#I actually probably need to replace both my computers because the surface's battery will only last for like forty-five minutes

[bedlamsbard]

Problem Child (my laptop) is Doing Things again, and the most recent thing is that it just suddenly started occasionally having pink and green vertical lines flicker across the screen which I think is supposed to be a hardware thing.  Inconsistently, though, not constantly.  This is really bad timing for reasons that include I have to spend literally all day tomorrow and Friday on Zoom. 

me, optimistically: maybe it will just go away!

(I mean, the Surface did this once and it did just go away when I restarted it.)

me, realistically: gods, I’m going to go to my computer guy and and have to go “yeah, the top two rows of my keyboard don’t work all the time, last week it fluctuated being plugged in for half an hour, now This, and also yes, I am still running Windows 7.”  I’ve had to get my wireless card chip thing replaced twice in the last four years and both times he’s gone, “uh, don’t you want to update to Windows 10?” but also “this is a GOOD computer. IF YOU’D UPDATE TO WINDOWS 10.”

Problem Child is an eight-year-old Dell Inspiron and is actually the longest-lasting computer I’ve ever had, mostly because I’ve been too stubborn to replace it every time it’s Done Something.  For a while there it used to randomly bluescreen and turn off but @amemait did some witchcraft on it and it doesn’t do that anymore.  (I think that was the first time the wireless card burned out and we were trying to figure out if that was a hardware or software issue.  Hardware, but we tried the software fixes first and that fixed the “it turns off randomly sometimes” problem.)

ETA: I forgot the fact that the touchpad hasn’t worked consistently in years which is why I have a mouse.  (I have a vertical mouse for “I have very fucked up wrists” reasons” and now I can’t use a normal mouse.)

ETA2: oh, and the rattle! how could I forget the rattle! Problem Child just randomly rattles half the time. doesn’t seem to affect its functioning at all, it just rattles.

[scifigeneration]

Waiting for an undersea robot in Antarctica to call home

by Jennifer Walsh

One of two underwater gliders is deployed from a research ship into Antarctic waters. NOAA

“Call! Just call!” I think loudly in my head. “Did something happen? Are you okay?”

I might seem like a worried parent waiting for a teenager to report in from an unsupervised outing. Rather, I’m a research biologist with the Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It’s late February 2019, and I am waiting for an autonomous underwater glider in Antarctica to surface and call me via satellite, so I can give it new diving instructions. The longest it’s supposed to go without surfacing is eight hours, and it’s now been nine.

Did it get stuck under an iceberg? An underwater ledge? I feel so helpless; I’m 9,000 miles away in San Diego and all I can do is chew my fingernails and think, “No. This can’t happen. We can’t lose this glider so close to the end.”

The survey area where gliders measured Antarctic krill populations. NOAA

Our research team is two-and-a-half months into a three-month-long mission just north of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is our first time deploying gliders so far from home, and our hope for a successful field season – not to mention a great deal of research – depends on recovering the two gliders our group deployed in December 2018. The gliders are now full of oceanographic data that will help us provide scientific advice on how best to conserve the Antarctic ecosystem as the area around the peninsula warms faster than almost any other region on Earth, which may adversely affect the animals that live there.

9 hours, 30 minutes: No call

For over 30 years, the NOAA group I’m part of has conducted studies to estimate how many Antarctic krill, small shrimp-like creatures that support the diverse Antarctic food web, live around the Antarctic Peninsula.

Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, can grow up to about 2.5 inches long. Uwe Kils/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Krill feeds penguins and seals that breed in this area every summer and whales and fishes that feed here year-round, while also supporting a major fishery. You may have seen bright-red dietary supplements made from krill oil prominently displayed at the pharmacy. Our data help establish catch limits for the krill fishery, ensuring enough krill remain in the ocean to maintain the population after all people and animals take what they need to make a living. Without good data to support fishery-management decisions, krill fishing could undermine the food web for which Antarctica is so well known, as demand for supplements and other krill products surges.

10 hours: No call

Until three years ago, my program chartered a research vessel for a month each year to sail around the Antarctic Peninsula and estimate the biomass of krill. But after 2016, rising vessel costs eliminated our surveys. For our program to continue, we had to find a creative way to collect our data in Antarctica without actually going to Antarctica.

An autonomous glider in the ocean. NOAA

Our solution was to use autonomous underwater gliders, which can be deployed in just a few hours by a small team from a ship in Antarctica, and then recovered months later. Gliders can dive to 3,000 feet, cover thousands of miles and follow commands from anywhere in the world with a laptop and an internet connection. Their batteries last six months, which means that they can collect much more data for much less money than a bunch of scientists on a research vessel.

The gliders resemble torpedoes in appearance, but contain three massive batteries and an array of scientific sensors that collect much of the same data we used to collect from a ship. Although the gliders are able to transmit small amounts of data via satellite throughout the deployment, the most valuable data are stored on the glider. If we lose a glider, which is always a possibility when you let something roam free in the ocean unattended for months, then we also lose the data.

We had effectively replaced ourselves with drones. But would they work?

12 hours: No call

For most of our team, the transition just a year ago from annual research voyages to the aquatic versions of C-3PO and R2-D2 was exciting. Secretly, though, I was terrified. I had spent my career as a scientist collecting krill samples from research vessels for biochemical analyses of their tissues. Suddenly I found myself ousted by oceanographic robots full of cables, wires, circuit boards and all sorts of other technological gadgetry.

These are not what you’d call smart robots. A bit like human toddlers, they have some degree of self-awareness, but would destroy themselves without semi-constant monitoring and instructions on how deep to dive or where to go. Outside supervision is especially important in the Southern Ocean, which is full of seamounts, canyons, strong currents and, most importantly, icebergs.

You can’t glider-proof the ocean the way you can baby-proof a house, so I had to forget everything I knew about biochemistry and learn as much as I could about glider piloting in 10 short months.

13 hours: No call

All that training and practice felt like 10 minutes by the time we finally packed up the gliders and shipped them to the Southern Hemisphere for their first Antarctic deployments. The commands for how deep to dive and where to go seemed simple enough, but the gliders responded as unpredictably as the ocean itself.

A near-disastrous practice deployment in San Diego revealed how slowly they maneuver, particularly in strong currents. Piloting them felt like trying to drive a remote-control semi-truck through a go-kart course, which reinforced our apprehension about driving these things through the ocean all the way across the planet, in one of the most remote and treacherous oceans on Earth.

Never mind the wind and the currents and the icebergs. What made this deployment far scarier was that if things started to go horribly wrong, we had no way to get the gliders back. It was like dropping a toddler off at college on another continent: What if he needs you and you can’t get to him?

14 hours: No call

Almost exactly 10 months from our first day of glider training, we carried the gliders across the Drake Passage on a research vessel bound for the Antarctic Peninsula. The deployments were flawless, and over the next few days, our confidence began to build. We quickly learned that icebergs were enemy number one, and they were formidable opponents. Satellite images of icebergs were available every couple of days, and we overlaid maps of planned glider tracks onto those images so we could steer the gliders around any ice in their way. The trouble was, even the newest images we received were already a day old, and the ice had already moved.

On this chart of the South Shetland Islands, one intended glider path is marked in straight gray lines. Circled in red in the middle is the iceberg the researchers called ‘Yacu.’ NOAA

Smaller icebergs were usually avoidable, but around three weeks into the deployment, “Yacu” appeared on the scene. Inspired by a mythological South American snake that eats everything in its way, that was the nickname we gave a 12.5-mile-wide iceberg from the Weddell Sea that drifted right into the path of one of the gliders. Yacu stuck around for the rest of the deployment, every few days spawning smaller (but still huge) icebergs that posed a constant and unpredictable threat to gliders already at the mercy of currents, tides and wind.

If a glider gets trapped under an obstacle and senses that it’s been underwater for too long, it drops an emergency weight to rocket itself to the surface for an immediate recovery. Once a glider drops its weight, it can’t dive anymore. So if it is trapped under ice, it’s likely to stay trapped under ice. And one way to know if a glider is trapped is that it stops calling in, because it can connect to satellites only when it’s at the surface.

15 hours: No call

And then…

Ding ding! Ding ding! My laptop screams at me after 16 long hours: The glider is at the surface.

It is well past 9 p.m., but every member of our five-person team has been glued to a computer since early afternoon, and we collectively sigh with relief. We now think the glider probably surfaced after the first eight hours, failed to connect to the satellite and resumed diving, which can occasionally happen. The reason for the gap is unimportant compared to our elation. A couple of weeks later, we successfully recovered both gliders on schedule and completed our first autonomous Antarctic field season.

One key finding is that we can, in fact, replace a vessel-based fishery assessment with a glider-based one in less than a year. With gliders, we can get krill biomass estimates comparable to those we would expect from a ship. That means we can use gliders to continue to provide critical data for managing the krill fishery.

This is a profound accomplishment for us and for NOAA, and it also has far-reaching promise for the future of fisheries research globally. The cost of science keeps going up, and autonomous instruments offer an affordable way to collect critical data for effectively managing ocean resources and conserving fragile marine ecosystems worldwide.

Our gliders are like toddlers in one final way: They’re advanced technology, yet they’re still in their infancy. Their ongoing usefulness to understand our changing planet in real time will depend on new sensors and instruments yet to be developed. What we accomplished is only the the tip of Yacu compared to what the future of autonomous oceanographic research holds.

About The Author:

Jennifer Walsh is a Research Biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

This article is republished from our content partners at The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

[tvwriteups]

tvw is having Black Friday and electronics dilemmas

I'm one of those people that browses Black Friday deals for things I am going to buy for myself.

It's hard to decide what to get this year though. I haven't had a new electronic device since I got a Nintendo Switch last June (so I could join everyone else playing ACNH).

I'm still on a PS4. I actually still have my PS3 but I can't do anything with it because someone took my controller to give to a kid who had a broken controller and has not replaced my controller! (I have a separate remote for it so it's just a glorified CD player.)

My phone is a couple of years old. It's probably the one item I don't care to update.

My Squeezebox Boom died the other month. I need a new clock but not sure I need the streaming radio anymore. (It is so old!)

My favorite solar Logitech PC keyboard is dead. I did replace the battery but it didn't last all that long. (There is no legit replacement battery that can be bought; can only buy it through something that feels shady.) I have a Mac version of the same keyboard which is not getting used because that iMac actually isn't even mine and is currently in someone else's home right now.

My Kindle Fire is a 5th Gen and they're on 10 now! I don't stream on it (I have a phone for that) so I don't really need a new one. I see deal prices and I think I want a new one but...like...don't need it. It's also the only tablet I have (I've never owned an iPad in my life and have zero need for one).

My MBA's battery life sucks now and there isn't enough storage on this thing to run updates. Heck, I'm not even sure I can update to the new iOS. I tell myself I'll just buy a Mac dedicated hard drive to get around the upgrade/storage issue but when I see deals... and then I'm all "do I know a student I can hit up for a deal?"

And my desktop PC is dying. I think the hard drive is due to fail. I don't even know when I bought it anymore. I've had two desktops in 10 years (and still have that old husk and an even older Gateway fro, 2001 sitting on my floor!). But prices on quality desktops are insane even with the deals because of all the crypto mining driving the costs up. I don't want to spend that money on something that doesn't automatically come with Windows 11 so I'm gonna have to wait another year.

I don't understand why I didn't just format my hard drives to be compatible with both PCs and Macs. Aside from laziness it's probably because of size limitation issues. My PC is backed up to external hard drives that I cannot plug into my Mac.

Hence, I need a new PC with a USB port so I can still access the backed up files for when the old desktop finally kicks it.

I really wanted to be all Windows PC desktop and MacBook laptop but... yeah, just plonked some cash on what is essentially a desktop replacement laptop of the budget gaming variety. It's meeting in the middle and totally the setup I didn't want to go for but doing what I want doesn't make any financial sense at the moment.

I could probably turn around and sell it or even gift it to a younger family member when I finally can pull the trigger on the computer setup that I want.

Not just electronics going on here but I'm also feeling like I need a new couch. One of the kids was picking at the leather and now a portion of the couch bothers me to sit on unless I put a blanked between the surface and myself. My deceased aunt had purchased it for me so it will be hard for me to let it go. Also, it is an insane sleep-inducing couch -- just something about it! Even guests had come over and find themselves nodding off on it.

I don't know. I don't know if it's a case of everything having gotten old or increased indoor stay due to the pandemic just making me bored with the stuff around me.

I did replace my air fryer though but that's because the previous one broke.

Need a new device for making coffee. Not sure if I should get an actual small coffee maker or get one of those Melitta ceramic cones. I keep telling myself I shouldn't drink coffee anymore but I keep going back like an addict. (I never became a regular coffee drinker until I turned 28.)

Grr. Need to make a backup image of my current desktop. Grr. Grr. I used to not mind doing this stuff but I find it incredibly annoying now. Probably because old now.

I just so freakin' restless and annoyed that I took apart a large armchair so I could move it upstairs to my den... just so things could be a little different around here!

A little less than a year ago I was sleeping on a queen sized mattress on the floor of my living room. And then a couple of month later I was sleeping on a queen-sized bed in my den. And then in September I was finally back to my own bedroom (loooooong story).

Wait, is this cabin fever?

[gesteckt1]

Lenovo ThinkPad L420 Battery all-laptopbattery.com

There are bleeding-edge technologies that promise to one day free us from not only having to find a power outlet when we start panicking about a device’s dying battery, but cords and cables altogether. Ossia’s Cota technology, for example, can wirelessly deliver power to electronics the same way wifi delivers internet to your phone and computer. But a practical mass rollout of such a system is still years away.The reality is that cords, plugs, and physical power outlets will be with us for many decades to come, so even the smallest of improvements or innovations that make plugging in our gear less of a hassle are welcome. The surprisingly useful addition of a simple LED torch to its plug isn’t the only thing that makes Stella a worthwhile upgrade; Ten One Design’s execution is nearly-perfect.

The MacBook version of the Stella comes in two colour versions, while the PC version comes in two and three-prong options. (Photo: Andrew Liszewski/Gizmodo)The $35 (£27) cable, which is currently only available in the US, but fingers crossed it comes to the UK soon, is designed to replace the section of cord that connects your laptop’s power brick to a wall outlet, and is currently available in versions for both Apple and PC laptops—but a compatibility double-check may be a good plan if you’re buying the Stella for a non-MacBook device.I tested the Stella with an older MacBook Pro, and swapping out the brick’s standard power cord for Ten One Design’s upgrade was as simple. The Stella does look a little different than the power cord Apple includes with its MacBooks; trading a thick rubber sheathing for a braided nylon shell. But I much prefer how the Stella looks, and the braided cable is actually more flexible, so it’s easier to wind around the power brick when cable wrangling.

Despite the extra tech, the Stella’s plug is still small enough to easily squeeze into a crowded power bar. The business-end of the Stella—the part that actually plugs into an outlet—is only just slightly bulkier than Apple’s. But it can still easily squeeze into a crowded power bar, and Ten One Design has made the braided cord exit the plug at a 45-degree angle which the company claims will help reduce stress and damage at the connection point.It looks like a perfectly normal electrical plug, but inside the Stella is additional hardware similar to what you’d find inside a non-contact voltage tester, tools electricians use to detect the presence of a live wire without actually having to touch it by detecting the surrounding electrical field. The Stella incorporates a simplified version of this technology to automatically activate an LED when power is detected. It’s not quite as sensitive as the tool an electrician would use, but I found it was able to detect a power outlet from as far as a couple of inches.

Lenovo ThinkPad L420 Battery

LENOVO ThinkPad Edge S430 Battery

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E431 Battery

LENOVO ThinkPad Edge E420s Battery

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420 Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad Z580 Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad Z560 Battery

lenovo IdeaPad Z470 Battery

LENOVO IdeaPad Y580 Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad Y470 Battery

lenovo IdeaPad G560 Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad G470 Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad G430 Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad B570 Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad B560 Battery

Lenovo Ideapad B550 Battery

Lenovo 3000 G430 Battery

LENOVO ThinkPad Edge E531 Battery

LENOVO ThinkPad Edge E31 Battery

Lenovo ThinkPad E50 Battery

The Stella uses a non-replaceable battery to power its low-energy LED that Ten One Design claims will work for at least a decade—well past the life of any laptop. But while the LED is certainly bright enough to illuminate an outlet when it’s a couple of inches away, it’s in no way usable as a torch. You’ll want to treat it more as a last mile tool (or in this case, a last inches tool) that can save you from having to blindly try to jam a plug into an outlet in the dark, but you’ll need to know where that outlet is first.Is the Stella a must-have upgrade? If your laptop spends its entirely life sitting in one place, then the answer is no. But if your laptop never leaves your side, joining you on business trips and hotel stays where you’re constantly plugging and unplugging your computer into strange and different places, then there’s a strong case to be made for the upgrade. But I actually run into this problem far more often with my iPhone’s charging cable, so if Ten One Design ever manages to squeeze a smart LED into that tiny wall wart, I’ll be first in line with my credit card.

The Surface Go is a super portable 2-in-1 that's great as a second go-anywhere machine. Unfortunately, battery life isn't great and once you've added the accessories it's not cheap. But for a portable machine there's little else to take it on. Few companies have produced affordable Windows devices that are firstly desirable and secondly portable. So Microsoft has decided it's time to step into the ring with the Surface Go: an entry-level 2-in-1 to the Surface range, sitting below the Surface Pro.The Go is a full Windows 10 laptop-tablet hybrid, albeit in Windows 10 S Mode. It's affordable, at £379 ($399), but if you want a full-fat experience then you'll need to buy the £100 Type Cover (backlit and available in black, platinum, burgundy or blue) and £100 Surface Pen stylus separately. That takes it to £579, which means it's potentially more expensive than an iPad with Apple Pencil and a Bluetooth keyboard (not iPad Pro).

Lenovo ThinkPad E40 Battery

Lenovo G575L Battery

Lenovo G575G Battery

Lenovo G575E Battery

lenovo G570E Battery

Lenovo G555G Battery

Lenovo G555A Battery

Lenovo G550A Battery

lenovo G460E Battery

LENOVO B580 Battery

Lenovo B570G Battery

LenovO B480 Battery

IBM ThinkPad Z61p Battery

IBM ThinkPad X60 Battery

IBM ThinkPad T42 Battery

IBM ThinkPad T41 Battery

IBM ThinkPad R60e Battery

lenovo IdeaPad G560G Battery

lenovo IdeaPad G560E Battery

lenovo IdeaPad G560A Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad G470G Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad G470AH Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad G470A Battery

While the back of the Surface Go is attractive in that familiar Surface way with its integrated kickstand, there's a problem: the front bezels are massive. It's a shame because the 10-inch PixelSense display is better than many in this class, but it looks a bit out of date straight out of the gate.As a tablet, the Go weighs just 522g, making it highly portable. You'll find yourself placing it in a folder, sleeve or folio to carry it round as it's not hugely different in footprint to an A4 sheet of paper. It's around 8mm thick, enabling it to be slotted into small gaps in baggage with ease. It's portability that is the Go's main strength, as its name suggests.We've always been fans of the Surface kickstand, but like other 2-in-1s the Surface Go does present usability problems with its optional Type Cover keyboard attached. Firstly, train or airline tables offer limited, thus the keyboard is often stuck out from the table and isn't stable. Secondly, it just isn't that good to work with on your lap. In an ideal world nobody would be hunched over a computing device on their lap. But the real world isn't like that and if you regularly work at conferences or on public transport you'll probably be much better off with a laptop.

There are two Surface Go configurations, which differ in terms of the RAM (4GB vs 8GB) and storage (64GB vs 128GB). Whether that is enough for you to buy the pricier model (it's an extra £130) depends on what tasks you'll need the Surface Go to handle. This isn't a primary device in our opinion unless you're going to be doing browsing, typing and emailing.The processor inside the Surface Go has an interesting name – Pentium Gold. With Intel's prevalent Core i3, i5, i7 and i9 branding it's easy to forget that Intel still makes Pentium processors. The silly thing about the nomenclature is that modern Pentium processors bear no relation to their predecessors and is part of the Kaby Lake series of chips introduced at the start of 2017. They slot in between the super-basic Celeron line-up and the Core m3 (used in the Apple MacBook) and Core i3 series.

We weren't expecting the Surface Go to perform that well and in terms of pure grunt it doesn't have a lot. But Windows 10 is fairly easy going on most devices and the Surface Go is no exception. OK, so it was a little tardy installing some Windows Updates and a couple of apps but otherwise it was absolutely fine for everyday use including editing photos and running numerous apps simultaneously.Surface devices are supposed to offer the latest specs, although they have been weirdly slow to move to USB-C and dump proprietary adapters. The Go has a headphone jack and USB-C port but, alas, Microsoft has stuck with the proprietary Surface connector for charging. We'd expect this to change for a secondary USB-C in a later version, which would make all the difference in terms of connectivity. There is, however, a microSD card reader under the kickstand, which is potentially handy (although it does mean photographers wanting to use the Surface Go for simple photo edits will need to use a microSD card and adapter in their camera).

[mariannewhughes]

Father Fixers

Warning: Father’s Day is June 17. That’s coming up fast, folks. And this year, we’re honoring the dads, grandpas, uncles, friends, and mentors who taught us how to fix. In addition to providing much-needed support and guidance during our formative years, these relationships often serve as our first introduction to repair and tinkering.

Here at iFixit, we’ve got a whole pack of new dads and parents. So we rounded them all up to ask them about their favorite iFixit toolkits, and if they’ve recently repaired anything with (or for) their kids. Turns out, the fixer gene has not been spared with iFixit’s youngest generation. We were impressed by the sheer variety of things that dads have fixed for their kids—as well as the repair savvy their little ones possess in their own right. 

Meet the dads who keep iFixit running and see for yourself:

Brett Hartt, Lead Tool Designer

“My daughter’s only 14 months old, so we don’t really do a lot of repair together yet… She breaks a lot of things. Usually it’s plastic components that break, so a lot of times it’s just gluing it back together. She also knocks a lot of things off that just require glue for now. She’s got a little playpen—we call it the command seat because she sits it in the middle of it and has all sorts of fun bells and whistles. So she sits in the middle of that, and it has all sorts of little screws and things, so we’re replacing screws or getting access to the battery components to install the batteries. And then after a few months, when we’re sick of all the sounds—to take the batteries back out… If it’s not in the Pro Tech Screwdriver Set, I reach for the Manta Driver Kit. Just because there’s so many bits available, I can find the right screwdriver bit.”

JC Solis, Graphic Designer

“I helped my kids fix a Doc McStuffins hospital cart that played sounds and stuff like that. The sound wasn’t working anymore—none of the buttons played sounds or anything. And we had swapped the batteries out, and nothing was working. I used the Pro Tech to open it up with them, and a prong had come loose in the battery connector. So it was one of those prongs that slid in and out, and we basically slid it back in and it was fine. It was a pretty straightforward fix. But that was one that I did with my kids. And they were super excited about it—for something so simple. But I usually go to the Pro Tech for almost everything, just because it’s so convenient. Like in case I need to take off adhesive or anything like that, all the tools are right there, already in the roll. I usually use that for most of the repairs I do around the house.”

Parker Hayes, Warehouse Manager

“I really like the Pro Tech—it’s probably the one I’ve used the most. I’ve used it to repair both mine and my wife’s H61M-A several times—the display and battery and headphone jack area… I haven’t done any repairs with her—all those were done just before she was born, now that I think about it. I definitely want to build stuff—I don’t think I have anything to repair at the moment. She’s really interested in all sorts of everything—she really likes to discover and hold things. Mechanics are something she loves. So I’m really excited to show her. It’s all in the search of knowledge. She loves just finding out what it is and seeing that it does—not even that it does anything important, but that it does. Does anything. Because it’s all new to her. It’s really neat seeing her learn.”

Marty Rippens, Technical Educator

“They took it upon themselves to fix their Wii because it wasn’t working. And I had the Pro Tech, so that’s what we used. I tried to help, but they pretty much did it themselves. I just offered encouragement. They got it to work again. They just feel more empowered about it—they know I work here, and I have the tools—so why not? It was cool.”

Scott Head, Operations Manager

“In the Pro Tech and the 64 Bit Kit, I really like the driver itself. I use that for all kinds of stuff. I used the Pro Tech to take apart a baby monitor, years ago. The thing’s of course glued shut—there’s no screws on the outside. So I had to separate the whole thing using that metal spudger and then screws to take out the various parts that were broken. It was a loose power jack. I did that a few years ago. It’s not built for repair of course—it’s glued shut. Trying to get in there, you run the risk of stabbing yourself with the opening tools.”

David Rans, Software Engineering Manager

“I fixed a coffee grinder recently, which was fun. I used my Pro Tech Toolkit. I used the Mahi Kit the other day. I used the big, hefty driver to take apart my computer, and that was cool. I liked the big driver, it just felt a lot more heavy duty, and it was nice for taking tight things apart. The heft gave me some more leverage, with the bigger, tougher bits. I use the Magnetic Project Mat all the time—that’s super handy for taking things apart, keeping track of all the screws.”

Danny Beardsley, Software Developer

“Sometime in the last year, my mother-in-law bought this toy for my son. It’s from like the ‘70s, maybe even earlier. It’s this old plane. And it’s maybe a foot wide, and you pull the trigger, and it spins the propellers when you pull the trigger. And it’s really neat, and it’s lasted 40 or 50 years. But it was getting really hard to pull—it was kind of gummed up. So one night after the kids went to bed, I pulled it apart and was able to find all sorts of bearings and surfaces that rub on each other, and I cleaned them all up and oiled them. But there were quite a few screws in it—and I always just grab my Pro Tech Toolkit—and sure enough, it was all I needed to get it open… I cleaned it up and put it back together, and showed him the next morning—because he loved the thing but didn’t have the strength to pull it. He was like, ‘Daddy, you make it spin the propeller!’ It’s been fun to have him see me fix something and then it comes out the other side usable again, and not destroyed.”

Jeff Snyder, Director of eCommerce

“I did a handful of repairs before Joan was born—so in preparation, prepping the house. We moved into a sweet condo, and we thought that the dishwasher worked because it was full of clean dishes. But it turns out that the folks who sold us the house cleverly filled it with dishes as though it had just finished a cycle… So I needed to fix that before the child came—because hand-washing dishes is very time consuming. So I actually used prying tools from the Pro Tech, of course. But I also used the handles from the Manta Driver Kit. And the big knobby handles in the ¼” drive were helpful for screwing the basic Phillips #02 screws that were totally stuck on there with all sorts of awesome little bits of heavy metals that dried on there. So it was a pretty basic repair. It was that plus the use of the prying tools and spudgers to deal with all the little tabs and take that thing out… Now I can wash lots of grown-up dishes. Because, for whatever reason, we don’t wash most bottles and that sort of thing in the dishwasher. I don’t know. My wife read an article or something.”

Richard Suovanen, Technical Educator

“The Pro Tech is a really good one because it has pretty much everything. Amelie really likes it too because she likes the little Magnetic Mat—she’s always sticking things on it, and she uses it to fix all her little toys and replace batteries on her stuff. I usually get her to help me fix, do car maintenance. She was out helping my dad tear out the floor and inspect the transom in his boat, and do the fiberglassing and drilling and everything. She loves to get her hands on everything. She drilled a little hole in her bike. She’s got a mudguard on the front of her bike, and she took a drill and drilled a hole so she good hang her little teddy bear keychain on it. Because there was nowhere else to put it, so she was like, ‘I’ll drill a hole in it!’ and it worked out perfectly. That was really cool. She also likes the Opening Picks—she takes them and plays her ukelele with them. She doesn’t fix things with them, but she’s like, ‘Oh it’s a guitar pick!’ and uses it for that.”

Dan Riviore, iFixit Pro 

“My daughter’s only nine months old, so I haven’t done any repairs for her yet. I’m always doing repairs for family and friends, so it feels like I’m preparing to do repairs for my kids in the future. It was an iPhone 7 screen replacement, so while I was doing that, I also replaced the battery at the same time. And it was for a friend who’s fiancé broke her phone screen. And so I got it replaced at a local shop and I guess I was unhappy with the way the replacement screen she has was working. So I got out my Pro Tech, I bought them a replacement screen and replacement battery, and I opened it up. It was a really fun experience because they both kind of sat there and did it with me. I helped them tinker with little parts of it. It was kind of neat to be doing an iPhone 7 because it’s kind of something different, with different cable connections and required different bits that come with the toolkit. I was glad to be able to use that Tri-point screwdriver bit for the first time. It was a cool experience, and I know that I’ll probably be doing iPads and things in the future with my little daughter.”

Are you still looking for ideas for the perfect Father’s Day gift? We get it, it’s hard. Fortunately, we hand-picked a selection of tools for every kind of dad out there—browse our Father’s Day 2018 Gift Guide.

[irobotroombasabah55-blog]

iRobot Roomba 980 Kemaman Discount

With rival Neato recently releasing their somewhat improve Botvac “D ” collection, it was supposed that iRobot might be following suit. Yet, it has been a comparatively long time since 870 debuted and the Roomba 880. I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Undoubtedly, iRobot is not considering ceding any market share to competitors, and rightfully so.

As with all previous Roomba’s there are things to enjoy and things that I don’t like. Regardless, it ’s going to be tough for me to not gift a few Roomba 980’s this year.

In this Roomba 980 review, I’ll get into the key attributes (what’s new) as well as the Advantages and Disadvantages. At the base, I’ll make an overall recommendation and propose several choices.

Key Characteristics –

The following are some of the new, updated, and notable characteristics on the 980:

More Battery Charge Life: The Roomba 980 is effective at running fro a full 2 hours before needed to recharge. This is a personal best for Roomba. It’s still not Lithium ion (for individuals who like that), but it's an improvement. Like the 800 series robots, the 980 will return to the docking station base, but now it'll recharge, and resume where it left off cleaning,.

iRobot HOME Program: For me, this is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become more completely incorporated into the intelligent home experience. iRobot is the first robot hoover business – to my knowledge – that's a program such as this. It's possible for you to press “Clean” from anywhere and the 980 will start/stop as desired. If I’m at work or out of your house, I will get while I’m away things started. The app is simple enough to use and essentially functions as an advanced remote control. On the older Roomba’s you could have a pre determined schedule to run each day, but not immediate control in this way!

New Navigation System: It’s actually more of an upgrade. This really is a big deal. Basically it allows the visual localization allows the Roomba to “look” out and up to help navigate and map the room. This can be the kind of ground-breaking enhancement that greatly improves the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean almost? Less bumping into things randomly and a more organized efficient and – – cleaning course.

Happily, iRobot wasn’t content with just a couple of features that are new. Additionally they upped their game in the power department. The AeroForce cleaning system is per cleaning cycle the same base technology, but 2 times far better at picking up debris. Additionally, it has “carpet boost” which optimizes air power when it detects a carpet or rug underneath. The end result is a vacuum that is conventional that is extensive clean, duplicating a higher grade.

Improved Virtual Wall Lighthouse: The 980 has stepped up lighthouse game is ’sed by it. They truly are now smaller and take AA batteries (compared to the hulking “D” batteries for preceding series). Because who has spare “D” batteries this is a fine advancement?

Things I enjoy and Things I Don’t

Pros

The App is Amazing: It’s reasonably easy and straightforward, but it means everything to me. Having the ability to control my robot from my telephone means the Roomba is currently part of my smart dwelling family. Picking up on where tools like Ecobee smart thermostats and the Nest have left off, iRobot has really provided on a smart, internet-linked, roomba vacuum. I thinking about the possibilities for future integration with my various smart dwelling apps and controllers.

Program Helps Monitor Maintenance: There is a very trendy “diagnostics” portion of the app that tracks different parts of the Roomba and uses simple bars to let you know when things need to be changed or serviced (believe emptying the bin, altering extractors, filters, etc…). It also tells you just how to perform the desired care demand.

Better on Carpeting: Robots hoovers always have a tendency to perform better on hardwood floors and tough flooring alternatives (tile, etc…). The newly redesigned motor is particularly good at adapting to carpet surfaces too. Once found, a bit more muscle wills engage to completely clean carpets the way they should be cleaned. In a side by side test with my Roomba 880 (and a bunch of spilled crushed cheerios), both “seemed” to clean the same at a distance, but the 980 truly was able to pick up more of the crumbs that had filtered down to the bottom of the carpet. It was a subtle difference, an important difference nonetheless, although t that is difficult tell from standing up even.

The new program, the more powerful battery and the automatic recharging/resume attribute makes the Roomba 980 even more hands free than both previous versions and the contest. Slowly but surely, home robotics is living up to it’s guarantee. If you hate vacuuming – or physically cannot do it anymore – this is the quintessential outsourced option. Short the Roomba 980 is the smartest choice out there.

Navigation is Clearly Improved: Sometimes new features are added and I can scarcely tell the difference. Not so with the new navigation technology. In the recent past, Roomba’s have had the knock. While the end result was clean floors, how it happened wasn’t rather. Still, it was also somewhat inefficient. It was among the contrasts I enjoyed about most Neato models. The 980 is much more organized, methodical, and efficient.

It bumps into matters to gain its relevance, particularly in rooms with tons of furniture. Just not nearly to the level it did previously. On careful observation it seems the 980 will remember these “bumps” for future cleans and will not keep doing it with precisely the same wild abandon.

Smarter Algorithm: This robot is really smarter than it’s predecessors and the competition.

Generally speaking, I discovered that the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (contained the new Joined Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Excellent Customer Service: iRobot remains the leader when it comes to customers service. This more of a general “ace” and specific to the model, but still worth noting. Every time I’ve needed to replace a Roomba, I’ve had no issues. They've been also not bad at walking you through diagnosing problems.

Powerful Secondary Parts Market: Unlike other robot companies, the Roomba has a deluge of after market firms specializing in creating better replacement accessories and components. For instance, I’ve been able to locate replacement batteries that are not worse in relation to the factory default ones. This can be only somewhat true for companies like Neato (smaller market share) and this market is practically non existent for the other small-scale players.

Better Suction Overall: My two quasi scientific methods for quantifying this are that A) I can feel a lot more wind/air coming out of the device and B) those bigger particles of grit that only high powered vacs tend to get are being captured in the dust bin.

Disadvantages

Use Could be More: This isn’t actually a legit gripe, because I’m thrilled with the new program. It’s more of a wish. Like to completely integrate my Roomba with the rest of my smart house I’d. It would be pleasant in order to manage everything from one app (and one controller like the SmartThings Hub and others). It probably wouldn’t be tough to do and it may be something iRobot already plans to do anyhow.

Not “Perfect”: It’s a definite progress, but it’s still not perfect. It occasionally gets confused by power cords and can have problem with considerable thresholds. It’s simple to “Roomba evidence” your house once in a while it will get stuck, but once you determine the issue areas. It’s not quite like a human….yet.

Both the Dyson Eye and the Neato Botvac Connected are rumored to be coming out “ soon”. How? I can’t actually tell. The Botvac Linked (which features similar program managements) will likely be out sometimes in 2013, but no firm release date has been set. The Dyson Eye has been rumored to be in the works for years, but I haven’t heard much recently about an anticipated release date. It could still be 6-12 months away. What this means is the Roomba 980 could have some stiffer competition on the horizon. Right now, the 980 is the best robot on the market, but that could change. Specially if the price points are more affordable, Roomba could be severely undercut. UPGRADE: The Dyson 360 Eye has been released. In general, it's a vacuum that is more powerful, but less capable room -to-room navigation. You can read my full review for additional information.

Doesn’t Work in Complete Darkness: As long as there is some light i.e. you can see your way around, the 980 should work fine. Yet, for pitch black rooms you may inevitably get an error code. My simple solution is to keep on in every room that wants it.

Don’t plan on sleeping in the same room.

Only Available in One Location: So far – as is frequently true for new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY accessible via the store that is iRobot here. This is likely because they want to control pricing as long as possible. When it’s released to other markets like Amazon and box retailers, I’ll be sure to upgrade this post. UPGRADE 10/8#158/15: It’s merely been released to Amazon (see here for the listing)!

Cost: As always, iRobot is the cost leader. All their robots are usually marginally to somewhat more expensive as opposed to competition. The 980 is no different. Actually, it’s not pretty darn cheap! At RM 4850 per unit, this can be likely not something that’s easy to spring for. You'll be able to take a look at this listing for more detailed pricing information. In this case, you do get what you pay for. Many important facets actually HAVE enhanced. Hands down, this is the best robot vacuum now accessible. However, if that is your first robot, you may want to look into some less expensive – but still competent – alternatives (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Alternatives to Consider

If the cost is too much of a sticking point, not to stress. There are other great vacuums with considering.

Roomba 880

Sometimes last years model is the best value around. Sure, it’s not the latest and greatest, but it still can offer many of exactly the same advantages. Until the 980 was released, the Roomba 880 WAS the cream of the crop. At some time, it was the best robot vacuum money could purchase. The AeroForce cleaning system that is patented is 50% more successful at cleaning up debris in relation to the 700 series. This, combined with a larger dust bin, a much better battery, and a remote control made it the most hands free apparatus at the time. It ’s the 2 nd. It doesn’t have the revolutionary use, but it has all the other key features for a true runner up. Above all, it’s a full cheaper than the 980 (check this listing for even steeper discounts). Still costly, but a lot.

Botvac D80

I wasn’t overly impressed with the original Botvac release, but the new “D” chain has made some helpful advancements. Notably, they’ve fixed a problem with the brush (by shifting a bearing) to make it less susceptible to becoming tangled (particularly with person and pet hair, within my experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t only seem better, it also functionally performs better than preceding Neato versions. The suction power is the best yet and comparable to the new Roomba 980. It relatively simple to schedule and use, although however, you won’t get the program controls. The patented laser navigation technology means more organized courses and it normally works fairly nicely. This listing can be seen by you here, where it generally sells for less as opposed to top line Roomba’s.

Roomba 650

It’s not still false, although it’s been around for a little while. It’s also MUCH less expensive. It's possible for you to read my full take here. Try the 650 out to see if it enough for your own needs, if budget is the top concern. Yes, it’s missing a bunch of fine “extras” but the center cleaning technology is till there. The 650 is perfect for people that have only a little area they want often cleaned, flats, or small dwellings. I still have mine running to this day after 3 years (and a couple replacement batteries). On top of that, you are able to locate the 650 for a really affordable price at this listing.

Believing Cleaner Faceplate

I was somewhat skeptical of this “work around” at first, but it actually works reasonably well. Believing Cleaner was the consequence of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It adds or 600 series robot and WiFi ability together. Skeptical? I was too. Basically, you attach a “faceplate” that alters your Roomba. It’s easy enough to attach. You can do most of exactly the same functions only in intuitive manner and a less “ polished”. The program will let you schedule slightly, alert you when your Roomba wants help and plays a song if you must find your lost Roomba and is pretty sound. It’s available for just a fraction of the price of a Roomba that is new here.

I’ll caveat by saying that 1) it’s still “laggy” 2) reduces average run time by about 10-15% and 3) it’s not native to iRobot (third party app). Believing Cleaner is working on a new faceplate for the 700/800 chain, but as of yet it only as a Kickstarter job here.

Who is this a good option for? 2) Prospective buyers who want WiFi capacity, but can’t afford/don’t want to spend too much on the 980. For example, by buying a new Roomba 650 and Believing Cleaner Faceplate, you will be run no more than $500 total.

As I mentioned previously, the long rumored Dyson Eye is formally under development. Who knows when it will be released. They still haven’t discussed release dates, but at this period it will not be likely to hit before the 2015 Holiday season. The new attributes on the Roomba 980 may actually lead them to delay launch until the core features can be matched by them.

UPGRADE: The Botvac Connected has officially been released in early Novemeber 2015! See my complete review.

The option that is fascinating is the the Neato Botvac “Linked” robot which plans to add WiFi capacity that is similar to the Roomba 980. It's possible for you to read more here. It'd seem sensible for them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season, but they’ll have to take action shortly to capitalize fully.

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Connected

I needed to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting lots of questions about it, although I’ll be writing a full comparison up soon.

What are the Key Differences? 1) The Botvac Linked is significantly more affordable (normally about $200 less), but see this listing for up to date info. 4) The Roomba uses virtual wall’s (invisible ray to comprise the robot) whereas the Botvac still relies on laying down “magnetic tape” to define boundaries around your home.

Both Botvac Connected and the Roomba 980 characteristic WiFi enabled management. This really is undoubtedly the headline feature for both. Both are comparable in terms of features/usage, although I personally favor the Roomba app better.

UPDATE: You can read my complete comparison (recently completed) right here.

Ultimate Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The brief answer: Yes! The longer answer? This can be arguably the best robot vacuum cleaner on the market, if you have the money. At the very least, it’s definitely the greatest roomba version to date. Whether or not it is “worth it” comes down to what your unique needs are.

If you've a larger house or office/company that must be cleaned regularly, the 980 is the greatest robot for the occupation. It can cover the ground and recharge on it’s own as needed. If you need a vacuuming occupation that closely resembles a traditional upright vacuum clean, the 980 has the most power/suction and the best cleaning tech of any robot to get the job done.

[ranivijay721-blog]

Best iRobot Roomba 980 - Voted by You!

With rival Neato recently releasing their Botvac “D that was somewhat enhance ” set, it was theorized that iRobot might be following suit. Nevertheless, it has been a relatively long time since the Roomba 880 and 870 debuted. I actually didn’t understand what to anticipate. Certainly, iRobot is not interested in ceding any market share to rivals, and rightfully so.

As with all previous Roomba’s there are things to enjoy and things that I don’t enjoy. It ’s going to be tough for me to not gift a couple of Roomba 980’s this year.

At the base, I’ll suggest a number of alternatives and make an overall recommendation.

Key Characteristics – What’s New with the Roomba 980

The following are some of the new, upgraded, and remarkable characteristics on the 980:

The Roomba 980 is now capable of running fro a full 2 hours before needed to recharge. This is a personal best for Roomba. On some of my older 700 series vacuums I’ve come close to this with after market third party replacement batteries, but this really is the greatest factory default (out of the box) battery life thus far. It’s still not Lithium-ion (for those who enjoy that), but it is an improvement.

iRobot HOME Program: For me, this is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become more completely incorporated into the smart home encounter. iRobot is the first robot hoover business – to my knowledge – that has an app such as this. You'll be able to press “Clean” from everywhere and the 980 will start/stop as wanted. If I’m at work or out of your house, I can get while I’m away things started. The program is simple to use and basically functions as an advanced remote control. On the Roomba’s that is older you could have a pre determined program to run every day, but not instant control in this way!

New Navigation System: It’s actually more of an upgrade. In addition to the traditional “fender” sensors, the Roomba 980 now features the “VSLAM” (Visual Coincident, Localization, and Mapping) technology. This really is a big deal. Basically it enables the visual localization allows the Roomba to “look” out and up to help browse and map the room. This is the type of ground-breaking enhancement that significantly improves the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean almost? Bumping into things randomly and a more organized efficient and – – cleaning course.

More Suction Power: Happily, iRobot wasn’t content with just a couple new features. They also upped their game in the power section. The AeroForce cleaning system is per cleaning cycle exactly the same base technology, but 2 times far better at picking up debris. It also has “carpet boost” which optimizes air power when it detects a carpet or rug beneath. The end result is a vacuum that is traditional that is more comprehensive clean, repeating a higher standard.

Enhanced Virtual Wall Lighthouse: The 980 has stepped up lighthouse game is ’sed by it. They truly are now smaller and take AA batteries (compared to the hulking “D” batteries for preceding collection). Because who has spare “D” batteries lying around this is a nice improvement?

Pros and Cons – Matters I like and Things I Don’t

Pros

The Program is Amazing: It’s straightforward and reasonably simple, but it means everything to me. Having the ability to control my robot from my phone means the Roomba is now part of my smart house family. Picking up on where tools like Ecobee smart thermostats and the Nest have left off, iRobot has really produced on a smart, web-connected, roomba vacuum. I’m already eagerly thinking about the possibilities for future integration with my various smart dwelling programs and controls.

App Helps Screen Maintenance: There's a very trendy “diagnostics” part of the app that tracks different parts of the Roomba and uses straightforward bars to let you know when things must be changed or serviced (think emptying the bin, shifting extractors, filters, etc…). Additionally, it tells you precisely how you can perform the maintenance demand that is desired.

Better on Carpeting: Robots vacuums always have a tendency to perform better on hardwood floors and hard flooring choices (tile, etc…). Now, the newly redesigned motor is not especially bad at conforming to carpeting surfaces as well. Once found, the 980 will engage a little more muscle to completely clean carpets the way they should be cleaned. In a side by side test with my Roomba 880 (and a bunch of spilled crushed cheerios), both “seemed” to clean the same at a distance, but the 980 really could pick up more of the crumbs that had filtered down to the bottom of the carpeting. It was a subtle difference, an important difference however, although hard t tell from standing up even.

More Hands Off/User Friendly: in summary, it’s more of a robot! The new app, the battery that is stronger and the automatic recharging/resume feature makes the Roomba 980 more hands free than both previous versions and the contest. Slowly but surely, home robotics is living up to it’s assurance. If you hate vacuuming – or physically cannot do it this is the outsourced alternative that is quintessential. Short of hiring cleaning help, the Roomba 980 is now the smartest choice out there.

Navigation is Apparently Improved: I can scarcely tell the difference and Occasionally new features are added. Previously, Roomba’s have had the knock. While the end result was clean floors, how it happened wasn’t pretty. Still, it was also a bit wasteful. It was among the contrasts I liked about most Neato models. Now, the 980 is efficient, methodical, and much more organized.

It bumps into matters to gain its bearings, particularly in rooms with tons of furniture. Only not nearly to the amount it did in the past. On careful observation it will not keep doing it with the same wild abandon and seems the 980 will recall these “lumps” for future cleans.

Smarter Algorithm: For all you geeks out there, this robot is actually smarter than it’s forerunners and the opposition.

Generally speaking, I noticed the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (comprised the new Connected Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Strong Secondary Components Market: Unlike other robot companies, the Roomba has a deluge of after market firms specializing in creating better replacement accessories and components. For example, I’ve been able to find replacement batteries that are not worse in relation to the factory default ones.

Excellent Customer Service: iRobot is still the leader as it pertains to customers service. This more of a general “pro” and specific to the model, but worth noting. They truly are also great at walking you through diagnosing problems.

Better Suction Overall: My two quasi scientific ways of measuring this are that A) I can sense a lot more wind/atmosphere coming out of the unit and B) those bigger particles of determination that only high powered vacs have a tendency to get are being captured in the dust bin. This is an upgrade over the Roomba 880 which I was comparing it also as my baseline.

Disadvantages

Use Could be More: because I’m thrilled with the new app This isn’t actually a legit gripe. Like to totally integrate my Roomba with the rest of my smart home I’d. It'd be nice in order to handle everything from one program (and one control like the SmartThings Hub and others). It likely wouldn’t be difficult to do and it may be something iRobot already intends to do anyhow.

Still Not “Perfect”: It’s a definite improvement, but it not perfect. Power cords sometimes confused it and can have problem with considerable thresholds. Once in a while it will get stuck, but once you determine the issue areas, it’s easy to “Roomba proof” your house. It’s not quite like a person….yet.

Competition on the Way? Both the Neato Botvac Connected and the Dyson Eye are rumored to be coming out “ soon”. How? I can’t actually tell. The Botvac Joined (which features similar program controls) will probably be out occasionally in 2013, but no firm release date has been set. The Dyson Eye has been rumored to be in the works for years, but I 'ven’t heard much recently about an anticipated release date. It could still be 6-12 months away. What this means is that the Roomba 980 could have some stiffer competition on the horizon. Right now, the 980 is the best robot out there, but that could change. UPDATE: The Dyson 360 Eye has recently been released. Generally, it has a vacuum that is more powerful, but less room that is capable -to-room navigation. You'll be able to read my complete review for more details.

Doesn’t Work in Entire Darkness: As long as there is some light i.e. you can see your way around, the 980 should function fine. However, for pitch black rooms you will inevitably get an error code. My easy solution would be to keep on in every room that wants it.

Carpeting Foster is Loud: It picks up more dirt, so I’m a happy customer, but it worth noting.

Just Accessible in One Area: So far – as is frequently true for new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY available via the iRobot store here. This is likely because they would like to control pricing. As soon as it’s released to other markets like Amazon and box retailers, I’ll make sure to update this post.

Cost: As always, iRobot is the cost leader. All their robots usually are somewhat to somewhat more costly as opposed to contest. The 980 is no distinct. Actually, it’s fairly darn pricey! At RM 4850 per unit, this really is likely not something that’s easy to spring for. You can check out this listing for more detailed pricing information. In this case, you do get what you pay for. This generation actually HAS improved many significant facets. Hands down, this really is the best robot vacuum currently available. Still, if this really is your first robot, you might want to look into some less pricey – but still competent – alternatives (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Options to Consider

If the price is too much of a sticking point, never to worry. There are with considering other great vacuums.

Roomba 880

Sometimes last years model is the best value. You get 3 virtual Lighthouses which allow for creating a perimeter for bigger houses and spaces. Until the 980 was released the Roomba 880 WAS the cream of the crop. At time, it was the most effective robot hoover cash could buy. The patented AeroForce cleaning system is 50% more effective at cleaning up debris than the 700 series. This, combined with a a much better battery, a larger dust bin, and a remote control made it the most hands free apparatus at the time. Now it ’s the 2 nd best. It doesn’t have the ground-breaking app, but it's all the other crucial features for a real runner up. Most of all, it’s a total cheaper compared to the 980 (check this listing for even steeper discounts). Still expensive, but a lot less so.

Botvac D80

Some helpful improvements have been made by the new “D” series, although I wasn’t too impressed with the initial Botvac release. Notably, they’ve fixed a problem with the brush (by changing a bearing) to allow it to be less susceptible to getting tangled (especially with human and pet hair, in my experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t simply look better, it also functionally performs better than previous Neato versions. The suction power is arguably comparable to the new Roomba 980 and the best yet. However, you won’t get the app managements, but it’s still relatively easy use and to schedule. The patented laser navigation technology means more organized routes and it normally works quite well. Where it generally sells for less compared to the top line Roomba’s, you can see this listing here.

Roomba 650

It’s been around for some time, but it’s not still false. It MUCH cheaper. Try the 650 out if it’s good enough for your own needs to see if budget can be your top concern. Yes, it’s missing a bunch of fine extras” that is “ but the core cleaning technology is till there. The 650 is perfect for people that have flats, small dwellings, or merely a small area they want often cleaned. It will not come with the typical HEPA filter (great for those with allergies and pet owners) like the 880 and 980, but the AeroVac filter does a good enough job. Overall, this can be a terrific robot for those just getting started, curious to see if the technology works for his or her needs. On top of that, you are able to find the 650 for a really affordable price at this listing.

Believing Cleaner Faceplate

I was somewhat skeptical of this “work-around” at first, but it really works fairly well. Believing Cleanser was the effect of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It functionally adds any Roomba 500 or 600 series robot and WiFi ability. Skeptical? I was also. Essentially, you attach a “faceplate” that modifies your Roomba. It’s easy enough to attach. Best of all, it can synchronize with other smart home programs (like SmartThings, etc…), something that I’ve criticized the Roomba 980 for not doing. It is possible to do most of the same functions in intuitive way and a polished”, only as the Roomba 980 WiFi. The program will let you schedule remotely, alert you when your Roomba needs help and plays a song if you have to locate your lost Roomba and is quite sound. It’s available for just a fraction of the price of a new Roomba here.

Who's this a great option for? 2) Prospective buyers who desire WiFi capability, but can’t manage/don’t want to spend RM 5000  on the 980. As an example, buying a new Roomba 650 and Believing Cleaner Faceplate will run you .

Presuming Cleaner is working on a new faceplate for the 700/800 series, but as of yet it only exists as a Kickstarter job here.

New Robots on the Horizon?

As I mentioned previously, the rumored Dyson Eye is formally under development. Who knows when it'll be released. They haven’t discussed release dates, but as of this stage it will be unlikely to strike before the 2015 Holiday season. The new features on the Roomba 980 may actually lead them to delay release until the core features can be matched by them.

UPGRADE: See my full review.

The more interesting option is the the Neato Botvac “Joined” robot which plans to add similar WiFi ability to the Roomba 980. You are able to read more about it via the official press release here. It'd seem sensible about them to release it but they’ll have to take action shortly to capitalize fully.

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Linked

I needed to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting a lot of questions about it, although I’ll be writing up the full comparison shortly.

Both Botvac Joined and the Roomba 980 attribute WiFi enabled control. This is definitely the headline feature for both. I personally prefer the Roomba app but both are similar when it comes to attributes/utilization.

What are the Essential Differences? 2) The Botvac now has “Eco” and “Turbo” mode. 4) The Roomba uses virtual wall’s (invisible ray to comprise the robot) whereas the Botvac still relies on laying down “magnetic tape” to define borders around your dwelling.

UPGRADE: You can read my complete comparison (recently completed) right here.

Ultimate Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The brief reply: Yes! The longer answer? This can be arguably the best robot vacuum cleaner on the market if you might have the money. At minimum, it’s certainly the finest roomba model to date. Whether or not it's “worth it” comes down to what your unique needs are.

But if you have a little apartment, the 980 becomes an extravagance. One caveat: it doesn’t matter in case you are a geek like me. This is a MUST possess!

[shutingleong89]

Awesome iRobot Roomba 980 Teluk Bahang Discount

With rival Neato lately releasing their Botvac “D that was somewhat enhance ” set, it was theorized that iRobot might be following suit. Yet, it is a comparatively long time since 870 debuted and the Roomba 880. I actually didn’t know what to expect. Undoubtedly, iRobot isn't considering ceding any market share to rivals, and rightfully so.

As with all previous Roomba’s there are things that I don’t like and things to enjoy. Regardless, it ’s going to be tough for me to not gift a couple of Roomba 980’s this year.

At the bottom, I’ll propose a number of choices and make an overall recommendation.

Key Attributes –

The following are some of the new, upgraded, and noteworthy characteristics on the 980:

The Roomba 980 is capable of running fro a complete 2 hours before needed to recharge. On some of my older 700 series hoovers I’ve come close to this with after market third party replacement batteries, but this is the finest factory default (out of the box) battery life up to now. It’s still not Lithium ion (for people who enjoy that), but it really is an advancement. Like the 800 series robots, the 980 will return to the docking station base, but now it will recharge, then resume cleaning where it left off.

iRobot DWELLING App: For me, this is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become more completely integrated into the house experience that is smart. iRobot is the first robot vacuum business – to my knowledge – that has an app like this. It's possible for you to press on “Clean” from anyplace and the 980 will start/stop as wanted. This really is perfect for individuals who are on the go (like me). I can get things started while I’m away, if I’m at work or out of your house. The program is simple enough to use and essentially functions as an innovative remote control. On the older Roomba’s you could have a pre-determined program to run each day, but not instantaneous control like this!

New Navigation System: It’s actually more of an upgrade. As well as the traditional “fender” detectors, the Roomba 980 now features the “VSLAM” (Visual Simultaneous, Localization, and Mapping) technology. This really is a big deal. Essentially it enables the visual localization map the room and allows the Roomba to “look” up and out to help browse. This really is the kind of groundbreaking improvement that greatly improves the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean almost? Bumping into a more organized efficient and – – cleaning route and things randomly.

Mercifully, iRobot wasn’t content with just a couple of attributes that are new. In addition they upped their game in the power section. The AeroForce cleaning system is per cleaning cycle the same base technology, but 2 times far better at picking up debris. Additionally, it has “carpet boost” which maximizes air power when it detects a carpet or rug beneath. The end result is a hoover that is traditional that is thorough clean, repeating a higher standard.

Enhanced Virtual Wall Lighthouse: The 980 has stepped up it’s lighthouse game. They truly are now smaller and take AA batteries (in contrast to the hulking “D” batteries for preceding collection). This is a nice improvement because who has spare “D” batteries lying around?

Things I like and Things I Don’t

Pros

It means everything to me: It’s reasonably easy and straightforward, although the App is Wonderful. Having the ability to control my robot from my phone means the Roomba is now part of my house family that is smart. Picking up on where tools like the Nest and Ecobee smart thermostats have left off, iRobot has really provided on a smart, internet-linked, roomba vacuum. I considering the possibilities for future integration with my various smart house apps and controllers.

Program Helps Monitor Care: There is a really trendy “diagnostics” portion of the program that tracks different parts of the Roomba and uses straightforward bars to inform you when things have to be changed or serviced (think emptying the bin, changing extractors, filters, etc…). It also tells you just the way to perform the desired care requirement.

Better on Carpets: Robots vacuums always often perform better on hardwood floors and tough floor options (tile, etc…). The newly redesigned motor is particularly good at adjusting to carpeting surfaces as well. After found, a little more muscle wills engage to completely clean carpets the way they should be cleaned. It was a subtle difference, t that is hard tell from standing up but an important difference however.

The new program, the battery that is stronger and the automatic recharging/resume feature makes the Roomba 980 more hands free than both previous models and the competition. Slowly but surely, house robotics is living up to it’s guarantee. If you hate vacuuming – or physically cannot do it this is the quintessential outsourced option. Short of hiring cleaning help, the Roomba 980 is now the best option out there.

Navigation is Clearly Enhanced: I can barely tell the difference and Sometimes new attributes are added. For cleaning in a randomized, haphazard pattern in the past, Roomba’s have had the knock. While the end result was clean floors, how it occurred wasn’t rather. However, it was also somewhat ineffective. It was among the contrasts I liked about most Neato models. The 980 is methodical, considerably more organized, and efficient.

It bumps into matters to gain its impacts, especially in rooms with lots of furniture. Merely not nearly to the degree it did previously. On careful observation it even appears the 980 will recall these “bumps” for future cleans and WOn't keep doing it with the same wild abandon.

Smarter Algorithm: For all you geeks out there, this robot is actually smarter than it’s the competition and predecessors.

Generally speaking, I discovered that the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (comprised the new Connected Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Excellent Customer Service: iRobot remains the leader as it pertains to customers service. This more of a general “pro” and less unique to this model, but worth noting. Every time I’ve needed to replace a Roomba, I’ve had no issues. They've been also good at walking you through diagnosing difficulties.

Powerful Secondary Parts Market: Unlike other robot firms, the Roomba has a deluge of after market companies specializing in creating better replacement accessories and parts. For instance, I’ve been able to find replacement batteries that are not worse than the factory default ones.

Better Suction Overall: My two quasi scientific methods for measuring this are that A) I can feel a lot more wind/atmosphere coming out of the unit and B) those larger particles of grit that only high powered vacs tend to get are being caught in the dust bin. This really is an upgrade over the Roomba 880 which I was comparing it too as my baseline.

Disadvantages

Use Could be More: because I’m thrilled with the new app, This isn’t actually a legit gripe. It’s more of a wish. Like to totally integrate my Roomba with the remainder of my smart dwelling I’d. It'd be pleasant to be able to handle everything from one app (and one control like the SmartThings Hub and others). It probably wouldn’t be tough to do and it may be something iRobot intends to do anyhow.

Still Not “Perfect”: It’s a certain progress, but it not perfect. It occasionally gets confused by power cords and can have trouble with thresholds that were sizable. Once in a while it'll get stuck, but once you figure out the problem areas, it’s simple to “Roomba proof” your house. It’s not quite like a person….yet.

Competition on the Way? The Dyson Eye and the Neato Botvac Connected are rumored to be coming out “ soon”. How soon? I can’t really tell. The Botvac Connected (which features similar app controls) will probably be out occasionally in 2013, but no firm release date continues to be set. I haven’t heard much lately about an anticipated release date, although the Dyson Eye was rumored to be in the works for years. It could be 6-12 months away. What this means is that the Roomba 980 could have some stiffer competition on the horizon. Right now, the 980 is the greatest robot out there, but that could change. Particularly if the price points are more affordable, Roomba could be severely undercut. UPDATE: The Dyson 360 Eye has recently been released. In general, it has a more powerful vacuum, but less qualified room -to-room navigation. You'll be able to read my full review for additional information.

Nonetheless, for pitch black rooms you are going to necessarily get an error code. If cleaning at night or in a basement with no lights, this could be a concern. My easy alternative would be to keep night lights on in every room that needs it.

Only Accessible in One Area: So far as is often the case with new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY accessible via the shop that is iRobot here. This is likely because they want to control pricing as long as possible. When it’s released to other markets like Amazon and box retailers, I’ll make sure to update this post. UPGRADE 10/8#158/15: It’s merely been released to Amazon (see here for the listing)!

Price: As always, iRobot is the cost leader. All their robots are often marginally to moderately more costly as opposed to contest. The 980 is no distinct. In fact, it’s not pretty darn cheap! At RM 4850 per unit, this is probably not something that’s not difficult to spring for. It is possible to check out this listing for more detailed pricing information. In this case, you do get what you buy. Many features that were important really HAVE enhanced. Hands down, this can be the best robot vacuum currently available. Still, if this is your first robot, you might want to look into some less expensive – but still qualified – choices (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Options to Contemplate

If the cost is too much of a sticking point, never to worry. There are other great hoovers with contemplating.

Roomba 880

Occasionally last years version is the best value. It's possible for you to take a look at my review of it here. At the time, it was the most effective robot vacuum cash could purchase. The patented AeroForce cleaning system is 50% more successful at cleaning up debris in relation to the 700 series. This, joined with a a remote control, a better battery, and a larger dust bin made it the most hands free apparatus at the time. It ’s the 2 nd best. It has all the other crucial characteristics for a true runner up, although it doesn’t have the ground-breaking app. Most significantly, it’s a total cheaper in relation to the 980 (check this listing for even steeper reductions). Still expensive, but a lot.

Botvac D80

I wasn’t overly impressed with the original Botvac release, but the new “D” string has made some helpful improvements. Notably, they’ve fixed a problem with the brush (by shifting a bearing) to make it less susceptible to getting tangled (particularly with individual and pet hair, within my experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t only seem better, it also functionally performs better than previous Neato models. The suction power is the greatest yet and comparable to the new Roomba 980. It’s still relatively simple use and to schedule, although still, you won’t get the program managements. The patented laser navigation technology means more organized routes and it generally works fairly well. You can see this listing here, where it usually sells for less in relation to the top line Roomba’s.

Roomba 650

It’s been around for a little while, but it’s not still false. It MUCH more affordable. You are able to read my full take here. Attempt the 650 out to see if it on your needs, if budget is your top concern. Yes, it’s missing a bunch of fine “extras” but the cleaning technology that is center is till there. The 650 is perfect for individuals who have little houses, apartments, or merely a small space they want often cleaned. I still have mine running to this day after 3 years (and a couple replacement batteries). Best of all, you can locate the 650 for a really affordable cost at this listing.

As I mentioned previously, the rumored Dyson Eye is officially under development. Who knows when it will be released. Only at that period it will be unlikely to strike before the 2015 Holiday season, although they still haven’t discussed release dates. The new features on the Roomba 980 may really lead them to delay launch until they are able to match the core attributes.

UPDATE: See my full review.

The more interesting option is the the Neato Botvac “Connected” robot which plans to add WiFi ability that is similar to the Roomba 980. You can read more here. They’ll have to take action soon to capitalize fully, although it would seem sensible about them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season.

Believing Cleaner Faceplate

I was somewhat skeptical of this “work-around” at first, but it actually works reasonably well. Thinking Cleanser was the effect of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It functionally adds any Roomba 500 or 600 series robot and WiFi capability. Disbelieving? I was too. Basically, you attach a “faceplate” that alters your Roomba. It’s simple to attach. It is possible to do most of precisely the same functions in intuitive manner and a less “ polished”, only as the Roomba 980 WiFi. The program is quite strong and will let you schedule remotely, alert you when your Roomba wants help and plays a song if you have to find your lost Roomba. It’s accessible for just a fraction of the price of a Roomba that is new here.

I’ll caveat by saying that 1) it’s still “laggy” 2) reduces average run time by about 10-15% and 3) it’s not native to iRobot (third party app). Presuming Cleaner is working on a fresh faceplate for the 700/800 series, but as of yet it only exists as a Kickstarter job here.

Who is this a great option for? 2) Prospective buyers who want WiFi capability, but can’t afford/don’t need to spend $899 on the 980. For example, you will be run by buying a fresh Roomba 650 and Thinking Cleaner Faceplate .

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Joined

I wanted to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting a lot of questions about it, although I’ll be writing up a full comparison shortly.

Both Botvac Joined and the Roomba 980 characteristic WiFi enabled management. This is clearly the headline characteristic for both. Both are similar when it comes to characteristics/utilization, although Personally, I prefer the Roomba program better.

What are the Key Differences? 3) The Roomba 980 has “carpet boost” and the Botvac doesn’t.

UPDATE: You can read my full comparison (recently completed) right here.

Final Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The brief answer: Yes! The longer response? This is arguably the greatest robot vacuum cleaner on the market, if you've the cash. At the minimum, it’s definitely the greatest roomba model to date.

However, if you have a little flat, the 980 becomes an extravagance. One caveat: it doesn’t matter, If you are a geek like me. This can be a MUST own!

[stevenostrander911-blog]

iRobot Roomba 980 Juru Proven Effective

With their Botvac “D that was slightly improve being recently released by competition Neato ” collection, it was supposed that iRobot might be following suit. Nonetheless, it has been a relatively long time since 870 debuted and the Roomba 880. I really didn’t understand what to expect. Certainly, iRobot isn't considering ceding any market share to competitors, and rightfully so.

As with all previous Roomba’s there are things that I don’t like and things to like. Regardless, it ’s going to be hard for me to not gift a few Roomba 980’s this year.

In this Roomba 980 review, I’ll get into the essential features (what’s new) as well as the Benefits and Drawbacks. At the base, I’ll make an overall recommendation and suggest a number of choices.

Key Features – What’s New with the Roomba 980

The following are remarkable features on the 980, and some of the new, upgraded:

The Roomba 980 is now capable of running fro a complete 2 hours before needed to recharge. On some of my older 700 series hoovers I’ve come close to this with after market third party replacement batteries, but this can be the greatest factory default (out of the carton) battery life so far. It’s still not Lithium-ion (for individuals who enjoy that), but it's an advancement. Like the 800 series robots, the 980 will return to the docking station base, but it will recharge, and resume where it left off cleaning.

iRobot DWELLING App: For me, this really is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become more completely incorporated into the bright home encounter. iRobot is the first robot vacuum business – to my knowledge – that's a program like this. It's possible for you to press “Clean” from anyplace and the 980 will start/stop as wanted. I will get things began while I’m away if I’m at work or out of your house. The program is simple essentially functions as an innovative remote control and to use. On the Roomba’s that is older you could have a pre determined schedule to run each day, but not instantaneous control like this!

New Navigation System: It’s really more of an upgrade. This really is a big deal. Essentially it allows the visual localization map the room and enables the Roomba to “look” up and out to help browse. This can be the type of groundbreaking enhancement that significantly improves the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean almost? Bumping into things randomly and a more organized efficient and – – cleaning path.

Thankfully, iRobot wasn’t content with just a couple features that are new. In addition they upped their game in the power department. The AeroForce cleaning system is exactly the same base technology, but 2 times more effective at picking up debris per cleaning cycle. Additionally, it has “carpet boost” which maximizes air power when it detects a carpet or rug underneath. The outcome is a comprehensive clean, repeating a greater rank conventional hoover.

Improved Virtual Wall Lighthouse: The 980 has stepped up lighthouse game is ’sed by it. They are now smaller and take AA batteries (compared to the hulking “D” batteries for previous collection). Because who has extra “D” batteries this really is a nice advancement?

Pros and Cons – Things I enjoy and Things I Don’t

Pros

The Program is Amazing: It’s straightforward and reasonably easy, but it means everything to me. Being able to control my robot from my phone means the Roomba is currently part of my house family that is smart. Picking up on where tools like the Nest and Ecobee smart thermostats have left off, iRobot has actually produced on a smart, web-joined, roomba vacuum. I eagerly considering the possibilities for future integration with controls and my various smart home programs.

App Helps Screen Care: There is a really trendy “diagnostics” part of the app that tracks distinct parts of the Roomba and uses simple bars to tell you when things have to be changed or serviced (believe emptying the bin, shifting extractors, filters, etc…). Additionally, it tells you just how to perform the care requirement that is desired.

Better on Carpets: Robots vacuums consistently tend to perform better on hardwood floors and tough flooring alternatives (tile, etc…). Now, the newly redesigned motor is not especially bad at adapting to carpeting surfaces as well. Once found, a bit more muscle wills engage to completely clean carpeting the way they should be cleaned. It was a subtle difference, t that is challenging tell from standing up but an important difference however.

More Hands Off/User Friendly: in summary, it’s more of a robot! The new app, the battery that is more powerful and the automatic recharging/resume attribute makes the Roomba 980 even more hands free than both previous models and the contest. Slowly but surely, home robotics is living up to it’s assurance. If you hate vacuuming physically or – cannot do it this is the option that is outsourced that is quintessential. Short of hiring cleaning help, the Roomba 980 is now the smartest choice out there.

Navigation is Noticeably Enhanced: Occasionally new attributes are added and I can barely tell the difference. For cleaning in a randomized, haphazard pattern previously, Roomba’s have had the knock. While the end result was clean floors, how it occurred wasn’t quite. Still, it was also a bit inefficient. This was among the comparisons I liked about most Neato models. The 980 is methodical, much more organized, and efficient.

It bumps into matters to gain its impacts, particularly in rooms with lots of furniture. Only not nearly to the level it did previously. On careful observation it appears the 980 will remember these “lumps” for future cleans and will not keep doing it with the same wild abandon.

Brighter Algorithm: This robot is really smarter than it’s predecessors and the opposition.

Generally speaking, I detected the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (contained the new Joined Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Outstanding Customer Service: iRobot remains the leader when it comes to customers service. This more of a general “pro” and particular to this model, but still worth noting. Every time I’ve needed to replace a Roomba, I’ve had no problems. They've been also not bad at walking you through diagnosing difficulties.

Strong Secondary Components Market: Unlike other robot firms, the Roomba has a deluge of after market companies specializing in creating better replacement accessories and parts. For example, I’ve been able to locate replacement batteries that are not worse in relation to the factory default ones. This can be only somewhat accurate for firms like Neato (smaller market share) and this market is practically non existent for the other small-scale players.

Better Suction Complete: My two quasi scientific ways of measuring this are that A) I can feel a lot more wind/atmosphere coming from the unit and B) those larger particles of grit that only high powered vacs tend to get are being caught in the dust bin. This really is an upgrade over the Roomba 880 which I was comparing it also as my baseline.

Cons

Use Could be More: because I’m thrilled with the new app, This isn’t actually a legit gripe. It’s more of a wish. I’d like to fully integrate my Roomba with the remainder of my smart home. It would be pleasant in order to manage everything from one app (and one control like the SmartThings Hub and others). It likely wouldn’t be tough to do and it may be something iRobot already plans to do anyhow.

Not “Perfect”: It’s a clear improvement, but it not perfect. Power cords occasionally confused it and can have problem with thresholds that were ample. It’s simple to “Roomba proof” your house, once in a while it will get stuck, but once you figure out the issue areas. It’s not quite like a human….yet.

Competition on the Way? Both Dyson Eye and the Neato Botvac Joined are rumored to be coming out “ soon. How? I can’t actually tell. The Botvac Connected (which features similar program managements) will probably be out occasionally in 2013, but no firm release date has been set. I 'ven’t heard much lately about an anticipated release date, although the Dyson Eye continues to be rumored to be in the works for years. It could still be 6-12 months away. What this means is that the Roomba 980 could have some harder competition on the horizon. At the moment, the 980 is the finest robot available on the market, but that could change. Particularly if the price points are more affordable, Roomba could be seriously undercut. UPGRADE: The Dyson 360 Eye has recently been released. In general, it has a vacuum that is more powerful, but less room that is qualified -to-room navigation. You'll be able to read my complete review for additional information.

However, for pitch black rooms you'll necessarily get an error code. My easy alternative would be to keep on in every room that wants it.

Only Accessible in One Area: So far as is often true for new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY available via the shop that is iRobot here. That is likely because they want to control pricing. As soon as it’s released to other marketplaces like Amazon and carton retailers, I’ll make sure to upgrade this post. UPDATE 10/8#158/15: It’s merely been released to Amazon (see here for the listing)!

Price: As always, iRobot is the price leader. All their robots are usually slightly to somewhat more costly as opposed to competition. The 980 is no distinct. Actually, it’s not pretty darn cheap! At RM 4850 per unit, this is probably not something that’s not difficult to spring for. You are able to take a look at this listing for more detailed pricing information. In this instance, you do get what you buy. This generation really HAS improved many facets that were significant. Hands down, this can be the best robot vacuum now accessible. However, if this really is your first robot, you may want to look into some less expensive – but still capable – choices (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Options to Consider

If the price is too much of a sticking point, not to stress. There are with contemplating other great vacuums.

Roomba 880

Occasionally last years version is the best value around. You get 3 virtual Lighthouses which allow for establishing a margin for larger homes and spaces. Until the 980 was released the Roomba 880 WAS the cream of the crop. At some time, it was the best robot hoover money could buy. The patented AeroForce cleaning system is 50% more effective at cleaning up debris than the 700 series. This, joined with a larger dust bin, an improved battery, and a remote control made it the most hands free apparatus at the time. Now it ’s the 2 nd best. It doesn’t have the revolutionary app, but it's all the other crucial characteristics for a runner that is true up. Most of all, it’s a total cheaper in relation to the 980 (check this listing for even steeper reductions). Still expensive, but a lot less so.

Botvac D80

I wasn’t overly impressed with the first Botvac release, but the new “D” string has made some developments that are helpful. Notably, they’ve repaired a problem with the brush (by shifting a bearing) to make it less susceptible to getting tangled (particularly with person and pet hair, within my experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t just look better, it also functionally performs better than previous Neato models. The suction power is arguably comparable to the new Roomba 980 and the greatest yet. It relatively simple to schedule and use, although however, you won’t get the app controls. The patented laser navigation technology means more organized routes and it generally works quite nicely. Where it normally retails for less in relation to the top line Roomba’s, it's possible for you to see this listing here.

Roomba 650

It’s been around for a while, but it reliable. It’s also MUCH more affordable. It is possible to read my full take here. If budget is your top concern, try the 650 out to see if it enough for your needs. Yes, it’s missing a group of nice “extras” but the cleaning technology that is core is till there. The 650 is perfect for people that have apartments, small houses, or just a little space they want regularly cleaned. It doesn't come with the standard HEPA filter (good for those with allergies and pet owners) like the 880 and 980, but the AeroVac filter does a good enough job. Overall, this is a terrific robot for those just getting started, interested to see if the technology works because of their needs. I still have mine running to this day after 3 years (and a couple of replacement batteries). On top of that, you're able to locate the 650 for a really affordable price at this listing.

The long rumored Dyson Eye is officially under development, as I mentioned previously. Who knows when it'll be released. They haven’t discussed release dates, but only at that stage it will be unlikely to strike before the 2015 Holiday season. The new features on the Roomba 980 may really cause them to delay release until they can match the core features.

UPDATE: See my complete review.

The option that is fascinating is the the Neato Botvac “Joined” robot which plans to add similar WiFi ability to the Roomba 980. It's possible for you to read more about it via the official press release here. They’ll have to do it soon to capitalize entirely, although it'd make sense about them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season.

Presuming Cleaner Faceplate

I was a little skeptical of this “work-around” at first, but it really works reasonably well. Believing Cleaner was the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It functionally adds WiFi ability to any Roomba 500 or 600 series robot. Disbelieving? I was also. Basically, you attach a “faceplate” that alters your Roomba. It’s simple enough to attach. It is possible to do most of precisely the same functions as the Roomba 980 WiFi, merely in a less “ polished” and intuitive way. The app is quite sound and will let you schedule slightly, alarm you when your Roomba wants help and plays a song if you need certainly to locate your lost Roomba. It’s available for just a fraction of the cost of a brand new Roomba here.

Who's this a great option for? 2) Prospective buyers who desire WiFi ability, but can’t afford/don’t desire to spend $899 on the 980. By way of example, purchasing a brand new Roomba 650 and Thinking Cleaner Faceplate will run you no more than $500 total.

I’ll caveat by saying that 1) it’s still “laggy” 2) reduces average run time by about 10-15% and 3) it’s not native to iRobot (third party program). Believing Cleaner is working on a fresh faceplate for the 700/800 chain, but as of yet it only exists as a Kickstarter project here.

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Linked

I’ll be writing a full comparison up soon, but I desired to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting lots of questions about it.

What are the Key Differences?

Both Botvac Connected and the Roomba 980 attribute WiFi enabled management. This really is certainly the headline attribute for both. I personally prefer the Roomba app but both are comparable in terms of characteristics/use.

UPGRADE: You are able to read my full comparison (recently completed) right here.

Final Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The short reply: Yes! The longer answer? This is arguably the best robot vacuum cleaner on the market, if you've the cash. At minimum, it’s certainly the greatest roomba version to date. Whether or not it's “worth it” comes down to what your unique needs are.

However, if you have a small apartment, the 980 becomes an extravagance. One caveat: it doesn’t matter if you're a geek like me. That is a MUST possess!

[leslienevaeh1969-blog]

Leading iRobot Roomba 980 Air Itam

With their Botvac “D that was slightly improve being recently released by adversary Neato ” set, it was speculated that iRobot might be following suit. Yet, it is a relatively long time since the Roomba 880 and 870 debuted. I honestly didn’t understand what to expect. Clearly, iRobot is not thinking about ceding any market share to competitors, and rightfully so.

As with all previous Roomba’s there are things that I don’t like and things to like. It ’s going to be difficult for me to not gift a few Roomba 980’s this year.

At the bottom, I’ll propose a number of options and make an overall recommendation.

Key Attributes – What’s New with the Roomba 980

The following are noteworthy characteristics on the 980, and some of the new, updated:

The Roomba 980 is capable of running fro a complete 2 hours before needed to recharge. It’s still not Lithium-ion (for people who enjoy that), but it's an improvement.

iRobot HOME Program: For me, this is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become more fully incorporated into the bright home encounter. iRobot is the first robot hoover firm – to my knowledge – that has an app like this. You'll be able to press on “Clean” from everywhere and the 980 will start/stop as desired. I can get things started while I’m away, if I’m at work or from the home. The app is simple essentially functions as an advanced remote control and to use. On the older Roomba’s you could have a predetermined schedule to run each day, but not instant control in this way!

New Navigation System: It’s really more of an upgrade. As well as the conventional “fender” sensors, the Roomba 980 now features the “VSLAM” (Visual Coincident, Localization, and Mapping) technology. This really is a big deal. Essentially it enables the visual localization enables the Roomba to “look” out and up to help navigate and map the room. This can be the type of ground breaking enhancement that vastly enhances the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean almost? Less bumping into things randomly and a more organized efficient and – – cleaning path.

More Suction Power: Thankfully, iRobot wasn’t content with just a couple attributes that are new. In addition they upped their game in the power section. The AeroForce cleaning system is per cleaning cycle the same base technology, but 2 times more effective at picking up debris. It also has “carpet boost” which maximizes air power when it finds a carpet or rug underneath. The end result is a traditional vacuum that is more extensive clean, reproducing a higher level.

Enhanced Virtual Wall Lighthouse: Roomba uses these little towers to indicate where to clean (and where not to clean…acting as an invisible wall barrier). The 980 has stepped up it’s lighthouse game. They truly are now smaller and take AA batteries (as opposed to the hulking “D” batteries for preceding set). This really is a nice advancement because who has extra “D” batteries lying around?

Pros and Cons – Matters I enjoy and Things I Don’t

Pros

It means everything to me: It’s pretty simple and straightforward, although the App is Amazing. Having the ability to control my robot from my telephone means the Roomba is currently part of my smart home family. Picking up on where tools like the Nest and Ecobee smart thermostats have left off, iRobot has actually delivered on a smart, net-joined, roomba vacuum. I eagerly thinking about the possibilities for future integration with my various smart house programs and controls.

App Helps Monitor Care: There's a very trendy “diagnostics” part of the program that tracks different parts of the Roomba and uses straightforward bars to inform you when things need to be altered or serviced (think emptying the bin, shifting extractors, filters, etc…). Additionally, it tells you exactly how to perform the desired maintenance requirement.

Better on Carpeting: Robots vacuums always have a tendency to perform better on hardwood floors and hard floor options (tile, etc…). Now, the recently redesigned motor is specially good at adapting to carpet surfaces as well. After detected, the 980 will engage a little more muscle to thoroughly clean carpets the way they should be cleaned. It was a subtle difference, an important difference nonetheless, although hard t tell from standing up even.

More Hands Off/User Friendly: in summary, it’s more of a robot! The new app, the battery that is more powerful and the automatic recharging/resume attribute makes the Roomba 980 more hands free than both previous models and the competition. Slowly but certainly, home robotics is living up to it’s promise. If you hate vacuuming physically or – cannot do it anymore – this is the solution that is outsourced that is quintessential. Short the Roomba 980 is the smartest choice out there.

Navigation is Plainly Enhanced: I will hardly tell the difference and Sometimes new features are added. Not so with the new navigation technology. Before, Roomba’s have had the knock for cleaning in a randomized, haphazard pattern. While the end result was clean floors, how it occurred wasn’t quite. However, it was also a bit ineffective. It was among the contrasts I liked about most Neato versions. Now, the 980 is much more organized, methodical, and efficient.

It bumps into matters to gain its relevance, especially in rooms with tons of furniture. Only not nearly to the degree it did in the past. On careful observation it appears the 980 will recall these “lumps” for future cleans and will not keep doing it with precisely the same wild abandon.

Brighter Algorithm: For all you geeks out there, this robot is actually smarter than it’s forerunners and the competitors.

Generally speaking, I found that the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (contained the new Connected Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Excellent Customer Service: iRobot is still the leader as it pertains to customers service. This more of a general “ace” and less specific to the model, but still worth noting. Every time I’ve needed to replace a Roomba, I’ve had no issues. They've been also good at walking you through diagnosing problems.

Strong Secondary Components Marketplace: As a longtime Roomba proprietor I know that it’s just a matter of time before I should replace a battery, brush, or filter (among other things). Unlike other robot firms, the Roomba has a deluge of after market businesses specializing in creating better replacement accessories and components. For instance, I’ve been able to locate replacement batteries that are not worse in relation to the factory default ones. This is only somewhat accurate for businesses like Neato (smaller market share) and this market is almost non existent for the other small players.

Better Suction Total: My two quasi scientific ways of measuring this are that A) I can feel a lot more wind/air coming from the unit and B) those larger particles of grit that only high powered vacs often get are being caught in the dust bin.

Disadvantages

Use Could be More: because I’m thrilled with the new app, This isn’t really a legit gripe. It’s more of a wish. Like to totally incorporate my Roomba with the remainder of my house that is smart I’d. It'd be nice in order to handle everything from one app (and one control like the SmartThings Hub and others). It likely wouldn’t be difficult to do and it may be something iRobot plans to do anyway.

Still Not “Perfect”: It’s a certain improvement, but it not perfect. It sometimes gets confused by power cords and can have problem with considerable brinks. It’s simple to “Roomba evidence” your house once in a while it will get stuck, but once you figure out the problem areas. It’s not quite like a person….yet.

Both the Dyson Eye and the Neato Botvac Connected are rumored to be coming out “ soon”. How soon? I can’t really tell. The Botvac Joined (which features similar program controls) will probably be out sometimes this season, but no firm release date has been set. The Dyson Eye was rumored to be in the works for years, but I 'ven’t heard much recently about an anticipated release date. It could be 6-12 months away. What this means is the Roomba 980 could have some stiffer competition on the horizon. At the moment, the 980 is the finest robot on the market, but that could change. UPDATE: The Dyson 360 Eye has recently been released. In general, it has a more powerful vacuum, but less qualified room -to-room navigation. It's possible for you to read my full review for additional information.

Yet, for pitch black rooms you'll inevitably get an error code. My simple solution is to keep night lights on in every room that wants it.

Only Accessible in One Location: So far as is frequently true for new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY available via the shop that is iRobot here. This really is likely because they would like to control pricing. As soon as it’s released to other markets like Amazon and carton retailers, I’ll be sure to update this post. UPGRADE 10/8#158/15: It’s merely been released to Amazon (see here for the listing)!

Price: As always, iRobot is the price leader. All their robots are often marginally to moderately more expensive as opposed to contest. The 980 is no distinct. In fact, it’s not pretty darn cheap! At RM 4850 per unit, this is likely not something that’s simple to spring for. You are able to check out this listing for more detailed pricing info. In this case, you do get what you pay for. Many important aspects actually HAVE enhanced. Hands down, this is the best robot vacuum now accessible. Still, if this is your first robot, you may want to look into some less pricey – but still capable – options (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Alternatives to Consider

If the price is too much of a sticking point, never to worry. There are with contemplating other great hoovers.

Roomba 880

Occasionally last years model is the best value. Sure, it’s not the latest and greatest, but it nevertheless can offer many of the exact same advantages. The Roomba 880 WAS the cream of the crop, until the 980 was released. You are able to check out my review of it here. At time, it was the most effective robot vacuum cash could purchase. The patented AeroForce cleaning system is 50% more effective at cleaning up debris in relation to the 700 series. This, joined with a larger dust bin, a better battery, and a remote control made it the most hands free device at the time. Now it ’s the 2 nd best. It doesn’t have the use that is groundbreaking, but it has all the other crucial characteristics for a true runner up. Above all, it’s a total cheaper compared to the 980 (check this listing for even steeper discounts). Still costly, but a lot.

Botvac D80

I wasn’t too impressed with the first Botvac release, but the new “D” series has made some developments that are helpful. Notably, they’ve repaired a problem with the brush (by changing a bearing) to allow it to be less susceptible to becoming tangled (especially with person and pet hair, within my experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t only seem better, it also functionally performs better than preceding Neato models. The suction power is arguably comparable to the new Roomba 980 and the best yet. Still, you won’t get the program managements, but it’s still relatively easy use and to schedule. The patented laser navigation technology means more routes that are organized and it usually works quite nicely. This listing can be seen by you here, where it normally sells for less in relation to the top line Roomba’s.

Roomba 650

It reliable, although it’s been around for some time. It’s also MUCH cheaper. It is possible to read my full take here. Attempt the 650 out to see if it for your own needs, if budget can be your top concern. Yes, it’s missing a bunch of “extras” that is fine but the cleaning technology that is center is till there. The 650 is perfect for people that have only a little area they need frequently cleaned, flats, or modest houses. It doesn't come with the conventional HEPA filter (good for those with allergies and pet owners) like the 880 and 980, but the AeroVac filter does a good enough job. On top of that, you are able to locate the 650 for a very affordable price at this listing.

Presuming Cleaner Faceplate

I was a little skeptical of this “work-around” at first, but it actually works pretty well. Presuming Cleanser was the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It functionally adds WiFi capacity to any Roomba 500 or 600 series robot. Skeptical? I was too. Essentially, you attach a “faceplate” that modifies your Roomba. It’s easy enough to attach. You can do most of exactly the same functions only in intuitive manner and a less “ polished”. If you need to locate your lost Roomba the app is fairly sound and will let you schedule slightly, alarm you when your Roomba needs help and plays a song. It’s accessible for just a fraction of the price of a brand new Roomba here.

Who is this a good option for? 2) Prospective buyers who desire WiFi capacity, but can’t manage/don’t want to spend RM 5000  on the 980. For example, you will be run by buying a fresh Roomba 650 and Thinking Cleaner Faceplate no more than $500 total.

Thinking Cleaner is working on a fresh faceplate for the 700/800 chain, but as of yet it only as a Kickstarter project here.

New Robots on the Horizon?

The long rumored Dyson Eye is formally under development as I mentioned previously. Who knows when it will be released. At this period it will not be likely to hit before the 2015 Holiday season, although they haven’t discussed release dates. The new features on the Roomba 980 may really cause them to delay release until they could fit the core features.

UPDATE: See my complete review.

The possibility that is more interesting is the the Neato Botvac “Linked” robot which plans to add WiFi capacity that is similar to the Roomba 980. You are able to read more about it via the official press release here. They’ll have to do it shortly to capitalize completely, although it would seem sensible for them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season.

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Linked

I desired to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting a lot of questions about it, although I’ll be writing a full comparison up soon.

What are the Essential Differences? 2) The Botvac now has “Eco” and “Turbo” mode. 3) The Roomba 980 has “carpet boost” and the Botvac doesn’t.

Both Botvac Connected and the Roomba 980 attribute WiFi enabled control. This really is definitely the headline feature for both. Personally, I favor the Roomba app better, but both are comparable with regards to attributes/usage.

UPDATE: It's possible for you to read my full comparison (recently finished) right here.

Ultimate Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The short answer: Yes! The longer answer? This can be arguably the best robot vacuum cleaner on the market, if you have the cash. At the very least, it’s certainly the finest roomba version to date. Whether or not it is “worth it” comes down to what your unique needs are.

But if you've got a little apartment, the 980 becomes an extravagance. One caveat: If you are a geek like me, it doesn’t matter. That is a MUST possess!

[katehoughton1950]

Awesome iRobot Roomba 980 Bera Huge Discount

Just in time for the Holiday Season, iRobot released their prized Roomba 980 vacuum cleaner. With competitor Neato recently releasing their somewhat enhance Botvac “D ” series, it was speculated that iRobot might be following suit. Yet, it has been a comparatively long time since the Roomba 880 and 870 debuted. I honestly didn’t understand what to expect. Definitely, iRobot is not interested in ceding any market share to competitors, and rightfully so.

As with all previous Roomba’s there are things to like and things that I don’t like. Regardless, it ’s going to be challenging for me to not gift a couple Roomba 980’s this year.

In this Roomba 980 review, I’ll get into the crucial features (what’s new) as well as the Pros and Cons. At the bottom, I’ll suggest a number of choices and make an overall recommendation.

Essential Attributes –

The following are remarkable features on the 980, and some of the new, updated:

More Battery Charge Life: The Roomba 980 is capable of running fro a full 2 hours before needed to recharge. On some of my older 700 series vacuums I’ve come close to this with after market third party replacement batteries, but this can be the finest factory default (out of the carton) battery life thus far. It’s still not Lithium ion (for those that enjoy that), but it really is an advancement. Like the 800 series robots, the 980 will automatically return to the docking station base, but it will recharge, then resume cleaning where it left off.

iRobot HOUSE Program: For me, this is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become fully incorporated into the smart home experience. iRobot is the first robot vacuum business – to my knowledge – that has a program such as this. You'll be able to press “Clean” from anywhere and the 980 will start/stop as wanted. If I’m at work or from the home, I can get things began while I’m away. The program is easy basically functions as an advanced remote control and to use. On the Roomba’s that is older you could have a pre-determined schedule to run every day, but not instantaneous control like this!

It’s really more of an upgrade. This can be a big deal. Essentially it allows the visual localization allows the Roomba to “look” out and up to help navigate and map the room. This can be the kind of ground breaking betterment that vastly improves the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean almost? Bumping into things randomly and a more organized efficient and – – cleaning path.

Thankfully, iRobot wasn’t content with just a couple of new attributes. In addition they upped their game in the power section. The AeroForce cleaning system is exactly the same base technology, but 2 times more effective at picking up debris per cleaning cycle. It also has “carpet boost” which maximizes air power when it detects a carpet or rug beneath. The end result is a hoover that is traditional that is more extensive clean, reproducing a greater standard.

Enhanced Virtual Wall Lighthouse: Roomba uses these small towers to signal where to clean (and where not to clean…acting as an invisible wall obstacle). The 980 has stepped up it’s lighthouse game. They truly are now smaller and take AA batteries (as opposed to the hulking “D” batteries for previous series). This is a nice advancement because who has extra “D” batteries?

Pros and Cons – Things I like and Things I Don’t

Pros

The Program is Awesome: It’s reasonably easy and straightforward, but it means everything to me. Being able to control my robot from my telephone means the Roomba is now part of my house family that is smart. Picking up on where tools like Ecobee smart thermostats and the Nest have left off, iRobot has really produced on a smart, internet-connected, roomba vacuum. I eagerly thinking about the options for future integration with controls and my various smart house programs.

Program Helps Monitor Care: There is a very cool “diagnostics” portion of the program that monitors distinct parts of the Roomba and uses simple bars to let you know when things need to be altered or serviced (think emptying the bin, changing extractors, filters, etc…). Additionally, it tells you precisely how to perform the desired maintenance requirement.

Better on Carpeting: Robots vacuums consistently have a tendency to perform better on hardwood floors and hard floor choices (tile, etc…). Now, the newly redesigned motor is not particularly bad at adjusting to carpeting surfaces as well. After found, the 980 will engage a bit more muscle to completely clean carpeting the manner they should be cleaned. In a side by side test with my Roomba 880 (and a group of spilled crushed cheerios), both “seemed” to clean the same at a distance, but the 980 really was able to pick up more of the crumbs that had filtered down to the underparts of the the carpet. It was a subtle difference, an important difference nonetheless, although t that is challenging tell from standing up even.

The new app, the more powerful battery and the automatic recharging/resume attribute makes the Roomba 980 more hands free than both previous versions and the competition. Slowly but surely, dwelling robotics is living up to it’s promise. If you hate vacuuming – or physically cannot do it this is the solution that is outsourced that is quintessential. Short the Roomba 980 is the best option out there.

Navigation is Apparently Improved: Occasionally new features are added and I can hardly tell the difference. For cleaning in a randomized, haphazard pattern before, Roomba’s have had the knock. While the ending result was clean floors, how it occurred wasn’t quite. Nevertheless, it was also somewhat ineffective. It was among the comparisons I enjoyed about most Neato versions. Now, the 980 is considerably more organized, methodical, and efficient.

It bumps into matters to gain its bearings, particularly in rooms with tons of furniture. Merely not nearly to the degree it did previously. On careful observation it seems the 980 will remember these “bumps” for future cleans and WOn't keep doing it with the same wild abandon.

Brighter Algorithm: For all you geeks out there, this robot is actually smarter than it’s the competition and forerunners.

Generally, I discovered that the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (included the new Linked Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Excellent Customer Service: iRobot remains the leader as it pertains to customers service. This more of a general “pro” and particular to this model, but still worth noting. Every time I’ve needed to replace a Roomba, I’ve had no issues. They truly are also good at walking you through diagnosing issues.

Powerful Secondary Parts Market: Unlike other robot companies, the Roomba has a deluge of after market businesses specializing in creating better replacement accessories and components. For example, I’ve been able to find replacement batteries that are better in relation to the factory default ones.

Better Suction Complete: My two quasi scientific methods for quantifying this are that A) I can sense a lot more wind/air coming from the unit and B) those larger particles of grit that only high powered vacs often get are being caught in the dust bin.

Cons

App Could be More: This isn’t really a legit gripe, because I’m thrilled with the new program. I’d like to fully incorporate my Roomba with the rest of my smart dwelling. It would be pleasant to be able to handle everything from one program (and one controller like the SmartThings Hub and others). It probably wouldn’t be tough to do and it may be something iRobot already intends to do anyhow.

Not “Perfect”: It’s a definite progress, but it’s still not perfect. It sometimes gets confused by power cords and can have trouble with brinks that were substantial. Once in a while it will get stuck, but once you determine the issue areas, it’s easy to “Roomba proof” your house. It’s not quite like a human….yet.

Both the Neato Botvac Joined and the Dyson Eye are rumored to be coming out “ soon. How? I can’t actually tell. The Botvac Linked (which features similar program controls) will likely be out sometimes this season, but no firm release date continues to be set. The Dyson Eye was rumored to be in the works for years, but I 'ven’t heard much lately about an anticipated release date. It could still be 6-12 months away. What this means is that the Roomba 980 could have some harder competition on the horizon. Right now, the 980 is the greatest robot on the market, but that could change. Especially if the price points are more affordable, Roomba could be severely undercut. UPGRADE: The Dyson 360 Eye has been released. Generally speaking, it's a more powerful vacuum, but less capable room -to-room navigation. You can read my complete review for more details.

Nevertheless, for pitch black rooms you'll necessarily get an error code. My simple alternative would be to keep on in every room that needs it.

It’s still worth noting, although carpeting Boost is Loud: It picks up more dirt, so I’m a happy customer. Don’t plan on sleeping in the same room.

Only Accessible in One Area: So far as is often true for new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY accessible via the shop that is iRobot here. That is likely because they would like to control pricing. As soon as it’s released like carton retailers and Amazon to other markets, I’ll make sure to update this post. UPGRADE 10/8#158/15: It’s only been released to Amazon (see here for the listing)!

Price: As always, iRobot is the cost leader. All their robots usually are somewhat to moderately higher priced than the competition. The 980 is different. In fact, it’s not pretty darn cheap! At RM 4850 per unit, this can be likely not something that’s simple to spring for. You can check out this listing for more detailed pricing info. In this case, you do get what you buy. This generation really HAS enhanced many aspects that were significant. Hands down, this really is the best robot vacuum currently accessible. Still, if this really is your first robot, you may want to look into some less expensive – but still qualified – alternatives (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Options to Contemplate

If the cost is too much of a sticking point, not to worry. There are other great hoovers with considering.

Roomba 880

Sometimes last years version is the best value around. Sure, it’s not the latest and greatest, but it still can offer many of the exact same benefits. Until the 980 was released the Roomba 880 WAS the cream of the crop. At time, it was the best robot hoover money could purchase. The patented AeroForce cleaning system is 50% more effective at cleaning up debris in relation to the 700 series. This, joined with a a better battery, a larger dust bin, and a remote control made it the most hands free apparatus at the time. It doesn’t have the revolutionary use, but it's all the other essential attributes for a true runner up. Most significantly, it’s a total cheaper compared to 980 (check this listing for even steeper reductions). Still costly, but a lot.

Botvac D80

I wasn’t too impressed with the original Botvac release, but some helpful improvements have been made by the new “D” chain. Notably, they’ve repaired a problem with the brush (by altering a bearing) to allow it to be less susceptible to getting tangled (particularly with person and pet hair, in my experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t just look better, it also functionally performs better than preceding Neato models. The suction power is the best yet and comparable to the new Roomba 980. Still, you won’t get the app controls, but it not too hard to schedule and use. The patented laser navigation technology means more courses that are organized and it generally works quite well. Where it generally sells for less compared to the top line Roomba’s it's possible for you to see this listing here.

Roomba 650

It’s been around for a while, but it’s not still false. It MUCH cheaper. You are able to read my full take here. If budget is your top concern, attempt the 650 out to see if it on your needs. Yes, it’s missing a group of pleasant extras” that is “ but the core cleaning technology is till there. The 650 is ideal for people who have merely a little area they need routinely cleaned, apartments, or small homes. It does not come with the standard HEPA filter (great for those with allergies and pet owners) like the 880 and 980, but the AeroVac filter does a good enough job. I still have mine running to this day after 3 years (and a couple of replacement batteries). On top of that, you can find the 650 for an extremely affordable cost at this listing.

New Robots on the Horizon?

As I mentioned previously, the rumored Dyson Eye is officially under development. Who knows when it will be released. They have but only at that stage it will be unlikely to strike before the 2015 Holiday season. The new attributes on the Roomba 980 may really lead them to delay release until they are able to fit the core characteristics.

The option that is intriguing is the the Neato Botvac “Linked” robot which aims to add WiFi ability that is similar to the Roomba 980. You'll be able to read more here. They’ll have to do it shortly to capitalize entirely, although it'd seem sensible about them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season.

UPDATE: See my complete review.

Thinking Cleaner Faceplate

I was somewhat skeptical of this “work-around” at first, but it actually works pretty well. Thinking Cleanser was the outcome of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It adds or 600 series robot and WiFi capacity. Disbelieving? I was also. Basically, you attach a “faceplate” that modifies your Roomba. It’s easy to attach. It is possible to do most of precisely the same functions as the Roomba 980 WiFi, merely in a polished” and intuitive way. If you have to locate your lost Roomba the app is quite sound and will let you schedule slightly, alarm you when your Roomba wants help and plays a song. It’s accessible for just a fraction of the cost of a Roomba that is new here.

Thinking Cleaner is working on a brand new faceplate for the 700/800 chain, but as of yet it only exists as a Kickstarter job here.

Who is this a good option for? 2) Prospective buyers who desire WiFi ability, but can’t afford/don’t need to spend $899 on the 980. By way of example, buying a brand new Roomba 650 and Thinking Cleaner Faceplate will run you .

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Linked

I desired to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting a lot of questions about it, although I’ll be writing a full comparison up soon.

Both Botvac Connected and the Roomba 980 attribute WiFi enabled management. This is certainly the headline attribute for both. Personally, I favor the Roomba program better, but both are comparable when it comes to characteristics/usage.

What are the Essential Differences? 2) The Botvac now has “Eco” and “Turbo” mode.

UPDATE: It's possible for you to read my complete comparison (recently finished) right here.

Ultimate Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The brief reply: Yes! The longer response? If you've the cash, this really is arguably the greatest robot vacuum cleaner on the market. At the minimum, it’s definitely the best roomba model to date.

The 980 is the best robot for the occupation, if you've got a larger house or office/company that must be cleaned often. It can cover the earth and recharge on it’s own as needed. The 980 has the most power/suction and the finest cleaning tech of any robot to get the job done if you'll need a vacuuming occupation that strongly resembles a traditional upright vacuum clean.

[irobotroombaperak-blog]

Best iRobot Roomba 980 - Voted by You!

Just in time for the Holiday Season, iRobot released their prized Roomba 980 vacuum cleaner to the masses. With competitor Neato lately releasing their Botvac “D that was marginally improve ” set, it was speculated that iRobot might be following suit. Nevertheless, it has been a relatively long time since 870 debuted and the Roomba 880. I actually didn’t know what to anticipate. Clearly, iRobot isn't thinking about ceding any market share to rivals, and rightfully so.

As with all preceding Roomba’s there are things that I don’t enjoy and things to enjoy. It ’s going to be hard for me to not gift a couple of Roomba 980’s this year.

In this Roomba 980 review, I’ll get into the crucial features (what’s new) as well as the Benefits and Drawbacks. At the base, I’ll make an overall recommendation and suggest a few options.

Essential Characteristics – What’s New with the Roomba 980

The following are remarkable features on the 980, and some of the new, upgraded:

The Roomba 980 is capable of running fro a full 2 hours before needed to recharge. This is a personal best for Roomba. On some of my older 700 series vacuums I’ve come close to this with after market third party replacement batteries, but that is the greatest factory default (out of the box) battery life to date. It’s still not Lithium ion (for those that enjoy that), but it's an improvement. Like the 800 series robots, the 980 will automatically return to the docking station base, but now it'll recharge, then resume where it left off cleaning,.

iRobot HOUSE App: For me, this is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become more completely incorporated into the home experience that is smart. iRobot is the first robot vacuum firm – to my knowledge – that has an app similar to this. You can press on “Clean” from anyplace and the 980 will start/stop as wanted. I will get things began while I’m away, if I’m at work or from the home. The app is easy enough essentially functions as an innovative remote control and to use. On the older Roomba’s you could have a predetermined schedule to run each day, but not instantaneous control in this way!

It’s actually more of an upgrade. In addition to the traditional “fender” detectors, the Roomba 980 now features the “VSLAM” (Visual Simultaneous, Localization, and Mapping) technology. This is a big deal. Essentially it allows the visual localization enables the Roomba to “look” out and up to help navigate and map the room. This can be the kind of ground breaking improvement that vastly improves the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean practically? Less bumping into things at random and a more organized – and efficient – cleaning path.

Happily, iRobot wasn’t content with just a couple new features. Additionally they upped their game in the power section. The AeroForce cleaning system is per cleaning cycle the same base technology, but 2 times more efficient at picking up debris. It also has “carpet boost” which optimizes air power when it finds a carpet or rug underneath. The outcome is a conventional hoover that is more thorough clean, reproducing a higher rank.

Enhanced Virtual Wall Lighthouse: Roomba uses these small towers to signal where to clean (and where not to clean…acting as an invisible wall barrier). The 980 has stepped up it’s lighthouse game. They truly are now smaller and require AA batteries (as opposed to the hulking “D” batteries for preceding series). This really is a nice advancement because who has spare “D” batteries lying around?

Matters I like and Things I Don’t

Pros

It means everything to me: It’s straightforward and pretty simple, although the App is Awesome. Having the ability to control my robot from my telephone means the Roomba is currently part of my smart home family. Picking up on where tools like the Nest and Ecobee smart thermostats have left off, iRobot has actually provided on a smart, web-joined, roomba vacuum. I considering the possibilities for future integration with controllers and my various smart home programs.

Program Helps Monitor Maintenance: There is a really trendy “diagnostics” portion of the program that monitors distinct parts of the Roomba and uses straightforward bars to let you know when things must be altered or serviced (believe emptying the bin, shifting extractors, filters, etc…). Additionally, it tells you just the way to perform the care demand that is desired.

Better on Carpeting: Robots vacuums always have a tendency to perform better on hardwood floors and hard flooring choices (tile, etc…). Now, the recently redesigned motor is specially good at adapting to carpet surfaces too. Once discovered, a little more muscle wills engage to completely clean carpeting the manner they should be cleaned. In a side by side test with my Roomba 880 (and a group of spilled crushed cheerios), both “seemed” to clean the same at a space, but the 980 really could pick up more of the crumbs that had filtered down to the underparts of the the carpeting. It was a subtle difference, an important difference however, although t that is hard tell from standing up even.

More Hands Off/User Friendly: in summary, it’s more of a robot! The new program, the battery that is stronger and the automatic recharging/resume attribute makes the Roomba 980 more hands free than both previous versions and the competition. Slowly but surely, house robotics is living up to it’s guarantee. If you hate vacuuming – or physically cannot do it this is the solution that is outsourced that is quintessential. Short the Roomba 980 is now the best option out there.

Navigation is Noticeably Improved: Occasionally new features are added and I can scarcely tell the difference. In the past, Roomba’s have had the knock. While the ending result was clean floors, how it occurred wasn’t fairly. Nevertheless, it was also a little inefficient. This was among the comparisons I liked about most Neato versions. The 980 is efficient, methodical, and considerably more organized.

It bumps into matters to gain its relevance, particularly in rooms with lots of furniture. Only not nearly to the level it did in the past. On careful observation it will not keep doing it with exactly the same wild abandon and seems the 980 will recall these “bumps” for future cleans.

Smarter Algorithm: This robot is actually smarter than it’s predecessors and the competitors.

Generally, I noticed the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (comprised the new Connected Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Powerful Secondary Parts Market: Unlike other robot companies, the Roomba has a deluge of after market firms specializing in creating better replacement accessories and parts. For example, I’ve been able to find replacement batteries that are better than the factory default ones. This really is only somewhat true for businesses like Neato (smaller market share) and this market is practically non existent for the other small players.

Excellent Customer Service: iRobot continues to be the leader as it pertains to customers service. This more of a general “ace” and unique to this model, but still worth noting. Every time I’ve needed to replace a Roomba, I’ve had no problems. They've been also good at walking you through diagnosing issues.

Better Suction Complete: My two quasi scientific ways of quantifying this are that A) I can sense a lot more wind/atmosphere coming from the unit and B) those larger particles of determination that only high powered vacs tend to get are being captured in the dust bin. This is an upgrade over the Roomba 880 which I was comparing it also as my baseline.

Cons

App Could be More: because I’m thrilled with the new app This isn’t actually a legit gripe. I’d like to fully incorporate my Roomba with the rest of my house that is smart. It would be pleasant to be able to handle everything from one program (and one control like the SmartThings Hub and others). It probably wouldn’t be difficult to do and it may be something iRobot already plans to do anyway.

Not “Perfect”: It’s a certain improvement, but it not perfect. Power cords occasionally confused it and can have trouble with substantial brinks. It’s simple to “Roomba proof” your house once in a while it will get stuck, but once you determine the issue areas. It’s not quite like an individual….yet.

The Dyson Eye and the Neato Botvac Joined are rumored to be coming out “ soon”. How? I can’t really tell. The Botvac Connected (which features similar program managements) will probably be out sometimes this season, but no firm release date has been set. I 'ven’t heard much lately about an anticipated release date, although the Dyson Eye has been rumored to be in the works for years. It could be 6-12 months away. What this means is that the Roomba 980 could have some stiffer competition on the horizon. Right now, the 980 is the best robot out there, but that could change. UPGRADE: The Dyson 360 Eye has recently been released. Generally speaking, it's a vacuum that is more powerful, but less room that is capable -to-room navigation. You'll be able to read my complete review for more details.

Doesn’t Work in Complete Darkness: As long as there is some light i.e. you can see your way around, the 980 should function good. Nevertheless, for pitch black rooms you'll necessarily get an error code. My simple alternative would be to keep night lights on in every room that wants it.

Don’t plan on sleeping in the same room.

Just Accessible in One Location: So far – as is often the case with new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY available via the shop that is iRobot here. This is likely because they would like to control pricing as long as possible. When it’s released like carton retailers and Amazon to other marketplaces, I’ll make sure to upgrade this post.

Price: As always, iRobot is the price leader. All their robots usually are slightly to moderately more costly as opposed to contest. The 980 is no different. Actually, it’s not pretty darn cheap! At RM 4850 per unit, this is likely not something that’s easy to spring for. You'll be able to check out this listing for more detailed pricing info. In this instance, you do get what you pay for. Many important facets actually HAVE improved. Hands down, this is the best robot vacuum now available. However, if that is your first robot, you may want to look into some less pricey – but still competent – alternatives (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Options to Consider

If the cost is too much of a sticking point, never to worry. There are other great hoovers with contemplating.

Roomba 880

Occasionally last years model is the best value around. Sure, it’s not the latest and greatest, but it nonetheless can offer many of the same benefits. You are able to have a look at my review of it here. At the time, it was the most effective robot hoover cash could buy. The patented AeroForce cleaning system is 50% more effective at cleaning up debris than the 700 series. This, joined with a larger dust bin, an improved battery, and a remote control made it the most hands free device at the time. It doesn’t have the app that is revolutionary, but it's all the other essential features for an actual runner up. Most importantly, it’s a complete cheaper compared to the 980 (check this listing for even steeper discounts). Still pricey, but a lot.

Botvac D80

I wasn’t overly impressed with the first Botvac release, but some helpful progress have been made by the new “D” chain. Notably, they’ve repaired a problem with the brush (by shifting a bearing) to ensure it is less susceptible to becoming tangled (especially with human and pet hair, in my own experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t just seem better, it also functionally performs better than preceding Neato models. The suction power is the finest yet and arguably comparable to the new Roomba 980. It’s still not too hard use and to schedule, although however, you won’t get the app controls. The patented laser navigation technology means more organized routes and it generally works quite well. Where it usually sells for less than the top line Roomba’s, it's possible for you to see this listing here.

Roomba 650

It’s not still false, although it’s been around for a while. It MUCH cheaper. Try the 650 out to see if it enough for your own needs if budget can be your top concern. Yes, it’s missing a group of fine “extras” but the cleaning technology that is heart is till there. The 650 is perfect for people who have flats, little houses, or merely a little space they want consistently cleaned. On the whole, this can be a terrific robot for those just getting started, interested to see if the technology works because of their needs. On top of that, you're able to find the 650 for an extremely affordable price at this listing.

The rumored Dyson Eye is officially under development as I mentioned previously. Who knows when it'll be released. As of this stage it will not be likely to hit before the 2015 Holiday season, although they still haven’t discussed release dates. The new attributes on the Roomba 980 may actually lead them to delay launch until the core characteristics can be matched by them.

The possibility that is more intriguing is the the Neato Botvac “Connected” robot which plans to add WiFi ability that is similar to the Roomba 980. You are able to read more about it via the official press release here. It would make sense for them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season, but they’ll have to get it done soon to capitalize entirely.

UPGRADE: See my complete review.

Thinking Cleaner Faceplate

I was a bit skeptical of this “work around” at first, but it really works pretty well. Presuming Cleaner was the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It adds WiFi capability to any Roomba 500 or 600 series robot. Disbelieving? I was too. Essentially, you attach a “faceplate” that changes your Roomba. It’s easy enough to attach. You can do most of precisely the same functions in a polished” and intuitive manner, merely as the Roomba 980 WiFi. The app is pretty stable and will let you schedule slightly, alarm you when your Roomba needs help and even plays a tune if you need certainly to locate your lost Roomba. It’s accessible just for a fraction of the cost of a brand new Roomba here.

Thinking Cleanser is working on a new faceplate for the 700/800 series, but as of yet it only as a Kickstarter project here.

Who's this a good option for? 1) Existing owners of a 500 or 600 series Roomba. 2) Prospective buyers who desire WiFi capability, but can’t afford/don’t want to spend $899 on the 980. By way of example, purchasing Believing Cleaner Faceplate and a fresh Roomba 650 will run you no more than $500 total.

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Connected

I needed to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting lots of questions about it, although I’ll be writing a complete comparison up shortly.

What are the Crucial Differences? 2) The Botvac now has “Eco” and “Turbo” mode. 3) The Roomba 980 has “carpet boost” and the Botvac doesn’t.

Both the Roomba 980 and Botvac Linked attribute WiFi enabled management. This is certainly the headline characteristic for both. Both are similar in terms of characteristics/use, although Personally, I prefer the Roomba app better.

UPDATE: It's possible for you to read my full comparison (recently completed) right here.

Final Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The short reply: Yes! The longer answer? If you've got the cash, this really is arguably the greatest robot vacuum cleaner on the market. At the very least, it’s certainly the greatest roomba model to date. Whether or not it is “worth it” comes down to what your unique needs are.

However, if you've got a little flat, the 980 becomes an extravagance. One caveat: in case you are a geek like me, it doesn’t matter. This is a MUST own!

[nicnicole804-blog]

Step by Step iRobot Roomba 980 Ulu Muar

With their Botvac “D that was somewhat enhance being lately released by competitor Neato ” collection, it was speculated that iRobot might be following suit. However, it continues to be a relatively long time since the Roomba 880 and 870 debuted. I actually didn’t understand what to anticipate. Definitely, iRobot is not considering ceding any market share to competitors, and rightfully so.

As with all previous Roomba’s there are things that I don’t enjoy and things to enjoy. It ’s going to be tough for me to not gift a couple of Roomba 980’s this year.

In this Roomba 980 review, I’ll get into the essential features (what’s new) as well as the Pros and Cons. At the bottom, I’ll make an overall recommendation and propose a few alternatives.

Essential Characteristics –

The following are some of the new, upgraded, and noteworthy characteristics on the 980:

The Roomba 980 is now capable of running fro a complete 2 hours before needed to recharge. It’s still not Lithium-ion (for those that enjoy that), but it's an improvement. Now it will recharge, then resume where it left off cleaning, although like the 800 series robots, the 980 will automatically return to the docking station base.

iRobot HOME App: For me, this really is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become more completely integrated into the smart home encounter. iRobot is the first robot vacuum company – to my knowledge – that's an app like this. It's possible for you to press “Clean” from anyplace and the 980 will start/stop as desired. This can be perfect for individuals who are on the go (like me). I will get things began while I’m away if I’m at work or from the home. The app is simple enough basically functions as an innovative remote control and to use. On the Roomba’s that is older you could have a predetermined schedule to run every day, but not instantaneous control like this!

It’s actually more of an upgrade. As well as the traditional “bumper” sensors, the Roomba 980 now features the “VSLAM” (Visual Simultaneous, Localization, and Mapping) technology. This is a big deal. Essentially it enables the visual localization enables the Roomba to “look” out and up to help browse and map the room. This can be the type of groundbreaking improvement that greatly enhances the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean practically? Less bumping into a more organized efficient and – – cleaning path and things at random.

Happily, iRobot wasn’t content with just a few new features. They also upped their game in the power department. The AeroForce cleaning system is per cleaning cycle exactly the same base technology, but 2 times far better at picking up debris. It also has “carpet boost” which optimizes air power when it detects a carpet or rug beneath. The end result is a hoover that is conventional that is extensive clean, repeating a greater rank.

Improved Virtual Wall Lighthouse: Roomba uses these small towers to signal where to clean (and where not to clean…acting as an invisible wall obstacle). The 980 has stepped up lighthouse game is ’sed by it. They are now smaller and take AA batteries (as opposed to the hulking “D” batteries for previous set). This is a nice advancement because who has spare “D” batteries lying around?

Matters I like and Things I Don’t

Pros

It means everything to me: It’s fairly simple and straightforward, although the Program is Awesome. Having the ability to control my robot from my telephone means the Roomba is now part of my smart dwelling family. Picking up on where tools like Ecobee smart thermostats and the Nest have left off, iRobot has actually delivered on a smart, web-linked, roomba vacuum. I considering the options for future integration with my various smart home apps and controllers.

Program Helps Monitor Maintenance: There's a really trendy “diagnostics” part of the program that tracks distinct parts of the Roomba and uses straightforward bars to let you know when things need to be changed or serviced (believe emptying the bin, changing extractors, filters, etc…). It also tells you precisely the way to perform the desired care requirement.

Better on Carpeting: Robots vacuums consistently tend to perform better on hardwood floors and hard floor options (tile, etc…). Now, the newly redesigned motor is not specially bad at adjusting to carpet surfaces as well. After found, the 980 will engage a bit more muscle to thoroughly clean carpets the manner they should be cleaned. In a side by side test with my Roomba 880 (and a group of spilled crushed cheerios), both “seemed” to clean the same at a space, but the 980 really was able to pick up more of the crumbs that had filtered down to the underparts of the the carpeting. It was a subtle difference, hard t tell from standing up even, but an important difference however.

More Hands Off/User Friendly: In short, it’s more of a robot! The new program, the stronger battery and the automatic recharging/resume feature makes the Roomba 980 more hands free than the competition and both previous models. Slowly but certainly, house robotics is living up to it’s guarantee. If you hate vacuuming – or physically cannot do it anymore – this is the quintessential outsourced alternative. Short of hiring cleaning help, the Roomba 980 is the best option out there.

Navigation is Plainly Enhanced: Occasionally new attributes are added and I will barely tell the difference. For cleaning in a randomized, haphazard pattern in the recent past, Roomba’s have had the knock. While the end result was clean floors, how it happened wasn’t fairly. Nevertheless, it was also a little inefficient. This was among the contrasts I enjoyed about most Neato versions. Now, the 980 is methodical, much more organized, and efficient.

It bumps into things to gain its bearings, particularly in rooms with lots of furniture. Just not nearly to the amount it did previously. On careful observation it even appears the 980 will recall these “bumps” for future cleans and WOn't keep doing it with exactly the same wild abandon.

Brighter Algorithm: For all you geeks out there, this robot is really smarter than it’s the competition and predecessors.

Generally speaking, I detected that the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (contained the new Linked Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Outstanding Customer Service: iRobot remains the leader as it pertains to customers service. This more of a general “pro” and unique to the model, but worth noting. Every time I’ve needed to replace a Roomba, I’ve had no problems. They are also not bad at walking you through diagnosing issues.

Powerful Secondary Components Marketplace: As a longtime Roomba proprietor I know that it’s merely a matter of time before I have to replace a battery, brush, or filter (among other items). Unlike other robot companies, the Roomba has a deluge of after market businesses specializing in creating components and better replacement accessories. For example, I’ve been able to locate replacement batteries that are not worse in relation to the factory default ones. This really is just somewhat accurate for businesses like Neato (smaller market share) and this market is virtually non existent for the other small-scale players.

Better Suction Total: My two quasi scientific methods for measuring this are that A) I can feel a lot more wind/air coming from the device and B) those larger particles of determination that only high powered vacs have a tendency to get are being caught in the dust bin.

Cons

App Could be More: This isn’t really a legit gripe, because I’m thrilled with the new app. It’s more of a wish. I’d like to fully incorporate my Roomba with the rest of my dwelling that is smart. It'd be pleasant in order to handle everything from one program (and one controller like the SmartThings Hub and others). It probably wouldn’t be hard to do and it may be something iRobot intends to do anyway.

Not “Perfect”: It’s a clear improvement, but it’s still not perfect. Power cords occasionally confused it and can have trouble with brinks that were sizable. It’s easy to “Roomba evidence” your house once in a while it will get stuck, but once you figure out the issue areas. It’s not quite like a person….yet.

Both the Neato Botvac Joined and the Dyson Eye are rumored to be coming out “ soon”. How soon? I can’t actually tell. The Botvac Joined (which features similar app managements) will likely be out occasionally in 2013, but no firm release date has been set. The Dyson Eye has been rumored to be in the works for years, but I haven’t heard much recently about an anticipated release date. It could still be 6-12 months away. What this means is the Roomba 980 could have some harder competition on the horizon. At this time, the 980 is the finest robot on the market, but that could change. Especially if the price points are more affordable, Roomba could be seriously undercut. UPGRADE: The Dyson 360 Eye has recently been released. Generally speaking, it's a more powerful vacuum, but less room that is qualified -to-room navigation. You are able to read my full review for more details.

Nonetheless, for pitch black rooms you'll necessarily get an error code. If cleaning at night or in a cellar with no lights, this could be a concern. My easy alternative would be to keep night lights on in every room that needs it.

Don’t plan on sleeping in the exact same room.

Just Available in One Area: So far – as is often the case with new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY available via the store that is iRobot here. That is likely because they want to control pricing as long as possible. As soon as it’s released like Amazon and carton retailers to other marketplaces, I’ll be sure to upgrade this post. UPGRADE 10/8#158/15: It’s just been released to Amazon (see here for the listing)!

Price: As always, iRobot is the cost leader. All their robots are often slightly to moderately more expensive as opposed to contest. The 980 is distinct. In fact, it’s pretty darn expensive! At RM 4850 per unit, this really is likely not something that’s simple to spring for. It's possible for you to check out this listing for more detailed pricing info. In this case, you do get what you pay for. This generation really HAS enhanced many facets that were significant. Hands down, this is the best robot vacuum currently accessible. However, if that is your first robot, you may want to look into some less expensive – but still competent – alternatives (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Choices to Consider

If the cost is too much of a sticking point, not to worry. There are other great hoovers with contemplating.

Roomba 880

Occasionally last years model is the best value around. Sure, it’s not the latest and greatest, but it nonetheless can offer many of the exact same advantages. You can take a look at my review of it here. At some time, it was the most effective robot hoover cash could buy. The AeroForce cleaning system that is patented is 50% more effective at cleaning up debris compared to the 700 series. This, combined with a a better battery, a larger dust bin, and a remote control made it the most hands free apparatus at the time. It doesn’t have the revolutionary app, but it has all the other essential attributes for an actual runner up. Most significantly, it’s a total cheaper compared to the 980 (check this listing for even steeper discounts). Still costly, but a lot.

Botvac D80

The new “D” string has made some improvements that are helpful, although I wasn’t overly impressed with the first Botvac release. Notably, they’ve repaired a problem with the brush (by changing a bearing) to make it less susceptible to getting tangled (particularly with individual and pet hair, in my own experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t just seem better, it also performs better than preceding Neato versions. The suction power is arguably comparable to the new Roomba 980 and the finest yet. Still, you won’t get the app controls, but it’s still not too hard to schedule and use. The patented laser navigation technology means more courses that are organized and it generally works quite well. Where it generally retails for less compared to the top line Roomba’s, you can see this listing here.

Roomba 650

It’s not still false, although it’s been around for a little while. It’s also MUCH more affordable. Try the 650 out to see if it for your needs if budget can be your top concern. Yes, it’s missing a bunch of pleasant extras” that is “ but the cleaning technology that is heart is till there. The 650 is perfect for people that have apartments, little dwellings, or merely a small area they need consistently cleaned. It doesn't come with the typical HEPA filter (great for those with allergies and pet owners) like the 880 and 980, but the AeroVac filter does a good enough job. Generally, this really is a fantastic robot for those just getting started, interested to see if the technology works due to their needs. On top of that, you're able to locate the 650 for an extremely affordable cost at this listing.

Believing Cleaner Faceplate

I was somewhat skeptical of this “work-around” at first, but it really works fairly well. Presuming Cleanser was the outcome of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It adds or 600 series robot and WiFi capacity together. Disbelieving? I was too. Essentially, you attach a “faceplate” that changes your Roomba. It’s simple to attach. It is possible to do most of exactly the same functions merely in a polished” and intuitive manner. The app will let you schedule slightly, alert you when your Roomba needs help and plays a song if you must find your lost Roomba and is quite sound. It’s accessible just for a fraction of the cost of a new Roomba here.

I’ll caveat by saying that 1) it’s still “laggy” 2) reduces typical run time by about 10-15% and 3) it’s not native to iRobot (third party app). Thinking Cleaner is working on a new faceplate for the 700/800 chain, but as of yet it only exists as a Kickstarter endeavor here.

Who is this a great option for? 1) Present owners of a 500 or 600 series Roomba. 2) Prospective buyers who need WiFi capacity, but can’t afford/don’t want to spend too much on the 980. For instance, buying a fresh Roomba 650 and Believing Cleaner Faceplate will run you no more than $500 total.

As I mentioned previously, the long rumored Dyson Eye is officially under development. Who knows when it'll be released. They still have but at this stage it will be unlikely to strike before the 2015 Holiday season. The new attributes on the Roomba 980 may really lead them to delay launch until the core attributes can be matched by them.

The possibility that is interesting is the the Neato Botvac “Linked” robot which plans to add WiFi capacity that is similar to the Roomba 980. It is possible to read more about it via the official press release here. It'd make sense for them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season, but they’ll have to get it done shortly to capitalize fully.

UPGRADE: See my complete review.

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Connected

I needed to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting a lot of questions about it, although I’ll be writing the full comparison up shortly.

What are the Crucial Differences? 1) The Botvac Connected is significantly more affordable (usually about $200 less), but see this listing for up to date information. 2) The Botvac now has “Eco” and “Turbo” mode. 4) The Roomba uses virtual wall’s (invisible beams to feature the robot) whereas the Botvac still relies on laying down “magnetic tape” to define borders around your dwelling.

The Roomba 980 and Botvac Connected feature WiFi enabled management. That is clearly the headline feature for both. Both are similar with regards to characteristics/use, although I personally prefer the Roomba app better.

UPGRADE: It's possible for you to read my complete comparison (recently completed) right here.

Final Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The short answer: Yes! The longer response? If you've got the money, this really is arguably the best robot vacuum cleaner available on the market. At minimum, it’s certainly the finest roomba model to date.

However, if you've got a little flat, the 980 becomes an extravagance. One caveat: it doesn’t matter, if you're a geek like me. This can be a MUST own!

[irobotroombapenang89-blog]

Most Efficient iRobot Roomba 980 Kecil Lojing

With adversary Neato lately releasing their marginally enhance Botvac “D ” series, it was theorized that iRobot might be following suit. Nonetheless, it continues to be a relatively long time since the Roomba 880 and 870 debuted. I actually didn’t understand what to anticipate. Definitely, iRobot isn't considering ceding any market share to rivals, and rightfully so.

As with all preceding Roomba’s there are things that I don’t like and things to enjoy. It ’s going to be tough for me to not gift a few Roomba 980’s this year.

In this Roomba 980 review, I’ll get into the essential features (what’s new) as well as the Advantages and Disadvantages. At the base, I’ll suggest several alternatives and make an overall recommendation.

Key Attributes –

The following are remarkable characteristics on the 980, and some of the new, upgraded:

The Roomba 980 is now capable of running fro a full 2 hours before needed to recharge. It’s still not Lithium-ion (for those who like that), but it's an advancement.

iRobot HOME Program: For me, this is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become completely incorporated into the home experience that is bright. iRobot is the first robot hoover firm – to my knowledge – that has a program like this. You can press on “Clean” from everywhere and the 980 will start/stop as desired. If I’m at work or out of the home, I can get things started while I’m away. The program is simple enough to use and essentially functions as an advanced remote control. On the Roomba’s that is older you could have a pre-determined program to run each day, but not immediate control in this way!

It’s really more of an upgrade. This is a big deal. Essentially it lets the visual localization map the room and enables the Roomba to “look” up and out to help browse. This is the sort of ground breaking betterment that significantly improves the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean almost? Bumping into things randomly and a more organized efficient and – – cleaning route.

Mercifully, iRobot wasn’t content with just a few attributes that are new. They also upped their game in the power section. The AeroForce cleaning system is per cleaning cycle the same base technology, but 2 times more effective at picking up debris. It also has “carpet boost” which optimizes air power when it finds a carpet or rug beneath. The outcome is a more extensive clean, replicating a higher level conventional vacuum.

Enhanced Virtual Wall Lighthouse: Roomba uses these little towers to signal where to clean (and where not to clean…acting as an invisible wall barrier). The 980 has stepped up lighthouse game is ’sed by it. They have been now smaller and require AA batteries (in contrast to the hulking “D” batteries for preceding series). Because who has spare “D” batteries lying around this is a nice development?

Pros and Cons – Matters I enjoy and Things I Don’t

Pros

The App is Awesome: It’s straightforward and fairly easy, but it means everything to me. Having the ability to control my robot from my telephone means the Roomba is currently part of my smart home family. Picking up on where tools like Ecobee smart thermostats and the Nest have left off, iRobot has really produced on a smart, internet-joined, roomba vacuum. I’m already eagerly considering the options for future integration with my various smart dwelling programs and controllers.

Program Helps Screen Maintenance: There's a really cool “diagnostics” part of the program that tracks different parts of the Roomba and uses straightforward bars to inform you when things need to be altered or serviced (believe emptying the bin, altering extractors, filters, etc…). Additionally, it tells you just how you can perform the desired care requirement.

Better on Carpeting: Robots vacuums always tend to perform better on hardwood floors and tough floor options (tile, etc…). The recently redesigned motor is specially great at adjusting to carpeting surfaces too. Once discovered, the 980 will engage a little more muscle to thoroughly clean carpeting the way they should be cleaned. In a side by side test with my Roomba 880 (and a group of spilled crushed cheerios), both “appeared” to clean the same at a space, but the 980 truly was able to pick up more of the crumbs that had filtered down to the underparts of the the carpet. It was a subtle difference, an important difference however, although challenging t tell from standing up even.

More Hands Off/User Friendly: in summary, it’s more of a robot! The new app, the battery that is stronger and the automatic recharging/resume feature makes the Roomba 980 even more hands free than both previous models and the contest. Slowly but surely, house robotics is living up to it’s assurance. If you hate vacuuming physically or – cannot do it this is the alternative that is outsourced that is quintessential. Short the Roomba 980 is the best option out there.

Navigation is Plainly Enhanced: I will hardly tell the difference and Sometimes new attributes are added. Not so with the new navigation technology. In the recent past, Roomba’s have had the knock for cleaning in a randomized, haphazard pattern. While the ending result was clean floors, how it happened wasn’t fairly. Still, it was also somewhat ineffective. This was one of the comparisons I liked about most Neato models. Now, the 980 is methodical, much more organized, and efficient.

It still bumps into matters to gain its relevance, particularly in rooms with tons of furniture. Merely not nearly to the degree it did in the past. On careful observation it will not keep doing it with exactly the same wild abandon and seems the 980 will remember these “bumps” for future cleans.

Smarter Algorithm: For all you geeks out there, this robot is really smarter than it’s the opposition and predecessors.

Generally speaking, I discovered the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (comprised the new Connected Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Exceptional Customer Service: iRobot is still the leader when it comes to customers service. This more of a general “pro” and less specific to the model, but worth noting. Every time I’ve needed to replace a Roomba, I’ve had no problems. They've been also great at walking you through diagnosing difficulties.

Strong Secondary Parts Market: Unlike other robot companies, the Roomba has a deluge of after market companies specializing in creating components and better replacement accessories. For instance, I’ve been able to find replacement batteries that are better in relation to the factory default ones.

Better Suction Overall: My two quasi scientific methods for quantifying this are that A) I can sense a lot more wind/atmosphere coming from the device and B) those bigger particles of grit that only high powered vacs tend to get are being captured in the dust bin. This is an upgrade over the Roomba 880 which I was comparing it also as my baseline.

Disadvantages

Use Could be More: because I’m thrilled with the new program This isn’t really a legit gripe. I’d like to totally integrate my Roomba with the rest of my smart home. It would be nice to be able to handle everything from one program (and one control like the SmartThings Hub and others). It probably wouldn’t be challenging to do and it may be something iRobot intends to do anyway.

Not “Perfect”: It’s a definite progress, but it not perfect. Power cords occasionally confused it and can have trouble with substantial thresholds. Once in a while it will get stuck, but once you find out the problem areas, it’s not difficult to “Roomba proof” your house. It’s not quite like a human….yet.

Competition on the Way? Both the Dyson Eye and the Neato Botvac Connected are rumored to be coming out “ soon”. How? I can’t actually tell. The Botvac Joined (which features similar app managements) will probably be out sometimes this season, but no firm release date continues to be set. The Dyson Eye was rumored to be in the works for years, but I 'ven’t heard much lately about an anticipated release date. It could be 6-12 months away. What this means is that the Roomba 980 could have some harder competition on the horizon. At the moment, the 980 is the finest robot available on the market, but that could change. Particularly if the price points are more affordable, Roomba could be seriously undercut. UPGRADE: The Dyson 360 Eye has recently been released. Generally speaking, it's a vacuum that is more powerful, but less room that is competent -to-room navigation. You are able to read my full review for more details.

Doesn’t Work in Entire Darkness: As long as there is some light i.e. you can see your way around, the 980 should function good. Nonetheless, for pitch black rooms you will inevitably get an error code. If cleaning at night or in a basement with no lights, this could be a concern. My simple alternative is to keep on in every room that needs it.

Don’t plan on sleeping in exactly the same room.

Only Accessible in One Place: So far as is frequently the case with new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY available via the iRobot store here. That is likely because they want to control pricing as long as possible. As soon as it’s released like carton retailers and Amazon to other marketplaces, I’ll make sure to upgrade this post.

Cost: As always, iRobot is the cost leader. All their robots usually are slightly to moderately more expensive than the competition. The 980 is no distinct. In fact, it’s not pretty darn cheap! At RM 4850 per unit, this really is probably not something that’s simple to spring for. You can take a look at this listing for more detailed pricing info. In this instance, you do get what you pay for. Many significant features really HAVE enhanced. Hands down, this really is the best robot vacuum currently available. Still, if that is your first robot, you may want to look into some less expensive – but still capable – options (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Options to Consider

If the price is too much of a sticking point, not to worry. There are with considering other great hoovers.

Roomba 880

Occasionally last years model is the best value around. At some time, it was the best robot vacuum money could buy. The patented AeroForce cleaning system is 50% more effective at cleaning up debris than the 700 series. This, combined with a a better battery, a larger dust bin, and a remote control made it the most hands free apparatus at the time. It ’s the 2 nd. It doesn’t have the app that is groundbreaking, but it's all the other crucial characteristics for a runner that is true up. Most importantly, it’s a complete cheaper compared to 980 (check this listing for even steeper reductions). Still pricey, but a lot.

Botvac D80

The new “D” string has made some improvements that are helpful, although I wasn’t too impressed with the first Botvac release. Notably, they’ve repaired a problem with the brush (by altering a bearing) to ensure it is less susceptible to becoming tangled (especially with human and pet hair, within my experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t only look better, it also performs better than previous Neato versions. The suction power is the finest yet and comparable to the new Roomba 980. Still, you won’t get the program managements, but it’s still not too hard use and to schedule. The patented laser navigation technology means more organized courses and it generally works quite nicely. This listing can be seen by you here, where it usually retails for less compared to the top line Roomba’s.

Roomba 650

It’s been around for some time, but it’s not still false. It’s also MUCH less expensive. It's possible for you to read my full take here. If budget is your top concern, try the 650 out to see if it to your needs. Yes, it’s missing a bunch of pleasant extras” that is “ but the cleaning technology that is core is till there. The 650 is perfect for people who have flats, small dwellings, or merely a little space they want consistently cleaned. Best of all, you can locate the 650 for a very affordable cost at this listing.

Presuming Cleaner Faceplate

I was a bit skeptical of this “work-around” at first, but it really works reasonably well. Believing Cleaner was the effect of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It adds or 600 series robot and WiFi capability together. Skeptical? I was also. Essentially, you attach a “faceplate” that changes your Roomba. It’s easy enough to attach. It is possible to do most of the exact same functions in a polished” and intuitive way, just as the Roomba 980 WiFi. If you must find your lost Roomba the program is fairly strong and will let you schedule remotely, alert you when your Roomba wants help and plays a tune. It’s accessible for just a fraction of the price of a Roomba that is new here.

Who's this a great option for? 2) Prospective buyers who need WiFi ability, but can’t afford/don’t need to spend RM 5000  on the 980. By way of example, by purchasing a fresh Roomba 650 and Thinking Cleaner Faceplate, you will be run .

Thinking Cleanser is working on a brand new faceplate for the 700/800 series, but as of yet it only as a Kickstarter endeavor here.

New Robots on the Horizon?

The long rumored Dyson Eye is formally under development, as I mentioned previously. Who knows when it'll be released. At this period it will be unlikely to hit before the 2015 Holiday season, although they still haven’t discussed release dates. The new attributes on the Roomba 980 may actually cause them to delay release until they're able to fit the core features.

UPGRADE: The Botvac Joined has formally been released in early Novemeber 2015! See my complete review.

The fascinating option is the the Neato Botvac “Connected” robot which plans to add similar WiFi ability to the Roomba 980. You are able to read more about it via the official press release here. They’ll have to get it done shortly to capitalize entirely, although it'd seem sensible about them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season.

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Linked

I’ll be writing up the full comparison shortly, but I needed to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting lots of questions about it.

What are the Crucial Differences? 1) The Botvac Connected is significantly more affordable (normally about $200 less), but see this listing for up to date advice. 2) The Botvac now has “Eco” and “Turbo” mode.

The Roomba 980 and Botvac Linked feature WiFi enabled control. This really is undoubtedly the headline feature for both. Both are similar in terms of characteristics/use, although I personally favor the Roomba program better.

UPDATE: You can read my complete comparison (recently finished) right here.

Final Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The short reply: Yes! The longer reply? This can be arguably the best robot vacuum cleaner on the market if you have the cash. At minimum, it’s surely the greatest roomba model to date. Whether or not it's “worth it” comes down to what your unique needs are.

But if you might have a little flat, the 980 becomes an extravagance. One caveat: it doesn’t matter if you're a geek like me. That is a MUST own!

[alexanderkoh-blog]

Most Effective iRobot Roomba 980 Langkawi

Just in time for Christmas, iRobot released their prized Roomba 980 vacuum cleaner to the masses. With competition Neato lately releasing their Botvac “D that was marginally improve ” set, it was supposed that iRobot might be following suit. Yet, it is a relatively long time since 870 debuted and the Roomba 880. I actually didn’t understand what to anticipate. Undoubtedly, iRobot isn't interested in ceding any market share to competitors, and rightfully so.

As with all previous Roomba’s there are things that I don’t like and things to like. It ’s going to be challenging for me to not gift a couple Roomba 980’s this year.

At the bottom, I’ll make an overall recommendation and suggest several choices.

Key Characteristics – What’s New with the Roomba 980

The following are notable attributes on the 980, and some of the new, upgraded:

More Battery Charge Life: The Roomba 980 is capable of running fro a full 2 hours before needed to recharge. It’s still not Lithium-ion (for those who enjoy that), but it's an advancement.

iRobot HOUSE Program: For me, this really is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become completely incorporated into the intelligent house encounter. iRobot is the first robot vacuum business – to my knowledge – that's a program such as this. You'll be able to press “Clean” from anyplace and the 980 will start/stop as wanted. This really is perfect for people who are on the go (like me). I will get things began while I’m away if I’m at work or from the home. The program is easy enough to use and basically functions as an innovative remote control. On the older Roomba’s you could have a pre-determined program to run every day, but not instant control like this!

New Navigation System: It’s actually more of an upgrade. Along with the traditional “bumper” detectors, the Roomba 980 now features the “VSLAM” (Visual Coincident, Localization, and Mapping) technology. This really is a big deal. Essentially it allows the visual localization allows the Roomba to “look” up and out to help navigate and map the room. This can be the type of groundbreaking enhancement that vastly improves the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean practically? Less bumping into a more organized efficient and – – cleaning path and things at random.

More Suction Power: Happily, iRobot wasn’t content with just a couple of features that are new. They also upped their game in the power department. The AeroForce cleaning system is the same base technology, but 2 times far better at picking up debris per cleaning cycle. It also has “carpet boost” which maximizes air power when it discovers a carpet or rug underneath. The outcome is a vacuum that is traditional that is comprehensive clean, repeating a higher grade.

Enhanced Virtual Wall Lighthouse: Roomba uses these little towers to signal where to clean (and where not to clean…acting as an invisible wall impediment). The 980 has stepped up lighthouse game is ’sed by it. They have been now smaller and take AA batteries (as opposed to the hulking “D” batteries for preceding set). Because who has extra “D” batteries lying around this really is a fine improvement?

Matters I like and Things I Don’t

Pros

It means everything to me: It’s pretty easy and straightforward, although the Program is Wonderful. Being able to control my robot from my phone means the Roomba is now part of my home family that is smart. Picking up on where tools like Ecobee smart thermostats and the Nest have left off, iRobot has really delivered on a smart, web-linked, roomba vacuum. I considering the possibilities for future integration with my various smart dwelling programs and controllers.

Program Helps Monitor Maintenance: There is a very cool “diagnostics” portion of the program that monitors distinct parts of the Roomba and uses straightforward bars to let you know when things need to be changed or serviced (believe emptying the bin, altering extractors, filters, etc…). Additionally, it tells you just how to perform the desired care demand.

Better on Carpeting: Robots vacuums consistently often perform better on hardwood floors and hard flooring alternatives (tile, etc…). The recently redesigned motor is especially great at adapting to carpeting surfaces too. Once detected, a bit more muscle wills engage to completely clean carpets the manner they should be cleaned. In a side by side test with my Roomba 880 (and a bunch of spilled crushed cheerios), both “seemed” to clean the same at a space, but the 980 really was able to pick up more of the crumbs that had filtered down to the underparts of the the carpet. It was a subtle difference, an important difference however, although t that is challenging tell from standing up even.

The new app, the more powerful battery and the automatic recharging/resume feature makes the Roomba 980 even more hands free than both previous models and the competition. Slowly but surely, home robotics is living up to it’s promise. If you hate vacuuming – or physically cannot do it anymore – this is the outsourced alternative that is quintessential. Short of hiring cleaning help, the Roomba 980 is now the best option out there.

Navigation is Noticeably Enhanced: I will hardly tell the difference and Occasionally new features are added. Not so with the new navigation technology. For cleaning in a randomized, haphazard pattern before, Roomba’s have had the knock. While the end result was clean floors, how it occurred wasn’t pretty. Nevertheless, it was also somewhat ineffective. This was among the comparisons I liked about most Neato versions. The 980 is methodical, considerably more organized, and efficient.

It still bumps into things to gain its relevance, particularly in rooms with lots of furniture. Just not nearly to the amount it did in the past. On careful observation it even seems the 980 will recall these “lumps” for future cleans and will not keep doing it with the same wild abandon.

Smarter Algorithm: For all you geeks out there, this robot is actually smarter than it’s forerunners and the competitors.

In general, I found that the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (included the new Connected Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Powerful Secondary Components Market: As a longtime Roomba owner, I know that it’s only a matter of time before I need to replace a battery, brush, or filter (among other items). Unlike other robot firms, the Roomba has a deluge of after market companies specializing in creating components and better replacement accessories. For instance, I’ve been able to locate replacement batteries that are better in relation to the factory default ones. This can be just somewhat accurate for businesses like Neato (smaller market share) and this market is virtually non existent for the other small-scale players.

Outstanding Customer Service: iRobot is still the leader as it pertains to customers service. This more of a general “pro” and particular to this model, but worth noting. They are also great at walking you through diagnosing issues.

Better Suction Overall: My two quasi scientific ways of quantifying this are that A) I can feel a lot more wind/air coming from the device and B) those larger particles of determination that only high powered vacs have a tendency to get are being captured in the dust bin.

Cons

Use Could be More: because I’m thrilled with the new program This isn’t actually a legit gripe. Like to fully incorporate my Roomba with the rest of my home that is smart I’d. It would be nice to be able to handle everything from one app (and one control like the SmartThings Hub and others). It probably wouldn’t be difficult to do and it may be something iRobot already intends to do anyway.

Still Not “Perfect”: It’s a clear progress, but it’s still not perfect. Power cords occasionally confused it and can have problem with thresholds that were substantial. It’s easy to “Roomba proof” your house once in a while it'll get stuck, but once you determine the issue areas. It’s not quite like a person….yet.

Competition on the Way? The Dyson Eye and the Neato Botvac Joined are rumored to be coming out “ soon. How soon? I can’t actually tell. The Botvac Linked (which features similar app managements) will likely be out occasionally in 2013, but no firm release date continues to be set. The Dyson Eye has been rumored to be in the works for years, but I 'ven’t heard much lately about an anticipated release date. It could be 6-12 months away. What this means is that the Roomba 980 could have some stiffer competition on the horizon. At the moment, the 980 is the finest robot out there, but that could change. Particularly if the price points are more affordable, Roomba could be seriously undercut. UPGRADE: The Dyson 360 Eye has recently been released. Generally, it's a vacuum that is more powerful, but less room that is qualified -to-room navigation. You'll be able to read my complete review for additional information.

However, for pitch black rooms you may inevitably get an error code. My easy solution would be to keep on in every room that needs it.

It’s still worth noting, although carpet Boost is Loud: It picks up more dirt, so I’m a happy customer.

Just Accessible in One Place: So far as is often the case with new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY accessible via the shop that is iRobot here. This is likely because they want to control pricing as long as possible. When it’s released to other marketplaces like Amazon and box retailers, I’ll make sure to upgrade this post. UPGRADE 10/8#158/15: It’s merely been released to Amazon (see here for the listing)!

Cost: As always, iRobot is the cost leader. All their robots are usually marginally to moderately more expensive as opposed to competition. The 980 is no distinct. In fact, it’s fairly darn pricey! At RM 4850 per unit, this can be probably not something that’s not difficult to spring for. You are able to take a look at this listing for more detailed pricing info. In this instance, you do get what you pay for. Many aspects that were significant really HAVE improved. Hands down, this really is the best robot vacuum now accessible. However, if this is your first robot, you might want to look into some less pricey – but still qualified – alternatives (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Alternatives to Contemplate

If the price is too much of a sticking point, never to worry. There are other great vacuums with contemplating.

Roomba 880

Occasionally last years version is the best value. At the time, it was the most effective robot hoover cash could buy. The patented AeroForce cleaning system is 50% more effective at cleaning up debris in relation to the 700 series. This, combined with a a much better battery, a larger dust bin, and a remote control made it the most hands free apparatus at the time. It ’s the 2 nd. It doesn’t have the ground-breaking use, but it's all the other essential characteristics for a runner that is true up. Most of all, it’s a total cheaper than the 980 (check this listing for even steeper reductions). Still costly, but a lot.

Botvac D80

Some helpful progress have been made by the new “D” string, although I wasn’t overly impressed with the initial Botvac release. Notably, they’ve repaired a problem with the brush (by altering a bearing) to allow it to be less susceptible to becoming tangled (particularly with individual and pet hair, within my experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t merely seem better, it also functionally performs better than previous Neato models. The suction power is the best yet and arguably comparable to the new Roomba 980. It’s still not too hard use and to schedule, although still, you won’t get the app managements. The patented laser navigation technology means more organized routes and it normally works quite nicely. You can see this listing here, where it normally retails for less as opposed to top line Roomba’s.

Roomba 650

It’s not still false, although it’s been around for a little while. It MUCH more affordable. It's possible for you to read my full take here. If budget can be your top concern, try the 650 out if it’s good enough for your needs to see. Yes, it’s missing a bunch of pleasant “extras” but the cleaning technology that is core is till there. The 650 is perfect for people who have flats, small dwellings, or just a little space they want regularly cleaned. On the whole, this can be a fantastic robot for those just getting started, interested to see if the technology works because of their needs. Best of all, you're able to find the 650 for an extremely affordable price at this listing.

Presuming Cleaner Faceplate

I was a little skeptical of this “work around” at first, but it actually works fairly well. Presuming Cleanser was the consequence of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It functionally adds or 600 series robot and WiFi capability. Skeptical? I was too. Essentially, you attach a “faceplate” that modifies your Roomba. It’s simple enough to attach. On top of that, it can synchronize with other smart dwelling apps (like SmartThings, etc…), something that I’ve criticized the Roomba 980 for not doing. It is possible to do most of exactly the same functions as the Roomba 980 WiFi, just in a polished” and intuitive manner. The program will let you schedule remotely, alarm you when your Roomba wants help and even plays a tune if you have to locate your lost Roomba and is fairly solid. It’s accessible for just a fraction of the cost of a new Roomba here.

Presuming Cleaner is working on a fresh faceplate for the 700/800 chain, but as of yet it only exists as a Kickstarter job here.

Who is this a great option for? 2) Prospective buyers who desire WiFi ability, but can’t afford/don’t desire to spend too much on the 980. By way of example, purchasing a new Roomba 650 and Believing Cleaner Faceplate will run you no more than $500 total.

New Robots on the Horizon?

As I mentioned previously, the long rumored Dyson Eye is formally under development. Who knows when it'll be released. At this stage it will not be likely to strike before the 2015 Holiday season, although they haven’t discussed release dates. The new features on the Roomba 980 may really lead them to delay launch until they are able to fit the core characteristics.

The more fascinating option is the the Neato Botvac “Linked” robot which aims to add WiFi capacity that is similar to the Roomba 980. You can read more here. They’ll have to do it shortly to capitalize completely, although it'd seem sensible for them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season.

UPGRADE: The Botvac Linked has formally been released in early Novemeber 2015! See my full review.

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Connected

I’ll be writing a full comparison up shortly, but I desired to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting a lot of questions about it.

Both Botvac Linked and the Roomba 980 characteristic WiFi enabled management. This really is definitely the headline attribute for both. Personally, I favor the Roomba app better, but both are comparable with regards to features/usage.

What are the Essential Differences? 1) The Botvac Associated is significantly more affordable (usually about $200 less), but see this listing for up to date advice. 2) The Botvac now has “Eco” and “Turbo” mode.

UPDATE: You are able to read my full comparison (recently finished) right here.

Ultimate Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The short reply: Yes! The longer response? This is arguably the best robot vacuum cleaner available on the market, if you have the money. At the very least, it’s certainly the greatest roomba model to date.

If you've got a bigger home or office/company that must be cleaned frequently, the 980 is the greatest robot for the job. It can cover the ground and recharge own as needed. The 980 has the finest cleaning tech of any robot to get the job done and the most power/suction if you'll need a vacuuming job that strongly resembles a conventional upright vacuum clean.

[irobotroombakl08-blog]

Awesome iRobot Roomba 980 Kota Tinggi Huge Discount

With adversary Neato recently releasing their Botvac “D that was marginally enhance ” set, it was theorized that iRobot might be following suit. Yet, it continues to be a comparatively long time since the Roomba 880 and 870 debuted. I actually didn’t understand what to anticipate. Undoubtedly, iRobot isn't interested in ceding any market share to rivals, and rightfully so.

As with all preceding Roomba’s there are things that I don’t like and things to like. It ’s going to be difficult for me to not gift a few Roomba 980’s this year.

In this Roomba 980 review, I’ll get into the crucial characteristics (what’s new) as well as the Benefits and Drawbacks. At the bottom, I’ll propose a few choices and make an overall recommendation.

Essential Characteristics – What’s New with the Roomba 980

The following are notable attributes on the 980, and some of the new, updated:

The Roomba 980 is now effective at running fro a full 2 hours before needed to recharge. It’s still not Lithium ion (for people who like that), but it really is an improvement.

iRobot DWELLING Program: For me, this is the game changer. I’ve been waiting for robot vacuums to become more fully incorporated into the house encounter that is bright. iRobot is the first robot vacuum business – to my knowledge – that has a program in this way. You'll be able to press on “Clean” from everywhere and the 980 will start/stop as desired. I will get things began while I’m away, if I’m at work or from your house. The program is simple basically functions as an advanced remote control and to use. On the older Roomba’s you could have a pre-determined program to run every day, but not immediate control like this!

New Navigation System: It’s really more of an upgrade. This really is a big deal. Essentially it enables the visual localization enables the Roomba to “look” out and up to help navigate and map the room. This is the type of groundbreaking betterment that greatly improves the 980 over previous versions. What does this mean practically? Less bumping into a more organized – and efficient – cleaning course and things at random.

Mercifully, iRobot wasn’t content with just a few new features. They also upped their game in the power department. The AeroForce cleaning system is exactly the same base technology, but 2 times far better at picking up debris per cleaning cycle. Additionally, it has “carpet boost” which optimizes air power when it detects a carpet or rug beneath. The outcome is a more extensive clean, replicating a greater grade conventional vacuum.

Improved Virtual Wall Lighthouse: The 980 has stepped up it’s lighthouse game. They truly are now smaller and require AA batteries (as opposed to the hulking “D” batteries for preceding set). This is a fine advancement because who has extra “D” batteries?

Pros and Cons – Matters I like and Things I Don’t

Pros

It means everything to me: It’s fairly simple and straightforward, although the App is Amazing. Being able to control my robot from my phone means the Roomba is currently part of my smart house family. Picking up on where tools like the Nest and Ecobee smart thermostats have left off, iRobot has actually delivered on a smart, web-joined, roomba vacuum. I thinking about the possibilities for future integration with controllers and my various smart dwelling apps.

Program Helps Screen Care: There's a really trendy “diagnostics” part of the program that tracks distinct parts of the Roomba and uses straightforward bars to inform you when things must be changed or serviced (believe emptying the bin, shifting extractors, filters, etc…). Additionally, it tells you just the way to perform the desired care requirement.

Better on Carpeting: Robots vacuums constantly often perform better on hardwood floors and tough floor alternatives (tile, etc…). Now, the newly redesigned motor is specially great at adapting to carpet surfaces as well. Once discovered, the 980 will engage a bit more muscle to thoroughly clean carpeting the manner they should be cleaned. In a side by side test with my Roomba 880 (and a bunch of spilled crushed cheerios), both “seemed” to clean the same at a space, but the 980 truly was able to pick up more of the crumbs that had filtered down to the underparts of the the carpeting. It was a subtle difference, difficult t tell from standing up even, but an important difference nonetheless.

More Hands Off/User Friendly: In short, it’s more of a robot! The new program, the battery that is stronger and the automatic recharging/resume feature makes the Roomba 980 even more hands free than the competition and both previous versions. Slowly but surely, dwelling robotics is living up to it’s assurance. If you hate vacuuming physically or – cannot do it this is the solution that is outsourced that is quintessential. Short the Roomba 980 is now the smartest choice out there.

Navigation is Clearly Improved: Sometimes new features are added and I can scarcely tell the difference. For cleaning in a randomized, haphazard pattern before, Roomba’s have had the knock. While the ending result was clean floors, how it occurred wasn’t quite. However, it was also a little ineffective. This was among the contrasts I liked about most Neato models. Now, the 980 is efficient, methodical, and considerably more organized.

It still bumps into matters to gain its relevance, especially in rooms with tons of furniture. Just not nearly to the level it did in the past. On careful observation it will not keep doing it with the same wild abandon and seems the 980 will recall these “lumps” for future cleans.

Brighter Algorithm: For all you geeks out there, this robot is really smarter than it’s the opposition and forerunners.

Generally speaking, I detected that the 980 spent much less time than both my 880 and Botvac’s (included the new Linked Botvac) pausing and computing as it creates the map of the room.

Superb Customer Service: iRobot is still the leader when it comes to customers service. This more of a general “pro” and unique to this model, but still worth noting. Every time I’ve needed to replace a Roomba, I’ve had no problems. They may be also not bad at walking you through diagnosing problems.

Strong Secondary Parts Market: As a longtime Roomba owner, I understand that it’s simply a matter of time before I have to replace a battery, brush, or filter (among other things). Unlike other robot firms, the Roomba has a deluge of after market firms specializing in creating parts and better replacement accessories. For instance, I’ve been able to find replacement batteries that are better than the factory default ones. This can be only somewhat true for businesses like Neato (smaller market share) and this market is almost non existent for the other small-scale players.

Better Suction Overall: My two quasi scientific ways of measuring this are that A) I can feel a lot more wind/air coming from the unit and B) those larger particles of grit that only high powered vacs have a tendency to get are being caught in the dust bin. This is an upgrade over the Roomba 880 which I was comparing it too as my baseline.

Cons

App Could be More: because I’m thrilled with the new app, This isn’t actually a legit gripe. It’s more of a wish. I’d like to fully incorporate my Roomba with the rest of my home that is smart. It would be nice to be able to manage everything from one app (and one control like the SmartThings Hub and others). It probably wouldn’t be tough to do and it may be something iRobot plans to do anyhow.

Not “Perfect”: It’s a clear progress, but it’s still not perfect. Power cords sometimes confused it and can have problem with thresholds that were ample. Once in a while it will get stuck, but once you determine the issue areas, it’s simple to “Roomba proof” your house. It’s not quite like a person….yet.

Competition on the Way? The Dyson Eye and the Neato Botvac Joined are rumored to be coming out “ soon. How? I can’t really tell. The Botvac Linked (which features similar app managements) will likely be out occasionally this season, but no firm release date continues to be set. I 'ven’t heard much recently about an anticipated release date, although the Dyson Eye has been rumored to be in the works for years. It could still be 6-12 months away. What this means is that the Roomba 980 could have some stiffer competition on the horizon. At this time, the 980 is the best robot in the marketplace, but that could change. Specially if the price points are more affordable, Roomba could be seriously undercut. UPGRADE: The Dyson 360 Eye has recently been released. Generally speaking, it has a vacuum that is more powerful, but less room that is qualified -to-room navigation. You'll be able to read my complete review for more details.

However, for pitch black rooms you will necessarily get an error code. My easy solution would be to keep on in every room that needs it.

It’s still worth noting, although carpeting Foster is Loud: It picks up more dirt, so I’m a happy customer. Don���t plan on sleeping in exactly the same room.

Only Accessible in One Place: So far as is often true for new releases – the Roomba 980 is ONLY available via the shop that is iRobot here. This really is likely because they want to control pricing. When it’s released to other markets like box retailers and Amazon, I’ll be sure to update this post. UPGRADE 10/8#158/15: It’s just been released to Amazon (see here for the listing)!

Price: As always, iRobot is the cost leader. All their robots are usually somewhat to somewhat higher priced than the contest. The 980 is distinct. In fact, it’s pretty darn expensive! At RM 4850 per unit, that is probably not something that’s not difficult to spring for. It is possible to take a look at this listing for more detailed pricing information. In this instance, you do get what you pay for. Many features that were significant really HAVE enhanced. Hands down, this really is the best robot vacuum currently available. Still, if this really is your first robot, you may want to look into some less expensive – but still competent – choices (see below)

Other Roomba 980 Alternatives to Contemplate

If the price is too much of a sticking point, not to worry. There are with contemplating other great hoovers.

Roomba 880

Sometimes last years version is the best value. Sure, it’s not the latest and greatest, but it still can offer many of the exact same benefits. You get 3 virtual Lighthouses which allow for creating a perimeter for bigger homes and spaces. At the time, it was the most effective robot hoover money could purchase. The patented AeroForce cleaning system is 50% more successful at cleaning up debris compared to the 700 series. This, combined with a a better battery, a larger dust bin, and a remote control made it the most hands free apparatus at the time. It ’s the 2 nd best. It doesn’t have the ground-breaking use, but it's all the other key attributes for a true runner up. Above all, it’s a total  cheaper compared to the 980 (check this listing for even steeper reductions). Still expensive, but a lot less so.

Botvac D80

The new “D” string has made some advancements that are helpful, although I wasn’t overly impressed with the initial Botvac release. Notably, they’ve repaired a problem with the brush (by altering a bearing) to make it less susceptible to becoming tangled (especially with individual and pet hair, in my own experience). The Botvac D80 doesn’t only seem better, it also functionally performs better than preceding Neato versions. The suction power is comparable to the new Roomba 980 and the greatest yet. However, you won’t get the program managements, but it relatively easy to schedule and use. The patented laser navigation technology means more organized routes and it generally works quite well. Where it usually retails for less compared to the top line Roomba’s you can see this listing here.

Roomba 650

It’s been around for a little while, but it’s not still false. It’s also MUCH less expensive. Attempt the 650 out if it enough for your needs to see if budget is your top concern. Yes, it’s missing a group of extras” that is “ that is pleasant but the cleaning technology that is heart is till there. The 650 is perfect for people who have little houses, apartments, or merely a small area they desire routinely cleaned. It does not come with the standard HEPA filter (good for those with allergies and pet owners) like the 880 and 980, but the AeroVac filter does a good enough job. I still have mine running to this day after 3 years (and a few replacement batteries). On top of that, you can locate the 650 for a really affordable cost at this listing.

Believing Cleaner Faceplate

I was a little skeptical of this “work around” at first, but it really works fairly well. Believing Cleanser was the consequence of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It functionally adds or 600 series robot and WiFi ability. Disbelieving? I was also. Essentially, you attach a “faceplate” that alters your Roomba. It’s easy enough to attach. On top of that, it can synchronize with other smart house programs (like SmartThings, etc…), something that I’ve criticized the Roomba 980 for not doing. It is possible to do most of precisely the same functions only in intuitive way and a polished”. If you must locate your lost Roomba the program is pretty strong and will let you schedule remotely, alarm you when your Roomba needs help and even plays a tune. It’s available just for a fraction of the price of a Roomba that is new here.

Presuming Cleaner is working on a fresh faceplate for the 700/800 series, but as of yet it only exists as a Kickstarter job here.

Who's this a good option for? 2) Prospective buyers who need WiFi capacity, but can’t afford/don’t desire to spend $899 on the 980. For instance, purchasing Thinking Cleaner Faceplate and a brand new Roomba 650 will run you .

New Robots on the Horizon?

The rumored Dyson Eye is formally under development as I mentioned previously. Who knows when it will be released. They have but at this stage it'll be unlikely to strike before the 2015 Holiday season. The new features on the Roomba 980 may actually cause them to delay launch until they can fit the core features.

The interesting possibility is the the Neato Botvac “Connected” robot which plans to add similar WiFi capability to the Roomba 980. You'll be able to read more here. They’ll have to get it done shortly to capitalize fully, although it'd seem sensible for them to release it prior to the 2015 Holiday season.

UPGRADE: See my full review.

Roomba 980 vs Botvac Linked

I’ll be writing up a complete comparison soon, but I desired to touch on this briefly because I’ve been getting a lot of questions about it.

What are the Key Differences? 1) The Botvac Linked is significantly more affordable (generally about $200 less), but see this listing for up to date information. 2) The Botvac now has “Eco” and “Turbo” mode.

The Roomba 980 and Botvac Linked feature WiFi enabled management. That is clearly the headline characteristic for both. I personally favor the Roomba program but both are comparable in terms of features/use.

UPGRADE: You'll be able to read my full comparison (recently finished) right here.

Final Call – Is the Roomba 980 Worth it?

The brief answer: Yes! The longer answer? This can be arguably the best robot vacuum cleaner on the market if you might have the money. At the minimum, it’s surely the best roomba model to date.

The 980 is the greatest robot for the job, if you've got a bigger home or office/company that must be cleaned regularly. It recharge own as needed and can cover the ground. The 980 has the finest cleaning tech of any robot and the most electricity/suction if you need a vacuuming occupation that strongly resembles a conventional upright vacuum clean.