Can I kill a roomba?

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Awww, I thought that was the whole point? Awhile back DH thought one would make a great gift for me.

I believe I have previously mentioned that we do not see eye-to-eye on the technology I want? Anyways, most of my home is level, but there is an indoor flower bed that has a drop-off to it on three sides, and steps at both ends. Then there are two cats who would view it as either personal toys or an assault. And the JRT who would view it as a challenge to be defeated. DH is convinced it could handle the drop-offs, the animals are at least one of the reasons he thought it would be a good idea, but also a problem. I believe this was last Mother's Day; I gave him a list of two or three things I DID want, being very specific on exact requirements, and got a marvelous food processor!

 

[seismic wonder2]

I LOVE MY ROOMBA!!!
but with pets you MUST clean it out EVERY DAY!!!
invest in a dental pick. I get them for $.25 each at the swap meet. You'll need it to pick out the hair from the brushes.
Get the one that has a vacuume also not just the sweeper.

It creeps my wife out...It seems to follow her like a predator....too funny!
Cats keep an eye on it but other than that they could care less.

 

[easttxchick]

Kat, I love mine, but seismic wonder is right, if you're picking up a lot of dog hair, you just need to clean it out more frequently.
My doxie loves to chase mine-keeps him occupied for short periods of time anyway!

 

[seismic wonder2]

It will get wrapped up in everything that resembles a string, I.E. computer cords, shoelaces, rug edge thingys, your new IPOD earphones.
It also will bump into everything, sometimes it re-arranges the dining room chairs and locks it'self in there. It will close doors and open others. It will NOT handle ledges, one roller goes off and it will just stop there.
anything unstable(leaning against the wall etc...) will be knocked over.
If anything it forces you to pick up after yourself because you a) don't want it chewed on by the bot and b) if it knocks something over the bot may get broken.

One time the cat huarked in the floor and the thing smeared the goo EVERYWHERE!

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Oh. My.

 

[silkiechicken]

LOL

Yeah, it works for small empty spaced condos as per some co-workers in Seattle liking the gadget, but put animals in the picture and it's one expensive toy.

 

[pbjmaker]

Seems like it is more work than just using a regular old vac.

 

[hoppy]

skip the roomba if you have pets, not good on pet hair and not good for rugs with tassles. mine would run for 1 hour cleaning a bare floor in a room 10 x 10. sucked when the cup fell off and sprayed dirt behind it as it went. I finally gave it away when the battery died. it's $50 for a new rechargable battery. your better off to put money in to a better vacuum.

 

[Tala]

The only vacuum I recommend for dog hair is a shop vac. hehehe I replaced my old cheap-o vac with a 5gal Brute Shop Vac with hose/floor attachments --- it was about $60 at WalMart which makes it considerably cheaper than most options. It has the washable type filter and I have to beat it out outside on a treestump almost everytime I use it thanks to all the doggy dirt. We do have all hardwood though, I kinda doubt you could make it work as good on carpet unless they make a separate floor attachement for that....

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I have to say I love my Dyson! It is 5 yrs old and has held up to 4 dogs (2 mastiffs, Border Collie and Blue Heeler), 7 or so parrots and chickens in the house. (if you think dogs can make a mess - try free flighted parrots who love to chew cardboard, paper, throw their food to the dogs, fly by tables and knock stuff off - and my Cockatoo who has decided enough chickens and so breaks open eggs and throws shells)

Plus all the sand that is natural in the desert, bugs I must suck up, rocks, nuts n bolts all this and it is always happy to see me and ready to work.

Ok, I did have to replace the hose

and was told I should not pick up sharp wood peices/chunks the parrots like to litter with or metal parts. (yeah like telling me to stop will make me)