*** The device ***
This vacuum cleaner is not too big. It easily fits in a corner of the house (near a power outlet of course).
It is preloaded, but the manufacturer asks to load a full night before its first use.
The battery takes a long time and recharges quickly. It is advisable to allow it to charge continuously to prevent the battery sabîme (see the power consumption?).
The recharging base is quite small and unobtrusive. For cons, I blame him not to be quite heavy, because vacuuming often tends to shake when it is detached or joined.
There are two manuals, quick and careful, this second lacks some clarity especially for the different functions of cleaning and programming. I fumbled a bit to really understand what the various buttons correspond (dock, spot clean, schedule, clock). The time and day are the ones that are easy to adjust.
But personally I especially struggled to program at first. For wanting to test a program I recorded an hour without wanting to, so that the device has tripped at night!
There are therefore two cleaning functions:
* The "clean" function: Roomba calculates the room size and adjusts its cleaning time (it's a complete cleaning that lasts long enough).
* The "Spot" function: Roomba spiral turns over an area of about one meter in diameter, for intensive cleaning of a zone (ideal for picking up the crumbs after a meal with children for example).
It has several icons that indicate either a problem (full container, entanglement or repair) or a zone is dirtier.
I tested the icon entanglement, because I have a 7 year old girl who loves Legos, Playmobil and the other toddlers toys that are found everywhere. The device has sucked a big Lego that is stuck in the rollers, he told me that there was a worry.
In addition, a female voice tells us if there is problem (the language is easily adjustable).
The robot is easy to put into operation. For a thorough cleaning (mode I use most) just press the big "clean" button. The unit turns on and so does his job. Once he finished, he returned alone on its base if it is accessible and of course we know that with a little music. If ever it is estimated that he has enough sucked and it is possible to stop it and to return it to its base by pressing "dock" (by cons must be close enough).
This model comes with a "virtual wall" that creates an invisible barrier for the device to go into a room or he types into the bowl of animals for example.
It operates on two C batteries (not included). I tested it and it works fine. For cons, I do not really useful. After all depends on each one, its needs and its environment.
Aspiration *** ***
To know that I do not have pets, no carpet and I live in town. My floors are either tiled or wooden flooring.
Before aspiration, the parts must be kept clear (as of chairs, clutter removed) because I noticed that if the Roomba is too embarrassed, or he quickly returns to its base, ie it sucks "too" long.
Nevertheless, it is really stuck, it will stop by itself. This is reassuring, because if we decide to leave the work alone was the guarantee that sarrêtera if it encounters a problem.
It also stops him even when he believes he has enough sucked a part or assembly of parts. I'm realized myself leaving do my rooms are upstairs. As he could not reconnect it turned off by itself.
It is respectful of the furniture and walls. It not nabîme. Besides it has a fairly soft contours allowing datténuer shocks.
It easily passes on fine carpet, small obstacles and especially it detects the empty! No danger of falling down stairs.
It is rather quiet. Much more than a "normal" vacuum cleaner anyway. For example, it is possible to watch TV simultaneously. By cons, it is noisy at night!
It has two HEPA filters (ideal for allergy sufferers), this prevents it rejects in the air that sucks the micro dust.
After two weeks of testing I noticed that cleans the bottom of my home (living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and veranda), or about 60 square meters, about 1 hour.
Cleanliness level, I have no complaints, it does a very good job! My rooms are clean and well vacuumed. Dust it picks me much and yet I often sucks!
His brush has three heads is ideal for banks, it really helps to bring out dirt, crumbs and other debris.
Its small height that it passes easily under furniture, beds, sofas. It allows cleaning where I do not really think the place to go or so less accessible with a hose.
After doing when viewed, it may seem so disconcerting as it cleans! But do not forget that this is a robot and not a human. It has its own operating mode. He spends more time in the same places, he leaves a room to come back two minutes later. In short he lives his life! We must let him, because in any case the result is there.
*** The maintenance and cleaning ***
The instructions are clear for this step.
It comes with two small tools for cleaning.
It is recommended to empty the tank after each use, because it is small. It's easy and quick to do, but not necessarily pleasant for someone allergic because we are in direct contact with the dust.
It should also clean the sensors periodically, the front wheel and the different brushes.
Overall I find it easy to maintain. It is quite fast and not too restrictive. The rollers flake easily and the small front wheel.
Personally I cleaned with a vacuum cleaner (the height!) And it allowed me to catch all the dust that had accumulated and clean it thoroughly.
The manufacturer recommends changing the filters every two months.
Looking a little on the net and in stores I found reasonable the price of spare parts (filters, rollers and side brushes)
*** Conclusion ***
I have little to reproach this Roomba 772, as of today I am satisfied. This is a high quality device. It works great on my land, it is easy to use when one has understood the different functions, it is safe and well answer my expectations.
Admittedly, this is a different aspiration that we can do it by hand with a conventional vacuum cleaner, as it aspires as soils, rugs and carpets. It will not move the furniture, do not pass under the couch cushions to remove crumbs and not sucked the cobwebs on the ceiling ... but I think he has still many advantages and that it greatly facilitates cleaning. For me, this device is an attractive addition to my daily dusting.
Because he did it for me, so I can do something else while it sucks, plus it goes where I will not necessarily with my vacuum cleaner (under furniture, under couches, under beds) and its programming is that you can make it work when you are at work or on the go, and when we get the floors are clean (very nice!).
I confess that I had a scare at the beginning not to use it or very little, but frankly I'm blown away by his skills and it is a device that I will not let him in his corner.
After I advise those who still otn an apartment or a little crowded house, quite clean, with little animals. Otherwise I think this robot can not completely fulfill its task. It may be too embarrassed to not clean it properly and thus disappoint you.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or would like some information.
