Vote For Pedro! (Scheduler Review)

Nanci · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 170

I have wanted a Roomba since they first came out. They seemed expensive, though, and it seemed unlikely that a robot vacuum could do a very good job. I killed off a few different vacuums while I was waiting, and then bought a Dyson, which I am very happy with. Still- the Roomba was lurking in the back of my mind. I watched from a distance as they became better and better. For some reason a couple weeks ago, I got the Roomba bug _really_ bad, and was looking at them on line, but just couldn't justify spending $300 or so on another vacuum when I already had a perfectly good one. I found this site, and learned to watch WOOT for a bargain. I'm on WOOT every morning anyway. Only a day or so later- there it was! A remanufactured Scheduler for only $139!! It was in my price range, and I'd purchased many remanufactured electronics before with good luck, so that didn't bother me at all. I'd read enough opinions on the forum that I was comfortable buying a Roomba- I knew it would do a good job for me. I anxiously awaited its arrival.

The day finally came- Pedro was here! The 16 hour wait seemed to take forever. Finally I put him to work. I was a little surprised at how he avoided walls and objects by bumping into them- for some reason I thought he had a sensor and wouldn't have to touch anything. I soon became used to his method of navigation, though, and now can even fall asleep in a chair while Pedro is cleaning! Pedro found lots of dust and carpet fibers and bird down on his first few expeditions. I was afraid his dust bin would overflow- but it didn't, it had plenty of capacity for multiple rooms. I was also leary of the cleaning procedure which I knew from reading here was very important, but it's a piece of cake compared to actually having to vacuum myself!

I had fenced Pedro away from under my bed, since I had a couple big comforters and two shoe boxes and a silverware box under there. I guess Pedro was smart enough to push my slippers out of the way and get under the bed anyway, and soon he had sucked up five years of dust! Now I let him go under there all the time.

Today is Pedro's one week anniversary, and I am already wishing for a Scooba. I've made plans to buy another charging station for Pedro so he can do my bedroom/bathroom/closet while I'm at work, and then my livingroom/kitchen/hall/bathroom/birdroom when I get home, since he sets off the motion detectors. I can totally see why people want more and more of them.

Pedro does have trouble with my area rugs- so I just shake them out and put them up and Pedro cleans up the extra dirt! He also doesn't like the big AC intake grate, but that's easy to fence off with a virtual wall. My carpets are gorgeous now- fluffy and clean and perfect. I am totally satisfied with Pedro, and would recommend a Roomba Scheduler to any skeptic. I am so in love!

Nanci

Nanci · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 170

A couple things I want to add:

Apparently I've been doing the complete monthly cleaning every time! I still find the cleaning procedure very easy- even though it's the extended procedure.

Even though I have Pedro- the nice Dyson isn't going to waste. For instance, one day Pedro and I tag-teamed the bird room. I picked up all furniture I could (bedside tables, etc.) and set Pedro to cleaning floor that hadn't seen a vacuum in a long time, while I took the Dyson and vacuumed the walls and dusted furniture. It's more fun to do other house work when my friend Pedro is also working- he motivates me!

Nanci

Nanci · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 170

Last night I was cleaning with Pedro in places that hardly ever used to get vacuumed- under armchairs and end tables and the coffee table. He was in the middle of a max cleaning, and I'd move a chair, set him there, do a spot cleaning, then move the chair back to nice perfectly clean carpet! It was so much fun!

Nanci

geekgranny · Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 1775 Location: Dallas Texas USA

Great info Nanci AND I'm glad you are having fun with Pedro.

After over 4 years with my ever increasing family of 'Bots I'm still as impressed, motivated, and tag-teaming also, all the while having some fun. :party:

And to think.... back at Y2K prep time I had to get a bunch of manual cleaning devices. That seems so primative. (Although I haven't had to use my backup solar power for any length of time you'd better believe that a DirtDog would be one of the first "members" at solar "feeding station".):D :D :D

gg=alice

Nanci · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 170

I'm so excited!! Pedro's second charging station gets here tomorrow so I can actually use his scheduling feature! I programmed the remote already. It was so easy! I couldn't find the manual, and thought I'd just wing it. Simple.

Last night, after Pedro had already cleaned the LR, kitchen, bird room, hall and small bath, charged himself, and was in the middle of doing the master bedroom/bath, I made a huge mess in the living room putting a thermometer in a pet cage. There were aspen shavings all over! I interrupted Pedro, brought him out, set him to do one spot clean, and he took care of it!

Nanci

Nanci · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 170

Pedro's been happily cleaning my bedroom and bathroom while I am at work, then charging himself so he is ready to do more when I get home in the afternoon. It's so wonderful to come home to freshly-vacuumed floors!

He's a tough robot! Last night, while Pedro was vacuuming the livingroom, I was standing on the couch to reach something. When I stepped down, Pedro was right under my foot, and I stepped on him! I was horrified, afraid that I'd damaged him, but after I replaced his dust bin, off he went, unharmed.

Nanci