomba. It does such a great job
update Aug 4, 06
I had a problem with my roomba not holding a charge and called customer service. I was given some simple instructions to reset the battery. This seemed to work but it still was only holding the charge for about an hour instead of the usual 2 hrs. I called again and told them about the problem. Instead of trying anything else they are sending me a new battery. I do not even have to send the old one back. The person that I spoke with(Bobby) was very helpful and knowledgeable about the product. I would rate their customer service as A plus
update Sept 9, 06
The new battery did not change anything, my poor roomba still only runs for an hour and then quits. I called irobot again and they are sending me a new charging brick. If that does not do the trick then they will send me a whole new robot. The only thing is that if they send me a new unit I have to return the old one first and wait to get the new one which would be a drag since I am so used to using this thing. If I have to do that I am considering buying another unit for the upstairs of my house and that way I won't be without the roomba while I wait for the replacement. I will update when I get the new charging brick.
Oh I almost forgot to mention that the guy I spoke with last said he was sending out a new set of brushes for my trouble. I've had to call a few times and have talked to 3 different individuals and all were extremely knowledgeable, helpful and courteous
So far the customer service from irobot has been OUTSTANDING
update Sept 26, 06
I got the new charging brick. No difference. They will not send me a new robot until I send mine back. That is their policy but if I take it to the post office or UPS they will issue shipment as soon as I call them with the tracking number for the package. I bought this item at Sears and do have a replacement warranty that I purchased so I will probably just take it back to the store rather than spending the money on shipping etc.
The Future???
Even with this problem I still love my roomba and am considering getting one for my upstairs too. After using this one I am not sure I would purchase another scheduler, because I have never actually used the scheduler mode. I guess the idea of the thing turning on when I am not around just does not appeal to me. I am also considering getting a scooba which is a floor washing robot.
update March 2008
I still have my original roomba plus a staff of 2 more. Original roomba had to have a battery replaced but for whatever reason, irobot replaced it for free. I thought it was out of warranty but they said no, so I said TY!!! I am currently considering trying one of the new series of roomba. should I or shouldn't I?
update May 2009
I still have this unit and it is still working. I have had to replace the battery and it is a little sluggish to start but he still does the job. I have recently introduced one of the newest irobot roombas to my fleet of robots and will be writing a review on it soon. go roombas
