Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Granted, I've had this thing for less than a week, but I can't quit raving about it.
I got the Dirt Dog for my enclosed patio, which is home to 12 messy caged parakeets and is also, of course, where my 4 cats like to hang out.I chose the Dirt Dog over the Roomba because I thought the sweeper would work better on the unfinished concrete than a vacuum unit, and it was cheaper.I liked the idea of the larger crud-holder than the vacuum, and I thought maybe it would be less tempramental, too.
The first time I turned it on, it wandered around exploring---I quickly learned that the fringed cotton rugs would have to go (no biggie, they just trap dirt anyway).I didn't move a lot of furniture---wanted to see how it would get along without much prep work on my part.
It quickly became my "Little Buddy" as it got stuck, or wrapped a string around its brushes and gently whimpered "Uh-Oh".I responded like the silly thing was one of my kids: "What's up, Little Buddy?Did you get caught on something?"Pathetic.
Anyway, he soon seemed to "learn" how to handle the edge of the platform my desk chair sits on and scoot under the shelves where the birds drop seeds & feathers.I learned to put barriers up so he couldn't get into trouble on the indoor-outdoor carpet that trends to unravel.We trained each other.
He's noisy...but I got used to it.The floor was looking better!
The cats seemed fascinated, but not afraid---they didn't freak out, just watched and stayed out of the way.At one point one of them actually sat on the floor and watched while he worked all around her.
By the time he finished, I was thrilled with my utterly brilliant purchase.I pulled out the hepa DustBuster http://www.amazon.com/review/R3DJL18LOJDRWI/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm and sucked up what little was missed or out of his range.Walking on the floor in my bare feet, I could feel how clean it really was---as clean as it gets when I spend half a day working on it with the big Shop Vac!
Next test:The bachelor son's house, equipped with three shedding dogs.Buddy whipped back and forth under two couches and a chair, scooping up fuzzballs like a champ.He cleaned the tile, the wood, and the (unfringed) area rug.He wanted to do the bedroom carpet, but I was afraid that might be just TOO much, even for him.
Buddy's next challenge was our garage---smooth concrete, but VERY UNclean.This is what he's built for, right?We set a timer and checked up on him about every 10 minutes to make sure he hadn't gotten stuck somewhere or pulled something into his brushes that made him stop.It took him a while, and I could tell by his yellow light that he was getting really tired, but he got it CLEAN.I emptied out his "dustpan" about 5 times.Yesterday I did some spray-painting in the garage, and the whole newly-clean floor was soon covered with overspray.So I put Buddy back to work.He swept up all the fine paint dust off the floor---no whining, no dust mask, no beer break.And now all that dust isn't getting tracked into the house.I can hardly wait to turn him loose the next time there are tiny metal shavings all over the floor from some drill-press project...
TBD is how well he'll last, but can you tell I'm pretty pleased with our newest family member?
Update June 23 2007:
It's now been six months, and we're on our second "Little Buddy".After a few weeks, Buddy I began just wandering around in a circle; it turned out he had an incurable wheel issue.It IS annoying that IRobot won't cover postage on a warranty return, but it was worth the hassle to get a new Little Buddy.The house just wasn't the same without him.....
Buddy II seems to be an even better and more energetic unit than his late, lamented sibling.He has earned the weekly task of sweeping our outdoor concrete courtyard.He gets a little rambunctious launching himself at some of the potted plants from time to time, but he does a wonderful job of cleaning up dirt, dust and leaves.It still amazes me how much stuff he picks up from what appears to be a pretty clean surface.
Buddy II has also been called into service for the above-mentioned drill press project.The scene begins as I step barefoot into the garage.I return hissing, swearing and bleeding on the floor.As I head for the tweezer drawer, I snarl to my husband, "Get Buddy!You've been drilling metal again and haven't cleaned up!"So Buddy has now succesfully taken on the role of marriage counselor.
He's also been on a couple of sleepovers at friends' houses, where he delighted his hostesses by cleaning their patios, decks and garages.One friend was so impressed she asked for her own Buddy as a birthday gift.He was apparently VERY well-behaved, even without parental supervision.
Buddy continues to work tirelessly, asking for nothing but a charged battery, a clean brush and an occasional (chaperoned) date with the air-compressor.
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Product Description:
Leave the cleaning to a robot with this convenient machine. Its 14.4-volt rechargeable NiCD battery provides the power needed to clean hard floors, shop carpets, garage and basement areas, as well as industrial-floor surfaces. In addition, specially designed counter-rotating brushes spin almost 1,000 times per minute, sweeping up dirt and debris that cling to rough surfaces. Simply press the "clean" button and the unit sweeps under workbenches, cars, and other hard-to-reach places, picking up nuts, bolts, dirt, and more. For added convenience, "cliff" sensors keep it from falling down stairs or other vertical drops. The unit offers an oversized, bagless, easy-to-empty debris bin, and its power supply fully charges in seven hours. Accessories include a standard battery, a standard charger, a cleaning tool, and an owner's guide. The cleaning machine measures approximately 13 by 13 by 4 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.
What's in the box:
iRobot Dirt Dog Workshop Robot
Standard battery--non APS
Standard charger
Cleaning tool
Owner's guide
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